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.
Announcements from the July meeting
Hero House Bellevue is having a block party on August 1, 12- 4 pm, 12838 SE 40th Place, Bellevue. There will be great food, fun games, resources, and community. They are inviting all friends and neighbors and anyone who would like to find out more about psychosocial rehabilitation for people who live with mental illness. Contact info@bellevueclubhouse.org for more information.
Porchlight is seeking a host church for the rotating shelter for October 2026. If you’re interested in hosting or would like more information, please contact Troy Chistensen at troyc@porchlightcares.org or 253.576.3720.
Plymouth Housing is excited to announce that their Kirkland Building, Sheila Stanton Place, is now open. They have welcomed four Kirkland residents to their new homes; the number will soon be 102. There are opportunities to volunteer and donate food. To volunteer, contact Ciarra Madden (cmadden@plymouthhousing.org) to connect you to people on the site. Sheila Stanton Place is part of the King County Health through Housing Initiative.
Camp United We Stand continues to seek volunteer Board members from the Eastside. Contact Ray Thomas if you are interested (rayt2015@gmail.com). The CUWS Needs List appears here.
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DISCLAIMER: Any statements or recommendations made by presenters or in announcements at EISCC meetings are those of the individual or the organization they represent and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council.
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Earlier Announcements of current opportunities (please mention that you heard about this opportunity through EISCC)
The EISCC Severe Weather Shelter Project is looking for faith communities to join in a proposal for funding that will be submitted in the fall. Contact Elizabeth Maupin (eli410maupin@gmail.org), David Bowling (david@eastside-foundation.org), or Susan Cozzens (scozzens@live.com) if you are interested in more information.
East King Rise is a coalition of community organizations helping our immigrant neighbors.
- The immigrant support organizations that are part of the coalition all need financial donations to be able to help families plan for emergencies and address family needs: Eastside for All, The Circle (Issaquah), Africans on the Eastside, and 4Tomorrow (Redmond).
- The coalition needs non-immigrant volunteers for its four programs: WAISN Rapid Response, NDLON Adopt a Day Labor Corner, WA Whistles, and WA Neighborhood Defense. There is room for everyone to help, depending on ability, interest, and risk tolerance. Contact eastkingrapidresponse@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer.
- A packet of support materials is available here.
- The hotline for reporting ICE activities is 425-361-0808.
The Old Friends Club, which offers dementia day care and respite for caregivers, is looking for affiliate partners to offer the OFC program in their own space. Old Friends Club provides a startup grant, a toolkit, ongoing training, access to resources, and networking and sharing. Download an OFC Affiliate Informational Packet here. Please mention that you heard about the program through EISCC. See the slides with more detail here.
Little Free Pantries are an excellent path for addressing current food needs.
- Skill Sharing
- Essentials First has started an Essential Skills program. Sewing instructors and supplies are welcome. Volunteer at essentialsfirst.org.
- Mama’s Hands is looking for volunteers for after-school tutoring. Contact Star Lalario at star@mammashands.org or 206-719-0335.
- The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice needs volunteers for immigrant accompaniment. The Jewish Coalition can be reached through the WAISN Hotline (1-844-724-3737) or through Andrea Soroko Naar (andrea@jewishcoalition.org).
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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 many Eastside faith communities and meet monthly on the second Tuesdays, lunch available from 11:45, meeting starts at noon, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue WA 98006 (directions). We are currently meeting in person and via Zoom (see the link in the area to the left).
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: Porchlight (formerly Congregations for the Homeless), and The Sophia Way support homeless men and women on the Eastside. Former sub-agency Backpack Meals for Kids, now absorbed into Backpack Brigade, provided supplemental nutrition for Bellevue school children.
EISCC is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity, EIN 94-3036001.