Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting 4/20/10

Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting
April 20, 2010
At Wellspring Family Services

Attendance: Kate Farmer, Neighborhood House; Tim Pretare, Seattle Parks and Rec; Nelson Lopez, Neighborcare; Samuel Pierce, SHA; Naomi Chang, SHA; Leslie Heimer, Solid Ground, Lettuce Link; Gregory Schaffer, REWA; Randy Nolan, Wellspring Family Services; Denise Lewis, Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club; Diana Vergis Vinh, Healthy Active Rainier Valley Coalition (HARVC).

Randy Nolan/Wellspring Family Services – Randy talked about Wellspring services. Domestic Violence clinic, infant and child services, early learning, services for children with behavioral issues, counseling, housing services. For housing services, call 211 (Crisis Clinic helpline) for eviction prevention or call Wellspring directly. Intervention Program – referred by shelter for families. Baby boutique for clients.

Service Provider Open House – Group discussed whether or not to hold an Open House. General consensus was that it was a good idea. Boys and Girls Club is holding an Open House on Saturday, June 5th. Group decided it would be a good idea to combine this event with the B&GC open house, in order to attract more people. Group discussed logistics, flyer, translation, time, clean up and set up. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 11 at the B&GC to finalize plans. All Service providers are encouraged to attend the Open House, this will be a good way to get your agency service information and program information out to the community. Denise Lewis will confirm with B&GC that this can happen. Kate will send out email to SP group to invite them to May 11 meeting. This is the same day as the Beacon Hill Festival which is a large and very popular community event. Suggestion to note this on the flyer, that people can come to Open House and then walk up to the Beacon Hill or take the light rail. There is also the Cheasty Greenbelt trail which people can also access to walk to the festival. Tim Pretare will talk to Mari Becker of Sound Steps, she may want to promote her walking group, by organizing a walking group up to the Beacon Hill Festival. Tim will talk to person organizing Beacon Hill Festival (Seattle Park and Recreation event), to event), to see if this is ok to also promote their event on our flyer.

HARVC – Healthy and Active Rainier Valley Coalition – Diana Vinh talked about the mission of this group, which meets every other month. Diana is the chairperson of HARVC. Currently, it’s a small group of people that meet and share service and program information. The group has been successful in addressing health issues in the community in the past, but no longer has funding. HARVC would like to merge with the RV Service Provider group. The HARVC mission is focused on improving health in the community. HARVC participants are enthusiastic about joining with the service provider group (many service providers also belong to HARVC). The Service Providers discussed benefits of joining forces—many service providers said their agencies also have a health mission. General consensus of providers was that it would be a good idea. Group talked about changing name of Service Provider group which really serves more than just Rainier Vista residents, and really serves SE Seattle (including New Holly). Kate will send an email out to the Service Provider Group for feedback and input and a final decision will be made at the next SP meeting in June on combining HARVC with SP group.

Next SP meeting – June 15 at Neighborcare Health at 10AM (Nelson Lopez will confirm).

SHA – Section 3 – Samuel Pierce discussed The Job connection is currently conducting outreach activities to identify job seekers interested in opportunities in the construction industry. Seeking Section 3 candidates who live in various zip codes. Contact Samuel Pierce for additional info at 206-722-4010 ext. 3

Boys and Girls Club – Denise Lewis discussed Teen Summit – Saturday April 24th (Teen Sexual Health and Protect Your Rights). May 7 – Jump and Jive on Friday May 7th from 6pm – 8pm (Free Swing Dance)
Drill Team fashion show – Saturday, May 22 (dinner, performance and fashion show)
Summer programs – Day Camp for grades 3 -6 (all day) and Daycare for grades 1-4th (all day).

Urban Farm – Leslie gave update on Urban Farm. Final design meeting on April 26. Final time for people to give input on design. Community meeting at Neighborhood House from 6:30-8pm on Monday, 4/26.

Tim Pretare – Seattle Parks and Recreation – Jefferson Community Center – Tai chi class will be held at Jefferson Community Center, and Swedish Medical Center is offering breast exam, mammography and pap smears free or low cost for those who are uninsured, or underinsured on Saturday May 15. Also Healthy Aging Fair on May 26.

REWA – Gregory Schaffer, new title is Youth Coordinator at REWA. He is working with SBOC, Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center. Newly arrived youth from other countries. Gregory said group can help with outreach and translation.