Open Hearth Ministries

How can you help?

  • Educate yourself on the current reality of homelessness and join the growing number of citizens who are advocating on the issue of homelessness!

  • Donate to Open Hearth Ministries — the need continues to grow. Consider donating $60, to cover a night of lodging for a family or a $25 food card from Safeway or Fred Meyer that can be used for food or for gasoline to make needed appointments.

  • Volunteer as a screener or visitor — we are happy to train you! Contact Mary DeForrest at 253-845-0456 for more information.

  • Offer a listening ear if you know a family who is facing homelessness; sometimes just talking can help a family come up with a solution!

A program of Associated Ministries of Pierce County

  • Program information: Mary DeForrest: (253) 845-0456

  • Open Hearth cell phone: (253) 307-2274

  • Access Point 4 Housing (centralized intake for Pierce County): (253) 682-3401

What is Open Hearth Ministries?

In 2003, the Puyallup Homeless Coalition recognized the lack of emergency shelter space for families in Eastern Pierce County, which led to the formation of Open Hearth Ministries. Our roots began with the faith communities of Puyallup and we now have expanded to include participating faith communities from throughout Eastern Pierce County. Open Hearth Ministries operates as a program of Associated Ministries of Pierce County. The focus of Open Hearth is to fill the lack of available shelter space by providing homeless families with a very limited stay in local motels, along with food and gas vouchers, if needed. We actively collaborate with other programs and agencies to brainstorm, strategize, and advocate on long-term solutions for our homeless families.

Open Hearth Ministries operates with a cadre of volunteers – beginning with screeners who respond to calls on the cell phone 7 days a week, followed by the volunteer visitors who visit families sheltered in the motels, along with a very active volunteer board. Accounting services are performed by Associated Ministries professional accounting staff.

How does this work?

A family who calls the Open Hearth Ministries line (253-307-2274) from approximately 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. will speak directly with, or receive a return call from, a volunteer screener who obtains basic information from the family and determines if the family meets our criteria. Our criteria is the family must currently be homeless, their most recent address must be in Eastern Pierce County, and school-age children must be enrolled in one of the local school districts. If the criteria is met, the screener will make arrangements with a local motel and contact a volunteer visitor who will visit the family and help them begin the long process of ending their homelessness. The screener also refers the family to Access Point 4 Housing (253-682-3401), the centralized intake office for Pierce County homeless.
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