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Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council Minutes P.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662October 14, 2008
NEXT MEETING: CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was opened and conducted by EISCC Co-President Rev. Rick Russell. OPENING PRAYER: The meeting was opened in prayer by Nancy Bent of First Congregational Church of Bellevue. MINUTES
Brian Anderson (425) 653-1652. Minutes for the September 9, 2008 meeting were accepted as printed. TREASURER’S REPORT: EISCC Treasurer Pat McDermott (425-643-7759) was unable to attend and submitted a written report in his absence: At 9/30/08 cash balances total $81,638. Accounts receivable total over $63,000 because of the third quarter billings to the cities and King County. For the first nine months of the year expenses have exceeded income by approximately $8,700. Nothing unusual was noted during the month. The question was asked if it should be considered alarming that for the first nine months of 2008 expenses have exceeded income. In an email response sent after the 10-14-08 meeting, Pat responded thusly: “This is a good question. Each year we make a forecast of receipts. There are known amounts – like from the cities and county. The big unknowns are contributions from the congregations and other sources. We make our best guess and plan disbursements accordingly. For the full year 2007 our receipts exceeded our disbursements by approximately $49,000, a very good year. I anticipate this full year (2008) we may have a shortfall of approximately $10,000. So, for the last two years we will still be ahead by $39,000. This match of receipts and disbursements is something I closely monitor. If it appeared that any negative trends would continue in the future we would ramp up our fund raising efforts and make sure our disbursements matched our receipts. Hope this helps. I have no concerns at this time.”
Warm Coats for Kids is another program of Congregations for Kids that is going on right now. CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS: Sandy Lewis of Congregations for the Homeless and the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Bellevue reported that the CFH shelter program was going fantastically. Because the shelter works to move men into permanent housing, more and more men are being served each year.SELF-INTRODUCTIONS: Self-introductions were made by 29 members and guests.
PROGRAM: AGENCY PRESENTATIONS (Part One) BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS:
Ruvin Munden of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound was on hand to report on their work and to inform EISCC members of volunteer opportunities with BBBS. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound partners with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children, both of whom benefit from their one-to-one mentoring programs. BBBS of Puget Sound is the largest mentoring organization in Washington State, serving 2,500 children in King, Pierce, Jefferson, Kitsap and Clallam counties. The mentors (called Bigs), children (called Littles), and families served come from all walks of life. What Littles have in common is a desire to have a caring adult other than their parent or guardian in their lives. What Bigs have in common is willingness to share fun, little moments that have a big impact on a young person’s life. BBBS matches these children and adults, supports their relationship, and presents them with opportunities to learn, grow, and explore the world together. ACRES OF DIAMONDS: Acres of Diamonds is a Christian home in Duvall that helps homeless women and their children get off the street and back on their feet. AOD is a 501(c)3 faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping these women who are “diamonds in our own backyard,” nurturing them back to being productive members of our community. Acres of Diamonds is hosting a Night of Harmony and Hilarity on Thursday, November 6th at Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church (14434 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA). This evening of comedy dinner theater will feature Christian comedians and harmony stylists the Stratton Half Brothers. Doors will open at 5:30 for a opportunity to meet Acres of Diamonds staff and some of the women whose lives have been transformed by their involved with the program. Tickets can be purchased for $40 at www.ticketweb.com/snl/Search.action?query=acres+of+diamonds. THE EMERGENCY FEEDING PROGRAM OF SEATTLE & KING COUNTY: The Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County is a food distribution program that packs 14 different varieties of non-perishable, nutritionally-balanced emergency food bags and makes them available through a network of over 130 social service agencies, schools, food banks and faith communications located throughout King County. In a typical year, EFP distributes some 20,000 food bags to over 56,000 individuals and families who are in crisis and often have no other food available. But 2008 has been anything but typical. In the wake of historic increases in the cost of food and fuel and with an increasing sour economy, our community has seen more and more local families pushed to the edge financially. Far more of our neighbors are finding it difficult to keep food on the family table without reaching out for help. Since February of this year, EFP has seen an 81 percent increase in orders for emergency food bags from its distribution partners. This increase in requests for help has far outstripped EFP’s ability to collect enough food and to raise enough operating funds to meet the demand. More and more of our neighbors face the daily prospect of going hungry. Congregations are urged to join local hunger relief program like the Emergency Feeding Program in ensuring that no one in our community is compelled to skip meals in order to pay for prescription medications, to put gas in the car so they can go to work, to buy school clothes and supplies for their children, or to meet any of the other myriad expenses they face. You can partner with EFP this holiday season by holding a food drive, by sending a volunteer group to their Seattle warehouse to help pack food bags, or by inviting someone from EFP to come speak to your congregation about the growing crisis of hunger in our community. For more information, please contact EFP Operations Director Brian Anderson at 206-329-0300 or brian@emergencyfeeding.org. The simple fact is that people are going hungry and you can make a real difference. FRIENDS OF YOUTH: Friends of Youth delivers a broad range of services to youth and their families to improve their emotional stability and self-sufficiency. Friends of Youth envision all youth having the opportunity to succeed, offering residential services, homeless youth services, youth and family services, and youth development services that provide safe places for young people to gather, explore their interests, build job and learning skills, and move toward self sufficiency – in short, developing their full potential.This holiday season, Friends of Youth is looking for help with their Thanksgiving Food Basket Program that aims to provide less fortunate families with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. They are conducting a Giving Tree Program dedicated to fulfilling the holiday wishes of youth in King and Snohomish County that would otherwise go without gifts. They could also use help providing a Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless that stay at the Landing—the Eastside’s only homeless youth shelter—located after-hours at the Bellevue Family YMCA. For more information on how your congregation can make a difference in the lives of these young people, please contact Friends of Youth Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Schnelle at 425-869-6490 ext. 309 or Cheryl@FriendsofYouth.org. HOPELINK: Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Hopelink’s mission is to promote self-sufficiency for all members of our community, helping people make lasting change. Hopelink provides a wide variety of services from food banks to providing emergency financial assistance and emergency shelter and transitional housing; from adult literacy and lifelong learning to family development and employment services.This holiday season, Hopelink is looking for financial donations and donations of the following food items: tuna or other canned meat; peanut butter; pasta or rice; cereal; soup; canned fruit & tomato products; vegetable oil; onions and potatoes; and grocery store certificates. For their annual Gift Room, they are looking for clothing for ages 0-18; gift certificates from places like Target, Fred Meyer; Old Navy, Borders, etc; and gifts for teen like portable CD players, jewelry, sports equipment, etc. Please include only new, unwrapped toys, clothing and other gifts in your donation. Hopelink is also looking for volunteers to, among other things, organize holiday giving trees. For more information please contact Jessica Ivey at 425-943-7558. SALVATION ARMY EASTSIDE CORPS: Volunteers are needed for the Salvation Army Eastside Corps after school/homework help program. For more information, please contact person Rosie Shiri-Wasto at 425-452-7300. The program times are M,T,Th, F from 3-6pm and Wed. from 3-5pm. Volunteers are also needed for their Kettle Season (bell ringing). The contact person for that program is Kal Bizek at 425-452-7300. SOUND MENTAL HEALTH: For 41 years it has been the mission of Sound Mental Health (formerly Seattle Mental Health) to strengthen our community and serve the needs of their clients by delivering excellent health and human services tailored to their clients’ needs.Needs: Clients with mental illnesses need work—either paid or volunteer work. If you or someone you know has a position that would benefit a Sound Mental Health client, please consider giving Sound Mental Health a call to investigate how this job could have real impact for someone who really needs a helping hand. Volunteers are needed to help with the Thanksgiving and Christmas parties that Sound Mental Health holds for clients, allowing them to share in the joy of the season. If you are interested in helping, please call Teri McNeely at 425-653-5000 or email her at teresam@smh.org. YWCA ANGELINE’S EASTSIDE WOMEN’S CENTER: The YWCA Eastside Women’s Center is celebrating its second anniversary serving Eastside homeless women. This holiday season, they are hoping to provide 30+ women with Christmas stockings stuffed with the following:Nail polish; nail clippers; tweezers; gloves; caps; razors; deodorant; pocket-size planners; stamps; small bottle of cologne. They could also use donations of the Christmas stockings themselves. And throughout the year, they could use donations of phone cards and general use gift cards from places like grocery stores, Target, Fred Meyer, etc. For more information, please call Katie or Crystal at 425-241-8711. CHILDREN’S RESPONSE CENTER: Children's Response Center, a program of Harborview Medical Center, provides services and support on the Eastside for children and youth under the age of 18 who have experienced sexual assault or other traumatic events. Services are also available for non-offending family members and children and youth who display sexual behavior problems.This holiday season, the Children’s Response Center is looking for volunteers to help with their annual Adopt a Family program. In early 2009, they will be setting up a parent support group and will be looking for volunteers to help provide child care while the parents are meeting. For information on how you can help, please contact prevention and education coordinator Rebecca Milliman at 425-688-5130. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS: The following slate of EISCC officer candidates was presented to the general membership for their approval: Co-Presidents: Rev. Lloyd Van Vactor, Marilyn Rands The slate was approved. REMINDER: The November EISCC meeting will be held at Eastgate Congregational UCC Church, 15328 SE Newport Way, Bellevue. CLOSING PRAYER – A closing prayer was offered by Rev. Jeanne Rempel of Evergreen Mennonite Church. Brian Anderson
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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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