Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
at Asian Counseling and Referral Center
In Attendance: Kate Farmer, Neighborhood House, Kat McGhee, Neighborhood House, Jason Rolfe, CCS-Youth Tutoring, Ba Cam Ma, Providence Gamelin House, Tim Pretare, Seattle Park and Rec Lifelong Rec, Amy Huong, ACRS, Phong Ly, ACRS, Naomi Chang, SHA, Randy Nolan, Wellspring Family Services, Rebecca Whitney, SHA, Leslie Heimer, Lettuce Link/Solid Ground, Annie Edwards, Neighborhood House, Elana Feldman, Neighborcare, Michael Rudolph, Neighborcare.
SHA – Rebecca Whitney talked about Tamarack Place and Phase 3. Tamarack Place is an 83 unit mixed use building. 83 low income apartments and 3 live/work units. 8,000 square feet of commercial space on ground floor. Financing has closed for Tamarack and for infrastructure on Phase 3 of project. Merlino Construction is working on Tamarack foundation and is contractor for North phase. Tamarack will be completed in Fall 2010. There are more than 5,000 applications currently for the Rainier Vista community. Applications are received at the on-site property management office and also through Porchlight. They are sorted by special needs, unit size, family income, and then organized on a first-come-first serve basis. Phase 3 – 118 rental units (mix of public housing vouchers and tax credit units). Construction will start in 2010 and will be available as they complete each block.
Solid Ground – Leslie Heimer talked about new plans for RV community farm. There are 3 main components. They plan to produce food for local food banks (RV), seed saving and garden education. This is different from a P-patch program. They will offer cooking classes also. They will start gardening next Spring. Garden will be located near the new Habitat for Humanity building. There is a Meeting this Thursday, Design meeting for Service Providers to attend and review design of garden, 12/17 at Neighborhood House at 1-3pm. Everyone welcome to attend for input. Large community meeting will be held in January for residents to get information on this new program.
Neighborcare Health - Michael,Rudolph and Elana Feldman discussed new cancer screening project. Preventative cancer screening for breast, cervical and colon. People without insurance are eligible for a health exam and cancer screening at no cost. Once they go to clinic, they will be connected with primary care doctor. Mammograms are offered at the clinics. Contact Neighborcare Health at 206-461-6957 or www.neighborcare.org for more info.
Neighborhood House – Kat McGhee talked about computer lab hours and classes. Extended open lab hours for anyone to use computers and new classes (Internet, word, job search, resume writing, etc.). Classes are free. Please let your clients know they can come to the computer lab 6 days a week if they need a computer to use.
Youth Tutoring Program – Jason Rolfe – Tutoring will start back up in January, for grades 1-12, free tutoring. There is a wait list for program. New tutors are always needed.
Providence Gamelin House – Ba Cam Ma – Independent living Senior Housing for 62 years and older. Long wait list. Many activities are offered (ESL, dance, etc.).
Seattle Parks and Rec – Tim Pretare – Programs and activities for people 50 and over. Recreation, fitness, arts and crafts and social activities. Fitness centers located at community centers, Jefferson, Rainier, Van Asselt, Rainier Beach. January 4-January 30—people can drop in a program or class once for $2 to try it and see if they like the program. Health Fair will be held in August or September at Seward park. Large event, exhibitor booths, vendors, entertainment, fun run, 1 day event, bring residents out to this event.
ACRS – Community Resource Project – New program for clients that need help accessing resources, services, and public benefits. ACRS can help people find general info and services. Call 206-774-2443 to reach Community Resource Project.
SHA – Community Builder – Naomi Chang, supports residents at RV. 2 main community groups. RV Traffic and Safety Committee meets first Monday of month at 7pm at Neighborhood House. 10 -15 renters and homeowners attend. Multicultural Diversity Committee meets 3rd Wednesday of month at Neighborhood House. 20-25 people attend. In January, Somali Community will attend and share their culture and in February, Vietnamese community will attend and share info on culture. May plan Potluck in March. Currently working on community yearbook with info on culture, background, recipes, and anticipating completion by 2010. Working on getting funding for this. RV Community clean ups occur Monthly, first Saturday of the month at 10-12noon at park across from Neighborhood House.
Wellspring – Randy Nolan talked about Housing and the intake process which is changing, will need to call community resources line by dialing 211 for housing intakes.
Spring Open House – providers talked about hosting a Spring Open House in March or April. Attendees seemed to think this would be a good idea. A committee will form and work on planning the open house. Kate Farmer will send an email out with a meeting date in January for anyone interested in joining the committee to plan the open house.
Next Service Provider Meeting: February 16th at 10AM at Providence Gamelin House.
Dec 18, 2009
Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting Minutes
Oct 21, 2009
Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10AM – 11AM
Hosted by: Jason Rolfe, Youth Tutoring Program, Catholic Community Services
Attendance: Kate Farmer (Neighborhood House), Phong Ly (ACRS), Derek Taylor (Wellspring Family Services), Randy Nolan (Wellspring Family Services), Dave Siminski (Express Credit Union), Jason Rolfe (Youth Tutoring Program), Georgia Megow (Neighborhood House), Tien Duong-Le (IDHA), Denise Lewis (RV Boys and Girls Club/RV Teen Center), Naomi Chang (Seattle Housing Authority), Elizabeth Carr (SPL Columbia Library), Gregory Schaffer (REWA), Stephen Gray (YWCA), Rachel Wilch (YWCA), Laura Paulen (Seattle Asset Building Initiative/SHA), Arielle Rosenberg (Neighborhood House), Kat McGhee (Neighborhood House)
Program Updates and information:
RV Boys and Girls Clubs – Harvest Fest, October 30th from 6pm-8pm for everyone (including non-members!) includes best costume awards, games, music, raffles. A Talent Show on Thursday, October 22 at 5:30pm with special guests from America’s Got Talent!
Seattle Public Library (Columbia Branch) – Homework help centers for K-12 students can meet with homework help volunteers at various branches (including Columbia branch – call 206-386-1908). ESL Classes and computer classes are available. Free Movie this Thursday 10/22 at RV Cultural Center at 6:30pm Film is Kwaidan Ghost story of Japan. Another upcoming event will be Asian Tales of Shadow & Light on Saturday, October 24 at 6-90m at RV Cultural Center. Also the coming up is the Odunde Festival of African Harvest Celebration on November 6, 7, and 8th at RV Cultural Center.
Wellspring Family Services – Eviction Prevention Program (rental assistance, advocacy and support, budgeting). First come/first serve. Call their phone line at 206-902-4275. Eligible participants would be at risk of losing rental housing within 60 days, have household income of 50% or less of HUD income guidelines, resident of City of Seattle, have lease in their name.
Homelessness Intervention – if your homeless, they can help with interim housing, housing search, advocacy with housing providers, etc. For families and individuals who meet the following criteria: live in King County, have a household income of 50% or less of HUD income guidelines. Call 206-902-4271 for more information.
Neighborhood House – Helpline – assistance with rent/utilities one time a year. Emergency food bags/bus tokens. Case management services. Georgia Megow is at Rainier Vista Center on Thursdays. Call her at 206-778-0834.
Neighborhood House Computer Lab – Rainier Vista Center’s computer lab is expanding! New Hours, New Courses! Open lab time for youth, adults (do not need to be a resident or client of Rainier Vista). Beginner Word, Excel, resume writing classes, internet basics, etc. will be coming soon! Help with online job search available. Lab is open Monday – Friday. Call 461-4568 for more information.
Neighborhood House High Point – Grand opening of new High Point Center will be on Saturday, November 14th at 1-4pm—everyone is welcome to attend!
Rainier Vista Center Community Kitchen - October 28th at 6:30pm – 8:30pm – open to everyone. $25 cost. Come make delicious food, learn new cooking skills, meet your neighbors, bring food home for your family. Learn nutrition and new recipes. Monthly event.
Express Credit Union – base office is near Safeco Field on 4th Avenue S. Branch satellite sites located across the city. Banking alternative and affordable financial services for everyone. Free checking, savings account, loans at fair rates, short term/emergency cash, new and used car loans, debt consolidation help, visa cards, credit builder and cash secured loans, wire transfers and bad credit help. This is a good alternative to Pay Day Loans. They will help people who have large debts to Pay Day lenders. Located at Rainier Vista Center on Thursdays 9-4pm. Or Call 206-622-1850.
YWCA – Landlord Liaison Project – The project is a partnership among: landlords, service providers, homeless individuals, families, and the YWCA. Participating landlords agree to apply alternative screening criteria to applicants who are difficult to rent to (former addicts, mental health issues, etc.) This program helps with move in assistance, landlord training, rental assistance, case management and other support to help difficult to rent tenants transition to permanent housing and be strong and successful tenants. For more information call 206-336-4601.
Seattle Asset Building Initiative – pilot program of Seattle King County Asset Building Collaborative. This program helps connect SHA tenants with services they need such as credit counseling/debt repair, employment, homeownership, job training, baking, ESL, Higher education, legal services, access public benefits, etc. Clients are eligible to recent a $100 incentive if they meet with a Case Manager and develop a service plan and meet certain goals. Call 206-615-3596 for more information
Seattle Housing Authority Job Connection – helps people living in SHA communities to find jobs. Contact Larry Hill for more information at 206-722-4010 ext. 6.
Service Provider Open House- Discussion around hosting a Service Provider Open House. This event was planned for September but then postponed. Several service providers expressed interest in this today and would like to participate. Talked about when to host, with holidays coming up and winter months, talked about postponing until the Spring. Decision made to postpone until the Spring (March). At next meeting in December, we will discuss planning for this event, and will talk about table assignments, outreach efforts, etc. We will get a volunteer committee together to work on coordinating this event.
Helpful tools to get the word out on your services/events:
Rainier Vista Community website: www.newrainiervista.com (this is a community website for the Rainier Vista) great place to post events, etc.. Please contact Christina Gilman (website host) if you would like to post an event. Christina Gilman: Christina@dolcideleria.com.
Rainier Vista Service Provider blogpage: http://rvserviceproviders.blogspot.com/. Kate Farmer will update our blog page with these meeting minutes. Please let Kate Farmer know if you want to post an event or information on the blog page.
Next Service Provider Meeting: December 15th at 10AM, hosted by: Asian Counseling and Referral Service (Jeff Wendland)
Jun 26, 2009
Meeting Minutes for 6/16/09
Dear Friends,
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have led the Rainier Vista Service Providers meetings for the past 22 months.
This was my last date to facilitate the meeting. After returning from living overseas, it was a fascinating way to gain insight into my own community through the eyes of such generous, thoughtful people. It has been a pleasure to hold this responsibility. Thanks to everyone who came to the meetings and shared their insight with us.
We’ll see you at the next meeting in August, held generously by my friends at Neighborhood House. See below.
Sincerely,
Gregory Schaffer
In attendance:
Victoria Tangata-Nature Consortium
Jan Eng-ACRS
Kate Farmer & Colin Sexton-Neighborhood House
William Eisely-Team Read
Naomi Chang-SHA
Nelson Lopez-Neighborcare
Gregory Schaffer-ReWA
Jason Rolfe-YTP
This was Gregory’s final meeting as the meeting facilitator. In the future Kate Farmer of Neighborhood House will facilitate the e-mail list and general meeting organization. Individual meetings will be directed by the person hosting the meeting.
Attached is the current e-mail list.
Gregory will look into having the Service Provider listing posted elsewhere, possibly at the: http://newrainiervista.com/public/ run by an RV resident.
Group Planning:
• The service providers would like to hold an open house for adults in late September, possibly the 24th or 28th, from 6-8PM. We are considering the Boys and Girls Club at Rainier Vista if they are available. Recently there was a small fair for children but it was agreed that a targeted fair for adults could be beneficial.
1. Funding could come from the Chamber of Commerce if possible. Food availability could be discussed.
2. It would be good to have outside agencies such as SDOT, Census Bureua, and Washington Oral Health attend as well.
3. Please look into whether your agency could have a table set up for either of those dates.
• Plans are on for a Youth Providers fair at BGC for July 30th, 1PM. Contact Colin at NH to be on the RV youth mailing list.
Agency Updates:
Nature Consortium
There will be environmental field trips every Friday for no charge this summer starting 6/26. They will start at 12 and end at 4. They can take 10-12 children. Victoria will send out a flyer.
ACRS
Please share your ESL flyers with the group, especially to interested parties at Neighborhood House as they are no longer offering their own ESL classes. ACRS just held its annual Walk for Rice event to end hunger in our community.
Neighborhood House
Free lunch for people under the age of 18, M-F, at their RV location.
Team Read
Team Read finished up a successful summer and is looking to recruit young people as volunteers for the upcoming school year. They need your help in getting literacy packs ready if you’re interested in volunteering.
SHA
Parking enforcement at RV begins July 18th for new time restricted parking.
The multicultural committee is planning a potluck for next month.
The family support group is currently postponed.
ReWA
ReWA is full for its summer youth program for children entering grades 3-6. On Fridays ReWA will have a service project for students entering grades 7-10. There may be space available. ReWA regularly offers ESL classes. Call 721-0243.
YTP
Gearing up for their summer reading program that runs six weeks starting June 26th 4:30-7:30. The program is full.
They are moving from the South to the North end of the BGC facility.
Meeting Schedule:
Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30AM
August 18th, Neighborhood House RV, Kate and Colin
October 20th, YTP at BGC RV, Jason
Future meetings TBA
Feb 19, 2009
Spotlight: Healthy & Active Rainier Valley Coalition
The Healthy and Active Rainier Valley Coalition is a group of agencies and individuals that have come together in the Rainier Valley area of Seattle, Washington, to promote physical activity and nutrition. The Coalition meets on the third Wednesday of every other month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Rainier Community Center, Community Center Information. Address: 4600 38th Ave. S, 98118. Everyone is welcome to attend meetings.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/chronic/steps/harvc.aspx
Feb 18, 2009
Meeting Minutes for 2/17
Hosted by Providence ElderPlace
In Attendance:
Gregory Schaffer-Refugee Women's Alliance
Nelson Lopez-Neighborcare
Muriel Bergerson-Seattle Human Services Department
Elizabeth Carr-Seattle Public Library
Corina Kroll-Providence ElderPlace
Briahn Martin-Orca K-8 Vista Volunteer
Colin Sexton-Neighborhood House
Allison Nackel-Neighborhood House
Diana Vergis Vinh-Public Health/HARVC
Naomi Chang-SHA
Jason Rolfe-Youth Tutoring Program
Computer Access in Area
SPL has computer classes available at Columbia Branch
SPL has a traveling computer lab/program for internet/computer basics/email
SPL would like seniors to come use computers, possibly colalborate w/Diana
SPL Columbia is interested in forming a class on sustainable skills in difficult economic times, anyone interested in collaborating?
SPL computer usage is up heavily w/more adults seeking employment
SPL will offer tax help Weds 10-1
NH has 16 computers available for use with some restrictions. Currently there are no open lab hours. Volunteer operators might be able to keep lab open more. Lab is open for youth on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30.
NH works with older teens on W/TH evenings for computer skills training.
NH has a Digital Connectors program w/YMCA and Puget Sound off to gain computer skills. From APR-JUN this group will work in the community to access technology.
ACRS has a computer lab. Please ask about public usage.
Youth Ages/Services
YTP serves all ages grade 1-12
ReWA serves children ages 10+
Boys and Girls Club, under 13
Rainier Valley Teen Center, 13+
Foundations for Work-Allison Nackel
King County grant for underemployed/unemployed, people w/inadequate housing
for people under 175% of poverty line
Spanish and Somali help available
Available at NH Rainier Vista 4 days a week
Agency Updates
ReWA will be opening a mental health office at Rainier Vista in the former Nature Consortium space.
Nelson of Neighborcare teaches enhanced fitness for ages 50+ on Friday mornings at RBCC, and Tai Chi there on Friday afternoons.
Corina of Elderplace would like your ideas on a service project for their employees. In the past they have had a blood pressure clinic. Ideas: community clean-up, blood drive.
Naomi of SHA, new committee the Family Support Group on the 1st Friday of the month. The next meeting will be at NH on March 6th from 6 to 7:30. The topic will be communication between parents and children. Do you have resources to share.
Briahn of Vista/Orca would like to expand gardening and nutrition opportunities with local youth.
ElderPlace is for people ages 55+ who need help w/2 tasks a day. For people w/medicare/medicaid put same price for other people.
Like Baseball? Nelson is working on creating a new baseball program with other community organizations to eventually get sponsorship from the big leagues.
Jason of YTP will work to lead a youth provider meeting for next month.
Other notes:
Add ACRS and Seattle Senior Services to e-mail list
Update e-mail list to ensure all interested parties attend
Seattle Youth Employment Program applications are due in April: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/youth/employment.htm
Funds dry up for Rainier Vista: http://www.realchangenews.org/2009/2009_02_11/rainier_v16n07.html
Columbia City Wikli: http://columbiacitizens.net/wikli:current
The next meeting will be at Providence Gamelin House on April 21st. 10:00-11:30AM. Contact Ba Cam Ma.
Jan 26, 2009
Meeting Minutes from 1/19
Welcome to the New Year! We may already be over two weeks into it but I’m still taking care of last year’s business. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season.
As you can see from the above listing, we’ve really slimmed down the e-mail list to only the interested parties. Now that it’s gotten so small we can…make it grow again! Please let me know if you have interested parties who should be added to the list.
Taking notes from meetings and writing them up is something that I am reevaluating as it is time consuming. Attendance was a bit low in comparison to the October meeting, but it was a holiday month and last year we had meetings in November and January instead of December. I believe there also may have been some general confusion due to my multiple e-mail listings. That has now been remedied. Regardless, here we go:
Meeting minutes from December 16th:
In attendance
Andrea YTP
Brian YTP
Allison YTP
Naomi SHA
Elizabeth Carr SPL
Rick Dupree B&G Club
Ba Cam Ma Gamelin House
Gregory Schaffer ReWA
Topics of discussion:
Next Meeting: February 17th 10-11:30AM, at Providence Elder Place, hosted by Corina Kroll, Corina.Kroll@providence.org
http://www.providence.org/Long_term_Care/Elderplace/default.htm
4515 MLK, the entrance is on the West side of the building
Columbia City Wiki for news and updates from the community: http://columbiacitizens.net/wikli:current
Neighborhood House focus group results: Kate continues to address issues found in the focus group results with the hopes of better targeting areas of need.
Youth Cluster meetings: It was suggested that a new effort be made for the youth providers to have their own regular meetings. Andrea from YTP will take the lead on this project.
Service Providers Listings: Kate has taken command of getting this list updated. She recently sent out the old listing requesting that you update your agency’s information. Gregory suggested that providers may be able to quickly edit a paper version of their program at the next meeting.
Event Information: Please send your event info to Tyler Rouse, tylerrouse@nhwa.org and karenmcdaniel@nhwa.org to have it posed on the Rainier Vista web-site, and/or have it published in the The Voice, the SHA newspaper.
Naomi -SHAWorking with SDOT to improve alley safety due to the high volume of pedestrians, esp. at Dakota/Nevada
Multicultural Group- Please participate in the monthly community cleanup or the homeowner meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month
Would like to update the resident directory as well as see a new service provider summary booklet
Andrea-YTPA new center manager has started in conjunction with YTP’s move from SHA to the Boys and Girls Club facility
Elizabeth -Columbia City Library
There has been a drop in attendance for their after-school program since the B&G Club opened
Baby story time is each Wednesday at 12:30
There has been an increase in the number of unemployed people using the library. We do have a job and education area.
Rick – B&GC
Hours are from 2:30-8PM
The North part of the building is the RV Teen Center, the South end is the Boys and Girls Club.
The Mayor’s office is working on a program to reduce gun violence involving youth. In conjunction with the Urban League, they will be looking to groups in the S/SE part of the city throughout the spring to build this programming.
The week of February 9th or 17th, the State of the City address will be given at RV B&GC
In January we will host the WNBA Fit clinic, targeting youth or adults, still uncertain
The membership fee is $10 for RV residents, $20 for elsewhere
Gregory-ReWA
ReWA will again facilitate the Washington State Refugee and Immigrant Legislative day on February 10, 2009. We want your organization to participate in this important event. Numerous buses will leave from multiple Seattle locations to travel to Olympia with the goal of raising awareness of the needs of refugee and immigrant communities. Call 721-0243 for more information.
After the meeting, Rick Dupree was kind enough to take us on a tour of the new Boys and Girls Club facility. We congratulate their organization on realizing their dream of a new facility at Rainier Vista.
Please let me know if you have any topics of discussion for February’s meeting.
