Fifteen Ballard High School students started a club that made a big difference to individuals living at Tent City Three, a homeless community that was living at Seattle Pacific University.

Their club, called Tent City Three Club (TC3) meets every Monday after school. It was formed to raise awareness and support the 100 individuals living at Tent City Three.

In December club-members helped set up Tent City Three on the SPU campus. They also donated food, clothing and medical supplies to the individuals at the site.

Residents were recently moved to Shoreline, and TC3 Club was there to help in any way they could.

“Last weekend, half of the club and I went down to SPU and helped them pack up their belongings for their move …we helped them disassemble their tents and organize the belongings into boxes,” said TC3 Club President, Casey Cooper.

Cooper is a junior and started the club after viewing the original construction of Tent City Three. The TC3 director at SPU and news and media relation manager, Tracy Norlen, is Cooper’s aunt.

“When I visited Tent City 3, I spoke with some of the residents to get a feel for how they operate at Tent City. Taking a tour with some of the residents by my side also helped me get to know them and understand their perspective of the environment. I was immensely impressed with their organization of living space and how they incorporated each individual to do different jobs in their household community.”

Originally inspired to help the homeless when she was in seventh grade, Cooper felt there was a need to familiarize the BHS student body and the community with the issues homeless individuals face every day.

“My goal was not only getting my friends involved, but to generate more overall awareness at my school. My goal was to get the entire student body aware of the homeless organization and to get as many individuals as possible to join my year-round club…Raising awareness will not only promote the benefits for Tent City Three, but will involve others to strive for the feeling of giving back to those who don’t have as much as some,” says Cooper.

Club members discovered TC3 residents really needed bus passes.

To raise money for passes, the club organized a bake sale and held it in upper Queen Anne. They made a poster that highlighted the Club’s goals and to raise awareness of TC3.

They raised $140 and bought passes for TC3 residents.

Juliet Stanwood, another club member said, “The involvement makes you feel helpful for those in need and provides the residents with helping hands,” says Stanwood. “Every step helps and that’s all that matters.”
 
The students hope to maintain their relationships with TC3 residents after the move.

“I feel the Ballard population needs to organize an area location to distribute foods and items to this organization. I am willing to search and find individuals in the Ballard area such as parents to get a better sense of involvement in the entire community.”

In the future the Club plans to have more canned food drives and bakes sales to raise money for TC3 residents. They are also working with the Share/Wheel to organize an auction to raise money for Tent City Three and other homeless foundations. The auction will be held in early October of this year.

Cooper plans to apply to schools to become a pediatric dentist. She says she plans to stay in touch with TC3.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I got others to open their hearts and help those in need,” said Cooper.