EASTSIDE INTERFAITH SOCIAL CONCERNS COUNCIL MINUTES

P.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662

February 10, 2010

OPENING PRAYER: Nancy Bent (425-957-4756, nancybent@comcast.net) provided the opening prayer.

SELF-INTRODUCTIONS: Self-introductions were made by 27 members and guests. Diana Stice (First United Methodist) alleviated anxiety about Tent City, which has been occupying their parking lot.

MINUTES: Minutes of the 1-10-2010 meeting were approved as printed.

CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS: (Steve Roberts (206-295-7803, stever@cfhomeless.org) reported that the shelter is full, and the shower trailer (which also contains washer and dryers) is fully functioning. A medical and dental team comes to the shelter monthly.

THE SOPHIA WAY: (Helen Leuzzi, 425-653-5893, Director@sophiaway.org). Shelter space has been increased to 10 women. Further fund-raising will be announced.

CONGREGATIONS FOR KIDS: (Nancy Jacobs, 425-883-6406, bnjacobs@verizon.net) More congregations are sought in order to assist more children with backpacks and school supplies. A website, (congregations4kids.org) is in preparation.

LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR: (Nancy Bent, 425-957-4756, nancybent@comcast.net). Calls are requested to the state legislative hotline (1-800-562-6000) to support HR 6843, to extend Initiative 960 (require majority rather than 2/3 vote to raise taxes) to 2011.

FINANCIAL REPORT: The Financial Report will be included in Minutes.

REFRESHMENT COORDINATOR: (Sandy Lewis, 425-562-1228) thanked providers of refreshments: Dawn Cerasuolo, Nancy Jacobs, Diane Richards, Trish Rogers, and Sonneva Wood.

PROGRAM: "Immigration Issues and Congregational Involvement." Michael Ramos, Executive Director, Church Council of Greater Seattle (206-525-1213, ext. 3950, mramos@thechurchcouncil.org) and Debbie Lacy, Co-Chair, Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition (206-709-3948, debbie_lacy@comcast.net).

Ramos characterized immigration as not a problem but a human phenomenon, and suggested that people of faith can alleviate human suffering and remove fear. He reported that worksite arrests have increased during the past decade, part of negative strategy which includes detention and deportation of workers who are trying to survive and support their families. He noted lack of comprehensive immigration reform for the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. He cited data that includes 1000 people each night at the detention center in Tacoma; 90% of those detained lacking legal representation, and many children (American citizens) separated from their parents. He identified values supporting reformation of the broken national immigration system: timely family reunification; legalization and a pathway to citizenship and participation in society; workplace protection, including compensation and working conditions; and due process so that refugees are informed of their basic rights. Ramos stated that Washington has the largest population of immigrants of any state, and that study forums and discussions are needed, as well as stories of immigrants to emphasize that they are part of one united country.

Ramos noted that a Sunday worship service in Spanish at St. Louise Catholic Church is attended by 1200 people. He identified such needs for community action as educating ourselves and sharing information. Proposed bills in Congress are awaiting clarity on health care and midterm elections, so that local forums and calls to representatives are recommended. A 2009 law called the New Americans Initiative has not been funded, although it would provide education, Local restrictions on housing and employment have been declared unconstitutional. A King County ordinance has affirmed local police enforcement for criminal matters. Sojourners magazine was cited as providing a recent series on immigration.
Raising the level of discussion may include listening to refugees' stories. Ramos noted the presence of the Sanctuary Movement in 20 U.S. cities, including Seattle, with several congregations supporting immigrants financially, in particular, to obtain education. The OneAmerica website lists opportunities.

Lacy provided statements on immigration reform and stories of immigrants (which will be submitted for the website) who had to choose between employment and housing, education and income, and lack access to legal resources. Refugees seek more promise than in the countries from which they came, including safety and opportunities for employment. In Bellevue, 31% of the population is foreign born (vs. 18% in Seattle and 12% in Washington). Refugees are likely to be wary of the census in order to avoid contact with the federal government, despite the need to gather information to obtain federal resources. There are many bilingual, multilingual and "linguistically isolated" households, in which no one over 14 speaks English. 80 languages are spoken in Bellevue schools (vs. 74 in Washington). English as a second language classes are needed that provide child care. Anti-immigrant sentiment is evident in hostility, discrimination, and segregation, and there is nothing to stop such threats as increased rent.

The all-volunteer Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition, brings people together in forums to discuss change. Both information and volunteer assistance are needed re: job search. The Cultural Navigator Program provides multicultural, multilingual drop-in assistance to local resources at the Bellevue Mini-City Hall in the Crossroads area. Information: Phen Ng, phenn@cisc-seattle.org. The next forum for sharing information about needs and resources will be held on Thursday, February 25, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., at Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

BELLEVUE CROP WALK: CROP Walk will hold an informational meeting Saturday, March 13, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., at Bellevue First Congregational Church. The Crop Walk will take place on Sunday, May 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Information: Nancy Bent (425-957-4756, nancybent@comcast.net) or www.bellevuecropwalk.org.

CHILD CARE RESOURCES holds free drop-in Play and Learn groups in various languages; teaches about child development; and presents workshops about child care. Information: 425-865-9350, ccr@childcare.org, www.childcare.org.

HOPELINK’S ‘END SUMMER HUNGER” CAMPAIGN: The grassroots End Summer Hunger campaign begins March 1 and ends August 31, and seeks support from schools, individuals, businesses, and organizations. This program is particularly important because donations to Hopelink historically drop during the summer. Schools that support the program encourage children in classrooms to collect coins, while businesses, organizations and civic or community clubs hold food drives, fund drives, or both, according to what works best for them. For information on how to get involved in End Summer Hunger, go to www.hope-link..org.

CLOSING PRAYER: Closing prayer was offered by Diana Stice (425-557-9601, ddstice@msn.com.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.,

PROGRAM: "The Sophia Way: Services for Homeless Women."

LOCATION: BRISTOL HALL, ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4228 FACTORIA BOULEVARD SE, BELLEVUE (ACROSS FROM NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL)

Sally Wing
Secretary Pro Tem