Sergio's at 3444 Martin Way

Sergio's

3444 Martin Way, Olympia, WA

Sergio’s will be a daytime resource center to connect people with hygiene services, vital social services like medical and mental health care, and an overflow shelter during inclement hazardous weather and short-term emergencies.

Aerial view of Sergio's

Sergio's 2022: Side view of dayroom from the courtyard. Photo by Clair Ferris.

Sergio's 2022: Dayroom looking out to the courtyard. Photo by Clair Ferris.

Sergio's 2022: Front entrance walkway from Martin Way. Photo by Clair Ferris.

FAQs

1. Who currently owns the property at 3444?

Interfaith Works purchased the property in early November, 2020 largely due to the CARES ACT funding set aside for COVID-19 response. Founded in 1974, Interfaith Works is an Olympia-based non-profit that exists to promote interfaith understanding and serve the community through charitable, social, and educational endeavors. We are a coalition of 32 faith and spiritual communities within Thurston County. Learn more at Interfaith Works.

The mission of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is to advance the social inclusion and empowerment of our neighbors experiencing homelessness through innovative practices of sheltering, mental health, and emergency basic needs coordination. Interfaith Works is dedicated to providing emergency services and support to those in need, not as charity but as an act of social justice. The work of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is rooted in empowerment, social inclusion, and community education to end the unnecessary stigmatization of the most vulnerable. Learn more at IW Shelter.

2. What are you planning to do with the property?

This building will be used as a day time only resource center to connect people with hygiene services, and connection to vital social services like medical and mental health care. During inclement hazardous weather events we will utilize the building for overflow shelter during short term emergencies only. You can learn more about the County hazardous weather program here.

3. Why is it called Sergio's?

Sergio Jaramillo was 60 years old and lived unhoused in Thurston County for over 20 years. Three years ago, he experienced frostbite on both feet resulting in six amputation surgeries on one leg, each failing to heal and causing serious infection. Sergio had accessed every possible resource in Thurston County yet continued to fall through the cracks of the safety net. In 2019, Sergio passed away. He was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. His spirit was so vibrant, creative, brilliant, and fiery. This development’s inspiration has always been to create a space for people like Sergio with no other options. The work we do is life and death each day. We continue our resolve to create the solutions we need so people like Sergio may live full, healthy, and safe lives.

4. What is a Sprung Structure and what will the building look like when it’s done?

Sprung's bright, clear-span interiors provide permanent or temporary shelter structures with a natural and bright living environment, while an energy-efficient insulation package means a comfortable interior and lower overall operating costs.

Sprung’s patented membrane structures are the result of decades of research and development. Each Sprung structure features extruded aluminum arches that are integrally connected to an all-weather outer performance architectural membrane. This specialized membrane is certified as flame-retardant. Sprung structures are engineered to withstand high wind loads and to shed snow. They are expandable and relocatable. They can be fitted with daylight panels, stylish windows and doors, and glazing walls (glass curtain walls) to allow more natural light to penetrate the structure. With over a century of experience, Sprung delivers the most reliable, versatile and technically advanced structures available in the world.

5. How will the site be set up?

6. Who will Sergio's serve?

People who visit Sergio's are considered the most at-risk of complications from contracting COVID-19 – primarily over older, chronically homeless, and living with complex health challenges. Most people are over the age of 55, identify as having a disability.
Within our local system, homeless families with children, persons under age 24, and certain survivors of sexual and domestic violence are served primarily by other agencies, although anyone needing the services at Sergio's will be welcome.
We have trained, experienced staff and volunteers who consider safety a top priority and will be able to appropriately assess a person’s risk during intake.
In our 23 years of experience with both day and nighttime shelter management for all genders, we have not found universal criminal checks to be a necessary step. Our shelter will be providing beds for the most vulnerable members of the homeless community who are not typically violent offenders.
We reserve the right to run a criminal background check at any time on any visitor utilizing our services. In the event that we feel the need to run a check, our staff has instant access to the Washington State Patrol WATCH database, as well as the WA State Sex offender Registry.
In addition we work closely with local law enforcement and coordinate in the event that there is a person who poses a known risk to safety for any reason.

7. What are the hours of operation?

The hours of operation for Sergio's will be Tuesday - Friday 1-5pm to start. Our focus is to connect people to vital support services as available. We will have a minimum of 3 professional, trained staff on site at all times during the day with an hour of set up/break down on either side of their shift. Sergio’s Support staff are supported by an on-site Manager either on-site, or on-call during operational times. Additionally, we will have volunteer opportunities to support day room activities during operational hours. Volunteer information can be found here.

8. When will Sergio's be finished?

We received our Temporary Occupancy Permit in early January 2023. The building is complete and all permit inspections have been passed. Minimal landscape additions are required to receive full building occupancy which will be approved within 90 days.

9. Are there “rules” for residents and how will they be enforced?

Yes, there are rules for residents, staff, and volunteers. All must read, sign, and abide by the Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program Space Use Agreement. These expectations will be updated for the specific use of Sergio's, but the foundational principles are the same at all of our locations.

SPACE USE AGREEMENT

10. What additional services will be provided at Sergio's?

Supportive Services Provided:

Targeted Peer Support based case management through our Navigation Team Program.
Primary Care Clinic with Valley View Health Services.
Emergency Showers if someone is covered in biohazards.
Emergency clothing and supply distribution as necessary.
Structured Dayroom w/mandatory check in desk.
- Charging stations
- Water access
- Wifi
Activity room: Large room closest to the back door
- Cubicles for service providers to meet with guests
- Large activity table for rotating enrichment activities as scheduled
Clothing Closet: Small room
- Organized storage for clothing donations
- Open set hours for guests to find clothing

11. Is anyone supervising the site?

Staff and Volunteer Structure:

We will have a minimum of 3 professional, trained staff on site at all times during the day. Sergio's staff are supported by an on-site Manager on-site. Further, there will be additional professional staffing support when our medical and mental health partners are operating on site.

Additionally, we will have a contracted Security Guard on site through Pacific Coast Security 4pm-12am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and mobile patrol covering Sergio’s and our other location, Unity Commons, on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays overnight and on the weekends.

12. Will this development attract more unsheltered people to the area?

While there will be more people utilizing the property for services, we do not expect to see an influx. This area already has a large number of people who are unsheltered and unsupported living rough in and around the wooded areas, businesses and residences. What we find at all our locations is that with staffing and presence of a well managed facility, the neighborhood has more support and better outcomes in dealing with these already existing challenging issues when we are present.

The annual Thurston County Homeless Census continually indicates that the majority of homeless people are from this area, and that they, like housed people, tend to migrate towards urban hubs. Olympia is the urban hub of Thurston County and the majority of our unsheltered homeless are already from the county. There is no reason why we would expect this to change. With that said, Thurston County’s population is on the rise, and is expected to increase 20% by 2040. This includes people of all income levels and demographics.

13. Will this development impact property values in the area?

There is no evidence that property values diminish at all as a result of supportive housing or supportive services development. There are both statistical and anecdotal evidence that property values actually increase. A 2008 study quantifying the impact of development on neighborhoods shows surrounding property values substantially increased in eight of nine neighborhoods surveyed. Common sense supports this notion since sponsors either turn blighted buildings into attractive new housing or build on abandoned empty lots that are frequently magnets for illegal activity. Furthermore, historically supportive housing has served as a catalyst for economic development. Because supportive housing either rehabilitates a decrepit building or builds on an empty lot, it improves a block’s look and feel. (Source)

Throughout Thurston County property values have been on the rise. This has been consistent in the neighborhood around the proposed site, even with unmanaged encampments and lower cost housing properties within the immediate vicinity.

14. How can the neighborhood stay informed and part of the process?

Interfaith Works and its partners are committed to a full public process and engaging with the neighborhood on an ongoing basis. When we purchased the property we reached out via email to all the neighboring businesses, and have been working with a few of the neighbors to give away the Fabric inventory that was left behind by the previous owner. If you live or work in the neighborhood and would like to connect with us to learn more, please fill out the form below and let us know because we really want to be sure any of your questions are answered.

Sergio's service connection center program model falls within the allowable use for our zoning area. We will have a neighborhood open house once we have occupancy and invite everyone to come take a look, ask us questions, and get to know us before we open for services. Please see flyer above for the upcoming neighborhood meeting on 1/23/23 at 4:30pm.

“like” us on Facebook for ongoing updates about all of our programs.

15. Care and Management of the Grounds and Parking Lot

Interfaith Works is committed to maintain the safety of Sergio’s both inside and outside the building.

Parking lot is for staff, volunteers, and partner providers only.
2 spots on Mary Elder that are clearly marked can be for guests with medical or social service appointments only. They will need to be escorted into the building by that provider.
No car, tent, RV, or other outdoor camping will be permitted in the parking lot.
Guests will be regularly encouraged to gather in the designated outdoor spaces only, and discouraged from congregating in the surrounding neighborhood.
Staff are present and expected to regularly walk around the grounds to address any issues that may arise.
Pacific Coast Security will also support rounds during their contracted hours.
Any necessary repairs, changes to, or maintenance of the building due to wear and tear or program needs of the Sergio’s will be covered by Interfaith Works Custodial team.