Free each Volume 28 month Issue 1 A community-based newspaper serving the Puget Sound area since 1981
January 2009 Articles translated into six languages
TheTheThe newspaper VoiceVoice of Neighborhood House
Noted housing activist from Winter, but not so wonderful New Orleans visits Seattle By Lynn Sereda of disaster preparedness along with civic Section 8 Tenant engagement. He stresses that one cannot assume that government agencies will be Malik Rahim is well known as an activ- immediately able to provide relief. ist with the group Common Ground Relief, When the hurricane devastated New which organized neighborhood-driven Orleans, Rahim was part of a small group of disaster assistance in New Orleans after people who pooled $50 and started distrib- Hurricane Katrina. uting food, water and medical supplies in Rahim, who recently received the Thom- the low-income neighborhoods of the city. as Merton Social Justice and Humanitar- It took weeks for FEMA to show up, ian award, came to Seattle to speak about yet word soon spread about this neighbor- current efforts in New Orleans. He also hood-based effort. Volunteers from all took time to promote a social justice trip over America started arriving with skills that 14 students from Seattle’s Nova High and money and became part of Common School will take to New Orleans’ Lower Ground’s rebuilding effort. Ninth Ward. Rahim estimates that there have been During his visit, Rahim spoke at Nova 20,000 volunteers serving 180,000 residents High School, at a fundraiser in a private as part of Common Ground in the three residence with King County Councilman years since Katrina. Larry Gossett and in an art gallery down- Among their accomplishments, vol- town that was showing an exhibition of unteers have built a free medical clinic, photos from New Orleans. rebuilt an elementary school and an his- Rahim has been to Washington state toric church, started a free legal clinic and several times since Katrina, including a trip a women’s homeless shelter and opened Photo by Tyler Roush Icicles cling to a lamppost at Kerry Park, overlooking the Space Needle and to Carnation two years ago after the Tolt community kitchens and food distribution Seattle Center. A wintry blast of snow and ice pummeled the Puget Sound area, River flooded. In his talks since Katrina, with slippery conditions keeping many indoors. Rahim has repeatedly stated the importance Please see “Activist” on Page 4
NYC Housing Financial aid for college Minimum wage Commissioner continues despite economic crisis increases to $8.55 tapped to head HUD By Colin Sexton college: per hour By SHA Staff Neighborhood House 1. Apply for Federal Financial Aid. Nearly all students attending college By Department of Labor and Industries Last month President-elect Barack Obama Are you or someone you know getting complete the Free Application for Federal named New York City ready for college? Completing a college Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used by Washington’s minimum wage in- Housing Commission- degree can make the difference to you and all colleges and universities, to determine creased 48 cents to $8.55 an hour Jan. er Shaun Donovan to your family between just barely getting by what support you need and what they will 1. This increase is required by a voter head the Department and enjoying a stable, comfortable life. provide. The FAFSA will allow you to initiative that passed 10 years ago. of Housing and Ur- The current financial troubles in this receive financial aid in the form of grants, The Department of Labor and In- ba n Development country have people wondering if financial loans and work-study funds. dustries (L&I) recalculates the state’s (HUD), saying in a aid is available to new students. Be assured • The FAFSA should be completed and minimum wage each year in September radio address that few that funding continues to be available submitted by all students as early as pos- as required by Initiative 688, which was departments would be through government, public and private sible, after January 1 and before June 30. approved by Washington voters in 1998. “more essential” in sources. Our political and business leaders Tax information for your family is required, The law requires that the state minimum stemming “the rising recognize how important a college educated but estimating your family’s taxes for the wage be adjusted each year according tide of foreclosures Shaun Donovan workforce is to our future economy. previous year is acceptable and sometimes to the change in the federal Consumer and strengthen our This time of year is very important for better than waiting until March or April. Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and economy. those planning to attend college soon, since • For more information, visit www.fafsa. Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 “Shaun will bring to this important post January is the time to apply for financial ed.gov. aid. Here are some steps you can take to Please see “HUD” on Page 2 help you secure the funding you need for Please see “College” on Page 2 Please see “Wage” on Page 3
In this issue Quotable Neighborhood House Nonprofit org. Jesse Epstein Building U.S. postage PAID Health Notes Page 2 “Public housing is a critical 905 Spruce Street Seattle, WA know the risks of alcohol abuse resource for low-income Seattle, WA 98104 Permit #8887 One to grow on Page 3 households and low-wage workers, extend the growing season this the populations that are most winter seriously affected by the current Health Night Page 4 financial crisis.” nh helps head start parents — SHA Executive Director Tom Tier- with health education event ney on the need for a federal stimulus Translations Page 8 package to fund public housing. See alcohol and cancer story on Page 4. 2 – local and national news january 2009
In March 2008, Bush’s second HUD sec- HUD retary, Alphonso Jackson, resigned from his Continued from front page Health Notes position in the face of ongoing probes by a A column devoted to your well-being fresh thinking, unencumbered by old ideol- federal grand jury, the Justice Department, ogy and outdated ideas,” said Obama. the FBI and the HUD inspector general. Housing advocates and politicians hailed Under Jackson, the nation spiraled into the Alcohol and cancer: Before Donovan’s nomination, which needs to be worst housing crisis since the Great Depres- confirmed by the Senate. sion, though Jackson insisted that increasing “Shaun Donovan is a brilliant choice for mortgage failures were simply a short-term you drink, know the risks HUD. He is an expert on the full range of “correction.” housing issues and has a proven track record When Jackson resigned, Bush appointed By Pam McGaffin • While drinking small amounts of of getting things done,” said Sheila Crowley, then-chief of the Small Business Adminis- Moore Ink alcohol, such as a daily glass of wine, has president of the National Low Income Hous- tration (SBA) Steven Preston to replace him. been shown to reduce the risk of heart ing Coalition. Preston still heads HUD. The holidays have come and gone. attack and stroke, the benefit goes away “Thankfully, President-elect Obama has Donovan was appointed Commissioner of Time for family and friends, gifts and with the second or third glass. If you can’t chosen a HUD secretary who is uniquely the New York City Department of Housing good cheer... drinking and more drink- stop at one, it’s probably safer for you to qualified to take on this task,” said Sen. Patty Preservation and Development (HPD) in ing. get your health benefits from eating right Murray (D-WA), who chairs the subcommit- March 2004 by Mayor Michael R. Bloom- Like it or not, alcohol has become a and exercising. tee that controls HUD appropriations. berg. fixture of the season, as traditional as • Avoid alcohol altogether if you are: a If he is confirmed, she said, Donovan will Until March of 2001, Donovan was Deputy fruitcake (which is often soaked in the recovering alcoholic; pregnant or lactat- be a lead player in addressing “the worst Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing stuff). ing; under legal drinking age; driving economic climate in decades” as “American at HUD. It’s important to remember, now and or doing an activity that requires atten- homeowners are reeling from plummeting Donovan served at HUD in the Clinton every day, of the hazards of drinking. tion, skill and coordination; or taking a home values and rising unemployment.” administration as both acting federal housing Here’s a sobering fact to keep in mind: medication that can interact with alcohol In his announcement, Obama explicitly commissioner and deputy assistant secretary regular alcohol consumption and/or (including sleeping pills, antihistamines, tied the housing crisis to the financial crisis, for multifamily housing. He ran housing sub- binge drinking can be hazardous to your anti-anxiety drugs, and medications for saying that “expanding access to affordable sidy programs that provided over $9 billion health. diabetes, high blood pressure and heart housing isn’t just about caring for the least annually to 1.7 million families and oversaw “Moderation is always the key when disease). fortunate among us and strengthening our a portfolio of 30,000 multifamily properties it comes to alcohol,” says Heidi Lucas, a The good news for concerned drink- middle class — it’s about ending our housing with over two million housing units. naturopathic physician at Seattle Cancer ers is that quitting will reverse the risk mess, climbing out of our financial crisis, and Donovan, who holds master’s degrees in Treatment and Wellness Center. for head and neck cancers over time. A putting our economy on the path to long-term Public Administration and Architecture from “The big issue is breast cancer,” she study by the Centre for Addiction and growth and prosperity.” Harvard University, researched and wrote adds. “Even a little more than a glass of Mental Health shows the risk goes down Should he be confirmed, Donovan will about housing policy at the Joint Center for alcohol a day raises the risk of hormone- significantly after ten years of abstaining inherit a housing department that has been Housing Studies at Harvard, and worked as positive cancers, which are stimulated by from alcohol. After 20 years, the risk is disgraced by the Bush administration. an architect in New York and Italy. exposure to the female hormones estrogen similar to that seen in people who never and progesterone.” drank. The reason for that may be that alco- Need another reason to hold the al- College Continued from front page hol consumption puts stress on the liver, cohol? Mixed holiday drinks tend to be which has to metabolize those hormones, high in calories and fat. A single shot of 2. Seek out scholarship opportunities. Lucas explains. Alcohol also depletes the liquor (gin, rum, vodka or whiskey) is 96 There are many different scholarships avail- body of immunity-boosting B vitamins. calories. When you add the rich and sug- able to you. Some are based on need, others In addition to raising breast cancer ary mixers, you get holiday weight gain in based on merit. risk, regular alcohol use has been linked a glass. (Just one cup of eggnog contains • Look for scholarships at school. Your to colorectal cancer and cancers of the nearly 350 calories and 19 grams of fat.) counseling department or career center often mouth, throat, esophagus and liver. Fortunately, you can have your health and has postings about scholarships. Ask your The more you drink, the greater the drink to it, too. librarian or computer lab instructor for ideas risk. People who average about four There are countless cocktail alterna- about scholarship Web sites. drinks a day double or triple their risk tives that are festive, tasty and good for • Look for scholarships on the Web. There of mouth, throat and esophagus cancer, you. Here are a couple of healthy mixtures are many sites available to help find funding/ while women who drink that much in- Lucas recommends: scholarships. Try the following to start: crease their risk of breast cancer by as • Pomegranate juice, soda water, ginger a. www.financialaidtips.org/ much as 50 percent. juice, splash of apple cider, squeeze of b. www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ Lucas advises her cancer patients to orange or lemon. Serve over ice. c. www.easyaid.com/ abstain from alcohol. For others, she • In a blender, puree honeydew melon, 3. Discuss options with your school recommends red wine (in moderation, of ginger ale, mint, lime juice and ice. (Note: Counselor/Advisor. Your counselor or course) because of the beneficial antioxi- if you like your drinks a little less tart, add someone else at school can help you apply dants in the grape skins. some agave nectar, a natural sweetener.) for school and search for scholarship op- Here are some more things to consider Here’s to your health. portunities. It is helpful to have someone before you open that bottle: to discuss ideas with or look over your ap- • Excessive alcohol use results in ap- Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness plications/essays. proximately 79,000 deaths in the U.S. Center is an affiliate of Cancer Treatment Most students in college pay for school in each year, making it the third leading life- Centers of America, a network of hospi- a variety of ways. style-related cause of death, after tobacco tals that integrate oncology with comple- Some receive grants from the government smoking and obesity, according to the mentary and natural therapies, including or scholarships which they don’t have to Centers for Disease Control. “Excessive naturopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medi- repay. Many also receive low-interest loans alcohol use” is defined as heavy drinking cine and mind-body medicine. Effective that make sense when we understand how (more than two drinks per day on average Dec. 22, Seattle Cancer Treatment and much more a person earns with a college for men or more than one drink per day Wellness Center will move to a larger site degree. on average for women), or binge drinking at 900 SW 16th Street in Renton. For more Finally, many students work, either (five or more drinks during a single occa- information and cancer-fighting tips, through work-study programs or indepen- you can afford to pay for school. sion for men or four or more drinks during call (206) FOR HOPE (367-4673) or visit dent jobs. Lots of people do it each year and so can a single occasion for women). www.seattlecancerwellness.com. Bottom line: Whether going to commu- you. Your future is worth it! nity college, technical school or university,
The Voice
Editor Reporters Tyler Roush Robert Canamar 206-461-8430, ext. 227 Kristin O’Donnell [email protected] Lynn Sereda
The Voice, the newspaper of Neighborhood House, is published monthly with the support of Seattle Housing Authority and the King County Housing Authority. Neighborhood House helps diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, fi- nancial independence and community building. The Voice contributes to that mission by provid- ing low-income people, immigrants, refugees and other concerned parties with timely, relevant news. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, Neighborhood House, SHA or KCHA. We welcome articles and tips from the community and reserve the right to edit all submissions. The Voice is published online at www.nhwa.org and at www.seattlehousing.org.
The voice january 2009 Local and national news – 3
Avoid phishy e-mails One to grow on Be safe Garden tips for community gardeners
By Seattle Neighborhood Group The IRS does not send out e-mails to people about their taxes. Learn tips to extend the growing Dear Be Safe: The link does not take you to the real Recently, I received the following e- IRS Web site. season through winter mail claiming to be from the IRS. The It takes you to a Web site that is By Anza Muenchow first year and that is just how long it lasted, e-mail said that I might be eligible for a designed to look like the real IRS Web Special to The Voice one year. All that waste, too. refund and included a link to a webpage site, but it is not. So, we purchase at least a five-year plastic to submit a request. Is this a legitimate Do not visit the Web site! The in- Though the calendar says winter has now, either searching online or shopping at e-mail? formation requested by the Web site just started, we know that we have had two Steubers Greenhouse Supply in Snohom- may be used to steal your identity and significant winter storms before official ish. Original Message----- money. winter arrived. Long term forecasts are The doors at the ends of the greenhouse From: Internal Revenue Service
The voice 4 – local and national news january 2009
Head Start parents learn what to do when their children get sick
By Pam McGaffin hood House, UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Moore Ink Health Care Institute and 26 visiting doc- tors, residents and nurses from Swedish and Kim Tautolo wants to be able to care for Children’s hospitals and Country Doctor her children’s minor illnesses and injuries Clinic. herself, saving time and money. The effort is part of a national project by “I’m not one of those people who likes to UCLA/Johnson & Johnson to teach low- go and sit in the emergency room for four income parents how to better manage their hours,” she says. children’s health needs. In a fun and social The mother of three was among some setting, parents receive important health 140 Head Start and Early Head Start parents and safety tips and are walked through how who participated this fall in a free health to use the book, “What To Do When Your Photo by Tyler Roush care training workshop at the NewHolly Child Gets Sick,” by Gloria Mayer, RN, and A guest at the Neighborhood House Johnson & Johnson Health Care Institute event Neighborhood Campus in South Seattle. checks his temperature with a digital thermometer. The thermometers were given free to The training was provided by Neighbor- Please see “Health” on Page 5 all clients who attended the event.
Housing authorities urge Congress to renew Poinsettias: winter cheer in a pot public housing as part of new stimulus package By SHA Staff By SHA and KCHA Staff ers, the populations that are most seriously affected by the current financial crisis. But The poinsettia, which can bring cheer Puget Sound housing authorities (Seattle, they are not the only beneficiaries. Invest- into any home in the middle of winter, King County and Tacoma) recently met with ment in our public housing communities also was named for Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. Congressional staff to urge them to add $5 benefits the wider community. By providing ambassador to Mexico, who took cuttings billion to the Public Housing Capital Fund high quality, affordable housing to a low- from a tall shrub he found growing next to as part of the second emergency stimulus wage workforce, employers also benefit.” a road in the wilds of southern Mexico and appropriations bill now being considered by The Council of Large Public Housing brought them back to his South Carolina Congress. This infusion would stimulate the Authorities reports that momentum is build- greenhouse. (By an Act of Congress, Dec. local economy, create jobs and modernize ing to include funding for public housing in 12, the day of Poinsett’s death in 1851, the region’s public housing inventory. an economic recovery bill. President-elect has been designated National Poinsettia Public housing currently serves about 3 Obama’s transition team has indicated that Day.) million low-income residents nationwide. it is most interested in identifying “shovel- Most poinsettias cultivated for sale are With an infusion of capital from the stimu- ready” projects. This means projects that vibrant crimson in color. However, poin- Photo courtesy California State Library lus package, area housing authorities could could be underway in 120 days or less. Lo- settias may also be pink, white, marbled, Colorful pictures of poinsettias have long begin immediately to address a combined cally, the two housing authorities envision speckled or yellow. been used to promote goods that have $62 million backlog of projects. being able to continue work on HOPE VI According to Bob Gough, horticulture nothing to do with the plant. “Making these funds available will projects that has slowed due to the combined specialist with the Montana State Univer- have significant benefits for this region’s slowdown of the housing market and the sity Extension Service, the showy, colored Keeping poinsettias economy,” said King County Housing Au- credit markets. Work might also include parts of poinsettias are colored bracts, or looking their best thority Executive Director Stephen Norman. renovation and addition of more energy- modified leaves. The inconspicuous green- The length of time a poinsettia will “These projects will generate construction- efficient systems in existing buildings. ish flowers are at the center of the bracts. brighten your home depends largely related jobs along with the related purchase Following recent discussions with House Choosing a healthy poinsettia is a on how you treat the plant. With of materials and durable goods. Addressing committee staff, housing sub-committee simple matter, says Gough. To check the proper care, poinsettias should retain the backlog of deferred capital repairs, such chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) wrote a let- poinsettia’s maturity, look at those true their beauty for weeks. Some variet- as roofs and heating systems, will preserve ter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) flowers at the base of the colored bracts. ies will stay attractive for months. and enhance our public housing stock, a sig- advocating for inclusion of $5 billion for If the flowers are green or red-tipped and Here are suggestions for keeping nificant public asset spread throughout the the Public Housing Capital Fund in any fresh-looking, the bloom will last longer your poinsettia looking its best: region. These projects will greatly increase economic stimulus package. than if yellow pollen is covering the flow- • Place the poinsettia in indirect energy efficiency, helping trim greenhouse Groups such as the National Governors ers. On a fresh plant, little or no pollen sunlight for at least six hours a day. gases and lower the operating costs of public Association, the US Conference of Mayors shows on the flower clusters. If direct sun can’t be avoided, dif- housing over the long term.” and the National Low Income Housing Co- “Look for plants with dense, plentiful fuse the light with a shade or sheer “It simply makes sense to invest in public alition have also been working to include foliage all the way to the soil line,” Gough curtain. housing during this period of national eco- money for public housing in the stimulus bill. advises. “Although an abundance of rich • Keep the plant away from warm nomic turmoil,” said Tom Tierney, executive Congressional leaders have expressed their green foliage is a sign of a healthy plant, or cold drafts from radiators and air director of the Seattle Housing Authority. intent to have an economic recovery plan avoid plants with too much green around registers and open doors and win- “Public housing is a critical resource for ready for President-elect Obama’s signature the bract edges — a sign the plant was dows. Don’t let any part of it touch a low-income households and low-wage work- when he takes office Jan. 20. shipped before it was mature. Avoid any cold window. plant with yellowed, drooping or wilting • Most homes are kept too warm leaves or wilting stems. for optimal houseplant growth. Poin- Bernard Housing Project. “And check the plant for insects. If you settias do best in daytime tempera- Activist Still, Rahim spoke of hope, especially Continued from front page brush the leaves and see what looks like tures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit regarding how groups of ordinary people flecks of dandruff drop from their under- and nighttime temperatures around centers. from all ethnicities can come together and sides, the plant probably has an infestation 60 degrees. High temperatures will Volunteers have included people from all accomplish things such as what Common of whitefly. Don’t bring an infested plant shorten the plant’s life. Move the backgrounds, from high school students to Ground Relief has done. into your house — put it back on the shelf plant to a cool room at night, if pos- lawyers and licensed acupuncturists who He added that he hopes that all people and choose another.” sible. have provided free services. in the Northwest, including those living in The length of time a poinsettia will • Check the soil every day, and While Rahim has become known for his low-income housing, will take seriously the brighten your home depends largely on water only when the soil is dry. As work in Katrina relief, he previously spent need to be prepared for the types of disaster how you treat the plant, says Gough. With with all plants purchased with foil decades organizing with public housing ten- the Northwest can face: earthquakes, flood- proper care, poinsettias should retain their wraps, be sure to punch holes in the ants both in New Orleans and California. ing and even volcanoes. beauty for weeks. Some varieties will stay pot-covering so water can drain into When asked about the current state of He said that it is important to work to- attractive for months. a saucer. Discard excess water. public housing in New Orleans, Rahim la- gether as neighbors helping neighbors to not mented that the four largest public housing only survive disaster, but to build a just and — Courtesy Montana State University — Courtesy Montana State Univer- complexes have been torn down, despite the sustainable future. Extension Service sity Extension Service fact that they only received minor damage For more information about Common in the storm. Ground Relief, visit www.commongroun- Many of their residents remain dispersed, drelief.org. and the fear is that many will also remain Lynn Sereda is a Section 8 tenant who homeless. There is also a concern that re- saw the lower ninth ward of New Orleans development plans will permanently reduce and visited Common Ground Relief, earlier the number of very-low-income housing this year during the Policy Link Confer- units; indeed a golf course is included in ence. the plans for the redevelopment of the St.
The voice january 2009 Local and national news – 5
Olympia is just a day-trip away Be alert in the dirt: Public health offers By Kristin O’Donnell gift stores, art galleries and lots of places advice about lead and arsenic in the soil SHA Resident to buy beads, yarn and scrapbooking supplies. By Angela Delahoz, Public Health caregivers to encourage children to make With the state Legislature in session, It is also a fine place to get lunch for – Seattle & King County a habit of washing their hands frequently, now is the perfect time to plan a day-trip less than $7. (If you are on the Capitol removing their shoes before entering the to Olympia — provided that the weather grounds, the Capitol Cafeteria is the place Lead and arsenic contamination in the home, and brushing off dirt from their is good. Note that bus routes listed refer to for lunch. Not wonderful, but not expen- soil in King County may pose a health risk clothes. These very simple actions, once Monday through Friday schedules. sive either, and they do serve bean soup, to children, according to Public Health made a habit, will provide an additional just like in Washington D.C.) – Seattle & King County. level of protection. Getting there In town, the restaurants range from While parents and caregivers constantly Along with Public Health – Seattle & Leave from Seattle on bus No. 594 Mexican, Vietnamese, teriyaki and Thai monitor the dangers facing children, health King County, the state Department of - Tacoma at 2nd and University at 8 a.m. to bakeries and coffee shops with sand- risks do exist in the environment, and are Ecology sampled the soil at playgrounds ($3/ $1.50). Arrive at the Tacoma Dome wiches and vegetarian places, and yes, often overlooked. It is important to know of schools, preschools and childcares and station at 8:57 a.m. you can find a good hamburger. about these hidden exposures that poten- soil has been removed and replaced where Catch Pierce Transit No. 603 at 9:12 The all-day pass and the easy-to-follow tially put children’s health in danger. contamination is the most severe. How- a.m. ($2.50/$1.25). Arrive at Olympia bus map and schedules make it easy to get Lead and arsenic soil contamination is ever, a significant amount of untested and Transit Center at 10:10 a.m. on the buses and ride to different parts of one such possible risk facing King County lightly-contaminated soil in King County Pick up a transit schedule with a book the area (possibly Tumwater Falls Park or residents. For over 100 years, smokestack still remains, requiring the attention of the and map inside. There is a restroom avail- the Evergreen College campus?), which emissions containing lead and arsenic from community. able on site. makes a good break from walking. the now-closed ASARCO copper smelter in While contamination levels are highest Then catch Olympia Transit bus Nos. Tacoma polluted the soil in Pierce, Thurston closer to the smelter, Public Health found 11 or 12 - Tumwater ($1.50/ $0.75 all-day Getting home again and King counties. elevated lead and arsenic levels through- pass) to the State Capitol visitor center From the Olympia Transit Center: From Lead and arsenic have well-known harm- out King County, with the most heavily (ask the driver where the stop is). 4 to 5:30 p.m., No. 602 buses to Tacoma ful effects on the human body, affecting contaminated areas in south King County, I asked the woman at the desk if she had leave frequently; use your day pass. Catch health and behavior when contaminated Vashon and Maury Island and in the cities information on where legislators’ offices the bus at the Transit Center instead of the dust or soil is accidentally inhaled or eaten. of Des Moines, Burien, Tukwila and Nor- were. “We know everything,” was her stop by the Capitol, or you may be stand- Children are at greater risk since their bod- mandy Park and outlying areas. answer, and they possibly do know every- ing up all the way to Tacoma. ies are small and still developing. Given the health hazards associated with thing about the area. (The Visitors Center Transfer to the Sound Transit No. 594 Public Health’s goal is to empower resi- exposure to lead and arsenic, our hope is may be closed in July of 2009, according ($3/ $1.50) which meets the 602 at the SR- dents to understand and manage the risks that the community will embrace these to the Governor’s proposed budget. The 512 Park and Ride and gets you back to of soil contamination. While we are vocal recommendations and keep toxins away budget is also proposing deep cuts to Seattle in a little more than an hour. advocates of children playing outside, we from home. health and welfare programs.) also support the importance of assuring For more information visit www.king- There were dozens of pamphlets and Total transportation cost round-trip: a safe and contaminant-free environment county.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/toxic/ folders with various tours of the capitol, $7/$3.50. It may cost less — drivers are for children. tsp.aspx. Olympia, and Thurston county. History, supposed to deduct the value of your valid Consequently, we advise parents and politics, architecture, arts, shopping or transfer from your fare. walking on the beach or in the woods Ask your driver, but many drivers don’t — whatever you’d like, and far too much and won’t do this. Do not argue with the Health Health tips for parents Continued from Page 4 to do in one day. bus driver. It does no good. Is my child running a fever? When I left with a bundle of Olympia bro- It is possible to get to and from Olym- Ann Kuklierus, RN. do I call the doctor? What’s the best chures (and another, fatter bundle of West- pia on transit weekends and holidays, but The guide helps parents recognize and way to stop a nose bleed? ern Washington information about trips I buses do not run as often — check your respond to more than 30 common childhood Answers to those questions and may take in 2009 — they have information schedule! illnesses and injuries and know when to call more are included in the easy-to-use from all around the state). Accessibility: All buses are lift a doctor. It also includes tips on keeping book, “What To Do When Your Child Because the legislature wasn’t in ses- equipped. Downtown Olympia is level children healthy and safe and pages where Gets Sick,” by Gloria Mayer and Ann sion (this was a December trip) I decided and has curbcuts everywhere. The capitol parents can jot down their own notes and Kuklierus, both registered nurses with to do a historical walk in downtown Olym- buildings are accessible, but often the ac- fill in medical contact information. more than 20 years experience. pia. cessible entrance is hard to find. Access A study of the more than 10,000 parents Here are some highlights: Olympia is more of a college town than to the visitor center is four stairs up from nationwide who have received the book A fever is a body temperature of a tourist town — used book stores, bike the bus stop or by way of a short uphill and training showed that they are much more than 99 degrees F (when tem- stores, a couple of consignment shops, driveway into the parking lot. less likely to make unnecessary and costly perature is taken orally) or more than doctor and emergency room visits, saving 100 degrees F (when taken rectally). nearly $200 in Medicaid costs per family Temperatures also can be taken under Stay warm and safe during the winter — protect each year. the arm, but may not be as accurate. The percentage of parents going to their A fever usually is a sign of infection. yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning doctors dropped from nearly 69 percent to Treat the child with Children’s Tylenol By Public Health – Seattle ting headache, nausea and vomiting, and less than a third (33 percent), and nearly half (ask your doctor and use as directed) & King County lethargy and fatigue. If you believe you reported using the book. The training also and, if the fever persists, a 10- to 15- could be experiencing carbon monoxide resulted in 29 percent fewer missed school minute sponge bath in three inches of Given the cold temperatures forecast poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call days for children and 42 percent fewer lukewarm water. this winter, Public Health advises all resi- for medical help from a neighbor’s home. missed work days for their parents. Always read the label on over-the- dents to take steps to stay safe and warm The Fire Department will tell you when Neighborhood House has trained some counter medications to find out the and especially to avoid carbon monoxide it is safe to reenter the home. 340 Head Start and Early Head Start par- proper dosage and use the measuring poisoning. For a full list of carbon monoxide ents in Seattle since initiating the project in device in the package (not a kitchen prevention tips and other safety and di- 2005. The 102-year-old nonprofit organiza- spoon). Carbon monoxide poisoning saster information in English and other tion was chosen to participate because of the Never give a child aspirin. It can Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill languages, visit www.kingcounty.gov/ diverse, low-income population it serves: make them very sick. you. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning health/disaster. mostly immigrant and refugee families Situations when you should call the by never using a gas or charcoal grill, living in and near Seattle public housing doctor or get help right away include hibachi, or portable propane heater to Keep food safe in a power outage communities. when your child has: cook indoors or heat your home. Carbon Keep the doors closed on your refrig- During a visit to Neighborhood House • Trouble breathing; monoxide gas comes from burning fuels erators and freezers as much as possible. three years ago, Gov. Christine Gregoire • Bleeding that will not stop; such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, This keeps the cold air inside. A full was so impressed with the project that she • Blood in the pee (urine) or bowel natural gas, coal or wood and can cause freezer can stay at freezing temperatures went on to provide funding in the budget movement; injury or death. about two days; a half-full freezer about to offer training to Head Start families • Diarrhea and no pee for six hours; During a power outage or at any other one day. statewide. • A hard time swallowing or won’t time, do not operate fuel-powered machin- If you think the power will be out for Kathee Richter, child development di- eat; ery such as a generator indoors, including several days, try to find some ice to pack rector at Neighborhood House, said that in • Both a fever and a stiff neck the garage. inside your refrigerator. Remember to her many years of providing trainings for The best way to stop a nose bleed Do not cook or heat with charcoal bar- keep your raw foods separate from your parents, the Johnson & Johnson Health Care is to sit the child down and tip his beques inside your home. ready-to-eat foods. Institute has had the most significant effect head forward, have him blow his nose Avoid combustion “space heaters” un- Refrigerated foods should be safe as on changing parents’ behavior. gently and spit out any blood in his less there is an exhaust vent. long as the power is out no more than a few “This training gives parents the confi- mouth. While he breathes through his Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors dence to take care of their sick or injured mouth, have him pinch the soft part of suddenly and without warning. In some have been kept closed. Potentially hazard- children,” she says. “It saves families time his nose for 10 minutes straight. If the cases, physical symptoms of carbon ous foods, such as meat and fish, should be and money, and it helps keep health care bleeding doesn’t stop, pinch for another monoxide poisoning may include split- discarded if they warm up above 41º F. costs down.” 10 minutes.
The voice - Classifieds january 2009 CClassifiedslassifieds THE Marketplace of The VOICE
The Voice january 2009 Classifieds - CClassifiedslassifieds THE Marketplace of The VOICE
Education Advocate for Neighborhood House
Department: Education & Community Services Reports To: Family Connections Coordinator Status: Part-time, Temporary (January-June), 10-12 hours per week FLSA: Non-Exempt Salary Range: 13 ($15.27 - $16.96 per hour) Close Date: Monday, January 12, 2009 or until filled
Responsibilities • Review programs designed to provide academic success and parent involvement for students and families. • Contact families to discuss enrollment in this year’s program and schedule first meetings. • Meet with families individually to discuss strategies to support their children’s education. • Invite families to family workshops at school or at community centers. • Provide support for families during school and community workshops. • Make contacts with families at schools and at home in order to assess needs and WorkSource Provides provide follow-up information and services. • Collect, organize and distribute information to assigned families. • Assist with planning and organizing trainings for families. • Job Preparedness Workshops • Attend monthly meetings with other Family and Education staff to review student progress. • Perform other duties as assigned. • One on One Career Guidance
Employment Practice Neighborhood House is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are • Weekly Hiring Events considered without regard to race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical handicap, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and gender expression of identity) or any other classification protected by law. We encourage people of color and residents of the communities we serve to apply. These services are FREE Application Procedure Submit targeted cover letter, agency application and resume. Agency applications can be downloaded or picked up at the address below. Only applicants considered for interviews will be and open to the public. contacted. Applicants may FAX their materials to 206-461-3857, or mail to: Translation services are Neighborhood House 905 Spruce St., Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98104, attn: HR Manager available upon request. To apply online or download application go to www.nhwa.org
For More Information Inquiries may be directed to Human Resources at 206-461-8430 or by e-mail to [email protected] Visit our website:
If you’d like to be notified of future job openings, you may subscribe to our employment www.worksourceskc.org. notification service by sending your e-mail address to [email protected]
For Sale Three wheel Nova rollator. No seat, snap-on pouch. Hardly used. $60. Market place coupon 206-708-7932 Do you have a couch or other item you want to sell? Take advantage of the free person-to-person clas- Boys 20” bike. Good condition, orange color. $25/OBO. 253-852-5045 sified advertising in The Voice by filling out your 24-word ad below. Remember, write only one word per line and don’t forget to include your telephone number in your ad! Mail your ad before the 18th of the Brown leather Lazy Boy recliner. month and it will be included in the next month’s issue. Brown leather couch. Matching bookshelves. Name ______Address ______40” round table with leaf & two chairs. City ______State ______ZIP ______PLACE Telephone ______E-mail ______Write your ad here (one word per line) YOUR AD FREE Check the classification:❑ Items for sale ❑ Autos for sale ❑ Items wanted ❑ Services
Mail to: PPC, 4000 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133 Fax: 206-461-1285 E-mail: [email protected] w/subject line “The Voice”
The Voice 8 – local and national news january 2009 TranslaTranslattionsions TRANSLATED ARTICLES FROM THE VOICE
Khamriga iyo kansarka: intaadan cabin itaan, maalintii wuxuu laban laabaaa ama RƯỢU VÀ CHỨNG BỊNH UNG THƯ lần, trong khi đó thì phụ nử mà uống cùng marka hore ogowkhassaraha. Jeclow ama neb- saddex laabaa khatarta kaankarada afka iyo Trước khi qúi vị uống rượu trong dịp các số lương trên thì có nguy cơ bị ung thư vú cow, khamrigu wuxuu noqday tiir dhexaadka cunaha. ngày lễ, hãy biết đến những mối nguy hại. tăng 50 phần trăm. xiliga faystooyinka sida fruitcake-oo kale( oo Dhinaca kale dumarka caba intaas maa- Dù muốn dù không, rượu là thứ không Đây là một vài điều cần phải nghĩ đến markasta wax la dhexgeliyo). lintii waxay kordhisaa halista kaankarada thể thiếu trong các ngày lễ lạc, cũng như trước khi qúi vị bắt đầu khui chai rượu U dabaaldegidda faystooyinku waxay naasaha ilaa 50%. truyền thồng trong bánh cake trái cây cũng ra: ka dhigan tahay maalin kasta khamri la La soco xaqiiqahaan inta aadan dhalada có ướp rượu. Theo Trung Tâm Bài Trừ Bịnh Tật, thi cabbo; waxa soo socda waa xaqiiqooyin furin: 79,000 oo dhimasho ayey sanadkasta Nếu ăn mừng ngày lễ có nghĩa là phải hằng năm trên xứ Mỹ, có khỏang 79,000 la rabo markasta inaad madaxa ku haysid: sababtaa gudaha dalkan Mareykanka. Taas uống rượu hàng ngày, thì đây là những sự người bị chết do uống rượu quá độ, xếp cabitaan joogto ah oo khamri amaba wax oo khmariga ka dhigtey dilaha saddexaad thật lành mạnh cần nên ghi nhớ: vào hàng thứ ba trong các nguyên nhân tử badan waxay keentaa khatar ku timaadda ee ah qaadka ay dadku u nool yihiin. Asaga Uống rượu tạo áp lực mạnh vào lá gan. vong do lối sống con người, xếp hạng sau caafimaadkaaga. oo ay ka daran yihiin tubaakada iyo cayilka. Cabitaanka khamrigu wuxuu culays Waa sida ay sheegtay hay’addda koontoroolka Ruợu cũng là thứ gây giảm đi hệ miễn việc hút thuốc lá, bịnh béo phì. saartaa beerka. Khamrigu sidoo kale wuxuu cudurada. nhiểm dựa vào sinh tố B Hãy tránh uống rượu, nếu qúi vị đang caqabad ku noqdaa kororka ama xogeysiga Ka fogow cabitaanka khamriga Haddii: Ka Thêm vào đó rượu còn gây nguy cơ ung cai nghiện, đang mang thai, hoặc đang fitimiin Bga ee isdifaaca jirka. soo roonaanayso cabitaanka khamriga;aad thư vú, người uống rượu thường xuyên hay nuôi con bằng sửa mẹ, lái xe, làm công Taas waxaa sii dheer in cabidda khamrigu uur leedahay ama aad nuujinayso;aad ka bị dẫn đến chứng bịnh ung thư ruột già, ung việc cần phải tập trung năng khiếu và điều ay kordhiso khatarta kaankarada naasaha. Si- yar tahay da’da cabitaanka; haddii aad sa- thư miệng, cổ họng, cuốn bao tử và gan. hợp; hoặc đang uống thuốc với lọai thuốc doo kale cabitaanka joogtada ah ee khamrigu mayso wax u baahan taxadar iyo feejignaan Càng uống nhiều ,càng có nhiều nguy gây liên ứng với chất rượu( gồm có thuốc wuxuu sabab u yahay kaankarada kolorektal, badan.; ama aad qaadato daawo la falgaleysa cơ bị bịnh. Người mà uống 4 ly rượu mỗi ngủ, thuốc chống dị ứng, thuốc an thần, afka,beerka, esofaguska iyo cunaha. khamriga.(sida kaniiniyada hurdada, midda ngày thì nguy cơ bị bịnh ung thư miệng, thuốc tri tiểu đường, thuốc trị cao máu, Cabitaanka ood badsataa waa khatarta walwalka, dhiig karka, sonkorowga iyo midda cổ, cuống bao tử tăng gấp đôi hay gấp 3 thuốc đau tim). ood badsato. Matelan dadka cabba afar cab- loo qaato cudurada wadnaha).
Alcohol and cancer: Before you drink to the season, know the risks አልኮሆልና ካንሰር፡ በመጠጣት ወራት ከመቀየር በፊት አድጋውን ይወቁ ወደዱም ጠሉ አልኮሆል ወራት ሲቀየር እንደሚደረገው እንደባህላዊው ፍሩት ኬክ (ብዙ ጊዜ ከአንዳንድ ነገሮች ጋር የሚጨመር) ሆኗል፡፡ የባዕል ቀንን ማክበር ማለት በየቀኑ መጠጣት ይመስላል እባክዎ ይህን የተረጋገጠ አሳሳቢ መረጃ እንዳለ ይረዱ፡፡ ሁሌ አልኮሆል መጠጣት ለሰውነት በጣም ጎጂ እንደሆነ ይወቁ፡፡ አልኮሆል ለጉበት ትልቅ ችግር ይፈጥራል፡፡ በተጨማሪ የሰውነት ኢሚዩን ማከፋፈያ ቫይታሚን ቢ ይቀንሳል፡፡ እንዲሁም የጡት ካንሰርን መንስኤ ይጨምራል፡፡ በየጊዜው አልኮሆል መጠጣት ከኮሌስቴሮል ካንሰር፣ ከአፍ፣ የጉሮሮ፣ ከሳንባ ካንሰር ጋር ግንኙነት አለው፡፡ ብዙ በጠጡ ቁጥር አደገኛነቱ ይጨምራል፡፡ በቀን አራት መጠጥ የሚጠጡ ሰዎች የአፍ፣ የጉሮሮ፣ የሳምባ ካንሰርን በሶስት እጥፍ ሲጨምሩ በሴቶች በኩል ያን ያህል የሚጠጡ ደግሞ የጡት ካንሰርን እስከ 50 ፐርሰንት ይጨምራሉ፡፡ ጠርሙሱን ከመክፈትዎ በፊት ይህን መረጃ ይረዱ፡፡ ብዙ መጠጣት በግምት 79,000 ሞትን በአሜሪካ ውስጥ ያደርሳል፡፡ ከበሽታ መከላከያ ማዕከል እንደተገለጸው በየዓመቱ በሲጋራና ከውፍረት በሽታ ቀጥሎ በኑሮ ልምድ ከሚመጡት የሞት መንስኤዎች አንዱ ነው፡፡ ከአልኮሆሊነት እየተመለሱ ከሆነ፣ እርጉዝና ከሆኑና እድሜዎ ህጋዊ በሆነ ለመጠጥ ካልደረሰ፣ መንዳት ወይም ትኩረት የሚያስፈልገው ከሆነ፣ የእውቀትና ማገናዘብ፣ በህክምና ከአልኮሆል ጋር የማይገናኝ ( የመኝታ መድሃኒት፣ አንታይታሚኒስ፣ አንታይ አኔክስቲ ድራግስ፣ የዲያቤቲክስ መድሃኒት፣ የደም ብዛትና የልብ በሽታ) ከሆነ መጠጣት ማስወገድ አለብዎ፡፡
አልኮሆልና ካንሰር፡ በመጠጣት ወራት ከመቀየር በፊት አድጋውን ይወቁ ወደዱም ጠሉ አልኮሆል ወራት ሲቀየር እንደሚደረገው እንደባህላዊው ፍሩት ኬክ (ብዙ ጊዜ ከአንዳንድ ነገሮች ጋር የሚጨመር) ሆኗል፡፡ የባዕል ቀንን ማክበር ማለት በየቀኑ መጠጣት ይመስላል እባክዎ ይህን የተረጋገጠ አሳሳቢ መረጃ እንዳለ ይረዱ፡፡ ሁሌ አልኮሆል መጠጣት ለሰውነት በጣም ጎጂ እንደሆነ ይወቁ፡፡ አልኮሆል ለጉበት ትልቅ ችግር ይፈጥራል፡፡ በተጨማሪ የሰውነት ኢሚዩን ማከፋፈያ ቫይታሚን ቢ ይቀንሳል፡፡ እንዲሁም የጡት ካንሰርን መንስኤ ይጨምራል፡፡ በየጊዜው አልኮሆል መጠጣት ከኮሌስቴሮል ካንሰር፣ ከአፍ፣ የጉሮሮ፣ ከሳንባ ካንሰር ጋር ግንኙነት አለው፡፡ ብዙ በጠጡ ቁጥር አደገኛነቱ ይጨምራል፡፡ በቀን አራት መጠጥ የሚጠጡ ሰዎች የአፍ፣ የጉሮሮ፣ የሳምባ ካንሰርን በሶስት እጥፍ ሲጨምሩ በሴቶች በኩል ያን ያህል የሚጠጡ ደግሞ የጡት ካንሰርን እስከ 50 ፐርሰንት ይጨምራሉ፡፡ ጠርሙሱን ከመክፈትዎ በፊት ይህን መረጃ ይረዱ፡፡ ብዙ መጠጣት በግምት 79,000 ሞትን በአሜሪካ ውስጥ ያደርሳል፡፡ ከበሽታ መከላከያ ማዕከል እንደተገለጸው በየዓመቱ በሲጋራና ከውፍረት በሽታ ቀጥሎ በኑሮ ልምድ ከሚመጡት የሞት መንስኤዎች አንዱ ነው፡፡ ከአልኮሆሊነት እየተመለሱ ከሆነ፣ እርጉዝና ከሆኑና እድሜዎ ህጋዊ በሆነ ለመጠጥ ካልደረሰ፣ መንዳት ወይም ትኩረት የሚያስፈልገው ከሆነ፣ የእውቀትና ማገናዘብ፣ በህክምና ከአልኮሆል ጋር የማይገናኝ ( የመኝታ መድሃኒት፣ አንታይታሚኒስ፣ አንታይ አኔክስቲ ድራግስ፣ የዲያቤቲክስ መድሃኒት፣ የደም ብዛትና የልብ በሽታ) ከሆነ መጠጣት ማስወገድ አለብዎ፡፡
The Voice The mission of the Seattle Housing Authority is to enhance A toe-tapping good time the Seattle community by creating and sustaining decent, safe and affordable living environments that foster stability yesler seniors enjoy luncheon and self-sufficiency for people with low incomes. See Page 7
January SHASHA NEWSNEWS 2009 News and information about Seattle’s neighborhoods
Residents offer input on Beacon Tower celebrates the holidays homeWorks involvement By Tyler Roush and Chris Lincoln The Voice
The homeWorks project to renovate 22 SHA buildings is in its third phase. To help ensure resident feedback was a part of the process, SHA partnered with homeWorks residents to create the homeWorks Resident Advisory Committee (HRAC). “Realizing that the residents who are living in the build- ing now are going to be impacted, we wanted to try to bring them in as part of the team to make homeWorks work,” said SHA’s Sven Koehler. SHA also conducted surveys at buildings where home- Works had completed its work, seeking ways to improve the process at future buildings. But how did residents feel about their involvement in the process? Lydia Shepherd lives at Stewart Manor, which is currently undergoing renovations as part of homeWorks Phase 3. She said she had some concerns about work being done around the holidays. For the most part, though, she said that homeWorks staff and workers have been helpful. “All the people working here have been real nice and friendly,” she said. One other concern — she’s afraid her cat, Monty, might get out when workers come to complete remodeling work on her unit. “I know some do not want other people coming in (to their apartments) while they were gone,” she added. Rick Harrison lived at Olive Ridge while it was being Photo by Chung Lam remodeled and later moved to Cedarvale House, which un- Residents of Beacon Tower enjoyed a holiday lunch Dec. 19, with chicken, noodles, rice, and an assortment of desserts on the menu. Attendees sang caroles, told stories and sipped Chinese coffee and tea. Please see “homeWorks” on Page 7
Low-income families may apply for Scholarships available to SHA residents energy assistance through CAMP The Higher Education Project, an two year specialty training programs at inter-agency community coalition, Seattle’s community colleges. By Voice Staff requirements and provide the following provides youth and their families in Se- A number of scholarships will be information: attle Housing Authority’s Low Income available next year, with application Energy assistance for low-income resi- • Social security cards for adults in the Public Housing and Housing Choice deadlines beginning in February. For dents and families is available through household ages 18 and older Voucher programs with services to help more information on these scholar- the Central Area Motivation Program • Verification of all children in the house- them pursue higher education. ships, and how to apply, go to www. (CAMP). hold The coalition was formed in 2002 seattlehousing.org/Residents/ForResi- Seattle residents are eligible for the • Verification of the total household in- to develop strategies to increase the dents/HealthandSocialServices/high- program if they meet income eligibility come for three months chances of middle and high school eredproject.html. • Current heating bill and Puget Sound students in these programs going onto For more financial aid information, In this section Energy gas bill (if they are not the same) higher education, including technical turn to Page 2 of the front section of • Lease or rental agreement, mortgage school, vocational school, and many The Voice. coupon or property tax statement • SHA News Page 2 Picture ID Income guidelines vary by household size. a job connection success Point of View Page 3 A person or family is eligible if they make Correction less than the listed amount per month: digital tv update High Point Herald Page 4 One person, $1,083. Two, $1,458. Three, An article in the December issue incorrectly stated that changes to SHA’s $1,833. Four, $2,028. Five, $2,583. Six, neighborhood association meets evictions policy would apply to both Low Income Public Housing and Seattle Rainier Vista News Page 5 $2,958. Seven, $3,333. Eight, $3,708. Nine, Senior Housing Program. The changes would apply only to Low Income Public $4,083. Ten, $4,458. a public safety notice Housing. NewHolly Notes Page 6 For adults with zero income, please con- tact the WorksourceTeleCenter at new year celebration jan. 9 Yesler Happenings Page 7 800-318-6022 or online at www.go2ui. com to request income verification. crc reviews design concept Translations Page 8 The information will be mailed to you in 2-3 days. Please see “CAMP” on Page 7 2 – sha news January 2009 “Determined to shine” SHA resident uses The Job Connection to springboard career, provide for her family
By John Nguyen Mary often talked to Job Placement Special- Seattle Housing Authority ist John Nguyen and Section 3 Coordinator Samu- el Pierce to inquire about available office jobs. Mary Howell is a Seattle Housing Authority resident who Aside from providing job leads to Mary, John and Samuel recently obtained a great job with the benefits that she desires. helped put together a résumé that would match her work A young mother with limited work experience and educa- experience with potential jobs. After searching online for tion, she had no choice but to rely on public assistance to jobs using The Job Connection’s computer center at High support her family. Mary faced many of the same struggles Point and submitting applications, résumés, and cover let- facing other single parent families, but refused to let these ters to employers, Mary began to receive many calls from obstacles keep her from finding a job. perspective employers wanting to schedule interviews for “A lot of people doubted me because I was young available office positions. and unemployed with three kids ... no matter what, Mary prepared for multiple job interviews by answering there is a positive to everything that happens,” she said. questions in a mock interview. In April of 2008 she was Mary wanted to work in an office environment, provide offered and accepted a job as a Customer Support Represen- customer service and interact with people on a daily basis. tative at the repairs department of Care Medical Supplies. Mary was diligent in her job search and did not let the Mary was thrilled that she found a job that fit her interests, Mary Howell and family fact that she did not have a car stop her from job search- skills and goals, and her earnings and benefits mean that she ing. She took the bus daily to search for an office job. can better support her family. Mary took the bus to work and “I work and take care of my family, my babies. They keep Initially, Mary filled out employment applications and not long after working, purchased a car and is finally feeling me focused and I’m determined to make the most of life and submitted them without a résumé, and employers did freedom and independence from public assistance. I want to shine like a bright star on a cloudy night,” she said. not contact her for interviews. Then she came to The Job Things are slowly falling into place for Mary, and she is John Nguyen is a Job Placement Specialist with the Seattle Connection to get assistance with resume and cover letter more focused on all aspects of her life. Her determination Housing Authority. For more information about job oppor- writing and job search. has made all the difference. tunities, contact him at 206-937-3292 ext. 305
Kezia Willingham is an FSS success story Lake City HOPE VI project
By Claire McDaniel Seattle Housing Authority now officially underway
In 2001, Kezia Willingham became part By SHA Staff process: SHA must secure the rest of the of the SHA Family Self-Sufficiency Program necessary funding within 15 months, and (FSS) and in April this year she collected a On Dec. 10 the U.S. Department of start construction no more than 18 months nice big check as a result! Housing and Urban Development and Se- from this date. The entire project must When Willingham was a young single attle Housing Authority signed the HOPE be finished by mid-2013. The require- mother with a very young daughter living VI Revitalization Grant Agreement for ments and conditions cover areas such in public housing in Oregon, she knew she Lake City. This made the HOPE VI project as contracting, community involvement, wanted more, especially her education and at Lake City official. building and design standards, environ- homeownership, to be able to make a good The document establishes the condi- mental review, budgeting, reporting and life for her child. tions and requirements for the receipt of recordkeeping. She didn’t want to continue to work low $10.48 million from the federal govern- On Nov. 24 and 25, HUD staff from wage jobs but found child care a particular ment, which represents about 25 percent Washington, D.C. came to Seattle to visit challenge. When she told people she knew of the funding needed to complete the the Lake City site, and to hear details from that she wanted to get her college degree, Photo by Donnell McGee project. staff and consultants on the redevelopment they didn’t think it was possible given her Kezia Willingham holds her Certificate of In its letter to Seattle Housing Authority plan. An important part of the visit was situation. Achievement after completing the program. with the agreement, HUD staff commented a community meeting held at Lake City “I was determined to prove them wrong,” ing to move up the economic ladder,” says on the grant: “Applications for this HOPE House on Nov. 24. she said. Willingham. VI funding round were extremely com- HUD staff was impressed by the level With that determination and some hard Before moving to Seattle, Willingham got petitive, and you should be proud of your of participation by Lake City House resi- work and assistance, Willingham did prove her Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State accomplishments…We look forward to dents, and the broad variety of questions, them wrong. University in Human Development and Fam- working jointly with you and your part- comments, and suggestions received from The FSS program is an opportunity to set ily Sciences. ners in carrying out the transformation residents. goals for yourself and, with the help of your With the help of a Housing Choice Voucher of severely distressed public housing,” Seattle Housing Authority has an estab- case worker, come up with a plan to accom- (Section 8), which made it possible for her to said Dominic Blum, the Assistant HUD lished and ongoing working relationship plish those goals. move anywhere in the country, Willingham Secretary for the program. with HUD’s HOPE VI staff; Lake City is After you and your case worker create your made her way to Seattle where she began The signing date of the agreement individual plan for the steps you will take, working with Donnell McGee, self-sufficiency started the clock on the redevelopment Please see “Lake City” on Page 5 you are responsible for following through on homeownership specialist, for the SHA FSS those steps. program. This is how the FSS program works: If you As her case worker he helped her set her About The Voice live in Section 8 or Public Housing and are an goals which were to be employed full-time FSS participant and your rent goes up because in the Social Service field, and to prepare for The Voice is a monthly newspaper published by Neighborhood House with you are employed and earning more money, homeownership. financial support from Seattle Housing Authority and King County Housing Au- SHA sets aside a portion of your rent increase To be eligible for the FSS program you must thority. monthly in a special escrow account for you. live in Section 8 or Public Housing within the The Voice is developed and edited by Neighborhood House with help from SHA This escrow account continues to grow as Seattle city limits and have not previously residents and staff. It strives to provide a forum for objective news and informa- long as your earned income and rent increase graduated from the program. tion of interest to low-income people and those living in SHA communities. while you are in the program. If you are: currently employed and want to The Voice welcomes articles, letters to the editor and columns from readers. As long as you meet FSS requirements, you increase your salary; plan to begin working; If you’d like to submit an article, or if you have a question about anything you’ve can use some of this money for things like are currently in school or job training; or if read in this publication, feel free to contact Editor Tyler Roush at (206) 461- school tuition, books and supplies; clothing you want to start your own business within 8430, ext. 227 or by e-mail at [email protected]. and equipment for work; starting your own the next few years, you may be eligible for If you have questions about SHA-related stories, you may also contact SHA business, car repair and transportation costs; the program. Communications Director Virginia Felton at 206-615-3506 or by e-mail at vfel- and other expenses to help you accomplish When Willingham first entered the FSS [email protected]. your goals. program she had no earned income. By 2005 You can also mail submissions to: The Voice, Neighborhood House, 905 You will receive the balance in your escrow she was earning $18.73 an hour working full- Spruce St. #200, Seattle, WA 98104. Please include your name and contact account within five years, if you fulfill your time for the Seattle School District’s Head information on your submission. goals and are in good standing with SHA. All submissions are subject to editing for accuracy, style and length. “This is a huge incentive for someone try- Please see “FSS” on Page 5
The voice january 2009 Sha news – 3 PoiPoinntt ofof ViViewew News about the Seattle senior housing program and Seattle’s high-rise communities
Honoring residents who do good deeds
By SHA Staff an Apple Award certificate and an apple. The people presenting the awards were Marcia Jefferson Terrace residents held their Johnson, SHA Community Builder; Nora Fifth Annual Jefferson Terrace Holiday Din- Gibson, Executive Director of ElderHealth ner and Apple Awards Dec. 16. The Apple Northwest and SHA Board Commissioner; Awards is a tradition to thank and honor Tom Tierney, SHA Executive Director; residents and staff who help residents and John Sinclair, Jefferson Terrace Property make a difference in the community. Manager; and John Skommesa, Seattle Com- The awards recognize people who do munity Police Team Officer. good deeds so that they are appreciated for Dennis Bejin received his apple award for the things they do for others. The Apple his work in keeping people informed about Awards is a tradition that Allan Davis, from the future housing at Jefferson Terrace. His Seattle Neighborhood Group, started five award stated “Thank you for your great skills years ago to show appreciation for all resi- in community organizing in your efforts dents who participated in crime prevention to save Jefferson Terrace. Thank you for activities and keeping the building safe and advocating for what is right for us. You are secure. a great neighbor and friend. Thank you for He also gave awards to community mem- volunteering in the computer lab and helping bers who offer personal support and assis- us learn about computers.” tance to others and to people who participate Cory Russell was thanked for her efforts in activities and events like holiday dinners, in planning the holiday dinner; her certificate Photo courtesy Anna Lobker a summer barbecue, and gardening. Jefferson Terrace residents gather for a sing-along during the Apple Awards celebration. There were over sixty people who received Please see “Apple Awards” on Page 6
Tips for using your Letters to the Working on Center West DTV converter box community prompt By Sven Koehler Seattle Housing Authority trash cleanup A member of the homeWorks crew 2009 is here, the year analog TV broad- By Voice Staff cleans up after a day casting ends and digital TV broadcasting of remodeling work in begins nationwide. The Lake City area is cleaning up its act, the public bathrooms If you have cable or a digital TV, or have thanks to some of the work done by a couple at Center West, making been watching DTV on your old analog TV Lake City House residents. them more wheelchair with a converter box already, you’re await- Greg Potter and Ron Johnson noticed accessible. Overhead, the ing the transition with no second thoughts. the trash piling up in the alleyways and main water supply lines But if that unopened DTV converter the streets around their building, located are being replaced before box package has been gathering dust next at 33rd Avenue Northeast and Northeast bringing new copper to your analog TV (or you don’t have one 125th Street. And they saw the refuse that pipes to the units in late yet,) maybe it is your New Year’s resolution would collect in Thornton Creek, polluting January. The same thing to finally hook it up. If so, here are some the stream that runs through the neighbor- begins at Stewart Manor tips to help. hood. earlier in the month. The DTV converter box is basically So Potter and Johnson wrote letters to the Photo by Brent Palmason just a digital tuner. It will receive the new Lake City Chamber of Commerce, describ- type of digital broadcast signals that the ing the problem and urging that something built-in tuner in an old analog TV can’t be done about it. understand. Penny Livingston, Potter’s aide, helped The converter then translates them into signals that your old TV uses to display im- Please see “Cleanup” on Page 5 ages, just like the TV can play movies from signals it gets from a VCR or DVD player. In fact, you hook up the converter box to the back of a TV in the same way as a Winnie Tsai, Jefferson Terrace case manager, VCR. Just like there are many kinds of VCRs receives AASC National Award and DVD players on the market, the con- verter boxes out there have different features By City of Seattle’s Aging & and different prices, so you will have to Disability Service make a choice. In Seattle, models are available at stores The American Association of Service like Best Buy, Radio Shack or Fred Meyer Coordinators (AASC), representing over that cost around $60. If you are computer 2,100 service coordinators nationwide, savvy, a much wider variety is available annually provides Awards of Excellence from online retailers. to recognize outstanding efforts made by Remember, you can apply your govern- individuals or organizations within the ment-issued coupon for $40 off the cost. But profession that go above and beyond the don’t forget to keep some money in your normal hard work and dedication of the budget for a VHF/UHF antenna if you find service coordinator. At this year’s national your reception is weak. conference, Winnie Tsai, a case manager The good news is, you don’t need to stress for the City of Seattle’s Aging & Disability out about what model of converter box to Service, received the Resident Education choose because they all offer very similar Award. performance. Testing services like Con- Working 20 hours per week in the Photo courtesy ADS sumer Reports have noted that all of them (Left to right) Diana Meyer, AASC Board Member, Annette Cooperider, AASC staff, Please see “Digital TV” on Page 6 Please see “Tsai” on Page 5 Award Winner Winnie Tsai, and Tom Trolio, CMP Supervisor.
The voice 4 – sha news January 2009 HigHighh ppoioinntt heherraaldld NEWS ABOUT THE HIGH POINT COMMUNITY
Residents share their hopes for High Point The heart of High Point Neighborhood Association to fund programs that improve the community By Jeff Arnim Seattle Housing Authority
Though so much has changed at High Point over the past five years, the challenge of creating and maintaining a safe and healthy community that 1,700 families will eventually call home has just begun. With this in mind, the High Point Neighborhood Associ- ation’s most recent quarterly meeting focused on honoring residents’ hopes, dreams and the opportunities for positive change. On Dec. 11, more than 50 residents and guests gathered at Providence Health & Services’ Elizabeth House to talk, to have dinner, and to discuss with each other their visions for the future. Many suggestions focused on the creation of services and amenities that would contribute to the health and wellness of everyone in the community. “I dream of having a supermarket nearby, so that I don’t have to take a bus to get food,” said resident Thong Nguyen. Others expressed similar feelings, hoping that the conve- nience store on 35th Avenue Southwest would go away, and that the U-Haul store located across the street would be turned into a grocery store. Residents also spoke of their desire to participate in daily gym or exercise programs, and to provide assistance to help Photo by Tyler Roush the elderly get more involved in physical activity. Work continues on Neighborhood House’s High Point Neighborhood Center, which is scheduled to be completed Providing High Point’s youth with cultural and educational in fall of 2009. opportunities was a recurring theme as well. “I would like to see supervised van service for High Point’s young people,” said resident Tom Phillips. “It would provide HUD awards $26.5 million convenient access to the YMCA, the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Lincoln Park, and other youth programs and for “sweat equity” housing services in the area.” “I dream of every young person having the opportunity By SHA Staff to go to college and believing that they can get a good edu- cation,” said Neighborhood Association president Andrew At a chilly ceremony at High Point on Dec. 17, HUD Mead. “I want to see a scholarship for young people at High Regional Director John W. Meyers announced $26.5 Point to help fund their education.” million in grants to three organizations with operations Residents also talked about dreams based around the in the Northwest. building of a greater sense of community. Representing HUD Secretary Steve Preston, Meyers One person wanted as many people at High Point to know announced that the “sweat equity grants” would produce each other’s names as possible, while another expressed their at least 1,540 homes for lower income first-time home- desire to have — within the next year — a place nearby where buyers. “Even during these hard times, homeownership everyone can get together and have coffee. One woman said remains the American Dream for many families,” said her dream was to see people of all ages line dancing and Preston. “With HUD’s support, and the sweat equity square dancing together. provided by these homebuyers and volunteers, we can “I dream of the momentum we have to keep going,” said help make these dreams come true.” Therese Jensen, housing director of Elizabeth House. “I want Marty Kooistra, executive director for Habitat for to see us keeping dreams alive, being active in the community, Humanity Seattle/King County, was on hand to accept the and practicing patience, love and forgiveness. I would hate grant award. Twenty “self help” affordable housing units Photo by Brian Sullivan to see negative things take over. It takes everyone standing are being built by Habitat for Humanity at High Point. John W. Meyers, HUD Regional Director (right) awards up and working together.” Other organizations receiving awards include Com- grants at High Point. Marty Kooistra, Habitat for To help move the many dreams and ideas closer to be- munity Frameworks, Inc. of Spokane/Bremerton, and Humanity Seattle/King County executive director (left) coming a reality, the Neighborhood Association announced Housing Assistance Council. and a Habitat volunteer are also pictured. at the meeting that $9,000 has been budgeted for the 2009 Neighborhood Challenge Fund. “If you have ideas for changing and improving the com- Are you raising a relative’s child? munity, the Neighborhood Association can help,” explained Treasurer Steve Barham. Need support, connections, resources? Barham noted that anyone can apply for up to $2,500 for their idea. Projects must specifically benefit High Point residents, and the project managers in charge of overseeing High Point Grandparent & Kinship Support Group the idea must live at High Point. January 22, 5:30-7 p.m. Please RSVP for Free Dinner Priority will be given to projects that align with the Neigh- High Point Library and Childcare borhood Association’s mission — fostering the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, 3411 S.W. Raymond St. in West Seattle inclusiveness, lifelong learning and well-being. 6558 35th Ave. S.W. To receive an application form for the Neighborhood Chal- Special Guest Speaker — Cynthia Ellison (corner of 35th and Holly St.) lenge Fund, contact the Neighborhood Association’s trustees Learn All About Resources for Free and through their website at www.highpointneighborhood.org, or Reduced Activities 206-923-3266 by mail at 6558 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126.
The voice January 2009 Sha news – 5 RRAAIINNIIEERR VvIiSsTtAa newsnews NEWS ABOUT THE RAINIER VISTA COMMUNITY
He pointed her in the right direction Tsai FSS to make it possible for her to achieve Cleanup Continued from Page 3 Continued from Page 2 Continued from Page 3 her goals. Seattle Housing Authority’s Jefferson Terrace, Tsai Start Program. Because there are only a limited draft the letters to the chamber. used current programs and her personal contacts to She began working for Seattle pub- number of spaces in the FSS program, Potter presented the letters to the Cham- coordinate numerous educational workshops, pro- lic schools once she got her Master’s a waitlist is created on a first-come, ber of Commerce during a recent meeting. grams and clinics for residents of her building. She is Degree in Social Work from the Uni- first-served basis during open enroll- He also sent letters to the North Seattle Fam- a true testimony to what a Service Coordinator/case versity of Washington. ment periods. People are contacted in ily Center, to a church in the neighborhood, manager strives to be: a one-stop answer to well-be- She was interested in social service the order that their enrollment requests and to a local community center. ing programs, agency coordination and a source of because her life has been tough and were received. Participating in the FSS Altogether, five people contacted Potter information/referral. she knows how hard it is to get help. program does not affect your housing about his letters. Then those same people Tsai’s efforts are a great example of the many co- She feels she can use her experiences status. made a few phone calls. ordination possibilities that can be made with local to benefit others. If you would like more informa- The result was a revitalization of sorts universities, public health and non-profit agencies to Willingham feels that the FSS Pro- tion about the FSS Program, please for the area. City crews removed 14 bags provide extra services to residents that will directly gram inspired her to keep pursuing contact one of the following FSS team of litter from one lot. Abandoned furniture, improve their lives. her goals. She picked up her check for members: scrap plywood and other odds and ends Some of the programs she has coordinated include: $23,363.80 from her escrow account Cheryl Sabin, FSS Supervisor 206- were cleared from alleys and roadsides and Operation Frontline, a cooking class in a coordinated after verifying that she is in good stand- 615-3317 from behind buildings. And the litter was effort with Solid Ground; the ADS HomeStretch ing with SHA and her landlord; no one Roger Fujita, FSS Specialist 206- removed from Thornton Creek. Program developed by the UW Dept. of Rehab in her household has received public 615-3319 Potter made a similar presentation to Medicine, UW Mobile Dental Clinic and Oral Health assistance for at least 12 months; and Donnell McGee, Home Ownership the resident council at Lake City House, Focus Group; “Come Taste!” cooking demonstrations she has not been involved in any act of Specialist 206-615-3498 urging his fellow residents to write letters coordinated with King County Public Health; and a theft, fraud or intentional misrepresen- Sophia Phillips, FSS Specialist of their own. series of three workshops from UW Dietetics. tation against SHA. (LIPH) 206-615-3318 “Just write those letters and give them to Tsai was nominated by her supervisor with the Willingham says that McGee has Laura Etling, FSS Specialist 206- the right people, like Greg did,” he wrote, enthusiastic support of each participating organiza- been very helpful and supportive and 615-3312 “because the more people, the more action tion staff. provided her with the resources she Carol Smith, FSS Specialist 206- around here!” needed. 615-3313
Lake City Continued from Page 2
SHA’s fifth HOPE VI grant. The HUD grant manager as- signed to the Lake City project is the same person who has been in charge of Seattle’s other HOPE VI grants. As a result of this long-term collaboration, the Seattle Housing-HUD partnership could be characterized as free of surprises. One area of concern discussed was the current recession and the resulting difficult climate for affordable housing development. Both Seattle Housing and HUD recognized that the unusually difficult economic conditions will re- quire a great deal of creativity and flexibility to assemble the necessary financing and move the project forward in a timely manner. George Nemeth will be the Housing Developer working on the project for Seattle Housing. According to Nemeth, “Lake City is an amazing neighborhood with its abundance of amenities, jobs, services, and transit connection. I am excited about SHA creating new affordable housing in this location, where residents can shop locally at the Farmers Market or Fred Meyer, walk to the library, or hop on the #75 bus and head to Magnuson Park on Lake Washington, or take the #41 bus to Northgate.” In January, Seattle Housing will bring together stake- holders to create a “community task force.” This group will provide advice and feedback on redevelopment plans, strategies, and designs. The design team will have regular meetings with this task force. Within the first few months of 2009, Seattle Housing will hire a contractor, whose presence at the early design stage will help with making practical and cost-saving design choices. By March 2009, Hewitt Architects will complete a suf- ficiently detailed level of design to allow the estimation of construction costs. At that point, in Spring 2009, SHA will be in a position to apply for state and local funding. Construction at the Lake City site is expected to begin in 2010. The redevelopment will add 51 units of low-income housing — more than three times the number that were demolished. The project will also add 35 tax-credit rentals for residents with incomes at 60 percent of the area median income or below. Seattle Housing will also explore a part- nership with a land trust organization to add five affordable homes for sale, as well as 12 market rate homes for sale. A small community center will be constructed on the western edge of the site. East-west pedestrian paths will be added between the existing Lake City House and the southern portion of the site.
The voice 6 – sha news January 2009 NEWHNEWHOLLOLLYY nnototeses NEWS ABOUT THE NEWHOLLY COMMUNITY
find new digital stations that you haven’t Apple Awards Digital TV seen before. Continued from Page 3 Continued from Page 3 If you want to record shows on your stated: “She is a kind, nice and friendly will give you much better picture quality VCR, you need to use an additional cable to person. She is a wonderful neighbor than you have ever seen before on your ana- hook up the VCR to the converter box and and always has a smile and a hug for log TV. Consumer Reports has made their TV. Or buy a converter box that is able to do me. Thank you for your dedication and product ratings, along with a good “DTV this more easily, like the DISH DR-40. compassion for resident safety and coor- transition survival guide,” available for free To view one show while you record an- dinating activities for Jefferson Terrace on its Web site, www.ConsumerReports.org, other, you must hook up the VCR to its own residents. Thank you for helping others and the magazine version is available at all converter box and switch between the two. by doing small chores and taking care of Seattle Public Library branches. Sound confusing? That’s because it is. pets. Thanks for volunteering to plan the The bad news is, you will need to get While Olive Ridge resident Megan Baker holiday dinners. Cory is like a “mom’ to used to a new device in your life. For many was able to use a converter box to watch me and is a great friend.” people, plugging in the converter box cables TV just fine, she wanted to have her VCR Michael King, Dana Baldwin, Tom to the back of the TV and following the di- to record shows on a timer. Anderson, and Dennis Bejin all received rections to program the new digital channels She received help from different people huge applause and a big thank you for is no problem. to rig her VCR with its own converter box, their volunteer efforts in keeping the But for many others, it is a challenge • Remember not to change channels but the set up is impractical, and there are Jefferson Terrace computer lab open for that may not be worth the price of the better directly on your TV anymore. You will be too many steps to remember. “It’s a bit frus- 10 hours a week. picture quality. This is one of the biggest using the remote that came with the con- trating, but like in all things, it is best not to Another person who received an award cons that critics of the transition to DTV verter box to change channels from now on, give up right away,” she sighed. was Janet Ferrar. Her award stated: “She point out. so keep it handy and don’t lose it under the The government has posted good univer- is the best person that I know. She is a Since there are so many different devices couch cushions. sal instructions on a variety of converter box great neighbor and is doing a wonderful on the market, the most basic advice is to • Don’t forget to insert the batteries into topics on the FCC Web site: http://www. job gardening. Thank you for cooking carefully follow the directions that come the converter box remote! Some boxes come fcc.gov/cgb/information_directory.html. and feeding people who are sick or who with your box. with them, but if they aren’t included, you Of course not everyone is able to use the do not have enough food. Thanks for the In a comparison of just two models avail- need to take care to buy the right size. internet or understand the diagrams, so the nice hugs. Thanks for caring for people able locally, the Insignia DXA1 and the Ze- • Don’t forget that the converter box must FCC has a help line to assist consumers in with patience and compassion.” nith DTT 901, members of the SHA’s DTV be powered on, as well as your TV. Consider using their boxes: 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: The holiday dinner was a huge success Transition Advisory Group found that the set plugging both into a power strip that you 1-888-835-5322). because so many people helped with up of the Zenith was somewhat simpler. can switch on and off. Many boxes are En- They expect to be deluged with calls on planning, setting up, shopping, serving, But both models required more than a bit ergy-Star compliant to use less electricity, February 18, 2009, so get your converter and cleaning up. Danny Maze played the of tinkering, so if you are not comfortable so check before you buy. box ready ahead of the deadline. piano and Linda Pylate sang Christmas enough with technology to hook up a video • If you aren’t getting reception on certain The reality seems to be that using the carols, and the new ElderHealth Choir game or VCR, prepare to get help from channels, try hooking up an antenna and converter box will require a sharper set of surprised the residents with a few holiday someone who is. moving it around. You may suddenly lock in technological skills than some people have. songs as well. It was a great event that Here are some other tips on hooking up signals that you couldn’t receive before. In that case, the alternatives are to get a over 130 people are looking forward to converter boxes. Some sound really simple, • Be prepared for the possibility that digital TV to avoid the converter box hassle, next year. but they may help you avoid unnecessary some stations you have been used to viewing or subscribe to cable or satellite TV service frustration: may not show up in digital. You will also and keep your analog TV.
The voice January 2009 Sha news – 7 YYeseslleerr happenhappeniinnggss NEWS ABOUT THE YESLER TERRACE COMMUNITY
Design concept A swinging good time at the Yesler senior luncheon proposes greater density in Yesler Terrace
By Tyler Roush The Voice editor
A redesigned, reimagined Yesler Ter- race could cast a much larger shadow than the original. That’s according to a preliminary design concept presented to the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) by CollinsWoerman, the design team tasked with drafting the redevelopment concept. The concept, presented to the CRC at its meeting Dec. 10, would call for between 3,000 and 5,000 housing units, 800,000 to 1.2 million square feet of office space and 50,000 to 100,000 square feet of retail space in Yesler Terrace, as well as five to eight acres of open space. There are currently 561 housing units in Yesler Terrace. CRC member John Fox, of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, said he was over- whelmed by the density. He pointed out that the high-end proposal of 1.2 million square feet of office space would be simi- Photo by Tyler Roush lar in size to the square footage of Seattle’s Attendees dance during the Yesler Senior Holiday Luncheon Dec. 11 at the Yesler Community Center 76-story Columbia Center building, which is about 1.54 million square feet. Yesler Terrace resident Kristin homeWorks Notes from the Manager O’Donnell, also a CRC member, asked Continued from front page for an example of a local neighborhood By Judi Carter boasting that type of density. derwent renovation during Phase 2 of homeWorks. Senior Property Manager SHA’s Judith Kilgore replied that the He said that problems with the Olive Ridge remod- proposed density would look similar to eling project were corrected in homeWorks. Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. “Things went smoother with homeWorks,” Harri- Here it is, 2009, one year shy of the new decade! Remember how concerned Asked what it would cost to operate son said. “They did incorporate some of the criticisms we were that computers that run things would fail in the year 2000? Yesler Terrace without improvements or to that we had with the (Olive Ridge) project.” At that time, many residents gathered emergency items to see themselves renovate existing units, SHA’s Al Levine Those criticisms, Harrison said, included provid- through if the electricity failed, or some other bad thing happened. The com- said that there is no financial plan in place ing adequate advance notification to residents before puters did not crash, and things went on as usual. to renovate Yesler Terrace and operate work is scheduled and completing work in a timely Being prepared for a natural disaster is even more important. Last month’s it at its present density. One advantage fashion. snow storm helped me to realize just how unprepared I really am for a big of this proposal is that commercial and As an example, he said that when new pipes were earthquake or other disaster! market-rate housing developments could installed at Olive Ridge, the building’s walls were By the end of the month, stores were out of many of the things that I usually fund the project. cut open in November and not sealed up until the shop for. The buses weren’t running where I live, and they weren’t running The cost of needed improvements to following August. here in Yesler Terrace with any frequency. Yesler Terrace is high, with an upper end At Cedarvale House the work was finished in about One of my family members ran out of his prescription. It was a hard time. estimate of $307 million. Replacement two weeks time. With that in mind, I will provide tips on preparedness in my column again housing would account for the bulk of that He credits the diligence of the HRAC for ensuring this year. figure, at an expense of $120-$140 mil- that residents had representation during the home- January’s tip: I encourage all residents to set aside a few cans of food each lion. Infrastructure and parking improve- Works process. HRAC enlisted attorney Julie Wade, a month, set back in the back of the shelf for another such natural occurrence ments would add an additional $60-$95 former staff attorney for SHA, to represent the group or emergency. That way, if the stores are out of things that your family likes million. through the proceedings. to eat, you will not be hungry. Tom Hudson, of CollinsWoerman, cited The HRAC served as a liaison between SHA and Make sure that you have a can opener that does not need electricity, so if growth projections that suggest the Puget residents of homeWorks buildings, according to Doug the power goes out, as it has in the past, you will be able to eat the food! Sound region could swell by as many as Morrison, who lived at Ross Manor during the home- Next month, HUD-funded inspectors will be checking several apartments 1.7 million new residents by 2040. He Works process there but now lives at Ballard House. to assure that SHA is maintaining them properly. said that newer, higher density develop- He added that it provided a good forum for both parties All Yesler Terrace households will be receiving a notice that their apartment ments will be needed to account for that to come together and communicate. could be inspected, but only a small number of units will be selected on the growth. “It served a good purpose. As far as I could see, morning of the inspection. “These numbers are shocking to me, but to this point things worked out fairly well,” he said. Seattle Housing Authority staff will not know before that morning which only in the context of where we’ve been,” “Overall I’m glad we had the group and I’m glad we apartments will be checked. This way, HUD can be assured that SHA main- Hudson said. “Where we’re going as a na- had our counsel to help us through that process.” tains all of the units. tion has got to be much more thoughtful For future developments, Morrison said he’d like to The staff of Yesler Terrace wish you and your families a safe and success- than where we’ve been.” see a group like HRAC active from day one. ful new year! The next meeting of the CRC will He said that it generates bitterness when residents perceive that the housing authority is making decisions be at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Yesler Com- 348-7144, TTY 800-246-1646. munity Center, located at 917 E. Yesler without their input. An advisory group like HRAC en- CAMP sures that both groups have a seat at the same table. Continued from front page If you don’t speak English, call Way. Meetings of the CRC are open to 800-348-7144 between 9 and 11 a.m. the public. “When there’s mutual understanding between the parties, it solves a lot of problems,” he said. To set up an appointment, call the Monday through Friday. CAMP appointment line 24 hours a For more information about CAMP, day and seven days a week at 800- go to www.campseattle.org.
The voice 8 – sha news JANUARY 2009 TTrransansllaatiotionsns TRANSLATED ARTICLES FROM THE VOICE
Qoysaska danyarta ah waxay codsan guriga iyo waraaqaha canshuurta guriga. ብትሑት እቶት ዝመሓደሩ ስድራቤታት ናይ ኤነርጂ ኣሲስታንስ ናይ karaan caawimaad koronto iyo gaas ah. • Teesaraha (ID) መውዓዬ ገዛ ሓገዛት ከመልክቱ ይኽእሉ ኣብ ካምፕ። Hay’adda CAMP ayaa kaa caawinaysa ናይ ኤነርጂ ኣሲስታንስ ንብዉሑድ ኣቶት ዝመሓደሩ ካብ ካምፕ ሓገዝ arintaas. Tusmooyinka dakhligu waxay ku kala duwan ክረኽቡ ይኽኡ ኣዮም። Dadka degan eeriyada Seattle way dalban yihiin tirade uu qoys kastaa ka kooban yahay. ናይ ስያትል ከተማ ተቐማጦ ናይዚ ፕሮግራም እዚ ብቕዓት ኣለዎም እዞም karaan haddii dakhligoodu dhan yahay inta Qofkii ama qoyskii sameeya lacag ka yar inta hoos ኣብታሕቲ ዘለዉ ነገራት ብምቕራብ ። laga rabo, ayna keenaan warbixinada hoos ku qoran: ሾሻል ሰኩሪቲ ካርድ ናይ ዓበይቲ ኣኣባላት ስድራቤት 18 ዓመት ku qoron. Hal qof, $1083. laba qof $1,458, Saddex qof, ንላዕሊ $1833. Afar qof, $2028. Shan qof, $2583. Lix qof, መረጋገጺ ቖልዑ ስድራቤት • Kaarka sooshalka ee dadka waaweyn $2958. Todobo qof $ 3,333. Sideed qof, $ 3,708. መረጋገጺ እቶት ስድራ ቤት ናይ ስድራ ቤት ናይ 3 ወርሒ • Ee guriga ku nool kana weyn18. sagaal qof, $4,458. ግዝያዊ ናይ መውዓዬ ግዛ ቢል ናይ ፑጀት ሳዉንድ ጋስ ቢል • Soo cadeynta dhamaan caruurta ku Dadka waaweyn ee aan dakhli soo gelin, fadlan ናይ ግዛ ክራይ ኩንትራት ዉዕል ሞርገጅ ኩፖን ናይ ታክስ nool guriga. la xiriir Worksource TeleCenter 1-800-318-6022 ጸብጻብ • Soo cadeyn dhamaan dakhliga saddex www.go2ui.com si aad u codsado dayn dakhli. መንነት ካርድ bilood. Warbixinta aad codsatay waxay kuugu imaanay- ናይ ኣቶት መምርሒ ብብዝሒ ስድራ ይዉሰን እቶም ስድራ ቤታት ብቕዓት • Biilka korontada iyo kan gaaska ee ugu saa 2-3 maalmood. ይረኽቡ ክምዚ ስስዕብ ምስዝኸዉን እቶቶም danbeeyey( haddeysan isku mid ahayn) Si aad balan u samaysato la xiriir CAMP 24/7 ሓደ ሰብ 1,300 ክልተሰባት $1,458 ሰልሰተ$1,833 ኣርባዕተ$2,028 • Waraaqaha kirada guriga, lahaansha 1-800-348-7144 ሓሙሽተ$2,583 ሽዱሽተ$2,958 ሸውዓተ $3,333 ሾሞንተ$$3,708 TTY 1-800-246-1646 ትሽዓተ$4,083 ዓሰርተ$4,458 Haddii aadan ku hadlin ingriiska wac 1-8--- እቶት ዘይብሎም ሰባት ኣኣብ ዎርክ ሶርስ ተለሰንተር ትድዉሉ ኣብ ስልኪ 348-7144 inta u dhaxaysa 9 and 11 a. m. Isniin ቁጽሪ 800-348=7144 ምስማዕ ጸገም ዘለዎም ኣብዚ ዝስዕብ ስልኪ ይድዉሉ ilaa Jamce. 800 246 1646 ካብ ሰኑይ ክሳብ ዓርቢ ወይድማ ኣብዚ ዝስዕብ ወብሳይት ትኸዱwww.campseattle.org. እንግሊዝኛ ዘይዛረቡ ድማ ኣኣብዚ ዝስዕብ ይድዉሉ800-348-7144 ካብ ሰዓት 9.00 –11.00ስ
Low-income families may apply for energy assistance through CAMP ዝቅተኛ ገቢ ያላቸው ቤተሰቦች የኤሌክትሪክ እርዳታ በCAMP ማግኘት ይችላሉ፡፡ ዝቅተኛ ገቢ ላላቸውና በሴንተራል ኤሪያ ሞቲቬሽናል ፕሮግራም (CAMP) የሚገኙ የኤሌክትሪክ እርዳታ ማግኘት ይችላሉ፡፡ የሲያትል ኗሪዎች የሚከተሉትን አስፈላጊ ነገሮች ካሟሉና የገቢ ምንጭዎ ካቀረቡ ለፕሮግራሙ ብቁ ይሆናሉ፡፡ • የሶሻል ሴኩሪቲ ካርድ ከ 18 ዓመት በላይ በቤትዎ ውስጥ የሚገኙትን • በቤት ውስጥ የሚገኙትን ልጆች መታወቂያ • ቤት ውስጥ ለሚገኙት ሁሉ የ3 ወር የገቢ ምንጭ • ለቤት ሂተር ወይም የኤሌክትሪክ ቢል (የተለያየ ከሆነ) • የቤት ኪራይ መረጃ፣ የሞርጌጅ ወይም የፕሮፐርቲ ታክስ መረጃ • የፎቶ መረጃ የገቢ መረጃ በየቤቱ ሊለያይ ይችላል፡፡ አንድ ሰው ወይም ቤተሰብ በወር ከተሰጠው መረጃ በታች የሚያገባ ከሆነ ብቁ ይሆናል፡፡ አንድ ሰው $1,083. ሁለት, $1,458. ሶስት $1,833. አራት, $2,028. አምስት, $2,583. ስድስት, $2,958. ሰባት, $3,333. ስማንት, $3,708. ዘጠኝ, $4,083. አስር, $4,458. አንጋፋ ሰዎች ምንም ገቢ የሌላቸው፡ እባክዎ የወርክ ሶርስን ቴሌ ሴንተር በስልክ ቁጥር 1-800-318-6022 ወይም በኢንተርነት www.go2ui.com ስለገቢ መረጃ ይጠይቁ፡፡ የሚያስፈልግዎ ኢንፎርሜሽንስ ከ2-3 ቀን ውስጥ ይላካል፡፡ ቀጠሮ ለመውሰድ የካምፕን የ24 ሰዓት የሰባት ቀን በሳምንቱ ውስጥ ግልጋሎት የሚሰጠውን ካምፕ በ 800-348-7144 TTY 800-246-1646 ይደውሉ፡፡ እንግሊዘኛ የማይናገሩ ከሆነ በ 800-348-7144 ከጠዋቱ ከ9 – 11 ከሰኞ እስከ አርብ ይደውሉ፡፡ ስለካምፕ ይበልጥ ለመረዳት www.campseattle.org. ይመልከቱ፡፡
NHỮNG GIA ĐÌNH CÓ LỢI TỨC THẤP CÓ THỂ NỘP ĐƠN XIN TRỢ CẤP TIỀN SƯỞI QUA CƠ QUAN CAMP Cơ quan CAMP có chương trình trợ cấp tiền sưởi cho các gia đình hay các cư dân có lợi tức thấp. Cư dân cư ngụ trong thành phố Seattle thì được hợp lệ cho chương trình này nếu có mức lợi tức hợp lệ và cung cấp những chi tiết sau đây: Thẻ An Sinh Xã hội cho những người trong nhà mà trên 18 tuổi Chứng nhận các trẻ em đang sống trong nhà Chứng nhận tổng số tiền lợi tức của gia đình Hóa đơn mới nhất của công ty điện lực, hay công ty gas Giấy hợp đồng thuê mướn nhà, trả nợ góp tiền nhà, hay giấy thuế bất động sản Thẻ Nhận Dạng có hình Mức lợi tức qui định thay đổi theo số người trong gia đình. Một người, hay một gia đình được hợp lệ nếu có mức lợi tức như sau: Với 1 nguời, có mức lợi $1083, với 2 người: $1458, với 3 người : $1833, với 4 nguời : 2028, với 5 nguời: $2583, với 6 người: $2958, với 7 người:$3333, với 8 người: $3708, với 9 người: $4083, với 10 người: $4458. Với người lớn mà không có lợi tức, xin vui lòng liên lạc cơ quan WorkSource Telecenter ở số 1-800-318-6022 hoặc vào trang mạng www.go2ui.com để xin giấy chứng từ mức lợi tức, họ sẽ gởi về trong 2 hay 3 ngày. Muốn làm hẹn xin tiền sưởi, xin liên lạc với cơ quan CAMP ở số điện thọai mở 24 giờ mỗi ngày 7 ngày 1 tuần 1-800-348-7144 hoặc ở số TTY cho nguời khyết tật 1-800-246-1644. Nêu quí vị không nói được tiếng Anh ,xin gọi cho số 1-800-348-7144 từ 9 giờ đến 11 giờ từ Thứ Hai đến Thứ Sáu để xin cuộc hẹn. Để biết thêm chi tiết về cơ quan CAMP, xin vui lòng vào trang mạng www. campseattle.org.
The voice