HomeShelters and Homeless ServicesTacoma Avenue Shelter The Tacoma Avenue Shelter's mission is to provide a welcoming, comfortable, compassionate and safe place where men and women experiencing homelessness can get: a good night's sleep, respect, and opportunities to develop affirming and empowering relationships with staff, and begin a realistic process of generating income and becoming housed. The shelter is located at 1142 Court E, Tacoma Avenue South and is the largest emergency shelter for homeless people in Pierce County. Catholic Community Services assumed operation of the former Martin Luther King Shelter on February 15, 2009. Hours: 5 p.m. -- 7 a.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Guests are asked to arrive at or after 4:30 PM and are asked to wait inside the courtyard area. Guests are not allowed to loiter or wait in the alley and are expected to stay at the shelter once they have been admitted for the evening. There are no in and out privileges. Intake Process Guests are admitted from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. No one is admitted after 8 PM without prior approval. Showers are required. First-time guests come into the shelter and let staff know this is their first time. They complete a registration form, take a shower and are assigned a sleeping location (bed, floor mat or directly on the floor). Guests keep the same sleeping location as long as they come to the shelter each night. There is a seniority process to move from the floor to a bed. People with medical or mobility issues are given priority sleeping locations. Guests can stay as long as needed. Each guest receives a “Welcoming Interview” within the first week to help them assess their needs and begin life goal planning. Capacity Men’s: 68 Beds Additional severe weather overflow floor and mats: 37 Total men’s beds and floor: 105 Women’s: 22 Beds Additional severe weather overflow floor and mats: 13 Total women’s beds and floor: 35 Total Bed capacity: 90 Total capacity with overflow: 140 Other Services On-site medical van monthly On-site mental health outreach Evening meals provided by outside groups several times a week Social service assessment Life goal planning Access to needed services Volunteer Opportunities Provide an evening meal for up to 140 individuals on a weekly or monthly basis Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for guests Assists evening staff with distributing towels and sheets to guests (5 p.m.-9 p.m.) Assists with fund-raising events Assists staff with laundry during the day or after 10 PM Tacoma Avenue Shelter 1143 Court E Tacoma, WA 98402