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Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council Minutes The meeting was held in Bristol Hall of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on October 11, 2011, beginning at 12:00 noon. TREASURER’S REPORT: EISCC Treasurer Pat McDermott (pmcdermott@amnis.com) provided a written summary: At 9/30/2011 cash balances total approximately 208,000 and accounts receivable about $161,000. Nothing unusual was noted during the month. Please review each program for the details of income for the month. Monthly patterns of income and expense are consistent with prior periods. REFRESHMENT COORDINATOR Betty Spohn thanked those responsible for bringing in today’s shared food items: Sandy Lewis, Warren Marquardson, Nadine Bentsen, Brian Anderson. CONGREGATION REPORT: Northshore United Church of Christ – The Totes-To-Go Program. Totes-To-Go started out with a real need that has a very simple solution. In January of 2011, the Homeless Advocacy Ministry of Woodinville’s Northshore United Church of Christ began looking for a way to engage their youth in the work of helping homeless children living in their community. They wondered about the possibility of helping homeless school children and were shocked to learn that 182 kids enrolled in the Northshore School District were identified as homeless. A Northshore School District official identified food as a primary need and priority for homeless students and their families and this inspired the group to research ways they could help. “Totes-To-Go” was created to address student hunger during weekends and vacations when federally funded school breakfasts are not available. The process is simple.
How it works:
Totes-To-Go is unique. It is not a traditional nonprofit based on fundraising and administrative structures. They are not looking for your money. They are looking for your passion and your commitment. The program operates on a few simple guidelines:
They don’t want your wallet, but they might ask you for your rolodex. For more information or to get involved, please contact Kristin Dickert at kristin@totes-to-go.org. EISCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION: The following names were placed before the assembled EISCC members for election to the EISCC Board of Directors:
The entre slate was elected unanimously by voice vote. PROGRAM: CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS: CFH Executive Director Steve Roberts (206-295-7803 or stever@cfhomeless.org) and the staff of Congregations for the Homless were on hand to present an overview of the program Program Overview: Created as an agency of the Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council, the Congregations for the Homeless men’s shelter first opened its doors in 1993. Founded by Nadine Shannon, Betty Spohn, and Nadine Bentsen, the shelter program was created with the mission to provide a warm, safe, hospitable place for up to 30 single men to sleep and be nourished with three healthy meals each day. Over the years, the shelter program has added access to showers, laundry, and free haircuts. More recently, the shelter program has added medical assistance and dental services. In 2005 CFH added a comprehensive case management-life coaching program, expanding our mission to that of helping men successfully move from homelessness to permanent housing. Men are partnered one-on-one with a professional or trained life coach to help them develop a goal plan that leads to increased financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual stability. The program addresses a wide range of personal issues and helps men connect with other agencies that can help in their quest for ongoing stability. We have helped many men deal with social services, social security disability, mental health agencies, legal issues, marital problems, financial burdens, medical issues, drug and alcohol treatment, and more. CFH’s job placement services, ably assisted by Hopelink’s job’s program, helps men find jobs or move to a better job. We have also helped men reconnect to a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. We have 3 case managers, and 13 active life coaches. In 2006 CFH added subsidized housing to the programs we offer. Since that time, the program has moved more than 300 men from the streets to long-term housing. It is the goal of the program to enable all of the men to move on eventually to full market rate housing. The heart of the shelter program is the more than 3,500 congregational volunteers who coordinate space for the men to sleep, who bring meals for the men to have every day of the year, and who donate their time and money in order to make the men feel welcome, cared for, and provided for with food and other essentials. The shelter location moves to a new congregation at the beginning of each month. There are 12 host congregations each year, and each host congregation has 1-3 support congregations that help provide food for the men during that month. The shelter is open from 7 pm to 7 am and is staffed by a CFH employee during this time. The motto of the program is “Helping men move from homelessness to housing one man at a time.” CFH, through case management and life coaching, finds approaches that work for each individual man in the program. Senior Case Manager Bruce Boremans says, “You gotta be flexible.” Different approaches work for different people. Different men have different supportive needs. Case managers stay connected with each man they are working with. Connection is the main piece. The other is establishing goals and tasks. The men are held accountable for working toward their goals, even if at first they are relatively small goals – like being on time for a medical appointment. Another key is addressing the barriers that keep homeless individuals from moving on. This is different for each man, but may include lost jobs, addictions, mental health problems, physical disabilities, criminal histories, etc. In addition, the longer a person is homeless the more they struggle to find purpose, meaning and self-worth. Support is key and the men receive the support they need through the program. It is the combination of the shelter program, case management-life coaching program, and housing program that gives these men a real chance to successfully make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing and a stable, productive life. Success by the Numbers: In 2010,
On the Horizon: CFH Day Shelter: Because the men they serve leave the shelter in the morning and do not return until evening, there is a need for a place they can go during the day to take care of hygiene needs, have access to computers and job resources, and meals. They, like all of us, need a safe place to spend their days. The dream of providing such a place should be realized in a year’s time when the space that the currently houses the Angeline’s Eastside Women’s Center becomes available. (The women’s center will follow the Sophia Way in the move to Bellevue’s St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.) CFH Shelter Director David Johns Bowling has created a class called “Causes and Solutions to Homelessness” which will be available to be taught at Eastside Churches. If you are interested, please contact David at davidj@cfhomelessness.org. Volunteer Opportunities: Fundraising: Congregations for the Homeless would like to thank all of those who attended this year’s fundraising luncheon held October 4th. This event netted about $37,000. An additional (and flavorful) fundraiser is being held October 24th through the 26th at Purple Café and Wine Bar (430 – 106th Ave NW in Bellevue). Just mention CFH to your server and 10% of your check will be donated to Congregations for the Homeless. For more information about Congregations for the Homeless please visit them online at http://www.cfhomeless.org/
ANNOUNCEMENTS: BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIES: Bridge Disability Ministries will hold a Sunday Evening Celebration for people living with disabilities and friends Sunday, October 23rd, 4-6pm, at Newport Presbyterian Church, 4010 120th Ave SE, Bellevue 98006. Dinner will be provided. There is no charge, everyone is welcome and volunteers are very much appreciated. Call (425)885-1006 ext#118 or email lindam@bridgemin.org for more information. Bridge Disability Ministries will also hold a Sunday Evening Celebration for people living with disabilities and friends Sunday, November 20th 4-6pm, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue 98006. Dinner will be provided. There is no charge, everyone is welcome and volunteers are very much appreciated. Call (425)885-1006 ext#118 or email lindam@bridgemin.org for more information. CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS & PURPLE CAFÉ AND WINE BAR are teaming up for a flavorful fundraiser. Visit Purple Wine Bar and Café between October 24th and 26th and mention CFH and 10% of your check will be donated to Congregations for the Homeless. Purple Wine Bar and Café is located at 430 106th Ave NW in Bellevue. MEANINGFUL NIGHT AT THE MOVIES – EASTSIDE: Holy Cross Lutheran Church (4315 129th Place SE) will be showing abUSed: The Postville Raid on Thursday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m. in their Fellowship Hall. The film is by Critically acclaimed director Luis Arguita, is the story of an Immigraion and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on the town of Postville Iowa in 2008. The raid, the most expensive and one of the largest raids in US history, presents human face of the issue of immigration. It is a cautionary tale against abuses of constitutional human rights. HOPELINK HOLIDAY GIFT ROOM – VOLUNTEERS & GIFTS NEEDED: Hopelink needs your help to make their gift room a success. Available dates: If you are interested, please contact Dave at 425-943-7558 or dbowlan@hope-link.org. Please drop off toys before December 16th at Hopelink, 14812 Main St. in Bellevue. THE NORISHING NETWORK SUMMIT: The Northshore Nourishing Network (NNN) is a “now forming‟ community-based, grass-roots initiative with the goal of ending student hunger in Northshore schools. With founding support from Hopelink, the NNN will develop and sustain over time only with initial and ongoing community-based energy and support. Currently, many in our community are already making a difference by doing a great deal to alleviate hunger. Yet, there are gaps and disconnections. Many others want to help but have sidelined themselves because they see no simple, empowering path to engagement. Might there be a better way? Join the conversation Monday, October 24th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m at Bothell High School Commons Cafeteria. They are looking for folks who live in the Northshore schoold district who are invested in/or actively working to address the issues of hunger, children, education and our community. For more information or to register visit www.nnn.eventbrite.com. CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS – NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2011: The next meeting of “Cultural Conversations,” a program where women of many faiths and cultures, all with a common desire to make new friends and to expand their own cultural understanding come together to share conversations will take place at the South Bellevue Community Center on October 27, 2011 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Activities at Cultural Conversations events have included:
There is no charge to attend, and women of all ages, faiths, races and cultures are encouraged to participate. BELLEVUE GOODWILL JOB TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTER: The Bellevue Goodwill offers classes for English Speakers of Other Languages as well as Computer Classes and Labs covering topics like MS Excel, Computer Basics, Internet Job Searches, and more. They also offer workshops on Career Skills, Soft Skills, Job Searching and Financial and Time Management. Although these opportunities are available free of charge, prior registration is required. The Bellevue Goodwill is also looking for faith communities to partner with them to conduct additional workshops. They are located at 14515 NE 20th St. To find out more about what they have to offer or to offer your help, please call 425-289-0040. CLOSING REFLECTION: Lloyd Van Vactor of Northshore United Church of Christ offered a closing reflection.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Brian Anderson, EISCC Secretary | |||||||||||||
