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February/March, 2013 Senior Focus
United Way announces legislative priorities With the start of the 2013 state legislative session, United Way of Snohomish County announced its legislative priorities with a focus on early learning, hunger, homelessness and seniors. “Our legislature is facing a difficult session, and we continue to be concerned about how potential budget cuts will affect Snohomish County,” said Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County. “Now is the time to maintain the critical investments that our state has already made in these key areas.” Locally, United Way “focuses on the building blocks of a good life: successful kids, financially stable families and healthy communities,” said Katrina Ondracek, vice president of Public Policy & Community Initiatives. “It’s no surprise that our volunteers chose to focus on early learning, hunger, homelessness and seniors for this legislative session.” Ondracek will be in Olympia
two days a week during the legislative session meeting with legislators, attending hearings and working with a broad range of advocates to raise awareness around these and other key issues. For more information and updates on these and other issues related to United Way’s advocacy efforts, visit uwsc.org/advocate. php. United Way’s priorities and areas of concern for the 2013 legislative session are as follows: Support for Seniors Maintain funding to support senior information & assistance, transportation and caregiver support. By 2030, almost 200,000 Snohomish County residents will be over age 65. This represents 20% of our population. Adequate support systems need to be in place to address the wellness, care and independence of seniors. Many people desire to “age in place,” and need services to maintain
Anonymous Alive with Color! Quilters 31st Annual Quilt Show
More than 500 quilts created by members will be on display. All under one roof!
March 16, 17 & 18
7 person
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Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe WA New Events Center
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their health and their home. Programs that empower, connect and provide advocacy for seniors are important to individuals and families. Food Insecurity Preserve food programs that keep children and adults from going hungry and being malnourished. Food is a basic need that should be accessible to all. Hunger and poor nutrition leads to low productivity and lifetime health consequences. Over the past three years, 75,000 new households joined the ranks of the hungry, and the rate of hunger in the state is the highest it has ever been. Currently Washington state ranks 14th in hunger.
Quality Early Learning Provide funding to support opportunities that ensure children are ready to succeed in school and life. From infancy through high school, children’s educational outcomes are dependent on the quality of their learning experiences. Quality early learning, in particular, has been shown to have a significant positive effect on future life and academic success. However, for many families, the demand for early care not only exceeds the available supply, but also costs more than they can afford. United Way is a community impact organization serving Snohomish County for over 70 years. The agency currently funds 102 programs through 39 agencies with a special focus on health and human services. Senior Services of Snohomish County receives funding for Nutrition Services (home delivered and congregate meals), Transportation Assistance Program, Family Caregiver Resource Program, Information and Assistance, and the Multicultural Senior Center.
Housing & Homelessness Maintain funding to support affordable housing and options that move people out of homelessness. Housing is a basic foundation for self-sufficiency, but on an average night, over 2,300 people are homeless in Snohomish County. There are many barriers faced by homeless individuals. The demand for safe, suitable and affordable housing has far outpaced the Senior Information and Assistance supply. The complex set of needs Ad#:0001799576-01 Date:11/05/12 Day:MON faced by many homeless people Answers Questions – Explores Options Cust:GARDEN leaves Size:2X5 far too many residents COURT RETIREMENT 425.513.1900 with inadequate housing options Salesperson:KRISTINE NIEM Last Edited By:BKELTON or access to some of life’s mostRETAIL baPub:HERALD Tag Line: Color www.sssc.org 800.422.2024 sic household and sanitary needs. Info:3COLORFULL
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Published bi-monthly with a readership of 38,000+, the Senior Focus educates and entertains readers (seniors, family caregivers, service providers and other interested persons) with news and
You know what – the best gift you can give your children IS a happy and fulfilled YOU!
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information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of Senior Services or the Senior Focus. Distribution: 20,000 papers are mailed to households and senior-friendly businesses in Snohomish, North King and Island and counties; 3,500 papers are distributed at drop-off locations including senior centers, retirement communities, hospitals, medical clinics, etc. Advertising: The existence of advertising in this publication is not meant as an endorsement of the product, service or individual by anyone except the advertiser. Associate member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
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