Olympia has a new Interim Homeless Response Coordinator
Olympia has a new Interim Homeless Response Coordinator, city officials say: Teal Russell, who had been working as a Downtown Ambassador for about half a decade.
When former coordinator Colin DeForrest resigned recently, his duties were spread out among several city employees, and economic uncertainty related to COVID-19 clouded the future of the role. Russell was among the people who collectively took on DeForrest’s responsibilities.
The Homeless Response Coordinator position pays about $100,000, including benefits, Interim Assistant City Manager Keith Stahley told The Olympian. Previously, it was funded by Evergreen Christian Community, but that funding ended with DeForrest’s departure.
The city now plans to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to fund the position, according to Stahley.
Olympia City Council on Tuesday held a public hearing on amendments to the city’s plan to reallocate CDBG funds due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, and Stahley anticipates the amendment will be formally approved next week.
“Teal is somebody who I have known for over 5 years, she was one of the original Downtown Ambassadors before that program moved to the city,” Stahley said. The program was once run by the Capital Recovery Center.
“I respected her then and continue to be impressed in her ability to problem-solve on-the-fly and communicate really well,” Stahley said. “We thought that she had the right skill set to be effective in the job, and we’re going to give her the opportunity to demonstrate that.”
Russell, who stepped into the role Friday, told The Olympian the relationships she’s formed with social service providers, individuals who are homeless, business owners, and other community members as a Downtown Ambassador will be fundamental to her new role.
Her work has involved outreach and advocacy for individuals living on the street and business owners, Russell explained, saying “those worlds tend to come in contact all day long.”
Business owners would call the Ambassadors, for example, when someone in their store was having a mental health crisis. Ambassadors then show up and step in, often directing the person in crisis to the appropriate social service or other supports.
“We’d be supporting not only the business, but also that person,” Russell said. She interfaced with the public in that role, too, Any time you wear a city logo, Russell says, people will stop to ask questions or state frustrations.
She grew up here, she said, and has watched the city change. Russell describes herself as a “boots-on-the-ground person,” and while her new role will include a lot of meetings, she’s committed to maintaining that presence to “really see what people are seeing.”
Like DeForrest, Russell will work with Brandon Ault, who’s been supporting the downtown mitigation site and helping transition management of the site to Catholic Community Services. Recently, Ault also has helped with the city’s outreach efforts into camps.
“I’m really excited,” Russell said. “I’ve gotten to serve the city in different ways, and it’s exciting to know that it’s a new, challenging way I can serve the city.”
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
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