Lives in Transformation - Catholic Community Services of Western

Newsletter November 2010
Lives in Transformation
I have been with Rose of Lima Housing for almost two years. When I came to Rose of
Lima I was very glad to have a good place to live. I was also a little bit afraid. Now I don’t
have to live on the streets at all. When I have any problems I can go to Morgan so we can
talk about it to see if there’s any way they can help me solve a problem.
When I had been there for a year, Emily asked me to come to the office. She asked me
if I could help them out by delivering announcements and tape them on doors. I have also
asked them if I can volunteer anytime they need help. Last December, I let them borrow
my Christmas tree to make the community room look nice for Christmas! And this year I
will put up the tree again.
Besides volunteering at Rose of Lima, I volunteer at the Recovery Café by teaching a
beading class and working as a barista every Friday.
continued on page 3
Jeana
I’ve been homeless for approximately eight years. I became homeless because of a
child custody battle. I was homeless in Snohomish County for about 3 yrs and then
back and forth between King and Snohomish counties for the last five years.
During this time I have been learning about compulsive disorders. My compulsive
disorder/addiction is smoking. I can relate and have empathy for those who have other
disorders - each is unique in its own way and should be treated as so.
When I moved into my new apartment in Bakhita Gardens I felt very welcomed.
The room is extremely nice and there were new items including brand new towels,
cleaning supplies and toiletries. I live on the sixth floor and have a gorgeous view of
Puget Sound. Its so nice to be able to see the Space Needle as I’m coming or leaving
my apartment. continued on page 3
A Tradition of Giving
Heidi
The Hayward Family Foundation is a dedicated source of support to Noel House
Programs. Colleen Hayward participates with her parents and sister to offer
supporting grants through the foundation they created a few years ago. "Each of us
makes recommendations for donations to organizations of our choice, dear to each
of our hearts. It's a wonderful opportunity to make a significant and tangible gift and
to share our passions with each other. Thanks to my parents for this!"
Colleen first learned about Noel House at her weekly meditation group, Seattle
Insight Meditation Society, which meets at St. Mark's Cathedral. SIMS donates
healthy snack food for the women who use the shelter, and runs drives for blankets
and holiday gift cards each year. "I decided I wanted to know more about the
women who came to St. Mark's each night at 9:30 for a snack and a safe bed. I
went downtown to 2nd and Bell and met with [Program Director] Eileen who
introduced me to her fellow staff members, all of whom were positive and passionate about providing for their "ladies" -- a
great group who work so well together to bring dignity and consistent shelter to the homeless women in Seattle. I wanted
to join in!" continued on page 3
Noel House Programs
118 Bell Street
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 441-3210
www.noelhouse.org
Eileen McComb
Program Director
EileenM@ccsww.org
Noel House Programs and Rose of Lima House
are enjoying a strong collaboration at Bakhita
Gardens. More than 75% of the women moving into
the Rose of Lima apartments have used Noel House
Programs services. Many of these women have been
in the shelter system for years and it is very exciting
to see them moving into permanent housing. The
services available to the residents, combined with a
focus on community building are helping to stabilize
women who have long been homeless. Rose of Lima
House is providing an opportunity to move from
survival mode to a focus on improving their quality
of life.
Bakhita Gardens
Update
Sharon Poole
Community Liaison
SharonP@ccsww.org
Give the Gift of Warmth
Rose of Lima House
118 Bell Street
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 456-3487
www.rosehouse.org
Diane Swanberg
Program Director
DianeS@ccsww.org
Fund Development
Anna Cronin
AnnaCr@ccsww.org
Phone: (206) 456-3105
With winter fast approaching, blankets are the most important durable item Noel House
Programs makes available to the 92 women receiving shelter each night. As one Noel House
client put it, “When you have a warm night’s sleep in the shelter, it feels like home. Being
homeless is hard. When you don’t have warm blankets or enough blankets, it makes you sick in
your body and soul.”
The wear and tear of constant use means blankets must be replaced frequently. Clients also
take blankets with them with our blessing. Uncertainty is a constant presence in their lives, and it
is always better to be prepared for the cold.
Without your support we simply do not have enough blankets to go around. Please consider
donating new or gently used twin-sized blankets made of cotton, cotton/poly blend, or fleece. A
great place to purchase them is overstock.com/twinblankets. Better yet, you can make a huge
difference by coordinating a blanket drive. Here are some suggestions for making it a success:
1. Pick a collection goal, then choose a date, a time, and a location
Having a goal of how many blankets you want to collect can help determine how long the
blanket drive will last. A clear idea of when and where people can drop off blankets will
also help in the achievement of your goal.
2. Contact friends, family, and members of your community
In addition to having people donate blankets, you’ll also benefit from having help with
sorting, folding and delivering them. Many hands make the work easier and fun!
3. Spread the word!
A simple flyer, an e-mail to your workmates and friends, a pitch on your MySpace or
Facebook page, a notice in your church or school bulletin, an ad on Craigslist, a poster in
your local grocery store: utilize all the avenues at your disposal!
Saint
Josephine
Bakhita
Here is some information to include in your announcement:
Noel House Programs provides emergency shelter to homeless women in Seattle. Each
night, 92 women have access to a safe, comfortable place to sleep through Noel House
Programs’ six area shelters.
Noel House is in need of new or gently used twin-sized cotton, cotton/poly, and fleece
blankets. Your generous donation immediately helps women experiencing homelessness.
To coordinate a blanket drop off, please contact Sharon at (206) 456-3101 or
sharonp@ccsww.org. THANK YOU!
Heidi, continued from page 1
I feel that Rose House residents share a strong bond; it’s
like one big happy family! There is always help without asking.
I feel very blessed seeing familiar faces as they move into
their own apartments, and see how excited they are as
they’re moving in. The new staff is awesome and they have
been very helpful. I feel safe here because there is a large
community of neighbors who are strongly involved in the
safety of the homeless.
I know that in God’s time I will be an active participant in
giving back to our community.
A Tradition of Giving, continued from page 1
The Haywards decided their first donation to Noel House
would be a grant to purchase leather couches, replacing those
that were worn out and in bad shape. Those couches were used
to provide 8 extra overflow shelter spots for women at Noel
House. Among other things, the Haywards also provided a
grant for 40 beds at our temporary site while Bakhita Gardens
was being built. "When I walked into the shelter and saw
those rows of beds, it was a nice feeling that they came from my
family. It is a way to honor my parents who have worked hard
and saved well to be in a position to give back in so many ways."
Jeana, continued from page 1
Now I’m in permanent housing, and I don’t have to
worry where I’m going to be living, I can afford a cell phone
to contact my daughters. I even bought a swimsuit for my
granddaughter!
I also attended the 20th Annual Washington Conference to End Homelessness in Spokane and I will attend the
21st Annual Conference in Tri-Cities next year.
In the new building I live in a beautiful view apartment
which has a view of the ferries and the cruise ships.
I have been sober for two years.
I am a “computer geek”, and because I now have a
place to stay all day and a place to sleep at night, I can teach
other people how to get on the computer and internet.
Holiday
Volunteer
Opportunities
Coordinate a Gift Card Drive
The Hayward family consists of Thomas (dad), who is a retired
Admiral and former Chief of Naval Operations, Peggy (mom),
and Cyndy (sister), who lives on the Long Beach Peninsula and is
the owner of Adelaide's Book Store and Café. Colleen is an
artist, a retired professor and a creativity coach, in addition to
being a co-convener of the Noel House Ministry at St. Mark's.
She donates much of her time to St. Marks and downtown, with
a steadfast belief in our mission.
Gift cards are the best way to help provide
life’s necessities and niceties to homeless. Smaller
gift cards denominations of $10 allow for equitable
distribution to all women receiving assistance from
Noel House. Cards from coffee shops, drug
stores, fast food restaurants, and Payless Shoes are
immediately useful and greatly appreciated.
Colleen and her family will be giving a grant this year to
provide computers for the new media area at Bakhita Gardens.
Colleen dropped by last week to see our new home with the
ladies really settling in. "It's gonna be neat to get to know the
ladies in a place where they feel a lot of pride because it was
built for them."
New underwear, socks, and bras, like blankets,
are highly sought-after staples that are often in
short supply. A wide assortment of sizes, with
emphasis on comfort and durability, works best.
Donations Needed
Personal Care: Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Lotion,
Deodorant, Toothbrushes, Tooth paste, Razors, Q-Tips,
Kleenex, Combs & hairbrushes, New undergarments and socks
Staples: Hand Sanitizer – we can never have too much!,
Blankets – please visit overstock.com/twinblankets, Feminine
hygiene product, Toilet paper, Dish soap, Dishwasher
detergent, 33 gallon trash bags, Laundry soap,
Coordinate an Undergarments Drive
Provide Holiday Event Assistance
The holiday season is a frenetic time as staff
and community members come together to help
make the season one of caring and equality.
Donations are sorted, gift bags assembled, event
locations decorated, and meals served. Your
involvement helps ensure that the focus is squarely
on providing the best holiday experience possible.
Coordinate a Move-in Kit Drive
For the Kitchen: Coffee, Sugar, Creamer, Margarine, Jelly,
Napkins,
When women at Rose of Lima House obtain
permanent housing, provisioning their new home
becomes a top priority. The most helpful items are
starter dish/silverware sets, twin mattress covers,
bed sheet sets, and pillow sets.
First Aid: Band Aids, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Acetametaphin,
Cough drops, Non Alcohol Cold/Flu Meds, Vitamin C,
Antibiotic Cream.
Please contact Sharon Poole, (206) 4563103 or sharonp@ccsww.org
Non-Profit Org.
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Community
Support
Transforms
Lives
A Very Warm Thank You
Salmon at Sunset was an unqualified success. We raised almost
$9,000, with 96 cents of every dollar going toward providing
services for Rose of Lima house residents.
We would especially like to thank Flying Fish Restaurant for
donating gourmet salmon dinners along with the time and
professionalism of their wait staff; Sandpoint Grill for donating
appetizers; Wild Salmon Seafood Market for donating
salmon; Starline Luxury Coaches for discounting the shuttle
service; and the Sugar Rush Baking Company for donating
dessert.