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FREE EACH VOLUME 35 MONTH ISSUE 12 A community-based newspaper serving the Puget Sound area since 1981 December 2016 Articles translated into six languages The newspaperTheThe of Neighborhood House —VoiceVoice visit our website at www.voice.seattlehousing.net Quieting the mind amidst a chaotic world through meditation f every 8 year old in the Rather, it's what one hears when taking class at a handful of Seattle Senior Housing a class on mindfulness meditation, taught Program communities in the northend. “I world is taught med- by Lee Rogers, a resident of Schwabacher If you haven't tried it, don't expect it itation, we will eliminate vio- House. to necessarily come easily. She says it's a lence from the world within But it's a restful, effortless and relaxed lifelong practice. breathing that the group's members are col- "You’re going to have maybe five days one generation."—Dalai Lama lectively practicing. Nothing seems forced. in a row when you can’t turn that brain off. Mindfulness meditation is derived from You just have to focus on the breathing, and BY NANCY GARDNER Buddhism, but doesn’t bear any of the re- you just keep trying it," Rogers says. The Voice editor ligious qualities and is suitable for anyone The benefits will vary from person to and everyone. Your only real goal is to focus person, but some studies show meditation There's a lot of heavy breathing going your mind on your breathing. If you can set can lower blood pressure, boost the immune on these days at the Ballard Senior Center. aside about 10 minutes each day, Rogers system, reduce stress and lower anxiety and And it's not only coming from people believes anyone can do it. depression levels. taking Laughter Yoga or Zumba classes, She's such a strong believer in the power Meditation is said to help lower stress, either. of meditation that she frequently teaches the Please see “Meditation” on Page 5 blood pressure and depression levels. Rainier Vista residents take back their streets By transforming busy thoroughfare into a pedestrian-friendly, community park BY SEATTLE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION back and performance data before making the enhancements permanent." On Nov. 3, the Seattle Department of Rainier Vista community members Transportation (SDOT), in partnership with requested that SDOT close the block in the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), held a response to speeding traffic in the neighbor- grand opening for a new Pavement to Parks hood. SDOT included the project as a 2016 project in the Rainier Vista neighborhood. Pavement to Parks installation to increase The new park space includes planters, space for play and community activities, seating, turf mounds, and a street mural while reducing speeding on surrounding designed by local youth. streets and improving pedestrian safety. "This project is a great example of the SDOT and the Rainier Vista Neighbor- positive outcomes that come from col- hood Traffic Safety Committee gathered laboration between government and the ideas for the design of the project during community," said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. outreach events. "We are activating an open space in a way "I’m proud of the community engage- that is driven by the community, improves ment by Rainier Vista residents that led safety and livability and reflects the cultural to this project, and the partnership of the South Genesee Street, just to the diversity in Rainier Vista." Seattle Department of Transportation in south of Rainier Vista's Central This Pavement to Parks project repur- making it happen," said SHA Executive Park, has been converted into a new poses a portion of S Genesee St., between Director Andrew Lofton. "The new park public space through the Seattle 29th Ave S and Jill Place S, for an expanded solves what was a traffic safety issue and, Department of Transportation's park space in the neighborhood. Built under with its colorful new mural painted by Pavement to Parks program. Local SDOT’s Adaptive Streets Program, the youth, provides a vibrant play area and youths helped design the street project uses low-cost, adaptable materials neighborhood gathering place." mural (above) and celebrated to test a public space on the street before SDOT will evaluate the Rainier Vista with officials at the ribbon-cutting permanent changes take place. Pavement to Parks project over the next two ceremony Nov. 3 (at right). The "The Pavement to Parks project in Rain- years. If successful, SHA will work with the project uses low-cost, adaptable ier Vista provides a great example of the City to build the project as a permanent park materials to test a public space on benefits of the Adaptive Streets Program," extension in the neighborhood. the street before permanent changes said SDOT Director Scott Kubly. "By work- For more information about SDOT’s take place. ing with residents to install experimental Adaptive Streets Program contact Susan and low-cost safety enhancements, the City McLaughlin at 206-733-9649 or susan. is better poised to quickly respond to the [email protected], or visit www. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SDOT specific needs of the neighborhood, while seattle.gov/transportation/AdaptiveStreets. allowing time to review community feed- htm. Neighborhood House Nonprofit org. The Weller Building U.S. postage PAID In this issue 1225 S. Weller St. Suite 510 Seattle, WA Health Notes Page 2 Seattle, WA 98144 Permit #8887 Making mental health a priority SHA News Page 3 Emergency workshop takeaways Bits & Bytes Page 5 Cheap holiday gift ideas Page 7 Translations 2 – THE VOICE DECEMBER 2016 Health Notes Be Safe A column devoted to your Free trainings on crime well-being prevention available BY JAKE HELLENKAMP Personal Safety Making mental health a priority Project Coordinator Only carry the things that you need with We can all make simple changes in our you when leaving the house. Don’t keep BY SUSAN JOHNSON According to recent statistics, 43.4 mil- lives to reduce the risk of becoming crime large amounts of cash, multiple credit cards, Regional Director, US Department of lion adults aged 18 or older experienced victims and keep ourselves safer. Seattle your cell phone, keys or valuables in one Health and Human Services, Region 10 some form of mental illness in the past Neighborhood Group (SNG) offers free place. Secure items in different pockets or year, and the CDC projects depression will trainings on a variety of crime prevention bags that can be zipped. Many of us ignore physical symptoms— be the second leading cause of disability topics to community groups and residential Vehicle Security an aching tooth, a shoulder that locks up, worldwide by 2020. sites that serve immigrants, seniors and Keep the inside of your car clean and early signs of diabetes or high blood pres- Though disabling when symptoms low-income people in Seattle. remove all valuables from sight when you sure. Maybe we’re afraid of the dentist and persist, depression is treatable and most We often partner with interpreters to park your car and either take them with you don’t want to face possible surgery, or don’t Americans greatly improve with treatment, share useful and relevant information with or put them in your trunk. This will reduce want to deal with medications and lifestyle services and recovery supports. groups that need information in languages the likelihood that car prowlers will smash changes. Signs of depression include experiencing other than English. Trainings last about 30 your window and grab your belongings. We may also ignore signs of depression some of the following, most of the day, for minutes and many groups request to learn Identity Theft and Fraud and other mental illnesses for a variety of at least two weeks: about multiple topics at once. Presentation Identity theft can happen many different reasons. We might feel mental illness is • Persistent sad, anxious or ‘empty’ topics include Calling 911, Personal Safety, ways, including data breaches by email or a sign of weakness, or fear that friends, mood Suspicious Activities, Vehicle Security, and phone or when someone steals your mail. family or employers would judge us or • Feelings of hopelessness or pes- Identity Theft and Fraud. NEVER give out personal identifying infor- discriminate against us. simism The following is a sample of information mation, such as your social security number Already, too many Americans experi- • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or from each of the presentations we provide, or account numbers, to a stranger who ence prejudice, discrimination, abuse and helplessness designed to get you thinking about ways contacts you over the phone or with email. victimization based on a mental health di- • Loss of interest or pleasure in hob- to better protect yourselves and your com- If you think your identity has been stolen, agnosis. And for too long, Americans paid bies and activities munities: report it to police immediately and contact a for health insurance that did not recognize • Decreased energy or fatigue Calling 911 credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your that treatment for mental health and sub- • Difficulty concentrating, remember- You should call 911 when there is an credit report. stance use disorders is as essential as other ing, or making decisions emergency, a dangerous situation, suspi- If you know of a group of people who medical treatment. • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning cious activity, or if you need a quick re- would benefit from learning these safety It’s time for us to let people who are awakening, or oversleeping sponse for a crime in progress or one that tips, please contact us to learn more and living with mental health conditions know • Appetite and/or weight changes just occurred.

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