September 2006:
Contact us:
24-Hour Crisis Line
(206) 461-3222
(866) 4CRISIS or
(866) 427-4747
(206) 461-3219 TTY
24 hours, daily
2-1-1 Community
Information Line
Dial 2-1-1 or
(206) 461-3200
(800) 621-4636
(206) 461-3610 TTY
8am-8pm, daily
Teen Link
(206) 461-4922
(866) TEENLINK or
(866) 833-6546
(206) 461-3219 TTY
6-10pm, nightly
Business Office
1515 Dexter Ave N
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 461-3210
Fax: (206) 461-8368
8am-5pm, M-F
Case Management Certification Series
Every other
Wed. or Thurs, Sept. 29-Nov. 18
2326 6th
Avenue
Antioch University
Seattle
Cost: $800
per case manager
New and veteran
case managers can earn case manager certification and increase their
effectiveness as a case manager by learning effective tools of transition,
developing more effective communication skills, knowing the issues and
strategies of the local economy and hiring trends and preventing
case manager burn-out. For more information, call (206) 628-6967.
Partial scholarships are available.
Puget Sound Suicide Awareness Day
1-4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 10
Federal Way
Memorial Stadium
Auburn
Survivors of Suicide will host the third annual Suicide Awareness Day in
conjunction with World Suicide Prevention also Sept. 10 and National Suicide
Prevention Week, Sept. 10-16. At the stadium, those in attendance can walk on
the track and will be encouraged to carry a pair of new shoes in
memory of those lost to suicide. The shoes will be donated to the Tacoma
Rescue Mission. Suicide prevention agencies will have resource tables around
the track. There will be a short program at 2 p.m. For details, call (253)
838-8947.
Free and Low-cost Preschool
Spots Still Available
Seattle preschool programs are
now enrolling 4-year-olds from low- to moderate-income families. Seattle Step
Ahead and the Early
Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) still have free or
reduced-cost spaces available for 375 children at 22 sites in southeast and
southwest Seattle this school year. To be eligible, a family must live in
Seattle and have a child who will have turned 4 by August 31, 2006. For
ECEAP, a family of four earning up to $22,000 per year is eligible, and for
Step Ahead, a family of four earning up to $60,000 annually is eligible. For more information call (206) 386-1050.
1-800-SUICIDE Line Changes
Hands
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center has donated the
suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-SUICIDE, to the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Services
Administration. KBHC helped more than 2 million callers in its eight years of
existence. The center plans to focus its time on developing peer-to-peer
lines such as its teen-to-teen and vet-to-vet hotlines.
Workshop Offered for Those
With Fibromyalgia
Noon-1 p.m.,
Tuesdays, Sept. 19-Oct. 10
10510 5th
Avenue NE
Northgate Community Center, Seattle
Fibromyalgia
Freedom House is sponsoring a workshop series called, Investigating Pain
Causes and Treatment. Free massages will be available at most meetings. Reservations suggested. Call
(206) 362-2395 to make sure enough seating and refreshments are available.
Get your Flu Shot
The American
Lung Association of Washington operates a flu shot clinic locator here. It provides the date,
times, address, phone number and a map for the clinics offering flu shots
near a person’s ZIP code. Site reopens with new information each September.
The CDC recommends that before Oct. 24, influenza vaccine should be given to
the following priority groups: Adults, ages 65 and older. Residents of
nursing homes and other chronic care facilities. Adults and children, ages 2
to 64, with chronic medical conditions, especially asthma, other lung
diseases, heart disease and chronic metabolic disease (kidney, blood,
diabetes). Immunosuppressed individuals, ages 2 and older. Children, ages 6
to 23 months.
Pregnant women.
Health care workers who provide direct patient care. Out-of-home caregivers
and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.
NAMI Sponsors Benefits Seminar
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
Sept. 29
305 Harrison
Street, Seattle
Cost: $25 for
consumers/family members, $50 for professionals
NAMI
of Greater Seattle is holding an educational seminar, Government Benefits
and Work: Win-Win Strategies, where legal, benefits and work experts will explain how to apply for and
keep benefits as well as returning
to work
while receiving benefits. Attendees will have a chance to chance to work
one-on-one with benefits and work
specialists,
with separate afternoon tracts for professionals
and
consumers/families. For details, call NAMI at (206) 783-9264.
Brain Injury Association to
Start Bowling League
1 p.m., Sept.
9, 23
3080 148th SE
AMF Sunvilla
Bellevue, WA 98007
Cost: $2 per game with free shoe rental.
The
Brain Injury Association of Washington’s social program is organizing a
bowling league and hopes to get enough people to form some teams and bowl
regularly. For details, call (425) 644-4833.
Public Health Reserve Corps
Recruits Volunteers
Volunteers are invited to join a new Public
Health Reserve Corps which provides a way for health professionals and
other support volunteers to augment and work beside Public Health staff
during an emergency disaster response. For the initial recruitment, the Public
Health Reserve Corps is particularly in need of the following medical
volunteers licensed in Washington state, but non-medical support volunteers
are also invited to apply. To learn more about the job activities and to
apply online, visit the Public Health Reserve Corps Web site here.
Parenting with Love and
Confidence
6:15 - 7:15
p.m., Thursdays
Sept. 21 - Nov. 9
14812 Main
St,
Hopelink
Bellevue
Class is free
to low-income families
Hopelink
– Bellevue is offering a parenting class where parents learn basic child
development, nurturing, communication, disciplinary measures that work and
more. The class is open to parents with children at all stages of
development. This class is free to low income families. Parents may join the
class at any date. Free childcare is provided; please call ahead to make
childcare reservation. A Spanish-speaking interpreter will be available at
the class. To register, call (425) 943-7577.
Harvest Celebration Farm Tour
2006
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 7
Washington
State University’s King County Extension is hosting A free tour of farms on Vashon Island, and
in South and East King County. Tour maps will be available online on Sept. 7
at the extension’s Web site here. Look for the
Farm Tour Guide in the Sept. 20 Seattle Weekly. For more details, call (206)
205-3206.
Mature Workers Job and Resource Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 20,
Seattle Center House
Mature
Workers Alliance of Puget Sound is sponsoring a job and resource fair
that connects job seekers, ages 50 and older, with employers hiring
experienced workers and with resource providers offering training and career-related
services. Dress for success, bring your resume, and meet recruiters from up
to 40 companies. For more information, call (206) 448-0474.
|
Gulf Coast Evacuees Continue to Struggle in
Washington State on Katrina Anniversary
Information provided by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
After Hurricane Katrina,
the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle became a hub for families
struggling to find help in our community. James Kelly, president and CEO
of the Urban League, hopes that by continuing to remind citizens of Katrina’s
lasting impacts, Washington will continue to assist those still
struggling.
“Since Katrina, over
2,500 evacuees began arriving at our state’s doorstep searching for a chance
to start over and begin a new chapter in the Northwest,” Kelly said. “And I can honestly say I’m proud of
Washington State for its united efforts to help many of these families cope
with their losses, get back up and ease the transition.”
There’s still work to be
done, Kelly explains. Since the arrival of
Hurricane Katrina evacuees, the Urban League has been supporting a surge of
newly arriving families by finding temporary housing, providing clothing and
some medical needs.
“We needed a plan. We needed a clearinghouse for
benefits, services and people’s generosity so families didn’t have to
‘discover’ how to get help,” Kelly said. “But the Urban League alone couldn’t
undertake such a large relief effort, so with the help of prominent members
of the community, private business and organizations we collectively made it
work.”
Evacuees were welcomed
into our state and many received the basic needs to begin their new lives
here. Many families are now stable,
but it’s the folks still struggling, those suffering from stress disorders
and in financial ruin that still need a boost, Kelly said. He hopes to
rally support and continue bringing community partners to the table to find
necessary solutions for Washington’s continued relief.
“I met more than a hundred families and listened to
remarkable stories of survival,” Kelly said.
“Hurricane Katrina tested America and taught us a lesson in
giving. It was a situation where our
fellow Americans were suffering and it took the help of caring individuals to
make this relief effort a success.”
Currently, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
is providing case management and social services to approximately 800
families. The status and needs of the evacuees can be divided into two
distinct categories:
Temporary/Transitional – These individuals
and families will be in the Pacific Northwest for an extended period of time
or permanently and are in need of financial and educational support,
employment, transportation, social services, worker retraining and more.
Transitional/Permanent Evacuees - These
individuals and families will be in the Pacific Norwest for an extended
period of time or permanently; whose circumstances require one-on-one
advocacy and case management. This group includes the homeless, mentally ill,
elderly, medically frail, pregnant women and women with infants. It also
includes adults that require worker retraining and interstate licensing, as
well as able-bodied individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Healthcare needs
There are gaps in Medicaid service for individuals identified as “single,
healthy, able-bodied adults.” Medicaid rarely covers dental needs, which has
also been identified as a critical need. Additionally, Washington Basic
Health is not available to evacuees because of residency status, income, age
and other factors. Many evacuees contact us regularly because they cannot
afford their medical prescriptions without insurance or other such coverage.
An evacuee, Jim, was injured during the storm and
evacuated to Washington state. He came to the Urban League having physical
injuries: a gash in his head, an infection in his cheek after being hit by
debris, and teeth that were broken during the storm and thus had exposed
nerves causing severe pain. He did not qualify for medical assistance to pay
the costs of his care. Not wanting to incur thousands of dollars in medical
bills, he has continued without medical care. Another evacuee, Jerome, is in need of surgery for his rotator
cuff and does not qualify for medical coverage because he is “single
able-bodied” and not disabled. He receives regular steroid injections, but
has no method to pay for that treatment either.
Mental health challenges
The Urban League continues to see a sharp increase in evacuees suffering
from mental health issues, including depression and post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). There is no comprehensive statewide plan in place to address
these needs. Washington State’s Disaster/Emergency Mental Health Services
initially received funding for less than three weeks of emergency mental
health services from FEMA immediately after the storm and the arrival of
evacuees in our state. Though the need persists, this program has since
concluded, even though FEMA recognizes mental health concerns, particularly
depression and PSTD, begin to peak after the 27th post-storm week.
The league
received a call from the Red Cross regarding an evacuee, John, who had not
communicated with FEMA during transient housing transitions, and was not
leaving his hotel room for anything, including food. We confirmed with his
family in the Gulf that he suffered from mental illness and was off his
medication. Numerous intervention attempts had failed. FEMA would not
transport his family to Washington state to take care of him. Urban League
staff began to visit John regularly, bringing food and other supplies.
Ultimately the league brought his mother to Seattle, paid for her hotel until
John was prepared to return home to the Gulf.
Paul, also an evacuee, was in Washington state for
at least two months before he could prove that he was a valid evacuee.
Because of this, he slept in a broken down car with his pregnant girlfriend
the entire time. At the evacuee resource event held at the end of the year,
he had an emotional breakdown, having been turned away by almost every aid
agency and relief resource. Paul, like hundreds of others, needs mental
health support.
Finding a place to call home
The Urban League has worked closely with area housing authorities and
private landlords to move evacuees from hotels into more permanent and often
low-income housing. Many evacuees received housing assistance from FEMA
through February. Some of these evacuees qualify to receive continued housing
support. However, FEMA’s policies for who receives housing assistance has left
many evacuees literally out in the cold. Jerry and his wife Amy, home owners,
separated after the storm and plan to divorce. Amy came to Washington state
and John evacuated elsewhere. They both called FEMA for financial assistance,
and since both used their last known address, were red-flagged by FEMA. FEMA
determined John turned in his application first, and granted him financial
assistance. Amy was investigated for fraud and denied financial assistance.
Mabel and her husband lived in Mabel’s mother’s
house in New Orleans, caring for her as she is elderly and physically
disabled. They all evacuated to Washington and stayed in hotels having
applied for FEMA assistance. When their applications were reviewed for
permanent housing assistance, Mabel and her husband were denied because they
did not pay rent. Mabel’s mother was granted assistance as she was the home
owner. Mabel and her husband were investigated for fraud and denied FEMA
assistance. Communication between FEMA and evacuees is not efficient at times.
There is often miscommunication and confusion between evacuees and FEMA about
various deadlines, extensions, applications, grievances and so forth.•
Return to the top
Boomtown Café to
Reopen at Millionair Club
By Kim Wright, Executive Director of
Boomtown Café
Dear Friends of Boomtown,
My name is Kim Wright and I am thrilled to be the
new Executive Director of Boomtown Café. I was first introduced to Boomtown
in 1999 when I started bringing high school-aged youth to the café to
volunteer. The café instantly had a profound effect on me, as well as the
hundreds of young volunteers I worked alongside. Boomtown provided something
I hadn’t experienced at any other meal program in the city: an opportunity to
serve directly and engage with people in an atmosphere of mutual respect and
dignity. As we prepare to re-open for
Saturday brunch at the Millionair
Club Charity, I look forward to the opportunity to again sit down with
our customers and friends of the café, to share stories and hear about
people’s lives.
This year has already been very busy for Boomtown
Café! Since January the Café has been re-energized by new and highly
experienced leadership. Our board of directors has undergone nearly 90%
turnover as member’s terms have ended and we have welcomed new folks with
fundraising, operations, management and finance experience. The board has
analyzed Boomtown’s past obstacles to successfully fulfilling our mission.
This evaluation has resulted in a solid business plan and strategic
direction. Our plan calls for Boomtown to not only continue focusing on
providing healthful, affordable food in a safe and dignified atmosphere, but
to do so while operating under a viable business model.
A key aspect of our strategic plan was to
relinquish the lease at our 3rd Avenue location. We have now moved
temporarily to the Millionair Club Charity on Western Avenue. Although we
will not be joining or merging with the Millionair Club, they have generously
agreed to lease space to us, including their kitchen facilities, at a very
reasonable cost until we secure a permanent location. We thank the Millionair
Club Charity for being an ally in our efforts to reopen.
Now that we have an excellent location to operate
from, we are anxious to start serving the public again. We are currently in
the process of preparing to start Saturday brunch service beginning in late
September, stay tuned!
Boomtown has always relied on many hands to deliver
nutritious food and dignity and we will continue to do so. We would like to
extend a hearty thank you on behalf of the Board to those who have continued
to stand behind us despite our challenges. Specifically we thank our current
and past staff, Companis Executive Director Craig Darling, our donors and the
many volunteers who continue to serve the community through the work of
Boomtown Café.•
Return to the top
Northwest Network Helps
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Survivors, Offers Classes
Max Walsh, Outreach and Education Advocate
The Northwest
Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse has been
working with LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence and partner abuse for
nearly 20 years.
The
organization is offering its fourth annual Relationship Skills Class – an
interactive six-week course taught by Northwest Network advocates and community
volunteers. The six different sessions cover the topics of identifying
cultural norms and values, accountability, expectations and negotiation,
boundaries, conflict and building support networks.
The fall 2006 session is enrolling now. The series will be from
6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 4 – Nov. 8. Registration closes
Sept. 13. This class is open to LGBTQ people and their friends and families,
regardless of relationship status or history.
For more information, questions about accessibility or to register
contact Max at (206) 568-7777 or max@nwnetwork.org
In addition to the Relationship Skills Class, the Northwest Network is
offering Queer Parents’ Networking Dinners the third Thursday of each
month starting in September 2006. The dinners will be from 6:30-8 p.m. at the
Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N.
RSVP a week ahead of time at (206)
568-7777 (so we can plan for dinner and childcare). The dinner is open to all
lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, gay, two-spirit, queer and
questioning families – including persons, co-parents, other people who have a
significant role in the life of a child.
The Northwest Network also provides
·
Advocacy-Based
Counseling
·
Support
Groups
·
Shelter and
Community Referrals
·
Safety
Planning
·
Community
Education
·
F.A.R. Out
Project
·
Community
Organizing
·
Technical
Assistance to Programs
·
Technical
Trainings for Programs
·
Public Policy
Development
The Northwest Network increases our communities’
ability to support the self-determination and safety of bisexual,
transgender, lesbian and gay survivors of abuse through education, organizing
and advocacy. We work within a broad liberation movement dedicated to social
and economic justice, equality and respect for all people and the creation of
loving, inclusive and accountable communities. All services are free and confidential.•
For more information about The Northwest Network
and its services, contact them by calling (206) 568.7777, by e-mailing info@nwnetwork or by visiting the Web site: http://www.nwnetwork.org/.
Return to the top
Critical Resource Updates
Compiled by Crisis Clinic’s Resource Center
It is always
recommended to check Community
Resources Online for additional information and for the most current
information updates of the following resources.
Alliance
of People with disAbilities asks that community members refer to it as
“The Alliance” as a nickname rather than its acronym (APD).
Atwork!
has closed its Kenmore office. The
organization still has its their Issaquah and Bellevue offices, which may
serve anyone in King County with developmental disabilities looking for vocational
assistance.
Catholic
Community Services – Randolph Carter Family Center has no more motel or
shelter voucher funding until July 2007.
Crista Ministries - New
Hope Child and Family Agency has announced it will close Feb. 28, 2007.
Adoptive families who have not completed the adoption process at that time
will have their cases transferred to other agencies.
Fremont
Public Association’s Tenant Hotline hours have temporarily been reduced
to 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., M; 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., W. Hours will be added back in
mid. September.
The GLBT
National Help Center now also has a GLBT National Youth Talk line. The
Talk line offers over-the-phone peer counseling, information and referral to
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, ages 25 and
younger, all around the country. The line is open 9:30 p.m.-midnight, M-F.
The Downtown branch of Seattle
Department of Neighborhoods - Neighborhood Service Centers has moved to
202 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104. This is the first level of the Smith
Tower. The phone number will remain the same – (206) 233-8560.
Scottish
Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders is now known as RiteCare.
SHARE/WHEEL’s
Tent City 4 has moved to Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, 19010
NE Woodinville Duvall Rd. It will be at this location through Nov. 12.
YWCA
– South King County no longer provides rent assistance.•
Return to the top
September and October Selected Resources
Compiled by Crisis Clinic’s Resource Center
This column highlights available timely
resources in the community information database that might otherwise go
unnoticed by our users. It is always recommended to check Community Resources Online
for additional information and for the most current information concerning
the following resources.
September Resource Highlights
Access
to Justice Institute
Runs two Community Justice Centers where legal educational presentations and
individual consultations with Seattle University student and staff attorneys
are held. Attorneys offer educational presentation topics for two consecutive
weeks. Clients hear the presentation the first week and may be interviewed to
meet individually with an attorney the following week. Each client is
guaranteed at least 20 minutes to receive advice from the attorney. Call for
topics, dates and times. During the 2006/07 school year, the clinics will be
from Sept. 19 to April 10 with no clinics in December.
Gethsemane
Community Services
Serves a hot meal followed by a movie each Saturday at 11 a.m. from September
through May. Ticket pick-up: 9:30 a.m., Saturday. Doors close at 11:30 a.m.
Hamlin
Robinson School
Offers a 10-week session (20 classes) each fall for adults with language
disabilities to provide them with additional skills in reading, writing,
spelling and expressive language. A 10-week session is held from September
through December. Call for class times.
Humane
Society for Seattle/King County
Provides speakers at schools, community groups and businesses on the
protection and welfare of animals. Gives 30-45 minute tours of The Humane
Society facility, primarily for children but also for corporations. Offers
animal care workshops for adults in the spring and fall. Fall workshops are
held September through November. Call to arrange speakers or workshops.
Millionair
Club Charity, Inc.
A weekly eye clinic is available for clients who need an eye exam. Clients
receive an exam and a pair of glasses once per year. The program is run by
volunteer opticians and optometrists Thursday mornings from September through
June and is funded by the Lions Sight Foundation. Call the receptionist to
schedule an appointment starting Aug. 14.
Seattle
Public Schools – Seattle Evening High School
Provides evening classes for high school students wanting to fulfill high
school graduation requirements. Offers two 15-week semesters
(September-June). Will serve all high school students, ages 15 through 21,
who do not yet have a high school diploma.
October Resource Highlights
Families
for Effective Autism Treatment – FEAT of Washington
Program hosts children with autism and their siblings. Activities are
designed to get children out of the house and facilitate productive social
interaction with other children. Activities are run by trained facilitators
and include fun, social and educational activities geared specifically for
children with autism and their siblings. Provides 3 hours of quality respite
for parents. Every second Saturday of the month 10 a.m.-1 p.m. October
through June.
Familyworks
Offers one-on-one tutoring and community workshops/programs to help children
build skills and self-esteem. Community members, organizations and volunteers
may conduct workshops and activities relating to careers, dealing with
conflict, cultural diversity, nutrition, gardening, art and music. Tutoring:
3:45-5:30 p.m., M. Tutoring/community workshops/programs: 3:45-5:30 p.m., W.
Program offered during school year (October through May).
Intiman
Theatre Company
Living History Tour uses theatre and theatrical improvisation to engage
students in debate, discussion, and analysis of history, literature, and
contemporary events. Drawing from the central ideas presented by great
playwrights produced on Intiman's stage, the program encourages students to
explore history, political movements, and ethical issues. Program tours Puget
Sound-area high schools from mid-October through November of each year.
Smilemobile
Mobile dental van offers oral health services for children on a year-round
basis. Basic dental services include examinations, preventive care, fillings
and minor oral surgery. Van locations vary in Washington state. Will be in
Tukwila Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Accepts medical coupons and offers sliding scale fee
structure with up to 90% off the fee.
Washington
State Parks and Recreation Commission
Off-Season Senior Passes are offered to seniors, ages 62 and older, with
reduced camping fees during the off-season (October 1-March 31 and Sundays
through Thursdays in April). One- or Five-Year Disability Passes are offered
to those receiving compensation for disability or who are profoundly deaf or
legally blind; there is a 50% reduction in overnight camping and moorage
fees.
Return to the top
“Resource Talk,” Crisis
Clinic’s free monthly e-newsletter, provides critical resource changes,
community events, feature articles on important health and human service
topics and updates to the annual publication of the Where to Turn Plus
directory. Click here
to subscribe or unsubscribe to Resource Talk. You may view past issues of
Resource Talk by clicking here.
Crisis Clinic offers
a variety of products to help connect people with critical resources.
Information about purchasing Crisis Clinic’s Where to Turn
Directories, Where to Turn CD-ROMs, customized reports, customized mailing
labels and holiday lists can be found online by clicking here.
Crisis Clinic
respects the privacy
of our Web site users.
For business
purposes, please e-mail us at ResourceCenter@CrisisClinic.org
or call us at (206) 461-3210.
www.CrisisClinic.org
This Newsletter was last updated on Tuesday, September 05, 2006 01:04 PM
|
