July 2008

Since the start of this year "Life Lines" has been published on a monthly basis, allowing us to provide more timely news and information. The newsletter also offers a snapshot of our program and operations, and shows the diversity of ways the City and its many government and community partners are making a difference in the community.

The July issue is a good example. This month we are featuring programs that

• Help deaf victims of domestic violence
• Help low-income students enter college
• Provide free meals to Seattle youth and
• Fund renovations or new construction of community facilities

There are also articles about HSD's request for proposals to agencies that provide meals for seniors, and an appeal for donations to Project Share, which helps low-income families pay utility bills.

For more detailed information about our programs and services, please visit our Web site at www.seattle.gov/humanservices. If you have any questions or suggestions for future newsletter topics, please contact David Takami, Human Services Department, at 206-684-0253 or david.takami@seattle.gov.

It is 8 a.m. on Monday morning when the community advocate for the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) arrives at work to find "Jana" and her 2-year-old daughter "Hannah" sitting anxiously in the waiting room. They go to the advocate's office, where Jana tells the harrowing story of eight years of abuse by her partner, including intimidation, verbal cruelty, and physical violence.

Jana doesn't want to return home and the community advocate explains how to obtain a court-issued protection order to protect her from her abuser, and finds her a safe shelter for the night and near future. Throughout the day, the advocate assists with paperwork and arranges for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at the courthouse.

This is a typical day for ADWAS advocates serving deaf and deaf-blind victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Founded in 1985 by Marilyn Smith, herself a victim of sexual assault, ADWAS has become nationally known and respected for its services to deaf and deaf-blind survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence. ADWAS services include advocacy, counseling and transitional housing. ADWAS also operates a TTY national hotline for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in partnership with other agencies across the country.

The Human Services Department (HSD) funds advocacy programs for both domestic violence and sexual assault victims. HSD also supports parenting classes for agency clients. For more information, please contact Melissa Fisher, HSD Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention, at 206-233-3852 or melissa.fisher@seattle.gov or visit the ADWAS Web site at www.adwas.org.

This summer, thousands of Seattle children ages 1 through 18 are enjoying free breakfasts, lunches and snacks through the Human Services Department's Summer Food Service Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program, formerly known as Summer Sack Lunch, is open to children at qualifying sites. From June 23 through August 22, meals are served at approximately 100 sites across the city. These include designated community centers, Seattle park playgrounds, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and YWCAs, and other community sites throughout Seattle and parts of King County.

Some of these sites (about 30) offer the food program to children enrolled in specific activity programs. Meals are served to all children enrolled in the program for free. However, 50 percent or more of the children enrolled must be from families with low or moderate incomes. The majority of our sites (about 70) offer meals to the public and all children 18 years old and younger can come to have a meal.

For a complete list of sites and hours for the Summer Food Service Program, please call 206-386-1140 or visit
www.seattle.gov/humanservices/children_families/nutrition/ summer_food.htm.

HSD's Upward Bound program continues its enviable record of success. This year all 10 Upward Bound students graduated from high school, and nine of the 10 will go on to college. That figure is even more impressive when you realize that Upward Bound students come from low-income families and/or families that have never had a college graduate.

As another measure of success, this year's Upward Bound students received more than $260,000 of financial aid, collectively. Topping the list was Fia Tuitele from Ballard High School. Fia garnered an amazing $77,520 in grants and scholarships, including the $40,000 Costco Diversity Scholarship, the $10,000 Nordstrom Scholarship, and $27,520 in grants. Fia Tuitele will be attending University of Washington.

A member of the Upward Bound program for four years, Fia will continue pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor in college. "Each and every one of [Upward Bound staff] care for each and every one of their students who are hoping to continue their education after high school," says Fia. "All they want from you is to succeed and make a future that you want."

Other scholarship or grant winners included Jasmine Davis who will attend the University of Southern California and Awa Seck will attend the University of San Francisco.

For more information about Upward Bound, please call 206-386-1026 or visit
www.seattle.gov/humanservices/youth/academic/upwardbound.htm.

HSD staff are working on the development of the 2009 – 2012 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. The plan will guide the City's use of funds we receive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development via four programs: 1) Community Development Block Grant; 2) HOME Investment Partnership; 3) Emergency Shelter Grant Program; and 4) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.

The plan will include an analysis of human services and affordable housing needs for Seattle's residents, statements of strategies to address those needs, and, later in the year, a proposed allocation of funds to specific programs and services. Comments on the City's use of these funds may be directed to the City via e-mail to blockgrants@seattle.gov.

For more information about the City's use of these funds and the policies governing them, please visit
www.seattle.gov/humanservices/community_development/conplan/ update/default.htm
and
www.seattle.gov/humanservices/community_development/conplan/ amendment/default.htm.

Imagine life without electricity. Unfortunately, this is becoming more of a reality for many low-income families in Seattle. The costs of housing, food, fuel and other necessities continue to rise so fast than many people can't keep up. As a result, an unpaid utility bill can result in loss of power for many financially strapped Seattle City Light customers.

In January, Sharon Wilson lost her minimum-wage retail sales job. Before she was laid off, Sharon was able to eke out a modest living for herself and her three kids. With rent subsidized through public housing, food assistance and weekly trips to the food bank, Sharon could house and feed her family and keep the lights on. Now on unemployment and looking for work, her bills are piling up and she recently received a 24-hour notice that her electricity would be disconnected unless she could immediately pay half of her past due balance.

For the past 25 years, Project Share has been providing emergency financial assistance to thousands of low-income families facing a power shut off. The generosity of hundreds of City Light customers has made Project Share a valuable resource for those in need throughout our community. Unfortunately, donations to the Project Share fund have steadily declined while the need for help continues.

If you would like to help Project Share keep the lights on for customers like Sharon, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. All contributions directly benefit qualified customers. None is used for administrative purposes. Contributions to Project Share can be made online or by mail to City of Seattle/Project Share, Treasury Services, PO Box 34017, Seattle WA 98124-1017.
(By David Broom, Utility Assistance Program, Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens)

On May 30, Family Services of King County broke ground on the construction of its new Rotary Support Center for Families in the Rainier Valley. The $16 million development will provide more space for existing programs and expand the types of services it offers children and families, including Seattle's only child care center for homeless children, homelessness prevention services, supportive housing programs, domestic violence intervention programs, and mental health services for infants, children and their families. The City of Seattle is supporting the provision of child care services to homeless children in this project, and has also secured access to community meeting rooms through an easement that was acquired for $250,000. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2009.

Mayor Nickels helped celebrate the re-opening of the newly renovated and expanded Filipino Community Center on May 30, 2008. The Filipino Community of Seattle provides a variety of programs in the building ranging from youth activities, to citizenship classes, to elder nutrition and exercise programs. Several years ago, the agency decided to undertake a multi-phased renovation of the existing facility. The current phase, the largest and most comprehensive, includes the addition of 6,000 square feet in a new, two-story addition. HSD provided $132,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds in support of this project. HSD also secured an easement at a cost of $150,000 that will provide the community and the City access to meeting rooms and a technology/computer room. In addition, HSD also provides $25,000 annually for a program that helps low-income people prepare and apply for U.S. citizenship.

The Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking proposals to provide Senior Nutrition Program services. The program provides congregate and home-delivered meals and related support services to older adults in King County.

Proposals are due to HSD by 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2008. The Request for Investment (RFI) document and attachments are available on the HSD Web site: www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding/default.htm

Prospective applicants should plan to attend an information session on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Aging & Disability Services South King County Office.

If you need more information or have questions, please contact Terry Light at 206-684-0699 or terry.light@seattle.gov or Maria Langlais at 206-684-0651 or maria.langlais@seattle.gov.

The Human Services Department will be announcing its 2008-2009 Community Facilities Request for Proposals (RFP) this September.

A total of approximately $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will awarded to selected human service agencies. These funds can only be used to pay for capital improvements to human services facilities located in the city of Seattle, and low- and moderate-income residents must receive direct services from the agency at the facility to be improved. Proposed projects should begin no earlier than 2009, and should be completed by the end of 2010.

As agency funding requests have historically exceeded the availability of program funding, funds will be awarded on a competitive basis. An information session and technical assistance workshop will be held in September shortly after the RFP is announced. Look for more details and information to be posted on our Web site (www.seattle.gov/humanservices) later this summer. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Ken Astrein at ken.astrein@seattle.gov.

Shermika Smith, a three-year Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participant, has been accepted into the competitive U-Doc program at the University of Washington. Out of 130 applicants, Shermika was selected to be one of only 25 participants. The program encourages young people to pursue careers in health care. Shermika is interested in becoming a family practice doctor to help underserved communities. She recently completed her junior year at Roosevelt High School.

Life Lines is published by the City of Seattle's Human Services Department (HSD). We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success, and work with other City departments to support Mayor Greg Nickels' efforts to build strong families and healthy communities. We welcome your comments. E-mail us: hsdenewsletter@seattle.gov Visit us: www.seattle.gov/humanservices Contact: David Takami, HSD, 206-684-0253 or david.takami@seattle.gov