Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting Minutes

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.