PacMed volunteers with Attain Housing for housing stability

Attain Housing tackles homelessness with practical steps and compassion, and Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) is proud to actively support its operations. The Kirkland-based nonprofit has been helping homeless and at-risk Eastside families to become self-sufficient since 1989. The organization first stabilizes families in 37 Attain Housing apartments, and in units owned by others. It then assists the families with a range of supportive services, including transportation and healing case management, to help them make lasting life changes.

The caregivers at PacMed Totem Lake have found great inspiration in their volunteer efforts with Attain Housing over the past several years. “As an organization, we want to be more involved with our community,” says Totem Lake Clinic Supervisor Patti-Lynn Willey.

The clinic’s first project was a spaghetti dinner, held at a local church. “We made and served the dinner, and then cleaned up, all within a two-hour window on a weekday, after work! Everyone that participated was inspired to continue helping the community,” says Patti-Lynn. All are welcome to Attain Housing’s weekly suppers.

“The volunteers from PacMed have been incredibly enthusiastic helpers and never need to be told twice what to do. They just hop right in and get the job done, all the while cheerfully interacting with clients and each other,” says Eric Sanford, Communications & Development Specialist, Attain Housing. “As a volunteer coordinator, I always know it’s going to be good time for all when PacMed is on the schedule.”

This past March, volunteers from PacMed Totem Lake pitched in with yard maintenance at an Attain Housing development near Kirkland. “It was awesome to see the transformation our small group of volunteers were able to accomplish working alongside Attain Housing employees,” says Patti-Lynn. PacMed is also a financial supporter of Attain Housing’s transportation program.

In 2020, the Attain Housing transitional housing program supported 42 families (58 adults and 87 children)—and 88% of the organization’s families moved into permanent housing. We know that safe and stable housing is a strong predictor of health outcomes and access to health services. PacMed is proud to be a neighbor of Attain Housing.