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Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council Minutes P.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662 Call To Order: Opening Prayer: Self-Introductions Minutes: LLOYD VAN VACTOR UPDATE: EISCC Co-president Lloyd Van Vactor has been out with health problems but reports that his health is improving. He has been attending a cardiac rehabilitation program at Evergreen Hospital and will begin a new session there April 1st. He hopes to feel well enough to attend the April 13th EISCC meeting and credits his progress to "the good thoughts and prayers offered by friends." Treasurer's Report: Congregations For The Homeless Report: A breathalyzer has been introduced to shelter operation to help clients recognize when they have an alcohol problem and to help CFH direct them into treatment. Steve thanked supporting congregations for their continued support –without which the program would not be able to have the positive impact they do on the lives of Eastside homeless men. THE SOHPIA WAY: Community Building continues to be a focus of the program. The Sophia Way recognizes that although its goal is to move women from the shelter into supportive housing of their own, once a woman moves into her own apartment she can lose the sense of community that she had while in the shelter. As reported last month, funds remain tight and the Sophia Way is ready to help congregations get more involved. Please contact Helen for more information. CONGREGATIONS FOR KIDS: The Good Start Back to School drive for the 2010-11 school year will begin in mid July. Items needed include:
And Checks made out to Congregations for Kids/EISCC to buy more supplies. See the new Congregations for Kids website for details, photos, and testimonials at www.congregations4kids.org or contact Nancy Jacobs for more information LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR: Many local faith-based organizations recognize that our current immigration system does not reflect our nation's best values. Our faith calls us to view all people, regardless of citizenship status, as made in the image of our Creator and deserving of respect; to show compassion for the stranger and love and mercy for our neighbor; to balance the rule of law with the call to oppose unjust laws and systems when they violate human dignity. Those interested are urged to contact their Senators and Representatives and to tell them that, as a person of faith, you support immigration reform legislation that will reunite separated families, protect workers, and provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants. Nancy notes that although it is not expected that our leaders will be bold in this an election year, they should know how their constituents feel about this issue.PROGRAM: HOPE LINK: Food
Hopelink's five centers each offer food banks, plus food deliveries to elderly and disabled individuals who are homebound. Related programs include education and seasonal activities. Hopelink also offers an Emergency Feeding Service, which delivers bags of food to schools, religious institutions, and community centers to provide to families in need. One exciting new development has been the combining of Hopelink's former Kirkland and Bothell sites into a single Totem Lake Center. This new food bank operates on a "grocery store" model where that allows people to actually shop for their food, rather than simply receiving what's given to them. Clients are given shopping carts and color coded cards telling them how many of each category of food they are entitled to, based on the size of their family. Then, the clients simply go shopping in the aisles that are laid out like a normal grocery store. Clients are allowed to come twice a month at a time of their choosing. It was initially feared that fewer clients from Bothell would make the transition to the new center, but the Totem Lake facility is seeing more clients from Bothell than were served at the previous center.But despite the increase in clients, available food is down some 73,000 lbs from last year. Support remains vital. Housing
Eviction prevention support can help families avoid homelessness. The Hopelink Emergency Family Shelter provides a temporary home base for homeless families. Hopelink Transitional Housing offers up to two years of housing and ongoing case-management support. The First Month's Rent program helps families get started in more permanent homes. Family Development
The Family Development Program works with families at risk of homelessness, to help the family stay in their home and move from crisis to self-sufficiency. Family Development Specialists work one-on-one with the family, helping them assess their strengths, connect with community resources, and set and meet goals. Adult Education
Hopelink's Adult Education Department is committed to providing a diverse selection of educational services to clients which meet their needs, build self-sufficiency and a habit of lifelong learning. The Adult Education programs address literacy and lifelong learning. Transportation & Interpreter Services
Access to services can make the difference between being homebound and isolated, or healthy and active. Hopelink's Transportation and Interpreter Services Brokerage provides an essential link to the community for King County residents on Medicaid assistance, and to low income families and children. Hopelink drivers and dispatchers also provide all of the Metro DART service in King County. Energy Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Puget Sound Energy Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) assist with the high cost of heating and energy bills. Emergency Financial Assistance
On a case-by-case basis, Hopelink can often help with those costs which might make the difference between a family going hungry or homeless, and the family surviving. In addition, Hopelink can often help with rent and other emergency needs that "fall through the cracks" of other available assistance. RotaCare Free Health Clinic
Held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Hopelink center in Bellevue, the RotaCare Free Health Clinic offers free basic medical care and medicines to men, women and children. (RotaCare does not offer preventative care, school immunizations or physicals of any kind.) You may come to the clinic if you do not have medical insurance and do not have the money to pay the full cost of a regular doctor's visit. You do not need an appointment for RotaCare Clinic. Express Credit Union Express Credit Union has free accounts for people living or working in WA State. Call 206-529-7937 for more information. Legal Help
The Eastside Legal Clinic has volunteer attorneys who can give you free advice on civil legal matters. The free clinic is at the Hopelink center in Bellevue on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You must have an appointment to talk to an attorney. Please call 206-267-7070 Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and noon to make an appointment. Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) also helps people who live on the Eastside with legal problems. ELAP has different clinics for different legal problems. Please call 425-747-7274 to make an appointment. If you speak only Spanish or Russian, please call 425-747-1663. Clients must qualify for Hopelink Services. Please call the Hopelink center closest to where you live. All Hopelink centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Volunteering at Hopelink: Hopelink relies on nearly 2,000 volunteers donating tens of thousands of hours every year to help people in need. Please join us! Age requirements: Volunteers 12+ are welcome to help sort donations of food and volunteer for special events through out the year, but only volunteers 16+ may work directly with clients, including during client appointment hours at our food banks. Orientations are required for all volunteer positions except one-time group volunteering. An RSVP for orientation is also required as space is limited and you will receive a confirmation email. If you would like more information about group opportunities, please email: volunteer with us@hope-link.org.ANNOUNCEMENTS: EISCC EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTORY EISCC BRIDGE DISABILITIES MINISTRIES Companions will learn about issues related to homelessness and specifically homeless women and will also learn a variety of skills including listening, hospitality, boundary setting, and communication, and spiritual practices that support soulful relationships, mindfulness, and compassionate presence. Craig Rennenbohm of the Mental Health Chaplaincy and author of Soul in the Hands of a Tender God will also be on hand. CROP WALK: CLOSING PRAYER: Closing prayer was offered by Sonneva Wood of the Eastside Friends Meeting. NEXT MEETING: |
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| Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council P.O. Box 662
Bellevue, WA 98009-0662 (206) 295-7803 contact us |
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