That’s why United Way’s Community Resource Exchange, or CRE, is one of the most powerful direct service events we organize here in King County. I am incredibly excited that our fifth CRE is less than a month away. This year’s event will be taking place Friday,  September 24th from 9AM to 2PM at QWEST Field

What is the CRE?

Not just another nonprofit acronym. The CRE is a mega-event where people who are experiencing homelessness can come to receive a wide variety of services all in one place and all in one day.  Because everything is gathered under one roof, what would normally take days is done in a few hours. Last year, we  had over 1,100 homeless families and individuals from all over King County (not just the downtown core) come to the event.

Services We Have Offered

We’ve always had a little bit of everything available at the CRE. Here are some examples of the services we have had in the past:

• On-site benefits applications (things like food stamps, low-cost healthcare, etc.) by DSHS
• Community Voicemail Accounts from Solid Ground
• Long-Distance Phone Calls from AT&T
• Employment Searches and Counseling by YWCA WorkSource
• Haircuts by Northwest Hair Academy
• Free dental care by Medical Teams International and the UW Oral Health Collaborative
• Mini-Manicures
• Footwashing
• A hot meal provided by Farestart
• A“store”  filled with everything from socks to sleeping bags to hygiene kits. Guests have been able to stop by and grab what they need.

This year, we are also proud to introduce some new features at CRE, including a “Tell Your Story” corner utilizing NPR’s StoryCorps and a fully staffed restaurant experience (with hosts and waiters).

Obviously, this is only a small sample of what has been at the CRE. We work with over 70 organizations for this huge event. The CRE always has a great mix of vital services as well as quality-of-life services. We are constantly trying to improve and increase capacity for what we can offer.

Engaging Volunteerism

With an event that has 70+ agencies and 1,000+ guests, you could imagine we need an army of people to make it all run smoothly. And we do have an army — an army of volunteers! We usually have 200-350 volunteers that help in different capacities.

A handful of volunteers organize donation drives. They take a lead at their workplaces, at their places of worship, or in their community groups and collect supplies for our care packages and “store”. The work they do is vital; without them, there wouldn’t be any care packages or a “store”.

Another group of volunteers come out the day before the event to help set up. The biggest job that is done that day is sorting through the donations and setting up the store. It’s a fun, relaxed day with pizza and mingling (and sorting!).

The biggest bulk of our volunteers come on the actual day of the event. Volunteers greet the guests, answer questions, assist agencies, run the store, and handle the outtake process. Our volunteers really make sure the whole CRE runs smoothly!

The CRE volunteer experience is unique because we really encourage the volunteers to sit and talk with the guests. They can play board games, eat lunch together, or just chat. People going through homelessness all have diverse backgrounds and unique stories to tell. Our volunteers get to take all of that in first-hand. For many, it’s an eye-opening experience.

September 24th, 2010

On Friday, September 24, we are hosting our fourth Community Resource Exchange. We really hope to make it an even better one than our last. If you are a service provider and want to get involved with the CRE, please email cre@uwkc.org as soon as possible!

Is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery?

The cover of this week’s issue of the Seattle Weekly features identical photos of a young smiling woman. The first photo has the word “Screwed” by it, and the second photo is accompanied by the phrase “Still screwed.”

The art is a spoof of United Way of King County’s long-running “Choose the Way” ad campaign, and many of us at United Way think it’s very well-done. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the campaign, here’s an example:

More importantly, the Seattle Weekly cover art is related to an in-depth article by Laura Onstot about the many problems our community faces as unemployment benefits expire for thousands of people in the Puget Sound region.

For many, unemployment benefits are their last source of income, and they’re going to social service agencies for help–something they’ve never had to do before. It can be a scary, embarrassing and frustrating experience. It’s equally stressful for local nonprofits that are faced with increasing demand and dwindling resources.

Despite it all, there are places to turn to for help. If you, or someone you know, has fallen on tough times–whether it’s due to job loss, medical emergency, or any other reason–United Way’s “Where to Turn” website can connect you to services that you may not have even known about. It provides a wealth of information related finances, housing, food, health and employment.

• Here’s an interesting thought.  How crazy am I to even think this cold work??  Go to town, naysayers!
• Last Sunday, YouTube featured our old friend Mark Horvath and his invisiblepeople.tv site on their main page to help bring some social media exposure to the issue.  Successful?  I stopped counting at 500,000 views.  Mark continues to give voice to the people who we too often ignore at our convenience.
• And along the lines of what one day can do, United Way of King County will host it’s 5th Community Resource Exchange on September 24th as part of our annual Day of Caring.  You can help by conducting a Supply Drive and dropping off your collections at our downtown office by Friday, September 10th.  For the Tweeters among us (you know who you are), be sure to follow us throughout the day on September 24th at #uwkcdayofcaring.

[Our public policy director Carol Wood takes a look at Congress' mixed bag for social services].

The Good News:  On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted in support of the federal bill to fund FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) after they were called back from their August recess by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  This House action mirrored that taken by the Senate on August 5.

The bill extends the increased FMAP for a 6 month period beyond the current December 31, 2010 termination date (to June 30, 2011) as well as creates a $10 billion education jobs fund in an effort to save 140,000 educator jobs, keep class sizes down and ensure students have access to librarians, nurses and afterschool programs.

As part of last year’s Recovery Act, states received federal assistance through an increase in federal matching dollars on state Medicaid spending.  This aid has helped our state weather the impacts of the national recession by preventing damaging cuts to health care services and saving jobs in the public sector.

The bill would mean $338 million additional federal dollars for Washington Medicaid.

Passage of the bill comes at a critical time.  Washington along with many other states had built in receipt of this enhanced Medicaid in their current year budget.  Given declines in the state’s revenue forecast and in recent revenue collections reports, this amount would likely be enough to barely balance the current state budget — obviating an immediate need for a special session or Governor-ordered across-the-board cuts.

The state has already cut over $4 billion in response to the effects of the recession and faces an additional shortfall in maintaining essential services in the coming biennium.  Without the funding, the state would have faced an even bigger budget challenge in preserving priorities like education, health care and environmental protection.

The bill would also include an additional $200 million to prevent teacher layoffs at a critical time.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates released Tuesday night show the revised bill would pay for itself, even reducing future deficits by $1.37 billion over the next decade.

The not so good news: In seeking ways to support priority legislation like FMAP and Children’s Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) and make them “pay as you go” programs, Congress and the Administration have cut future monthly enhanced benefit amounts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), beginning in 2013.

More than 40 million vulnerable Americans depend on SNAP. They have very low-incomes and nearly half of all SNAP recipients are children. Nearly one in ten is age 60 or over.

Traditionally, SNAP benefit levels have not been adequate to provide a minimum healthy diet throughout the month, but the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) boosted benefit levels for these vulnerable people. Even with the ARRA boosts, SNAP benefits average less than $4.50 per person per day. While the cost of food may not have risen at the rate anticipated (one of the reasons given for making the cuts), reverting to previous benefits levels could return millions of families to the situation where their SNAP/ benefits typically run out well before the end of the month.

United Way of King County is committed to relieving childhood hunger in our community. From our work in early learning, we know all too well that one of the biggest obstacles in making sure that kids are ready to learn is ensuring they have healthy, nutritious meals during the day. That’s why we’re paying close attention to what’s happening in Congress.

On July 15, the House Education and Labor Committee approved their version of Child Nutrition Reauthorization, which calls for approximately $8 billion in new funding for child nutrition programs. The bill would expand afterschool meal programs to all 50 states and enhance the nutritional quality of food served in school-based and preschool settings. More information can be found here.

While this is a tremendous step forward, House leaders must still identify funding sources and bring the bill to the floor for a vote. We are asking you to join a national call-in day beginning Wednesday and ending Thursday, July 22 to urge Congress to pass a strong child nutrition bill.

1. Call 1-866-277-7617 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.

2. Tell them: America’s children can’t wait. Pass child nutrition reauthorization now!

No time for a call? Visit the Voices for America’s Children website to send a message to your members of Congress.

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (District 36) on changes to Disability Lifeline

Last Friday, nearly 60 people representing government, the public, educational institutions, nonprofits and business attended “Disability Lifeline: A Community Conversation” hosted by United Way of King County, State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle City Council Member Tim Burgess. The meeting gave voice to the changes facing the old GA-U program (now called Disability Lifeline) and provided the community an opportunity to generate creative solutions to help ease the transition for people that will be dropped from the program due to new time limits instituted by the legislature this year (24 months in a 60-month period).

As of July 1, DSHS identified and reviewed the cases of more than 4,400 people statewide that have received DL benefits for at least 20 months. Nearly 40% appear to meet the federal disability standard for SSI and 1,000 new expedited Medicaid (DL-X) approvals were obtained. According to Doug Houser, DSHS Region 4 Social Services Coordinator, when the time limits go into effect in September, nearly 60% statewide – 930 in Seattle and King County – will lose their DL benefits since they don’t appear to meet the federal disability standards and will have exhausted their allotted time on the program. In the next six months another 800 people will lose their benefits, with more following each month thereafter until June 30, 2013 when the time limits are set to expire.

DL recipients facing September termination will receive a notice from DSHS in the upcoming weeks outlining the reason for termination, their Fair Hearing rights and referral resources. DSHS indicated a willingness to work with providers that have clients whose benefits may be about to expire to ensure that all information relevant to their case has been considered, but indicated that a release of information would be required.

Panelists fielded comments and questions on a range of issues from how the housing voucher program was going to work to the management of incapacity evaluations, the process for negotiating contracts and fair hearing rights. DSHS was encouraged to continue the process of allowing current mental health contractors to complete medical evaluations under the Early SSI Transition Project and to proactively work with providers who have clients about to be terminated from the program.

In addition, ideas were generated in small group discussions on how to best prepare agencies and clients facing termination and how to monitor the effects of Disability Lifeline on the community. Recommended suggestions included:
• coordinating legal advocacy services
• educating clients about DL changes before they receive a termination notice
• using 2-1-1 as a referral and data source
• collecting exit data from private and nonprofit housing providers on where people terminated from DL benefits are moving
• collecting arrest and emergency room visit data
• shifting funding if needed to respond to needs
• working with private landlords to ensure continuity of housing for those facing termination from DL benefits

State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson who sponsored the bill and led the effort to push the Security Lifeline Act forward during this difficult legislative session ended the meeting by saying that “we need to wrap a blanket of care around those that are about to lose their benefits” and echoed comments from a concerned citizen who reminded everyone that our community should have a coordinated response in place to ensure that individuals losing their benefits don’t fall into homelessness.

The next community conversation is planned for sometime in late September/early October. If you would like to be on the invite list, contact communityservices@uwkc.org

Background: This year the legislature passed the Security Lifeline Act (ESSHB 2782), which created a number of new programs, but most importantly renamed the General Assistance-Unemployable, Disability Lifeline – a program that provides $339 in cash and medical benefits to very low income people unable to work due to a temporary physical or mental health disability. For the first time, Disability Lifeline sets a time limit on receipt of benefits to 24 months in past 60 months, requires participation in chemical dependency treatment and vocational rehabilitation when deemed necessary, establishes an early SSI Transition Project that focuses on early identification of SSI potential, and creates a housing voucher program.

Molly Nordstrom, United Way’s 2009-2010 board chair was the only female member of the Climb for the Community team. Molly describes the experience of climbing Mt. Rainier as “humbling” and “truly beautiful and spiritual.” She also says that it’s a good thing that the team started their summit ascent in the dark because, “If you had seen what you were climbing in broad daylight, you might not want to take it on.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

United Way CEO Jon Fine and Board Chair Molly Nordstrom on the summit of Mt. Rainier

Last July, United Way of King County CEO, Jon Fine celebrated two major milestones. He turned 55, and he made it to the summit of Mount Rainier as a member of our Climb for the Community team.

Here’s Jon talking about his experience climbing Mt. Rainier. He had never climbed a mountain before and remarks that he was “skeptical” when people suggested he should go up Rainier. However, Jon also says, “I love United Way…and there wouldn’t be too much I wouldn’t do to support United Way.” Guess that includes climbing 14,000 feet!

Click here to view the embedded video.

One year ago, everyone at United Way of King County breathed a big sigh of relief–and then erupted into cheers when we heard that our Climb for the Community team had successfully made it to the summit of Mount Rainier.

In July 2009, a group of community leaders went on the inaugural “Climb for the Community” to the top of Mount Rainier. The group included United Way of King County CEO Jon Fine, United Way Board Chair Molly Nordstrom, Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Their guides were mountain climbing legends Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker.

The climbers’ purpose: raise awareness and money for United Way of King County’s Response for Basic Needs, which provides help for families, disabled people and seniors being hard hit by the economic downturn.

The 2009 Climb for the Community raised over $350,000. Thank you once again to everyone who made a donation! Whether you gave $5 or $500, your gift has made a difference and means so much to our community.

• Your support means 6 million more pounds of food for the emergency food system, and more groceries, baby formula and fresh produce for people in need.
• It means more refrigerators and freezers to store food, and trucks to move it, for 42 food banks that are on the front lines of ending hunger.
• And it means wonderful, creative solutions on the horizon, such as our new cannery project, which will enable surplus fruits and vegetables to be canned. It’s the first project of its kind in the Puget Sound region. When the cannery is fully operation, it will have the potential to produce 10,000 cans of food a week for local food banks. That’s more than half a million cans over a year. Wow!

These are impressive results that are going to make a lasting difference in the community and in people’s lives. We are so thankful to everyone who supported the Climb for the Community and to the community and business leaders who made it up the mountain.

We’re looking forward to another successful Climb in 2011. Stay tuned for details.

When I heard last fall that Cyndy’s was closing, I had the same reaction as a lot of other folks in the area.  I couldn’t believe it.  But given that the owner was looking to retire after nearly 40 years, I felt I could understand.  Then it started circulating that the potential lot buyer planned to put in a strip club.  Uh, oh.  Neighborhood activists worried that a strip club would “harm the character of the neighborhood and serve as a magnet for crime.” Thankfully, that fell through, in part due to the diligence of the local morals squad in identifying an obscure city zoning law prohibiting ‘adult cabarets’ within 800 feet of certain institutions (schools, parks, etc).  A private school existed 742 feet away.  Cyndy’s re-opened (for the time being), and everything seemed right again.  But the spot was still for sale…and then an interesting thing happened.

The Downtown Emergency Service Center put in a proposal to build an affordable housing development on the property.  Their intention was to create another Housing First site, similar in nature (if not clientele) to the successful venture at 1811 Eastlake.  So I wondered, how would the neighbors react to THIS?  Apparently, my cynicism was unfounded for once :-).  By all accounts, many of the people attending the open forum at Cyndy’s earlier this month warmed up to the idea after hearing from DESC’s ED Bill Hobson.  And I was pleasantly surprised in reading many of the reader comments to this excellent re-cap (something that I usually find extremely depressing).

Well done, North Seattle!