Transform Burien is a cooperative group of nine churches located in the Burien/Highline area that offer free resources to those in need through their Outreach program. They are located in the "old" Burien Community Center, on 4th Ave. SW between SW 144th St. and SW 146th St., by the skateboard park.

Participating churches are the Burien Evangelical Church, Burien Free Methodist Church, Evergreen Church, Highline Christian Church, Hope Christian Community, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Taproot Church, Three Tree Community Church, and Westside Christian Fellowship.

Free hot meals are served every Wednesday, noon to 2:00 p.m., every Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and new and used clothes, and food pantry items are also free, and available during this time. Their food pantry is sparse, and they urge the public for donations of non-perishable canned goods like soup and beans, and other staples like rice.

Mobile Medical Care

The South King County Mobile Medical Care for Homeless People serves Transform Burien the first and third Wednesdays each month, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Mobile Medical program provides basic medical care to homeless individuals and families living in south King County. A doctor or nurse provides exams and treatment. The program does not charge a fee and does not require insurance. The program can assist with finding shelter, substance abuse treatment, and other resources.

Volunteer Michelle Morrell was born and raised in Burien. She said she does most of the cooking.

"We all love our fellow people and we all love the Lord," she said. "We are all brothers and sisters and that's the heart that makes this place go. I spend at least three days a week here. We prepare on Fridays. On Sundays we feed about 200 people.

Pastor Jack Seeley serves the Burien Evangelical Church, adjacent to the Transform Burien facility.

"I spent 27 years administering inner city missions," he said. "I retired from what became CityTeam Ministries on Elliott Avenue and then took the church here."

He sees more children coming in for assistance.

"Families come in on Sunday and we see a lot of kids," he said. "A lot of kids are in school Wednesdays when we get more of our homeless (adult) crowd. I work at Highline High School as a volunteer football coach and at one time had six on our team couch-surfing, as it's called, staying with others because they had no where else to stay."

Boston-born James, 43, is homeless and lives in Burien, and said he sleeps behind the USA Mini Mart. He is a regular at Transform Burien for meals, and uses their food pantry and donated clothes. He attended Foster High School in Tukwila.

"I've lived in Burien a long time," he said. "I remember when Albertsons was a rock quarry. I sleep behind the USA gas station. Shelters, I've been there. Got crabs. No bugs for me. Don't want to go back. The kids love me here. They come by when they have problems at home, mostly parent problems. One kid told me his mom and dad said they were going to get divorce because of him being there.

James added, "I tell kids, Stay in school, even if you hate your teacher. Or get that GED.' My mom lives in Idaho. That's the only one I really talk to. My dad was abusive, and beat up on her."

Volunteer Pamela Molner

"Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and have a heart for people I've seen here," said volunteer and Burien resident, Pamela Molner. "All these people are precious but a few stay with you when you go home and your mind wanders and wonders, especially when it's cold and rainy."

She pointed out a homeless man eating lunch by himself who she believes needs urgent medical help.

"He won't listen to us," she said. "He's 'the captain of his own ship'. Yes, there are plenty of others here I can be concerned about, but I still try to get through to him. You can't toss someone aside and say, 'I'll get a new one because this one is broken.'"