DESC

05/26/2026

Did you know that DESC’s PACT team served 123 people last year?

The Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) is a nationally recognized practice that works with people with serious and persistent mental illness, assisting them in their journey towards recovery.

DESC is one of the few agencies in Washington State that delivers PACT to the community — with a team of nurses, mental health professionals, substance use disorder specialists, vocational specialists, social workers, and peer specialists.

The PACT model is distinguished by its intensive outreach and team-oriented, trans-disciplinary approach: instead of a case manager being responsible for 1-2 clients, each team member is responsible for every client, working together to help participants reach their goals.

Learn more here! https://www.desc.org/what-we-do/health-services/program-of-assertive-community-treatment-pact/

*Pictured: Registered Nurse Pauline Maina with DESC's PACT team checks Evan’s House tenant Roberto Calderon's blood pressure.

05/22/2026

Moving into an apartment after years of homelessness is no easy journey. For Tammy, it was the steady support of DESC staff along the way that made her stability possible.

“I’ve come a really long way,” Tammy said. “I am definitely proof that the work these people come in and do every day … is absolutely producing very good things.”

Dealing with lifelong homelessness before finding a home at DESC’s Burbridge Place, Tammy had years of trauma to unpack as she found her footing in her space. Now, she lives on her own
in an adult family residence and has stopped using substances like methamphetamine.

Tammy’s story shows that housing is the first step, but not the only step. Behavioral health services, wraparound care, and staff who care and assertively support our clients are essential to our client journeys.

“Y’all are my safety... I know I can always come back to DESC.”

Read her story here: https://www.desc.org/tammys-story-finding-safety-at-desc/

Pictured: Tammy (left), with her friend Cortina, who lives at DESC's Burbridge Place. ❤️

05/20/2026

Help transform our new units at Birch Grove into welcoming homes for 120 new tenants!

Adopt an apartment and join us on June 18 to set it up! Your donation helps us equip units with essential items including towels, sheets, dishes, and cleaning supplies — plus, you get to personally set up a warm and curated space for our tenants to feel at home upon move in.

Birch Grove, located in Lake City, is named after longtime DESC client, friend, volunteer, and inspiration Helen Birch.

Learn more and adopt an apartment here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/desc-apartment-adoption-for-birch-grove

05/18/2026

Last month, DESC's ORCA staff and community partners provided treatment, medical care, and ongoing support to community members in the Little Saigon neighborhood of Seattle!

Over the course of the three days, ORCA staff connected 26 people to medication for opioid use disorder treatment — including nine individuals who started monthly long-acting injectable buprenorphine!

This medication helps manage cravings, can prevent overdose, and supports long-term recovery.

Staff also referred four people to DESC’s STAR Center, a service-rich, non-congregate shelter offering comprehensive support, hot meals, showers, and community enrichment.

Thank you to the Seattle Fire Department, Harborview Medical Center, Public Health - Seattle & King County, REACH/LEAD — Evergreen Treatment Services, and everyone who made this event possible!

Learn more here: https://www.desc.org/descs-orca-team-helps-connect-people-to-opioid-treatment-during-little-saigon-outreach-event/

05/13/2026

We are having a wonderful time at Housing First Partners Conference 2026 in San Francisco!

Over 1,200 advocates from 43 states and six countries are joining together with the shared belief that housing — paired with compassionate, comprehensive support —is the most effective path to ending homelessness.

At hashtag , we're addressing misconceptions about permanent supportive housing, discussing ethical storytelling, and connecting on how we can best serve our communities.

Thank you to all our attendees and supporters!

05/11/2026

Did you know that the majority of the people visiting DESC’s Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center are coming for ongoing treatment for opioid use disorder?

ORCA isn’t just a place for post-overdose recovery — it’s a space where people can find reliable care, support, and connection to their next step.

Since opening in September 2025, ORCA has served 1,100+ clients — including 540 people starting medication for opioid use disorder.

Learn more in this piece by one of ORCA’s funders, the City of Seattle Government Human Services Department:

Community Corner highlights the work of Seattle Human Services’ community partners in their own words. Our goal is to gather stories and photos that illustrate their amazing work on behalf of the people of Seattle. This post focuses on the Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center, a facility op...

05/07/2026

At DESC, we serve people who have been homeless for years, even decades.

These are our neighbors who’ve been living unsheltered while navigating mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, and other complex challenges — cycling through systems that have not met their needs.

At DESC, we know that behavioral healthcare — including mental health services, treatment for substance use disorders, and case management — is essential to helping people find safety and stability. It’s housing AND healthcare, not housing only.

Learn more: https://www.desc.org/about/who-we-serve/ 🧡

05/05/2026

Today’s the day!

By donating to DESC for , you can ensure that the nearly 7,000 people we serve annually remain housed, continue having access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment, and are met where they're at.

Join us in working to end homelessness by giving today:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/givebig-2026

05/04/2026

At DESC, we’ve learned that bringing healthcare to people where they’re at makes all the difference.

Our Opioid Recovery + Care Access (ORCA) Center has a Patient Outreach Division (POD) that brings life-changing medication to those dealing with substance use disorder, when and where they need it most.

Since opening in September 2025, ORCA has helped get 370+ people on medication for opioid use disorder.

One client, who after starting a monthly buprenorphine injection no longer uses opioids, called ORCA his “home away from home.”

For , we hope you’ll consider donating to DESC to help us continue this essential, innovative care:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/givebig-2026

05/01/2026

Update on our Belmont location in Capitol Hill incoming! 🚨

Land that was planned to house a DESC permanent supportive housing location on Belmont Ave. in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle is now being leased to the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to build Belmont Village: 32 micro shelters (commonly known as tiny homes) serving individuals and couples living unsheltered. 🏘️

Though we are disappointed that federal funding challenges affected our near-term plans to add another permanent supportive housing location to Seattle, we are happy to share that our partners in ending homelessness will be using this space to provide temporary dignified housing! ❤️

Belmont Village will feature 24/7 staffing, a security pavilion, an onsite case manager and behavioral health specialist, a community kitchen, and hygiene and laundry facilities. Six of the tiny houses and common facilities will be accessible.

DESC still intends to develop permanent supportive housing at this location, when conditions warrant. Learn more here: https://www.desc.org/belmont/

*Site plan of Belmont Village pictured courtesy of Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI).

04/28/2026

Permanent supportive housing paired with comprehensive services helps people like Tina find stability and live with dignity.

“It’s wonderful housing. I want to stay here for 20 years, until I die,” said Tina Telles, DESC client who lives at The Morrison Hotel. “I’m so happy that I’m not homeless.”

DESC staff connected with Tina when she was living outside with a physical disability, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Now, she takes her medication regularly, receives disability payments, and has an apartment of her own with access to a primary care provider and in-home support.

“They help me every day. I couldn’t live without them,” Tina said of DESC staff.

This kind of support, though proven to be effective, is facing funding challenges. Help DESC continue providing life-changing support by donating in the campaign:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/givebig-2026

*Photo credit: Nick Wagner, Seattle Times