Announcements from the March 2026 meeting
Events
- Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council is offering information “For Faith Communities: If ICE comes to You.” The session is offered by Khizer Sheriff of Essentials First and is based on training Essentials First provided for all its locations. It will be held online at noon on March 30. Registration is required at this link. Faith communities, service agencies, and small businesses are welcome.
- Nourishing Networks is having its biennial Networkshop on March 21 at the Together Center. Full information is available at Nourishing Networks.
- Michele Vossler from St. Andrews asked us to share information about a fun, free event on May 2 for Kafika House in Tanzania, with Tanzanian donuts, lunch, and beverages. Kafika House provides life-changing services for children who are isolated, shunned, and malnourished because they have a disability. The event will be at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in Bellevue. Register here.
- Lois Brandt, who leads the Newport Presbyterian Safe Parking Program, invited any safe parking program to join the quarterly meetings held to share best practices. Contact her at lois@loisbrandt.com for time and place.
- Adam Dibba invited us to join Africa Day, May 29, at the Together Center in Redmond. Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Contact Africans on the Eastside here.
- Elizabeth Maupin called attention to the No Kings March on May 28. See this link for the Kirkland event.
- Aldersgate Methodist Church is having its annual Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 4th, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, with games, treats, and a big Easter egg hunt at 14230 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 98006. Aldersgate is an inclusive congregation; everyone is welcome.
Advocacy
- Pastor Kelly Spencer of Newport Presbyterian Church asked us to speak up about our support for an expansion of their safe parking program, under discussion with the City of Bellevue. The negative voices are being raised more loudly than the positive ones. Our reaching out to the Bellevue City Council, individually and collectively, would be very helpful. Pastor Kelly also answered questions about the program, which would, with the Bellevue City expansion, serve a maximum of 20 women with children who live in their cars (not RVs). We were urged not to believe the reports online about larger sizes.
- Eastside Friends Meeting has started an Advocacy Team under the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), the Quaker federal lobby organization. This team works specifically with members of the U.S. Congress who represent the Eastside. FCNL has 135 teams like this, across every state and the District of Columbia, to work together on specific issues, both international and domestic. More information on the program is available at this link. Contact Susan Cozzens (scozzens at live.com) if you want to work with the Eastside Seattle team.
Needs and Opportunities
- Pride Across the Bridge is seeking a resource and partnership lead for the Rainbow Resilience Network, which provides customized care packages for 2SLGBTQ+ folks. This hybrid volunteer role includes managing care package requests; coordinating with the Care Package Coordinator; building and maintaining community partnerships; tracking donated items and available resources; and ensuring timely support reaches those who need it. Contact naomi.volunteer@prideacrossthebridge.org to learn more.
- Linda Hillesheim requested contributions to the Little Free Pantry at Unity of Bellevue.
- Nicky Sheriff reiterated the call from Essentials First for people with sewing expertise to teach immigrants this set of skills. Volunteer at org.
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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.
From past meetings:
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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. Please mention that you heard about the opportunity through EISCC.
A packet of support materials is available here. The hotline for reporting ICE activities is 425-361-0808.
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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.
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Announcements (please mention that you heard about this opportunity through EISCC)
- Events
- Nourishing Networks is having its spring Networkshop on March 21 at the Together Center, 9 am to 1 pm. Register here.
- Advocacy
- Volunteer opportunities
- Little Free Pantries are an excellent path for addressing current food needs. The Little Free Pantry at Unity of Bellevue needs donations.
- 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.