Why are we doing this?

A lot of people have asked us, why are we doing this? It's not because we don't want to help. It's because as community members and stakeholders we feel that everyone living nearby, not just within 600ft, of Generations Community Church should be informed and their opinion should be heard. If Generations and Pastor Craig Laughlin aren't going to ask you for your opinions, I will. You opinion matters.

What is purpose of the petition? The petition is just one way we can let Generations Community Church and North Snohomish County Outreach know how we feel in data-driven manner. The petition is already at 371 signers in less than 72 hours!

Along with the petition, people have been making comments through change.org, our blog, Nextdoor and Facebook. These comments are our emotional appeal. Below you will find just a few examples of what your neighbors are saying in support of our cause.

Several of us are meeting with Pastor Craig Laughlin of Generations Community Church on Wednesday to share your questions, comments and concerns along with the petition signatures we have as of that date. Do you have a question or comment you would like included? Scroll to the bottom to drop us a line to let us know what you think.

Location of these homeless shelters in residential neighborhoods are unacceptable and fear for our children who when school starts back up need to catch the bus for the bus stop is close to this homeless encampment. - Gabrielle (change.org)

It makes no sense to add one of these into a neighborhood area, if they wanted to add one down town Marysville that would make more sense. - Heather (change.org)

Comparing this proposed project to Skagit... Marysville's is a mess. We need more affordable housing - this is not the solution. The location isn't even close to the downtown corridor. How does that make any sense for opportunity & services? It doesn't. If it's going to be done, it needs a whole lot more planning & consideration. - Brenda (change.org)

My question is who is going to be liable for any uptick in crime? Who is paying for additional police patrols? How and who will actually be monitoring/making sure rules are followed? What is this organization's record? Success vs. failure? - Michelle (Nextdoor)

This shelter location will be across the street from the Ebey trail that then connects to the Centennial trail, this encampment could be a byway for the homeless to travel from Marysville to Arlington and so on. I have woods next to my home that I do not want filled with strangers. I don't want the Walmart then to be a hangout for transients. This concerns me deeply and I fear for the safety of my family and neighbors. - Tracy (change.org)

It makes absolutely no sense to have this homeless shelter be so far away from healthcare, transit, grocery stores, jobs, etc. I go running every morning on the Bayview Trail. If this encampment is built I will not feel safe walking alone there anymore. - Nellie (blog comment)

Show me proof that a homeless shelter has ever helped a neighborhood. Ask Jenny Durkin how they are working out for Seattle. - Steve (blog comment)

No notice either...just heard from this site. Seems like they were trying to be a bit tricky there...seeing how MOST people had no idea. - Sarah (Lake Stevens Community Facebook)

NO WAY...We do not need a homeless shelter in our neighborhood, look at the decline it caused in Seattle and everywhere else. How do we fight this. I did not receive this letter either!! - Laura (Nextdoor)

Your Opinion Matters.