Announcements from the December 2025 Meeting
- Essentials First is having their first ever advocacy day on January 26, focused on hygiene insecurity. Hygiene items are not covered by SNAP or TANF, so private action is critical in making them available.
- Joseph Henry, Hope On Hope Outreach Ministries, introduced himself and his street ministry in the Belltown area. He welcomes connections at 360-815-6164, tractmaster03@gmail.com.
- In an effort to expand outreach at Kindering, Jill Clacy would love to know if any of our faith- based organizations hold any family/kid events like MOPS (mothers of preschoolers-now known as MomCo) or any other groups that consist of families. Kindering is looking for opportunities to reach more families on the Eastside. Please reach out to clacy@kindering.org if you hold such events.
- The King County Continuum of Care Board needs a few more members to join them immediately. They are particularly looking for three elected officials who have both the time and the passion for this work. They could be elected to the school board, a legislative body, port authority, or judiciary — it doesn’t matter what elected position they hold as long as they really care about ending homelessness and have the time to commit. Applications were being accepted through Friday, December 12, 2025, but that deadline might be extended. Contact catherine.todd@kcrha.org.
- Lois Brandt of Newport Presbyterian Safe Parking reminded us that they are closed for the winter and thanked Lake Washington and St. Jude’s for taking their safe parkers during this time.
December 2025 Program
SPOTLIGHT: Rabbi Jason Levine, Associate Director, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle shared about their work advocating for the local Jewish community and its allies, including at the legislature and elected officials, in interfaith partnership, in response to direct incidents, and in education, including a recent training on antisemitism and anti-Jewish harm.
MAIN PRESENTATION TOPIC: The Upcoming Washington Legislative Session. Elizabeth Dickinson, Partnership Coordinator for the Faith Action Network (FAN), gave a preview of the main issues FAN will be addressing in the 2026 legislative session, which convenes on January 12.
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MISSION STATEMENT
Members of Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council (“EISCC”) believe we are guided by the moving of God’s spirit in our community to work together in a spirit of caring and celebration. We honor and respect each other’s religious heritages, welcome and pray for each other, and share information about pressing community needs.
EISCC members represent dozens of Eastside congregations and meet monthly on the second Tuesdays at noon at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006. map and directions, with lunch provided. Currently meeting in person and via Zoom.
We provide a forum to educate, advocate, initiate, coordinate, and support through task forces and other means, to work for the common good, and to address human needs and improve the quality of life of the citizens living in the eastside communities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Renton, and Redmond.
Linda Hillesheim, EISCC board member, represents the eastside faith community on the board of Eastside Human Services Forum.
EISCC sponsors one sub-agency – Congregations for Kids, which provides school supplies for children in Bellevue schools. Three prior EISCC sub-agencies now operate independently: Congregations for the Homeless, and The Sophia way support homeless men, women and children on the eastside and also operate the Eastside Winter Shelters for men, and for women and children. Recently independent sub-agency Backpack Meals For Kids now aligned with Backpack Brigade. provides supplemental nutrition for Bellevue school children.
EISCC sponsors the Eastside Emergency Services Fund administered through Hopelink.
EISCC is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, EIN 94-3036001.