A listing of providers and events in the area of the Rainier Vista housing development.

Aug 18, 2010

Rainier Vista Service Provider Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2010
Held at Neighborhood House


Attendance: Tien Duong-Le, Neighborhood House, Randy Nolan, Wellspring Family Services, Alma Villegas, Stand For Children; Larry Hill, Seattle Housing Authority; Naomi Chang, Seattle Housing Authority, Colin Sexton, Neighborhood House; Kate Farmer, Neighborhood House
Nelson Lopez, Neighborcare Health

Guest:
Stand For Children: Grassroots education and advocacy. National organization, local offices in Seattle, Kent, etc. Work with parents and educators to advocate for policy change on district and state level. Parents learn structure of decision making process from State to local school level. Parents learn basics of how local school district is funded and how spending is allocated. Parents participate in discussion around local concern and how they can impact systematic change through strategic actions and advocacy. Stand For Children offers workshops and training for parents.

Service updates:
IDHA – Health Fair at Neighborhood House’s High Point facility on Friday, 8/20 from 8-5pm. Bike helmets, backpacks, Health information and tests.

Project Handle – HIV Testing on 2nd Friday of the month at Neighborhood House Rainier Vista Center from 10-12noon, please refer any clients. Tien reports Vietnamese Tea Time continues every 2nd Friday of the month at Neighborhood House Rainier Vista Center, the Tea Time has combined with the monthly Community Kitchen event.

Neighborhood House – Colin reports successful youth litter event was held in July. Several kids attended the event. The event was coordinated by the youth providers including REWA and Boys and Girls Club. ESL classes are starting again in the Fall in the Tech Center. Job focused ESL class starts in September. Digital Connectors class starts in the Fall at the Tech Center, this is a youth technology program.

Wellspring Family Services – They are taking provider referrals for Eviction assistance. SHA also makes referrals. Must be behind in rent to qualify or received 3 day vacate. Assistance with rent and utility bills. Call 206-902-4271 to refer or call 211. For Seattle residents only. Wellspring Family Services also offers child and family therapy services for families with young children age 0-5.

SHA – Monthly community clean ups continue, coordinated by the Homeowners of RV. Though still low attendance. Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting is held every other month. Emergency preparedness/safety training last month. Working on phone tree with 2-3 representatives from different language groups on emergency phone tree.
Multicultural Committee continues to meet every month. They received $800 from Small Sparks Grant to hold event on September 25th from 3-7pm at Rainier Vista Center for community.

Neighborcare Health – New clinic in south opening in February at 51st and Rainier, dental and medical clinic, it will replace Rainier Beach. SE Dental is closing. Community Center at Rainier Beach is closing, no pool in SE, due to lack of funding. Rainier Valley Heritage parade and festival this Saturday from 11-3pm, parade and street party.

Job Connections/SHA – Larry reports that he is working with several clients to find employment.

Discussions:
Service Providers talked about low attendance at this meeting. Suggestions include, adding trainings into the meeting, such as How to do Outreach, How to Use Internet to Find Resources, How to Engage Families Into Counseling, Fundraising, Community Building, Leadership, Cultural Experience, etc. Recommended that we ask Providers what training they would like and would be most beneficial. Providers also talked about inviting residents to the meetings, but this should only be done if we have a strong purpose as to why we are inviting and what their role is.
Another suggestion was to invite local organizations to the meeting, who may potential want to donate funding, and create a relationship for potential partnership. Also, collaboration with local neighborhood groups may be helpful. Kate will see about getting a trainer in for October meeting.

Next meeting: October 19th, 2010 at 10AM, tentatively scheduled to be held at REWA at 4008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.




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