council minutes [Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council]

Call To Order:The meeting was called to order and conducted by EISCC Co-President JoAnne Way.

Opening Prayer:Marilyn Rands EISCC President Emeritus (425) 746-5249, provided the opening prayer.

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: Pat McDermott, EISCC Treasurer (pmcdermott@amnis.com) began with an explanation of the various pieces of the monthly financial package that is sent to EISCC members: The Treasurer's Report, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Program statements.

The month of January 2010 ended with cash balances totaling over $160,000. Accounts receivable exceeded $95,000 as we still have some 4th qtr 2009 billings to collect. . Operating results are as expected. Nothing unusual was noted during the month. Our financial condition remains strong.

Congregations For The Homeless Report:
Steve Roberts, (206) 295-7803, stever@cfhomeless.org, reported that the shelter is currently at Grace Lutheran Church and will be moving to Westminster Chapel in April.

Monthly visits from the Medical Teams International Dental Van have begun. Need has been great. Thus far, there has been time and space only to help men suffering from dental pain. Each visit from the dental van costs $400 and that cost has been covered by the church hosting the shelter. If, in addition to your ongoing support, your congregation would like to help defray this extra cost, please contact Steve.

THE SOPHIA WAY:
Helen Leuzzi, (425) 653-5893,stever@cfhomeless.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.

EISCC LEGISLATIVE Report: Nancy Bent, (425) 957-4756, nancybent@comcast.net reported that the as the Washington State Legislature brings its session to a close, there is a threat to funding for the Housing Trust Fund. She encouraged EISCC members to make their opinions known to their representatives by calling the WA State Legislative hotline at 1-800-562-600.

BELLEVUE CROP WALK: Nancy also reported that the 2010 Bellevue CROP Walk will be held on Sunday, May 2, 1:00 pm. EISCC members are encouraged to join faith communities on the Eastside to raise money to help eradicate hunger and poverty. 75% of the funds raised go to the overseas work of Church World Service; 25% stays here in King County, shared by the EFP and Hopelink.

The walk also reminds us of the walking most people in the world must do every day for food, water, and fuel and also shows downtown Bellevue that we churches and synagogues are here, and a big part of why we're here-to serve the neediest. When 100 or 200 people walk around downtown Bellevue carrying signs and balloons, they get people's attention and draw the focus to a bigger world beyond our own downtown.

PROGRAM: The Sophia Way:
It is the mission of the Sophia Way to help end homelessness in East King County by providing overnight shelter, support services, education, and subsidized housing to single adult homeless women as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing and an independent, stable life. Currently, the Sophia Way is the only staffed overnight shelter for single adult women on the Eastside.

Who They Serve:

According to Leuzzi, the label "single homeless women" fails to accurate describe the women served by the Sophia Way. These individuals face the challenges of our economy; they are widows marred by grief or who perhaps are married but whose spouse is absent. They may have young children, but are estranged from family, or they don't want to burden adult children. They may be victims of abuse or neglect by these same children. Some are challenged with a form of mental illness that places the basics of living out of reach. Others are dealing with the aftermath of domestic violence, whose devastation is difficult to emotionally leave behind. The descriptor that the Sophia Way finds most accurate for these women is "courageous survivors."

How They Serve:

The Sophia Way offers the education, tools, guidance, and housing that women experiencing homelessness need to make sustainable changes in their lives.

The aim is prepare each woman for a successful transition to permanent housing as rapidly as possible. When ready, the program seeks to place each woman in a home of their own, offering rental subsidies and continuing case management. The goal is for each client to become more self-sufficient over time through increased income sources, greater self-confidence, and a robust support network.

So far, 23 women have moved into their own housing. Of these, 9 support themselves independently.

How You Can Help:

The best way you can help is to tell others about The Sophia Way - including your friends, family, and those in your congregation. Invite them to get involved in one of these ways.

BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIES:

Bridge Ministries will hold a Sunday Evening Celebration for people living with disabilities and friends April 11th, 4-6pm, at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 109 SW Normandy Rd., Seattle, WA 98166. Dinner will be served, and everyone is welcome. Call (425) 885-1006 or enrichs@bridgemin.org for more information.

THE SOPHIA WAY:

The Sophia Way will hold its first training for people interested in becoming part of their Companioning program on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Sophia Way offices in downtown Bellevue. Sophia Way Companions spend 1-2 hours per week with their partner acting as advocates, supporters, and most of all, caring friends as they work to foster a safe, trustworthy relationship and help their partner build and participate in a supportive and sustaining community. Life companions should be willing to commit at least 6 months to the program.

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.

A donation of $40 is suggested, but not required. Lunch is included. Please RSVP to Helen Leuzzi

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, April 13, 2010,
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.,
PROGRAM: "Therapeutic Health Services." Rehabilitating individuals and healing families affected by alcohol dependence, drug dependence and/or mental illness.
LOCATION:
BRISTOL HALL, ST. MARGARET'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
4228 FACTORIA BOULEVARD SE,
BELLEVUE (ACROSS FROM NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL)

Brian Anderson
EISCC Secretary