Center Offers Multiple Resources
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36th Year of Publication Stories inside Professor committed to media responsibility - p. 5 Spokane’s oldest church marks 140 years - p. 7 ALTCEW evaluates resources for elders - p. 9 May 2019 Hadda Estrada draws [email protected] Micah 4:4 international students - p. 12 Volume 36 Number 5 (509) 535-1813 • 535-4112 Calendar on page 11 Monthly newspaper and website covering faith in action throughout the Inland Northwest features 60+ events online at www.thefigtree.org • check The Fig Tree Facebook page daily for news and links Center offers multiple resources By Mary Stamp people in stepping out of crises Instead of needing multiple and to prevent them from falling bus passes to go to several agen- into struggles with unemployment, cies for employment, health care, hunger, mental health, addiction, food, housing and other services, homelessness or crime. people can now go to one place to “The Spokane Resource Center meet with representatives of those provides diversion before people agencies. enter the criminal justice system The Spokane Resource Center, or are homeless,” Tim said. “They a one-stop location for people need intervention before they are in to access multiple services in a a crisis, need to go to the emergen- single visit, opened April 15 in the cy room for issues that are not best 20,000-square-foot second floor of resolved in an ER, or are arrested. WorkSource at 130 S. Arthur. Many people face a vast number of The center is open from 9 a.m. barriers to reaching their personal to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. and professional potential. It is one of 17 HUD EnVision “Looking at dynamics in the Center Demonstration sites in criminal justice system, the Spokane the nation. The four emphases of Regional Criminal Justice Com- EnVision Centers are economic mission created a ‘Blueprint for empowerment, character and lead- Reform’ to look at deficiencies and ership, educational advancement identify people involved with the and health/wellness. criminal justice system,” he said. Tim Sigler, senior manager of “The report recommends offering the city’s Community Housing and better access to social services by Human Services (CHHS) Depart- co-locating agencies. The Spokane ment, said the idea has been around Resource Center does just that.” for many years with several sys- A pilot project was proposed two tems that include criminal justice, years ago, but there was no money homeless services and other social or space, said Tim, who has been services agencies that work with with the city for five years. underserved populations. Previously he was a county pro- The center brings together local bation officer for four years, a city social services in a shared office probation officer for four years, to enable collaboration to assist Tim Sigler stands beside some of the art on the walls of the Spokane Resource Center. Continued on page 4 NAACP Spokane celebrates 100 years Poor People’s Campaign recruits Leaders of the state Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) visited of challenging injustice, inequity, bias Spokane recently for a Truth and Poverty Tour to learn about Through its 100 years of fight- The Spokane’s Mayor and City tice, education, political action, local social justice issues and help develop a local chapter. ing for racial equity and justice in Council proclaimed April as the health care and climate change. Jonathan Hemphill of Tacoma and Bianca Davis-Lovelace of economic opportunities, fair hous- NAACP Spokane Centennial The national NAACP approved Seattle are two tri-chairs on the Washington State Coordinating ing, criminal justice, educational Month. A centennial celebration at Spokane’s charter on April 14, Committee for the PPC. In January, Liz Moore, director of the challenges and environmental their monthly membership meet- 1919. The charter says the goal is Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, had stepped down justice, the Spokane NAACP has ing on Monday, April 15, filled “to uplift colored men and women as the third tri-chair. a legacy of leaders whose persis- Calvary Baptist Church, where of this country by securing to Jonathan is legislative and administrative advocate for Mock- tence inspires members today to the chapter first met. them the full enjoyment of their ingbird Society to transform foster care related to homeless carry on despite challenges that The centennial celebration rights as citizens, justice in all teens. Bianca is executive director of the Renton Ecumenical remain in the systems of power. will culminate with hosting the courts and equality of opportunity Association of Churches REACH and a member of Bethany The centennial launched in NAACP State Area Conference everywhere.” UCC. Devon Wilson of the NAACP Spokane helped schedule January with a program on the from Sept. 13 to 15 at Northern Its founders and early leaders their tour in Spokane. They seek to build a chapter of the Poor Bail Project, presented with a Quest Resort and Casino in Air- included the Rev. Emmett Reed, People’s Campaign in Spokane to do direct action. town hall with community part- way Heights. There will be speak- who was pastor of Calvary Baptist “Through chapters in 40 states, we seek to highlight poverty ners, including Gonzaga’s Black ers, a lunch, banquet, the Michael Church from 1919 until his death across the nation to change the narrative that limits the face of Student Union and its Institute for P. Anderson scholarship awards in 1961; the Rev. T.F. Jones, pastor poverty to the homeless man on the street,” said Jonathan. “We Hate Studies. and workshops on criminal jus- of Bethel African Methodist Epis- want people to see children and families, too.” copal (AME) Church who was the On April 6 at the WSU campus in Spokane they introduced the first (temporary) president, and Poor People’s Campaign through a panel on student-led move- Frank Stokes, a businessman and ments in sync with values of the PPC. Social justice, racial jus- member of Bethel AME, who for tice, religious leaders and environmental activists are involved. 30 years was president or other They are also recruiting people to go to a national Poor executive officer. People’s Moral Action Congress June 17 to 19 in Washington, At the April 15 meeting, Gloria D.C. The goal is to have 20 representatives from each state, Ochoa-Brook presented the city’s including people impacted by poverty, clergy and advocates to proclamation. Then Kiantha Dun- decide where to go as a campaign, said Jonathan. can, the newest board member and “Racism, poverty, ecological devastation and militarism are Permit No. 1044 No. Permit former chair of the Seattle Tacoma interconnected,” Bianca said. “The main issue is that many who WA SPOKANE Spokane, WA 99202-3571 WA Spokane, Branch, recognized elders, men, are poor are working two to three jobs.” PAID 1323 S. Perry St. Perry S. 1323 women, millennials, faith leaders, U.S. POSTAGE U.S. For information, call 708-937-5711 or email bdavislovelace@ Organization The Fig Tree Fig The educators and children present for gmail.com. Non-Profit Continued on page 6 Page 2 - The Fig Tree - May 2019 Religion News Briefs REGIONAL ECUMENICAL & INTERFAITH NEWS Around the World Resource Directory will publish in July World Council of Churches News, PO Box 2100 May and June are the final resources to help them move from said Malcolm Haworth, directory CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: +41-22 791 6111 months for gathering updated crises, it is being used by people editor. Fax: +41-22 788 7244 www.oikoumene.org information for listings, recruiting who need assistance. They find It’s still possible to send in advertising support and inviting it a valuable guide to help them updates for organizational list- WCC expresses solidarity with Sri Lankans businesses/agencies to be com- move from homelessness, hunger, ings. It’s still possible to join the On this Easter Sunday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) munity partners for the 2019-20 unemployment, health struggles advertisers who make the publica- expressed its solidarity with the churches and people of Sri Lanka Resource Directory. and the criminal justice system to tion possible. It’s still possible after news of bombings of churches and hotels, which have The directory is published in transition into housing, employ- to become a community partner claimed about 250 lives and injured 500 more. July, mailed in July and distribut- ment and healthy lives. who helps underwrite the costs WCC general secretary Olav Fykse Tveit condemned the attacks ed in July, August and September As their lives improve, the of increasing distribution to reach on people gathered at worship and on tourists visiting Sri Lanka. to those who request bulk orders. Resource Directory also guides more people, he said. He offered condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in Circulation has risen from them to participate in recreation, For information, call 535-4112, these appalling acts of violence. 12,000 in 2016 to 16,000 in 2018 cultural, civic and faith groups to email resource directory@thefig- “Targeting churches attacks the religious peace and harmony, because, in addition to being used enrich their lives, and to organiza- tree.org, or visit www.thefigtree. and the social and cultural fabric of the nation, which has long by service providers and faith tions where they can volunteer, org and click on directory to ac- struggled to uphold principles of religious harmony and diversity. leaders to connect people with give back and advocate for others, cess the online version. “Such acts of violence undermine the sanctity of life and con- stitute a sacrilege in many senses. Even as we cry out against this sacrilege, we resolutely affirm that violence must not beget vio- lence.