council minutes [Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council]

The meeting was held in Bristol Hall of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on March 8, 2011, beginning at 12:00 noon.
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OPENING REFLECTION was provided by Dave Emery of Bridge Disability Ministries.

SELF-INTRODUCTIONS were made by 20 members and guests.

TREASURER’S REPORT: EISCC Treasurer Pat McDermott (pmcdermott@amnis.com) provided awritten summary:

At 2/28/2011 cash balances total over $150,000. Nothing unusual was noted during the month.
Monthly patterns of income and expense are consistent with prior periods.

SALLY WING: Long-time EISCC Board member Sally Wing is now living a local assisted living facility. She is not as mobile as she’d like and would love to have phone calls and visitors. You can reach Sally at (425) 747-5924. Because her plans include an eventual move to the East Coast, if you are planning to call, please don’t wait too long

CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS: CFH Executive Director Steve Roberts (206-295-7803 or stever@cfhomeless.org) reported that all is going well at the shelter. They are at Grace Lutheran and are heading next to Westminster Chapel.

Outstanding legal issues surrounding the leasing of a new house have been worked out. It will open at the beginning of April and will house 8 men.

THE EASTSIDE SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER: The severe weather shelter has completed operations for the season. Operated by Congregations for the Homeless and the Sophia Way, the shelter operated for 68 nights in the 2010-11 season.

Locations:

Crossroads Community Center

Opened Nov. 20 to January 15 by Criteria – total of 32 nights

Old Redmond School House Community Center

January 15t to February 20 – 36 consecutive nights.

Clients Served:

Approximately 226 Unduplicated persons
Nightly count hit high of 64 and averaged approximately 39
19% Female – 81% Male

Women attend less frequently due to trauma related fears, other opportunities afforded to women with children, as well as other factors.

Participating Cities – Percentage of Clients Reporting Last Known Address:

Bellevue – 34%; Redmond – 12%; Issaquah – 6%; Kirkland – 6%
17% Seattle
Remaining clients from several other locations with lower percentages; 10% unknown

Lessons Learned:

In order to maintain the lowest barriers to entry, clients are served best in a devoted space. Dual use locations bring additional barriers.

Program was successful in dual use space but not ideal for a variety of reasons.
Community Centers experienced large loss of revenue due to lack of space rentals.

Being open consecutive nights made a big difference. More people used the shelter because it was open consistently and predictably and they didn’t have to wonder if they would arrive and not find it open.

Opening on consecutive nights rather than by criteria brought many benefits:

In addition to being a temperature life line, participants were spared severe weather rain and wind conditions.
Clients were exposed to shelter life and the beginnings of relationship building with shelter staff that were able to share resources and ignite trust building leading some to seek to end their personal cycle of homelessness.
Ability for participants to navigate transportation and daytime care, work schedules, etc.
Allowed both Congregations for the Homeless and the Sophia Way to either place participants in shelter or on a waiting list for future placement. These relationships would not have been forged without the relationship building afforded by consecutive nights; making a clear case that emergency shelters can play a role in ending homelessness.

Goals for 2011-12 include:

Inclusion of other partnerships such as support from other social service agencies providing resources to shelter users.
4 months of consecutive nights with criteria days before and after.
Obtaining a suitale location and adequate funding.
Staffing to incorporate a manager who will oversee staff and volunteer opportunities.

THE SOPHIA WAY: Sophia Way Executive Director Helen Leuzzi (425) 463-6285 or director@sophiaway.orgreported that the Holly House project is now three-quarters complete.

Reservations are being accepted for “A Culinary Journey” the Sophia Way’s unique fundraiser that will be toasting the success of formally homeless women. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland. Details are available in the announcement section of these minutes and online at www.sophiaway.org.

HEARTS AND HAMMERS:Hearts and Hammers, the annual one-day blitz to repair and rehabilitate the homes of those physically or financially unable to do so alone, will take place on May 21, 2011. It began in 1994, as a pilot project under the sponsorship of the Langley United Methodist Church. Now it is an independent, non-profit program that is supported by the larger community.

What repairs are done?
We do whatever repairs and renovations are possible within the scope of a one-day work party, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, plastering, weatherization, heavy cleaning, roofing, and trash removal.
Who pays for the Hearts and Hammers repairs?
There is no charge to the homeowners for labor or materials. Local fundraising and donations of labor and materials cover costs.
How are Hearts and Hammers homes selected?
We get suggestions from pastors, Hope Link, relatives, neighbors, and community organizations. Homeowners can also apply directly. Work assessment teams visit proposed sites to determine needs and to see if the work is within our financial and time constraints. Final selections are approved by the board of Hearts and Hammers.
Who can volunteer?
Skills are welcomed, but everyone can be put to work. Volunteer forms are available at Church of the Resurrection.
Who is eligible for Hearts and Hammers services?
Limited-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners are all eligible. There are no complicated eligibility forms to be filled out. If you would like to have your home considered for repair in May, call Church of the Resurrection at (425) 746-0322 or write for an application to: Hearts and Hammers, Church of the Resurrection, 15220 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98007.
Applications should be in by March although emergency cases can be considered through mid-April.
Why is Hearts and Hammers needed?
Maintaining a home can be physically or financially difficult for the elderly, disabled, or anyone with limited resources. Hearts and Hammers volunteer crews hope to build community spirit and compassion while giving their neighbors a helping hand.

If your congregation is interested in participating, please contact Sandy Lewis at (425) 562-1228.

CONGREGATIONS FOR KIDS: CFK is gearing up for their annual Good Start Back to School project which provides school supplies and backpacks to students in the Bellevue School District. If your congregation is interested in helping out, please contact them at info@congregations4kids.org.

PROGRAM: BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIES – HONORING EVERYONE’S GIFTS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, ENRICHING OUR CHURCHES, OUR COMMUNITY, AND CHANGING OUR LIVES FOREVER!

Rev. Dr. Dave Emery, Spiritual Care Director of Bridge Disability Ministries was on hand to share their mission and ministry. Because Bridge Disability Ministries honors the God-given dignity and giftedness of people with disabilities, they work to build relationships that can alleviate isolation as well as enrich our churches and community.

Spiritual Care:
So often people living with a physical and/or developmental disability are left wondering about their own worth and value. They find themselves facing losses and isolation that most say cause far more suffering than does their actual disability. Many feel that not only are they not welcome in their communities, but they feel like strangers even in their own churches. Responding to the need to alleviate isolation and rejection is the mission of Bridge’s Spiritual Care Ministry.

Through inclusion, people can begin to feel hopeful, affirmed and valued, able to appreciate their own God-given gifts and share them with others.

For more information about Spiritual Care, contact: Rev. Dr. David Emery at (425) 885-1006 ext 112, or chaplain@bridgemin.org.

Mobility Services:
Bridge provides mobility items such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, bath benches etc. at no cost to those who can’t afford it.

Mobility helps to alleviate isolation and allows people to participate and move more freely within their community. Gaining better access to basic needs, resources, jobs, education and other opportunities promotes awareness and greater independence.

If you are in need of mobility items or if you have items that you’d like to donate, Bridge wants to hear from you. Items include:

For more information about Bridge’s mobility services call 425-885-1008 or equipment@bridgemin.org.

Guardianship Ministry:
Many people with severe disabilities enjoy a lifetime of support from their family and friends. But often, a time comes when family is unable to meet their needs. It is then that they require a trusted advocate who can help them manage their finances and health and promote social interaction and community access. That’s where Bridge comes in.

Bridge is the court-appointed legal guardian of 40 people with incapacitating developmental disabilities. Bridge has been appointed by the court to take responsibility for the decisions affecting each individual like legal and medical issues. While taking this responsibility, Bridge seeks to maximize the independence, and power of choice of each client.

For more information about Bridge’s guardianship ministry, contact Patty Croteau, Lead Guardian Specialist at 425-885-1006, ext. 102 or pattyc@bridgemin.org.

Bridge Disability Ministries works to help us and our congregations look at the ways that we live together. We are here to welcome and include everyone – especially those who are excluded elsewhere. This extends to inclusion in our worship services. As people with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, join us in worship experiences, we see things differently. Bridge invites our faith communities to see things differently.

More information about Bridge, including their video, is available on their website at www.bridgemin.org.

CULINARY JOURNEY 2011: TOAST THE SUCCESS OF FORMERLY HOMELESS WOMEN:- Join The Sophia Way at a very special dining event to be held April 28, 2011. Twelve of the area’s finest chefs will prepare a five-course menu for twelve tables. Participating chefs are from bin on the Lake, El Gaucho, the Icon Grill, the Library Bistro, Monsoon Bellevue, Sazerac, the Waterfront Seafood Grill, Tallant House, Thoa's Restaurant & Lounge, Sullivan Steak House, Woodland Park Zoo-Lancer Catering and the Woodmark Hotel.

Be one of the 132 guests to partake in this unique event to be held on the shores of Lake Washington UNDER THE TENT at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland. The event will feature paired wines from Washington vineyards and will be preceded by a wine, beer social hour along with hors d’oeuvres prepared by our participating chefs.

A wine silent auction will be conducted during the cocktail hour and a mini live auction with a culinary and travel theme will take place during dinner.

This fund-raising event brings us together to celebrate the success of The Sophia Way and raise operating funds to continue to assist eastside homeless women connect to permanent housing.

Culinary Journey is truly an inspired collaboration in support of unforgettable, real-life success stories which people like you make possible. If you can come to one dinner this spring, share our Journey.

If you’d like to help us make this event a success, please consider joining our volunteer committee. Tickets are $125 per person and reservations can be made by calling Helen Payton or Olivia Davis at 425-463-6285 for more information.

BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIESwill hold a Celebration Dance for people living with disabilities and friends Saturday, April 9th, 1-4pm, at Newport Covenant Church, 12800 SE Coal Creek Pkwy, Bellevue, 98006. Dinner will be provided and there will be a live band. Everyone is welcome and volunteers are very much appreciated. There is no charge as usual, but this is a Fundraiser so pledges of dancers and/or donations are encouraged. Please call (425)885-1006 ext#118 or email lindam@bridgemin.org for more information.

NAMI EASTSIDE is looking to establish relationships with area congregations. They are a chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and works to improve the quality of life of those persons affected by acute and chronic mental illness through support, education and advocacy. For more information please contact NAMI at 425-885-6264 or info@nami-eastside.org

CROP WALK: The annual Bellevue CROP Walk sponsored by Church World Service which raises money to combat hunger both locally and globally, will be held Sunday, May 15th at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Bellevue. For more information, visit www.bellevuecropwalk.org.

CLOSING REFLECTION was offered by Dave Emery of Bridge Disability Ministries.

PROGRAM: THE SOPHIA WAY – ASSISTING WOMEN ON THEIR JOURNEY TO INDEPENENCE.
LOCATION: BRISTOL HALL, ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4228 FACTORIA BOULEVARD SE, BELLEVUE (ACROSS FROM NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL)