{"id":615,"date":"2015-04-22T21:52:13","date_gmt":"2015-04-22T21:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eiscc.net\/?page_id=615"},"modified":"2015-04-22T22:08:37","modified_gmt":"2015-04-22T22:08:37","slug":"february-2015-minutes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eiscc.net\/?page_id=615","title":{"rendered":"February 2015 minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

EASTSIDE INTERFAITH SOCIAL CONCERNS COUNCIL MINUTES<\/strong>
\nP.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662 February 10, 2015<\/strong>
\nThe meeting was held in Bristol Hall of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church beginning at 12:00 noon<\/span>.<\/p>\n

WELCOME: <\/strong>The meeting was called to order and conducted by EISCC President Diane Richards.
\nOPENING REFLECTION: <\/strong>Sandy Lewis provided the opening prayer.
\nSELF-INTRODUCTIONS<\/strong> were made by 32 representatives and guests.
\nMINUTES <\/strong>of the January 13, 2015, meeting were approved as submitted.
\nTREASURER’S REPORT: <\/strong>The Treasurer was not present at the meeting.\u00a0 Diane and Warren indicated that the annual dues request letter would be sent shortly and urged representatives to see that their organizations paid promptly.\u00a0Copies of the letter were also distributed at the meeting.
\nREFRESHMENT COORDINATOR: <\/strong>Many thanks to Jerry Hatfield, Helen Christian, Aaron Meyer, Jean Harris, and JC Mitchell for providing the day\u2019s refreshments.<\/p>\n

BUSINESS:\u00a0<\/strong>
\nHomeless Encampment Letter: <\/strong>The draft letter which had been distributed for our last meeting was discussed.\u00a0 Recognizing that not all of our religious communities are churches, Rabbi Meyer suggested modifying the language in the first bullet point in the list of specific requests at the very end of the letter to substitute some language such as ‘faith community’ for the word ‘church.’\u00a0 Senate Bill 5900 which addresses such encampments would prohibit restrictions on the number of encampment hosts, so it was suggested that we consider not restricting the number of hosts.\u00a0 It was also pointed out that other Eastside cities would likely look to Bellevue as an example as they craft ordinances of their own on this matter.<\/p>\n

Karen Studders noted that Renton had zero children sleeping outside during the recent one night count.\u00a0 This is a result of cooperation betwen Renton, REACH Center of Hope, and local congregations.\u00a0 She wondered what a similar effort in Bellevue might accomplish.<\/p>\n

Warren Marquardson moved that we accept the letter in principle and have the board incorporate the proposed changes.\u00a0 The motion was seconded and approved by the body.<\/p>\n

REPORTS:<\/strong>
\nCongregations for Kids: <\/strong>Nancy Jacobs had no report but will have more information at next month’s meeting.
\nBackpack Meals: <\/strong>Jan Starr reported that they were preparing about 120 bags a week.\u00a0 She offered thanks on behalf of their organization to all of the congregations and individuals who have supported their work.\u00a0 She also introduced Janet Farness who has recently joined their board.\u00a0 Funds for food are always welcome.\u00a0 Donations can be made through their website at www.backpackmeals.org<\/a>.
\nLegislative Coordinator:\u00a0 <\/strong>Jean Harris reported that several advocacy days are coming up soon. The Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance will have its advocacy day in Olympia on Tuesday, February 17.\u00a0 More information can be found at wliha.org<\/a>.\u00a0 The Faith Action Network (FAN) will hold its advocacy day on Thursday, February 19.\u00a0 More information on their event can be found at fanwa.org<\/a>.\u00a0 You can also go to the FAN website to track the progress of bills through the legislature.<\/p>\n

MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHTS:<\/strong>
\nTemple De Hirsch Sinai:\u00a0 <\/strong>Rabbi Aaron Meyer spoke about current efforts at the Temple.\u00a0 They have recently been focused on building their own internal organization, but they want very much to be more involved in EISCC.\u00a0 They provide meals for Congregations for the Homeless and Tent City.\u00a0 They have an urban garden which donates food to local food banks.\u00a0 They recruit folks from the Temple to work on projects in the community \u2013 over 5000 sent thus far.\u00a0 They have been actively working with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the legislature to oppose what they believe to be misguided legislation against Sharia law in our state.\u00a0 Rabbi Meyer can be reached at ameyer@tdhs-nw.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Attain Housing (formerly Kirkland Interfaith Transitional Housing \u2013 KITH):\u00a0 <\/strong>Tami Gillman, Director of Development, reported that KITH merged in 2014 with Housing at the Crossroads.\u00a0 As a result of that merger, they acquired 12 housing units in Bellevue.\u00a0 The new, combined organization was renamed Attain Housing.\u00a0 They now have 32 units of housing in Kirkland and Bellevue which can provide transitional and permanent housing.\u00a0 They also have a voucher program which provides rent assistance.\u00a0 Those wishing to tap into that program need to get a letter of referral from a local congregation.\u00a0 That program is handled by Jennifer Barron.\u00a0 She can be reached at 425-576-9531, ext. 104<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They provide a community supper on Tuesday evenings which also provide mentoring and child care.\u00a0 They provide case management.\u00a0 They have a holiday adopt-a-family program.\u00a0 They expect that they will be building or purchasing new property this year.\u00a0 They serve all of King County with their programs.\u00a0 They are looking to increase their outreach to Eastside congregations, especially in Bellevue.\u00a0 For more information, contact Tami at tamig@attainhousing.org<\/a> or by phone at 206-619-6844<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PROGRAM: Human Services Needs Update and Trends in King County, the Eastside, and Bellevue<\/strong>
\nAlex O’Reilly of the City of Bellevue indicated that the City of Bellevue has three roles in human services \u2013 as planner, facilitator, and funder.\u00a0 Bellevue provides approximately $3 million per year from its operating fund and some additional dollars from its capital budget.\u00a0 These funds are usually spent in those areas which the city has determined are of greatest need.\u00a0 To determine the needs, they conduct regular surveys which draw upon data from faith community interviews, service providers, phone\/online surveys, consumers, community conversations, key informants, and a review of reports, websites, ACS, and Census.<\/p>\n

The most recent update will guide the allocation recommendations for the 2015-2016 Human Services Fund\/Community Development Block Grant.\u00a0 Some of the key issues identified by the Human Services Commission include:<\/p>\n