May/June 2016 VOICE Magazine

MAY/JUNE 2016

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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HOUSING FIRST LOCAL OC GROUPS G O S USE US S NATIONAL MODEL TO HELP THE HOMELESS p. 12

BUSINESS RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER P. 8

B UI LDI NG CO MMUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 140 YEARS

FASTER HEALING AFTER

SPINE SURGERY

Robotic-guided surgery increases accuracy & efficiency Recovering from spine surgery has gotten a little easier at Capital Medical Center.

Our new, state-of-the-art robotic guidance system allows surgeons to develop a computerized plan before entering the operating room. During the procedure, the system then guides the surgeon’s tools and implants to ensure accuracy to 1.5 mm, as compared to freehand spine surgery. This means that smaller incisions are made and fewer X-rays are needed, which can result in shorter hospitalizations, less pain and a faster recovery. And, Capital Medical Center is the only Washington hospital with this advanced technology for spine patients!

Learn about the Capital spine surgery advantage at capitalmedical.com 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW • Olympia, WA 98502 • 360-754-5858 • 888-677-9757 • capitalmedical.com

Capital Medical Center is partly owned by some of the physicians who serve our patients.

©2016 BCI

CONTENTS

CALENDAR

Page 5 .......................Issues, Stories of Success & Celebration

May 3

Morning Mixxer - 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - T Brothers 502 Recreational, 5740 Ruddell Rd SE Ste C, Lacey.

Page 6 .........................................................Caught in the Lens

May 5

Page 8 ................Business Research & Training at the Library

May 6

Page 10 ......................................................Networking Events Page 12...................Ending Homelessness in Thurston County

Young Professionals Network - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Cigar Daddies, 4511 Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey.

New Member Orientation - Noon - 1 p.m.

Thurston County Chamber, 809 Legion Way, Olympia.

May 18

Thurston Chamber Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

Red Lion Hotel Olympia.

May 19 Page 17.......................................May Forum: Annual Meeting Page 18..........................................................Advocacy Update

Business After Hours - 5:30 p.m.- Tranquility Dental & Wellness Center. 8050 Freedom Lane NE, Lacey.

June 2

Young Professionals Network - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. g.miller, 501 Capitol Way S, Olympia .

Page 21.......................................June Forum: LTC Graduation

June 7

Page 23...............................................Welcome New Members

June 8

809 Legion Way SE P.O. Box 1427 Olympia, WA 98507

Copyright © 2016 Thurston County Chamber ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published bimonthly by the Thurston County Chamber.

Morning Mixxer - 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Goldstein Law Offices, 1800 Cooper Point Rd. SW No. 8, Olympia.

Forum - 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Red Lion Hotel Olympia, Topic: Leadership Thurston County Graduation.

June 15

SBA Loan Seminar. 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Thurston County Chamber, 809 Legion Way, Olympia.

www.thurstonchamber.com info@thurstonchamber.com 360.357.3362

June 16

Join the conversation online at facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber.

Business After hours - 5:30 p.m. - Columbia Bank 303 Union Ave SE, Olympia.

These events require pre-registration at www.thurstonchamber.com

BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY FOR 142 YEARS Diamond Investors:

Anchor Bank Capital Medical Center Heritage Bank Phillips Burgess Physicians of Southwest Washington Port of Olympia Xerox Executive Officers Mariella Cummings, Chair Results Incorporated Jessica Coen, Chair Elect Xerox Company Drew Phillips, Vice Chair FORMA Construction Neil Woody, Treasurer McSwain & Company P.S. Ron Bruchet, Past Chair GHB Insurance

Platinum Investors

America's Credit Union - Lacey Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park • Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Providence Saint Peters TwinStar Credit Union Washington Business Bank

CHAMBER BOARD & STAFF Board of Trustees

Michael Cade, Thurston EDC David Cullen, David D. Cullen Dick Cvitanich, Olympia School District

Joseph Lanham, Wells Fargo Bryan McConaughy, Puget Sound Energy Kevin Stormans, Stormans Inc.

Faith Trimble, The Athena Group Elyse Villanueva, Heritage Bank Joanna West, Washington Business Bank Eric Johnston, SCJ Alliance Perry Hanchey, Diamond Technology Innovations Mike Williams, Tags Awards And Specialties

Cheryl Fambles, PAC Mountain Workforce Development Council

Editor: David Schaffert Layout & Design: Natasha Ashenhurst, Mosaic Marketing Studio Printing: Print NW Cover Photo: by Heather Harris, Elements Photography 4 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

Gold Investors

Express Employment Professionals First Citizens Bank • Cabinets by Trivonna Columbia Bank • The Creative Office FirstLight Home Care • GHB Insurance Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management Mantis Graphix • Jessica Jensen Law PS Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy • RHD Enterprises Red Lion Hotel Olympia • Saint Martin’s University SCJ Alliance • TAGS

Chamber Staff

David Schaffert, President/CEO Sytease Geib, VP Workforce Development Marny Bright, VP Member Services Krystal Barkus, Administrative Support Laurie Bjerke, Admin. Assistant Alisha Blain, Events Manager Christina Bower, Education/Youth Initiatives Debbie Burk, Workforce Development Lesona Hartman, Workforce Development Beth Johnson, Member Services Helaina Kennedy, Workforce Development Judy Reynolds, LeadershipThurston County Joanne Stimac, Finance Officer Loretta Thomas, Workforce Development Pam Volz, Workforce Development Michele Winn, Camo2Commerce www.thurstonchamber.com

The Voice Magazine: A Forum for Critical Issues, Stories of Success and Celebration of Contributions

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he focus of this issue of The Voice is the state of homelessness in our community. Last issue, we focused on the emerging cannabis industry in Thurston County. We regularly feature business stories of success and opportunity as well as small business showing amazing promise.

So, how does this eclectic range of business and community stories get chosen and why?

The answer is simple. The Voice’s stories and content are reflective of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce’s business and community mission: Ensuring the community is functioning at the highest and healthiest levels possible. In order to function at the highest level, there must

"The complexities of homelessness — as outlined in our cover story — are significant and the cost to the community is substantial. Our community will not function at its highest level until we resolve the worsening homeless issue."

The complexities of homelessness — as outlined in our cover story — are significant, and the cost to the community is substantial. Our community will not function at its highest level until we

David Schaffert President & CEO Thurston County Chamber www.thurstonchamber.com

resolve the worsening homeless issue.

be the resources and wealth created by the private sector to fund community infrastructure.

There are models that have been successful in virtually eliminating homelessness in other parts of the country.

How, as a community, we understand these models and then employ them to achieve outcome-based success will be critical in creating solutions to the homeless issue.

In the coming Voice issues, look for continued coverage of critical topics and opportunities facing our community, as well as the stories celebrating business success, the stories about people achieving their goals and the positive contributions of the private sector that is the economic engine of Thurston County. ●

Mariella Cummings Board Chair, Thurston County Chamber President of Results Incorporated Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 5

Caught in the Lens...

6 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

A collection of photos taken at Chamber events during February, March and April 2016.

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 7

Business Research & Training Center

By Natasha Ashenhurst

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n Olympia accounting firm wanted to expand their client base, so they called in a regional business research specialist, Cheryl Heywood, who spent over two hours with the firm, teaching them research methods to expand their client base and market share.

Business owners expect to pay high consulting fees for services like those Heywood offered, but in fact, she didn’t charge the accounting firm a dime. Heywood is the Library Director of the Timberland Regional Library (TRL), a regional network of 27 libraries, serving Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. She and her team have put a five-year strategic plan into action which includes helping local businesses succeed.

Over a decade ago, libraries were a place to find books, magazines and newspapers, or to find a quiet nook for reading and research.

Today, libraries are active community centers filled with both physical and digital information. Heywood states that most people—even those with an active library card—are unaware of the multitude of services that libraries offer today.

Today’s libraries have resources to help establish a new business, grow an existing business, expand employee skills

8 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

and help people land a job. “I am the first Library Director appointed to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council— due to the intersection of resources we provide and workforce development. We work with the Thurston Economic Development Council, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Small Business Administration (SBA),” said Heywood.

Research Someone spending five minutes exploring the Timberland Regional Library website, www.

TRL.org, can access powerful research databases. Reference USA, for example, offers information on U.S. businesses and households along with a tutorial for the novice user.

For someone starting a new business, the library has a database of business plans called the Business Plans Handbook. The Handbook is a collection of business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking small business funding throughout North America. The database

www.thurstonchamber.com

contains helpful examples of ways to approach, structure and compose business plans in the manufacturing, retail and service industries. Business plan examples include the type of business; statement of purpose; executive summary; business/industry description; market; product and production; management/ personnel; and financial specifics.

For those looking for business or industry specific research, Heywood recommends ProQuest and MasterFILE Premier. The library also subscribes to Morningstar and Value Line.

Cheryl Heywood is Executive Director of the Timberland Regional Library.

Smart Start Workshops & Microsoft Imagine Academy This spring, TRL teamed up with the SBA to provide a series of “Start Smart� workshops for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The two-hour workshops pull together experts from the SBA, its partners and Timberland libraries throughout the five-county region. All the programs are free and open to the public.

The Microsoft Imagine Academy offers technology courses in basic digital literacy skills, Microsoft Office skills and advanced

skills for IT professionals. TRL offers free access to the Microsoft Imagine Academy for all Timberland patrons through a collaboration between Washington libraries, Microsoft, the Washington State Library, Secretary of State’s Office and the Washington State Legislature. There are over 400 self-paced, free classes. Heywood says those interested should visit www.TRL.org.

Books and Magazines, Paper and Digital For those of us who still want to curl up with a good book, the library has plenty of those. In addition, most books and magazines are available for digital download, allowing readers access to thousands of titles right from their home or business.

For example, NOLO is a publisher of legal and business books, and TRL has over 300 NOLO full-text titles available online.

Help Wanted!

If learning how to use the vast array of services the library offers seems overwhelming, TRL staff wants to help. You can stop by your local branch and talk to a librarian, email or call one who will walk you through the steps to find the information you need. “We want the business community to know that we are available to give presentations that are specific to your business or organization’s needs. We need some advance notice, but we don’t have to be experts in your industry—what we’re experts at is finding the data you need to grow your organization, to save money or to take the first step in starting your own business.� �

SAVE THE DATE June 28, 2016, 5:30 p.m.

Olympia Country & Golf Club Honoring every day heroic acts, steadfast dedication, extraordinary service and professionalism.

www.thurstonchamber.com

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The event includes honoree recognition, videos, hors d’oeuvres and a no host bar.

For sponsorship information, please call the Chamber at 360.357.3362.

www.thurstonchamber.com

Presented by:

Thurston County Chamber VOICE ď Ź May/June 2016 ď Źď€ 9

M A R K YOU R CA L E N DAR! May 3 - 7:30 a.m. am

5740 Ruddell Rd SE Ste C, Lacey

Morning Mixxer

June 7 - 7:30 a a.m. m

1800 Cooper Point Rd. SW No. 8, Olympia

Morning Mixxer

Join us on May 3 for an inside look into a flourishing new industry.

Please join Jay Goldstein and the staff of Goldstein Law Office PLLC for a lively June Morning Mixxer.

Let T-Brothers introduce you to all the available products and curb your curiosity.

We are not all things to all people.

Instead, we provide high quality legal counsel in our areas of expertise: real estate and land use, environmental, construction, escrow, trust and estate planning and probate, creditors in bankruptcy, tax and business law— both litigation and transactional. ●

Swing by for tons of fun, a fabulous noninfused gift basket drawing and snack on breakfast treats provided by our own local San Francisco Bakery. ●

May 5 - 5:30 p.m.

June 2 - 5:30 p.m.

4511 Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey

501 Capitol Way S Olympia

Young Professionals Network

Young Professionals Network

Our May YPN host is Cigar Daddies.

Our June YPN host is g.miller olympia. The Thurston Chamber YPN is a great place to interact with new, younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment.

The Thurston Chamber Young Professionals (YPN) Network is a great place to interact with new, younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment. Bring plenty of business cards and a smile, and you're set to enjoy a fantastic evening of networking!

Event host varies each month. Cigar Daddies is a family owned and operated business located in Lacey, specializing in cigars, cigar accessories, humidors, pipe tobacco, hooka and sheesha.●

g.miller is Olympia's flagship men’s clothing store located in the heart of downtown. Locally owned and operated. We're in the business of making you look good. ●

May 19 - 5:30 p.m.

June 16 - 5:30 p.m.

8050 Freedom Lane NE, Ste. C, Lacey

303 Union Ave SE, Olympia

Business After Hours Join the Chamber for Business After Hours at Tranquility Dental Wellness Center. They have a fun evening planned, complete with appetizers, beverages and networking.

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Enjoy the evening touring and relaxing at Tranquility Dental Wellness Center.

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We remove the fear of dentistry in a Spa like atmosphere Raffle drawings for Sonicare tooth brush, in office whitening and much more.

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Located in Hawks Prairie off exit 111 near the Ram. ●

Business After Hours Burgers!

Beer!

Blue Couch!

Business networking & Baseball!

It's time for Business After Hours at Columbia Bank.

Columbia Bank is a Northwest community bank in WA, OR and ID providing comprehensive solutions and expertise to businesses and individuals. ●

Morning Mixxer is sponsored by Mixx 96 FM and Anchor Bank and is the first Tuesday of each month, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Locations vary. Includes coffee and pastries. Admission is FREE. Business After Hours is sponsored by 94.5 ROXY and Heritage Bank and is the third Thursday of each month. Locations vary. Admission is free.

More information about upcoming events can be found at www.thurstonchamber.com.

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From left to right, Schelli Slaughter, Phil Owen and Keylee Marineau

Helping the Homeless in Thurston County with Housing First Approach

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By Natasha Ashenhurst. Photograhy by Heather Harris.

aybe you’re at a luncheon, a book club or a board meeting, and you mention going downtown Olympia to attend a show or eat at a restaurant — chances are the subject of homelessness will come up. Homelessness is something we see, talk about and ask “What’s being done about it?”

Editor's Note: Homelessness is a conversation the Thurston County Chamber had with our members in January 2014. The Chamber surveyed its newsletter subscribers to gauge perceptions of downtown Olympia.

Almost half of those surveyed responded with concerns about chronic issues affecting downtown, including homelessness.

The County published a Homeless Census Report in May 2015. That year was to be the last of a 10-year plan to reduce homelessness in the county by half. Rather than seeing a decrease, data showed homelessness had increased by 7.4 percent since 2006.

So, what are we doing to reduce homelessness in Thurston County? Which models are working? Who is having a positive impact?

We feel optimistic that people are finding homes through programs like SideWalk.

Through programs like Thurston Thrives

our community is implementing solutions to prevent people from slipping into homelessness in the first place.

Yes, it is a business issue. Yes, it is a public health issue. Yes, it is a community issue. Moreover, it is an issue that will take all of us working together to solve.

Utah made national news in 2015 when its homeless population went from nearly 2,000 in 2005, to fewer than 200 in 2015. States like Utah are representative of a national shift in policy to end homelessness — an approach at work right here in Thurston County.

Communities are moving away from the traditional model, which advocates treating mental health issues, drug addiction and removing employment barriers first, then finding housing. It’s an expensive system that isn’t working.

Instead, Thurston County has taken a new, research-based approach called Housing First.

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The idea behind the Housing First model is simple: Move people into housing as quickly as possible, then offer services.

Give people a place to live and wrap services around them to keep them in that home. First, you have to find those individuals in need and connect them with housing and services. There are three steps involved in the process — identify, prioritize and offer services.

Identify Homeless adults, families and youth might find the help they need through a case manager, Washington Department of Social and Health Services, or the police.

Help might also find them.

This year, two facilities will open to help identify vulnerable adults, families and youth. First, a mental health triage facility — located near the Thurston County Jail — will open this month. The facility will provide a place of support for those in crisis—and who have come into contact with law enforcement—because www.thurstonchamber.com

The Vulnerability Index Team: Seated: L to R - Jill Esbeck, Grace Owen, SideWalk; Gabe Ash, Drexel House; Brenda Anderson, Olympia Police Department, Sgt. Rick Anderson, Olympia Jail; Tiesa Blankenship, Donald Bradley, SideWalk; Kathy Turner, Fleetwood/Arbor Manor Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI); Sharon Holley, Downtown Ambassadors; Brittany Stallings,Interfaith Works Emergency Overnight Shelter; Dorothy Culliton, SideWalk. Standing: Andy Cochran, DSHS Home & Community Services; Phil Owen, SideWalk; Tye Gundel, Capital Recovery Center, (CRC) PATH; Merja Kehl, Thurston County Behavioral Health Organization; Meg Martin, Interfaith Works Emergency Overnight Shelter. Not pictured: TJ LaRocque, Providence St Peter Community Care Center; Kaylee Knowles, Sea Mar Community Health Center; Mark Collins, Social Worker; Josh Black, Capital Recovery Center, PATH; Michelle McDonald-Lopez, BHR-PACT; John Nason, BHR Housing, Ruth Muuru, BHR Community Integration Outreach and Malika Lamont, Thurston Co. Public Health and Social Services Syringe Exchange Program. The group meets at SideWalk every week.

of mental health or substance abuse issues. According to Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim, the facility will assess the needs of a client, determine the nature of the crisis, and ultimately divert the person to the appropriate system and appropriate treatment.

The Community Care Center, a project of Providence Saint Peter Hospital, is the second facility that will aid in identifying homeless populations and will open this summer. The center will house psychiatric and behavioral health experts, as well as local social service agencies to provide a full spectrum of support — including representatives from SideWalk Homeless Services, Interfaith Works, Capital Recovery Center, SeaMar, Northwest Resources and Behavioral Health Resources.

“The community response to the Center has been absolutely awesome,” said Phil Owen, SideWalk’s executive director.

“One of the things that is amazing with this team is that we start with the people that are the most vulnerable and work them into the services they need.

“We are using our client’s challenges and needs as a battering ram for

system change — we have to build the system around a person rather than having a person try and navigate a very complicated system on their own.”

Prioritize In an effort to prioritize housing and services, community partners surveyed known homeless populations to create a Vulnerability Index, which measures a person’s risk of dying on the streets.

Based on a national model, the index gives each identified person a score.

People who have a high score go into a home first. Currently, there are 400 people on the list. Once identified and scored, the adult, family or youth is matched with services.

Offer Services with a Coordinated Entry Approach Once providers identify and prioritize homeless adults, families and youth, they can receive appropriate services.

There are three different agencies in Thurston County — contracted through Thurston County — to serve as a coordinated entry process into services for those without a home, each specializing in one of three subsets of

the homeless population. SideWalk helps single adults who are homeless. Family Support Center of South Sound helps homeless families and Community Youth Services helps homeless youth, ages 18 to 24. They share a help line and have a “no wrong door” approach.

“Anyone who needs help can go to one of the three agencies, but each have a different population focus. Our goal is to help people access the housing, shelter and support services they need quickly,” said Schelli Slaughter, executive director of the Family Support Center.

Each agency advocates vulnerabilitybased prioritization, removing barriers, housing first models and client-centered care.

SideWalk: Rapid Rehousing for Homeless Adults Owen has worked as a homeless advocate for over 15 years. When asked if he thought Thurston County was making progress ending homelessness he said, “This is the first time in my career that I feel like we have a strategy, momentum and are having an impact on homelessness.

Continued on page 15

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 13

Continued from page 13

“During SideWalk’s first three years, we moved 500 people into housing.

This year we will move 300 people into housing. About three quarters are coming out of the woods or out of their cars.”

seven permanent unit apartments on site.

“The most vulnerable families get placed there,” said Slaughter. “Then we can offer services and wrap them with support. We use best practices such as Housing First, helping families get into permanent housing quickly.”

SideWalk’s Housing First model — referred to as Rapid Rehousing — provides a small amount of short-term rent assistance. According to Owen, the total cost to rehouse someone — including case management, administration and rental assistance — is $1,200.

SideWalk prioritizes placing homeless adults into housing using the Vulnerability Index and plans to place the top 150 candidates into Permanent Supportive Housing — with individualized, flexible supportive services, leases without limits on length of stay and collaboration between case managers and property owners — and everyone else into Rapid Rehousing.

According to HUD, permanent supportive housing models using a Housing First approach are highly effective for ending homelessness. Their website states, “Particularly for people experiencing chronic homelessness who have higher service needs, studies have shown that Housing First permanent supportive housing models result in long-term housing stability, improved physical and behavioral health outcomes, and reduced use of crisis services such as emergency departments, hospitals, and jails.”

Family Support Center of South Sound: Housing and Services for Families Like SideWalk, Family Support Center uses the Vulnerability Index score to prioritize services by need.

“We have families with babies, toddlers and kids sleeping in parks and cars,” said Slaughter. “Families are the fastest growing homeless population—a huge problem in Thurston County and nationwide.”

Community Youth Services: Helping Homeless Youth Find Stable Housing

Above: A mother and her baby receive services at Family Support Center.

Lack of affordable housing, loss of income and domestic violence are all factors in homeless families. Slaughter notes half of the families they see at their shelter — Pear Blossom Place — are employed.

Also like SideWalk, the Family Support Center uses the Housing First model, which research indicates is most effective model for reducing family homelessness.

Slaughter notes that 86 percent of families do not return to homelessness after just a little bit of help, which averages one to six months of rental assistance.

“Homeless kids are twice as likely to be absent from school. Twice as likely to not graduate. Twice as likely to suffer from chronic health conditions. And even twice as likely to commit suicide,” said Slaughter. "If we can get those kids into a safe, stable environment as quickly as possible it improves their health, education and resiliency against trauma.

That benefits the entire community because we are investing in the future of our children.

“When we protect the kids, we’re serving the community because those kids will be able to have jobs and the opportunity for a successful life.”

However, there isn’t enough housing for families in need, so the Family Support Center offers a shelter and they have

While the Housing First model is a best practice for homeless adults and families, it isn’t always the most effective solution for homeless youth.

Housing models for youth require skill development, supportive services and case management. Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing for youth with services up to 24 months are key for this age range. Keylee Marineau, the director of services for high-risk youth at Olympia’s CYS, says that youth need more support and more time than adults do. She says most youth are homeless because their home was not a safe place, and they were courageous enough to leave.

“For a housing model to be successful you have to have stop gaps along the way,” said Marineau. “We have to think about our system as a bridge between emergency shelters and housing.”

Once youth are homeless and establish what is referred to as “street dependency,” it is challenging to place them in an apartment where they often experience a sense of isolation. They can’t have their friends over without breaking the rules, so they leave and are back on the street again.

“Planning for and understanding this we’ve created a low barrier emergency shelter for youth, ages 18-24,” said Marineau. “A step beyond homeless is getting them back on their feet. Next, we work with them to go to school or work.

We offer a semi-permanent 90-day bed and a storage bin for their belongings. We know that if we take care of mitigating circumstances they are more successful.”

Continued on page 27

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16 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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How Great Leaders Leverage the Power of Story: Evelyn Clark will Keynote Thurston Chamber's 111th Annual Meeting

Register for the Annual Meeting at www.thurstonchamber.com.

Tickets include lunch and the keynote presentation.

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oin the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce for the 111th Annual Meeting and the beginning of the Chamber’s 142nd year, on Wednesday, May 18.

Evelyn Clark, author of Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories to Inspire Success, will deliver the keynote address.

Designed for executives, top-flight sales people and savvy marketers, Evelyn Clark’s keynotes focus on real-life situations that weigh on leaders’ minds. Her audiences learn how to transform their organization’s performance by telling the right story to the right audience at the right time.

Evelyn Clark, author of Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories to Inspire Success

Reservations are required for this event.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, The Port of Olympia and Heritage Bank. â—?

MEMORIAL DAY IS ONLY ONCE A YEAR

but our gratitude is endless.

Thousands have learned to leverage the power of story, with Evelyn Clark’s help, to achieve desired results: Keeping employees focused on corporate values and mission •

Galvanizing stakeholder support

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Maximizing teamwork

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Increasing brand recognition

•

Fueling sales and profits

The event will also include the transferring of the gavel from Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Mariella Cummings to Chair Jessica Coen, a review of last year’s successes and an optimistic look forward to 2016-2017.

Cost is $35 for members, $245 for a table of seven. Cost for non-members is $45 per person or $315 per table. It includes a plated lunch. Register online at www.thurstonchamber.com. www.thurstonchamber.com

Please join us for a special Memorial Day event in honor and celebration of those who have proudly served our country.

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE ď Ź May/June 2016 ď Źď&#x20AC; 17

The East Bay district is a result of a public partnership of the Port of Olympia, City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance and Hands on Children's Museum. The vision for the East Bay is to be a pedestrian-friendly center focusing on mixed-use development.

Advocating for Community

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n any given day the Thurston County Chamber is working with local government representing business interests, is on a panel discussing the future of education and the workforce, and is meeting with community leaders advocating for a stronger economy. Here are a few of the issues we are actively engaged in. To learn more about these issues, or to find out how you can become involved, email info@thursonchamber.com

City of Tumwater Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Here’s what you need to know: The Chamber Board at its April board meeting reaffirmed its support of the City’s efforts to redevelop the Old Brewhouse property and provided supportive comments regarding the planned action EIS. A planned action EIS outlines potential impacts for a range of development alternatives and any required mitigation to the environment. Following completion of the EIS and the City’s adoption of a planned action ordinance, a specific development proposal can move forward without further environmental review provided the proposed development is consistent with the EIS and impacts have been addressed

Downtown Strategies

Here’s what you need to know: The City of Olympia is undergoing a planning effort intended to implement strategies to make

downtown Olympia a safe and welcoming place. The Chamber attends advisory committees and special meetings facilitated by the City. One area of emphasis for the Chamber is how to incentivize redevelopment opportunities. The City is developing tools to address both strengths and weaknesses of investing and building in the downtown corridor.

East Bay Redevelopment

Here’s what you need to know: The Chamber’s Business and Economic Development Committee (B&E) has had several briefings on recently proposed activities in East Bay. The East Bay district is a result of a public partnership of the Port of Olympia, City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance and Hands on Children's Museum. The vision for the East Bay is to be a pedestrian-friendly center focusing on mixed-use development.

City of Lacey Woodland District/Form-Based Code

Here’s what you need to know: The Chamber’s B&E committee engaged the City of Lacey staff on the opportunities of form-based codes and how it will support the Woodland District. The code will guide development in a manner consistent with the Woodland District Strategic Plan to ensure high-quality public spaces defined by a variety of building types and uses including housing, retail, and mixed-use and office space.

The code will incorporate a regulating plan, building form standards, street standards, use regulations as needed, and other elements needed to implement the vision for the Woodland District. ●

Regional Transportation Plan Here’s what you need to know: The Chamber is engaged with Thurston Regional Planning Council’s Regional Transportation Plan. The plan identifies the regional long-range vision for development of the transportation system in Thurston County. Of particular interest to the Chamber are improvements to Carpenter Road, Marvin Road, Rainier Road, Yelm Highway, Brewery District Transportation projects and interchange studies. The public has until May 9 to provide comment.

18 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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20 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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Leadership Thurston County Celebrates Shari Aldrich, Body Mechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage Dwayne Boggs, Boggs Inspection Services Class of 2016 Susan Bowe, Washington State Department of Transportation

By Judy Reynolds, Program Coordinator

L

eadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston County Chamber Foundation are pleased to recognize members of the Class of 2016. Sponsored by TAGS Awards & Specialties, the graduation program will be held June 8 during the monthly Thurston County Chamber Forum.

During the 10-month program, participants met with local, community, and statewide leaders; learned about issues surrounding South Sound communities; expanded networks and resources; and explored numerous opportunities to get involved.

Topics ranged from economic development and government to environmental issues, education, and health care. Field trips included visits to local businesses, schools and universities, public agencies and non-profit organizations.

MANY THANKS to Graduation Sponsor TAGS Awards & Specialties, all the employers who sponsored participants, local leaders who contributed to the monthly sessions, LTC Sustaining Trustees and Board of Regents and the Thurston County Chamber for all their outstanding support during the past LTC year!

LTC Graduation Forum – June 8, 2016, 11:30 a.m.

Red Lion Hotel Olympia 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympia Reservations for Chamber Forum are requested: www.thurstonchamber.com Graduation Sponsor:

www.thurstonchamber.com

Kelsey Browne, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Amanda Carroll, Tiburon Systems Donovan Cathey, Tumwater Firefighters Union Maria Chiechi, Washington State Residential Care Council Sam Costello, Olympia Police Department Steve Craig, City of Tumwater Leatta Dahlhoff, Washington State Department of Ecology Tina Davis, TwinStar Credit Union, Olympia Branch John Duerr, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty Shawna Dutton, Habitat for Humanity Len Faucher, Port of Olympia Anthony Ford, Capital City Press Sytease Geib, Thurston County Chamber Joy Gerchak, Intercity Transit Kasandra Jaquez, Thurston First Bank Joshua Johnson, Brown & Caldwell Karen Johnson, Sunset Air Ron Jones, City of Olympia Matthew Klifman, US Bank Jim Ladd, Evergreen Christian Community Jennifer Lamont, Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau Meryl Lipman, The Evergreen State College Jennifer Lord, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Tanya Mote, South Puget Sound Community College Teri O’Neal, City of Lacey Sonia Ramirez, Yelm Municipal Court Ryan Reynolds, Weichert Realtors Reynolds Real Estate Chris Richardson, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises Scott Sawyer, SCJ Alliance Tyson Schmitt, Puget Sound Energy Barb Soule, AAA Washington Mark Steepy, KPFF Consulting Engineers Heidi Thomsen, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Bridget Vidonne, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council Daniel Vining, Thurston First Bank Kyle Wiese, Thurston Economic Development Council Kim Young, Wolf Haven International Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 21

Thurston Chamber Welcomes 240 New Members

W

hile most Chambers of Commerce struggle through their annual membership drive, the Thurston County Chamber hosted a ‘Membership Event’ like none other! For two and a half days, February 16, 17 and 18, over 170 community leaders worked against the clock and against each other to sign up 240 new members. The event also created greater community awareness of the important role the Thurston County Chamber plays in community development, economic development and business services. “The real success was 170 business people coming together to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the Chamber in the community and then sharing that message with their peers. And, we had a lot of fun in the process," said David Schaffert, President/CEO. The 170 community volunteers who participated in the event were led by: Liz Davis, NW Venture Philanthropy, Jim Greene, Greene Realty, John Kaufman, Kaufman Brothers, Drew Phillips, FORMA Construction, Perry Shea, SCJ Alliance, Mike & Brenda Williams, TAGS Awards & Specialties, Dan O'Neill, Abbey Realty - Jami Downing Abby's Cookies & Cupcakes Accel Mortgage ACI Creative Design Advanced Drilling, LLC AHBL Aiken & Sanders, Inc. PS All Pro Screen Printing & Embroidery Allied Concrete Applicators Allstate - Ronelle Funk Alpine Ductless, LLC American Legion Post 100 Anderson & Middleton Co. Andy's Automotive & Off Road Angstrom Material Processing, Inc. Ascent Audiology & Hearing Aspire Family Fitness & Martial Arts Aurora Lasik Barckley Electric Bayshore Construction BCE Engineers, Inc. Beauty Bombed Bee Enterprises, LLC Ben Houk, Account Exec, NIcholson & Assoc Benefits Academy, The BES - Betschart Electric Services Big Rock Construction Black Hills Gymnastics Bloom, Chamberlin, Williams Group BLRB Architects, PS

www.thurstonchamber.com

Bobby Jay'z Cafe Boggs Inspection Services Bon Lemon Boyd's Plumbing Brookstone Services Buds & Blades Landscape Company Burger Professionals C & H Construction Callisons Capital Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Capital West Limousine Capitol Pacific Reporting Care Net Pregnancy Center of Thurston County CBRE CED Lacey CGI Technology and Solutions Champion Chiropractic Center Chelsea Farms, LLC Child Care Action Council Cigar Daddies CLASCORP Legal & Financial Services Coastal Custodial Coldwell Banker - Mitch Dietz CRAINS OFFICE SUPPLY CRMA Investments Crosley Construction D.K. Boos Glass, Inc. Dahlhoff, Leatta Dancing Goat- Lacey Dapaul Chip, LLC Diventare Creative

O'Neill and Sons, Tanya Jernigan, DTI, Renee Sunde, City of Olympia, Tim Shaw, ThurstonTalk.com Those who participated in the Chamber’s Membership Event had the opportunity to hear Schaffert share the Chamber's message, garnering support of 240 new members. That message is that the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is made up of the membership, and together, we are building community.

This happens by tackling the tough issues, from transportation to education, creating opportunity and visibility for members and understanding that more members translates into more opportunity for all. The Chamber is a champion of Thurston County, working hard to bring new business and opportunity to our community.

The Thurston County Chamber is our region’s largest chamber serving over 1,350 members, and has been promoting economic prosperity across Thurston County for over 140 years. ●

DK Hair Salon Duncan & Associates Insurance Duncan & Haley, Ltd. Eastside Big Tom Environmental Design, LLC Environmental Woods Ernie's eShipgate Espresso Products Direct Evans Marine Solutions Evergreen Christian Community Evergreen Christian School Evolution Concrete Polishing Fairway Independent Mortgage - Olympia Family Education and Support Services Farmers Insurance - Isaac Lornitzo First Church of Lacey Fitness Ablaze Floor Express, Inc. Forever Lawn GeoEngineers, Inc. Gjurasic, Mark & Benita GK Capital Partners, LLC dba A Street Investments Glacier Gun Club Greene Realty - Jim Hickman Greene Realty - Sterling Stock Greene Realty Group - Jeannine Roe Greene Realty Group-Quint Newell Gundersen Dental Care

H & R Block - McSwain, LLC Hagen, Bates and Edwards Hammerhead MMA Hansen Construction Harbor Wholesale Harding Greens Homestreet Bank - Olympia Home Loan Center Hoopla Events Huelogic I-5 Design & Manufacture Izzy's - Olympia J A Morris Construction, LLC JD Pollard Construction; Jeffrey B. Glander & Associates, PLLC Jera Networks JMG Painting, LLC JNS Restorations, LLC Jocelyn McCabe Public Relations John Erwin Remodeling, Inc. Johnson & Johnson Overhead Door, Inc. Johnson Brothers Landscaping Johnson Integrated Services Joseph Robert's Salon & Massage KACS 90.5/KACW 91.3 Keev Farm, LLC Kiersan Kiperts Korner Feed, LLC Koelsch Senior Communities Kolb Family Investments, LLC Lacey Denture Clinic

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 23

24 • May/June 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

Lacey Roofing, LLC Landau Associates Lemier Phillips Construction Lerch's Flooring & Tile, Inc. Lethal Limbs Academy Lew Rents Eastside Lifetouch Church Division Lossing Construction, LLC Madsen Roofing Materials Testing and Consulting, Inc. McSwain Financial - Best Choice Health Plan Merrill Lynch Mike's Plum Street Automotive Mill Pond Limited Partnership MJR Development Moda Capelli Montgomery Painting MVP Realty Group Mykol Pump & Drilling N2 Publishing Nerium International - McDonald & Phelan New Hope Ministries Normandy Partners 2, LLC Northwest Benefits, Inc. Northwest Family Homes Northwest Officials Northwind Pet Care Center Nova Contracting, Inc. Oliver's Landscaping, LLC Olympia Endodontic Group Olympia Eye Clinic, Inc., PS Olympia Kato Sister City Association

www.thurstonchamber.com

Olympia Seafood Company, The Olympia Transitional Care & Rehab One Washington Financial, LLC Oral Surgery Associates OSG Dozing, LLC. Ostrom Mushroom Farms Outdoors By Design LLC Pacific Medical Centers Painted Palace, The Penrose Physical Therapy Percival Five Pettit Marine, LLC Pioneer Fire & Security, Inc. Pratt, Mike F. Premier Fitness and Weight Loss Prestige Pools Prime Time Partners Principal Financial Group Private Sector Arms, The Puget Western Inc. Purdy Fun Climbing Corp PureSolar PWR Law QCash Financial, LLC Quincy Home Raymond I. Myer Construction, Inc. RB Engineering, Inc. RE/MAX Parkside - Jim Bennett REMAX Professionals - Kathy 'kt' Thompson Restoration Church Rhino Insurance, LLC RJ Development

RJ Homes RM Investment Properties Round Table of Thurston County, The Sayre Law Offices, PLLC Setina Manufacturing Company Inc. Seven Tallon, LLC Shipwreck Cafe Single Handed Consulting Site Response Snap On Tools - Kenny Voss Sound Advantage Realty South Sound Home Loans South Sound Honda Suzuki Polaris South Sound Honda Suzuki Sparks Northwest Insurance Spruce Skin & Wax Shoppe SPSCC - Catering/Events SPSCC Foundation Steamboat Tennis & Athletic Club Stewart Title Company Strategy Insurance Brokers, LLC Studio West Dance Academy Stusser Electric Co. Summit Pacific Medical Center Sunrise Autobody Superclean Janitorial Supply Works Sweet Life Boutique Tanasse Chiropractic, Inc. Chiropractors, D.C. Taurus Industries, Inc. Team Hjelm Real Estate

The Eastside Barber Co., LLC The Next Generation Services Thurston County Title Thurston Thrives Tires, Inc. Top Rung Brewing Co. Town & Country Roofing TownePlace Suites/Marriott Tri-Tec Communications, Inc. The Tronie Foundation Tumwater Citizens For Better Education Tundra Mechanical Tutor Doctor U. S. Healthvest, LLC U. S. Marine Sales Vacation Rental Cabin on Lake St. Clair VATA Commercial Driving School and Fleet Services Vision Health Visiting Angels of Olympia W.E. Davis Co Washington Engage Washington State Correctional Industries Washington State PTA Washington West Fishing Adventures, LLC Weatherbee Construction Wendell Bell Construction Wilder Contractor, Inc. Wimberly Training Woodshed Furniture Workpointe Your Chamber Connection

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 25

WE’RE BUILDING SO YOU CAN, TOO Meet Trevor Zandell, the newest member of the Phillips Burgess team. A summa cum laude graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, Trevor has been serving South Puget Sound legal clients for more than a decade. He will focus his practice on real estate, construction, landlord-tenant, and business law.

tzandell@phillipsburgesslaw.com

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Above, the Thurston Thrives Housing Action Team: Trudy Soucoup, Executive Director, Homes First, Bud Blake, Thurston County Commissioner; Chair of Thurston Thrives Housing Action Team, Aaron Rodriguez, ACR Consulting, Housing Action Team Consultant, Tom Stuebner, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Keith Stahley, Director of Community Planning & Development, City of Olympia, (not pictured) Darlene Hein, Van Dorm Realty, (not pictured) Doug DeForest, Thurston Transit Oriented Development, (not pictured) Derek Harris, Deputy Director, Community Youth Services, Elisa Kaufmann, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services.

Continued from page 15

Finally, CYS creates a bridge between shelters and permanent housing.

“We need a bridge. We can’t get rid of shelters. We have to offer a continuum of support that provides various forms of housing, services and coordinated care from the streets to when they’ve graduated from college to getting their first job,” said Marineau.

Next Steps Owens, Slaughter and Marineau all agree Thurston County needs more affordable housing — both to house the homeless with the Housing First model, but also to help prevent homelessness in the first place.

Blake noted that the Housing Action Team is spearheading an Affordable Housing Pipeline project at the end of April, specifically to address this issue and involve community members in solutions to address this challenge.

The next time you are at a luncheon, a book club or a board meeting and are talking about homelessness in Thurston County — remember these words from Slaughter: “If we as a community can ensure that everyone has safe affordable housing, the services and support they need, and finally destigmatize the issue and understand the causes of homelessness—I believe we can end homelessness” ●

Liz Davis is community coordinator for Thurston Thrives, a countywide effort to involve all residents in creating a strong, healthy and safe community.

“So many people are born into rough circumstances. If someone is working a minimum wage job, they can’t afford market rate housing in our community,” said Davis. “For families, the cost of an average two-bedroom, one-bath apartment is more than someone can afford on two minimum wage jobs. Add in child care costs, and it becomes very difficult to make ends meet.”

Data from the United Way ALICE report that shows that a basic “survival” budget for a family of 4 (two adults, one infant, one preschooler) requires an annual income of $56,136 or $28.07 per hour – the equivalent of approximately three minimum wage jobs.

Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake and Thurston Thrives Housing Action Team chair agrees.

“We simply don’t have enough affordable housing in Thurston County — and it is a problem communities are facing across Washington State,” said Blake. “We want to get people off the street, into housing and working — our entire community benefits from this. The solution, however, is going to take time.

It isn’t fast, but we’re making progress.” www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  May/June 2016 27

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