Get Involved
There are many ways to help our houseless neighbors. We are an organization run completely by volunteers who are proud to support the houseless community in various ways. Some work with us through our partner organizations, some are simply individuals in our community. All love our greater community.
RRR (Rolling Refuse Removal)
Every Sunday, a group of volunteers and residents of an encampment clean up the site together.
This is a vital resource for camps as it vastly improves houseless peoples’ health and safety by removing trash. RRR volunteers can rotate in the event someone can not come a given Sunday. Utilizing vehicles like trucks and trailers, one to three camps can be cleared in a matter of hours. Equipment like gloves and tongs are provided for volunteer and resident safety.
Mutual Aid Mondays
Every Monday, a group of volunteers bring food and hygiene supplies to an encampment. Many volunteers cook food and drop it off on site, or bring clothes and supplies from home or donated to churches. Many of our volunteers like to stay and get to know our houseless neighbors better. This is an important and reliable resource for our community.
Laundry Fairies and Do-ers
One of the biggest needs of any encampment is the availability to dry and clean clothes. Volunteers pick up laundry (Laundry Fairies) and take them to volunteers to do the laundry (Laundry Do-ers). The Fairies then pick the laundry back up and redistribute them to the people in camps. Each Fairy has designated people to pick up for and coordinates with the Do-ers for location and time of drop offs and pick ups. OlyMAP can help make these connections and provide a basic structure to help complete this weekly task.
Do You Have Donations?
From clearing out the garage, buying necessities and making food, OlyMAP is partnered with several local organizations and people to bring these supplies to encampments. Donations of items and clothing can be taken to First Christian Church (701 Franklin Street SE, Olympia 98501) Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. If this does not fit in with your schedule, please contact us at admin@olymap.org so we can coordinate a pick up or drop off.
During the COVID-19 crisis, First Christian Church will NOT be open to accept drop off donations, so please contact us using the email address above to arrange for a pick-up or drop-off at another location. or you can contact us at admin@olymap.org to arrange a pick up.
Donations of food or ready to eat food items can be delivered to Volunteers or picked up.
Please visit our Donate page for more information.
