Announcements from the October 14, 2025 meeting

• If you are ready to offer your space for severe weather sheltering, you can list it with this form. KCRHA expects to have a new form available in early November. For further information, contact severeweather@kcrha.org.
• Eastside Interfaith is compiling information on what is needed to offer a successful severe weather shelter. Contact eastsideinterfaith@gmail.com. 
• St. Margaret’s Thrift Shop raises money to support organizations whose mission is to provide intentional change and assistance for the underserved. They are currently offering  50%-off sale on selected items. October items include Halloween costumes. Christmas items are coming soon.
• Share Your Blessings, November 25, 12:00 PM  2:00 PM. Join us for our annual Share Your Blessings holiday community meal at the Together Center. This event includes a thanksgiving-style meal, tea and coffee, giveaways, and the opportunity to break bread and build community together as neighbors from all walks of life. ALL are welcome and there is no cost to attend. Offered by Essentials First.
• Holiday Fair, Friday, December 5, 1-4 pm. Check out the resource fair with 25+ community partners sharing information, goodies, and services, pick up a meal, and even take a selfie with Santa! Where: inside the gymnasium at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bellevue Stake Center 14536 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98007. NO RSVP REQUIRED – please just show up Every part of this all-ages event is completely free! If your organization would like to host a resource table, please register before 5 PM on Friday November 28, 2025. Please contact Irene Muller at irene@essentialsfirst.org with any questions.

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OCTOBER 2025 Annual Meeting

Severe weather shelters — putting congregational resources together

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SEPTERMBER 2025 PROGRAM

SPOTLIGHT – Reclaim. Jennifer Kirk, Director. Reclaim offers the Upper Snoqualmie Valley’s first community service center to support our unhoused neighbors and those at risk of losing their homes. This welcoming space offers essential resources, compassionate care, and a sense of community for those navigating housing instability. 

MAIN PRESENTATION. Domestic Violence – Recognizing and Helping Victims. Alexis Harden, Housing Director, Lifewire, the main domestic violence service provider for the Eastside. LifeWire is a leading provider of safety, stability, and healing for survivors of domestic violence in Washington State. They invite us to join them in changing mindsets and healing communities, so that together, we can build a brighter future for survivors and their children.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Members of Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council (“EISCC”) believe we are guided by the moving of God’s spirit in our community to work together in a spirit of caring and celebration. We honor and respect each other’s religious heritages, welcome and pray for each other, and share information about pressing community needs.

EISCC members represent dozens of Eastside congregations and meet monthly on the second Tuesdays at noon at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006.  map and directions, with lunch provided.  Currently meeting in person and via Zoom. 

We provide a forum to educate, advocate, initiate, coordinate, and support through task forces and other means, to work for the common good, and to address human needs and improve the quality of life of the citizens living in the eastside communities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Renton, and Redmond.

Linda Hillesheim, EISCC board member, represents the eastside faith community on the board of Eastside Human Services Forum.

EISCC sponsors one sub-agency – Congregations for Kids, which provides school supplies for children in Bellevue schools.  Three prior EISCC sub-agencies now operate independently: Congregations for the Homeless, and The Sophia way support homeless men, women and children  on the eastside and also operate the Eastside Winter Shelters for men, and for women and children.  Recently independent sub-agency Backpack Meals For Kids now aligned with Backpack Brigade. provides supplemental nutrition for Bellevue school children.

EISCC sponsors the Eastside Emergency Services Fund administered through Hopelink.

EISCC is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, EIN 94-3036001.