In 2019, members of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Corvallis, Oregon, along with their friends, family, and community members, formed a working group with one purpose in mind: to create a medical respite shelter for the homeless and marginally housed. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness estimates that approximately 15,876 unsheltered individuals are currently living in Oregon, and studies show that many of these individuals are struggling with mental health conditions, physical health conditions, and substance use disorders simultaneously. Life on the streets only intensifies these conditions, and–after speaking with public health professionals and homeless advocates in the Corvallis area– the working group determined the necessity of a safe, welcoming facility dedicated to those without a place to rest and recover.
We formed ORCA (St Olga Respite Care Association) because we care about the dignity of each human being, and firmly believe that the most marginalized members of our community deserve care. However, we also find it important to point out the pragmatic benefits of establishing a respite care program for the homeless and marginally housed:
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Safe housing programs and respite shelter models have proven economic benefits:
> A Seattle Housing First program that provided 95 homeless alcoholics with safe housing ‘reduced total costs relating to their care by more than $4 million compared to the year before” (JAMA via The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
> Eugene’s medical respite center, Shelter Care, reports that its Homeless Medical Recuperation program has saved the city over $1.2 million since its founding in 2013.
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS
> Homeless individuals are particularly susceptible to Hepatitis A, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Even diseases thought to be long eradicated in developed countries, such as typhus, have returned in the homeless populations.
> Through the health of homeless and marginally-housed populations is worth of care in its own right, it is important to note that the emergence/reemergence of diseases in the areas in which they live poses a health risk to housed individuals as well. In this way, caring for these persons benefits the health of the community at large.
OUR NAMESAKE
ORCA is named in honor of the life and work of Matushka Olga (Arrsamquq) Michael, a Native Alaskan Yup’ik woman from Kwethluk, Alaska. Matushka Olga was known in her community for her work as a midwife and for her expansive generosity, particularly toward the poor, survivors of trauma, and survivors of sexual abuse. Given that our organization was founded by members of an Orthodox church, and that Matushka Olga demonstrated particular care for populations that have suffered in similar ways to the homeless and marginally-housed in our own community, ORCA has selected her as our patron, as well as a reminder of the importance for caring for those left behind.
Though not all of our team members are Orthodox Christians (we welcome team members from all backgrounds!), ORCA was founded by members of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Corvallis, OR.
For more information about Matushka Olga from an Orthodox perspective, please see the following article from The Canadian Journal of Orthodoxy: http://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol-3-W-1%20Kevin%20071228.PDF
