south whidbey homeless coalition

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Who We Are The South Whidbey Homeless Coalition is an association of neighbors including those who are or have experienced homelessness, local activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed: to prevent and abate homelessness on South Whidbey while protecting each individuals civil rights and filling their immediate needs.

MISSION Empowerment through Community The South Whidbey Homeless Coalition (SWHC) strives to make homelessness a brief and rare experience in our community. We serve as a catalyst for the creation of emergency, transitional and permanent housing, the delivery of services and community advocacy. Article Five of The United Nations Charter of Human Rights asserts that “all people have a right to shelter�.

THE URGENT NEED Though homelessness has been a persistent issue on Whidbey Island, in the local conscience the need was believed to be addressed through the good works of Island County, nonprofit agencies, churches, schools and volunteers.

There are no emergency facilities or shelters in the South Whidbey area. People have been provided for on a one off basis and often redirected to Oak Harbor or off island. Recently the homeless have become visible, pervasive and challenging to the capacity of the community to respond. School data suggest there are 80+ homeless children.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition Page 1

Who We Are The Good Cheer food bank estimates 400 individuals without permanent housing including those who are house surfing and families living with other families searching for appropriate housing arrangements. These are our neighbors. It is for us to provide. “If you walk down the street and see someone in a box you have a choice. That person is either other and you are fearful of them, or that person is an extension of your family�

Susan Sarandon South Whidbey is an economically diverse community which harbors people of myriad backgrounds and varied means. Relatively unnoticed among the island’s scenic attributes is a burgeoning sector of poor and homeless; our neighbors who for one of many reasons, are suffering.

SWHC is a broad community based initiative to recognize the spectrum of needs and fill those gaps in providing essential services. The principal underserved sector of need among our vulnerable neighbors is housing. SWHC efforts to fill this need fall into four areas: Preventing Homelessness - This is the work of a caring community. In particular, this initiative seeks to find ways, both legal and social, to keep people in their homes through trying times and to develop an early warning system by which potential need for shelter may manifest and be addressed. We also educate our neighbors as to the status of homelessness.

Please turn page to learn why so many people are homeless today

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What We Can Do Emergency Immediate Shelter - Finding oneself without a roof overhead and a bed to sleep on is an urgent crisis that can’t be postponed. SWHC envisions that Island County and the church community are best positioned to address this. It’s our work to facilitate their efforts.

Transitional Housing – House of Hospitality For those who find themselves cast adrift, the road back to stability and self-sufficiency may take longer. Creation of a community residence that nurtures its members leverages the gifts of the wider community and provides a road map to independence and security is a central initiative of SWHC. Permanent Housing for the Chronically Vulnerable - We envision purpose-built or converted housing that enables a small community of people to exercise their rights and freedoms in a protected atmosphere which supports them in living life fully. t we would like to do is change the world - make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as God intended for them to do.” Dorothy Day HOW WE WORK The Coalition is made up of approximately 60 concerned citizens from a broad spectrum of the community - schools, food bank, youth programs, vets, churches, business, activists and public sector. The Board of fifteen is drawn from those sectors. It serves in an oversight, advisory and fiscal capacity. The projects of the Coalition are accomplished through working groups.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What We Can Do These committees are coordinated by the Administrative Officer and are often led by a Board member who brings progress and issues for resolution to the Board. SWHC is a legal nonprofit organization and 501(c)(3) (charitable tax deduction) status is in process. Donations are made to the organization currently on a non tax deductible basis. A first year budget is based upon a small stipend to the Administrative Officer with no other personnel costs.

Space rental, events expense, and administrative costs are minimal and internet, communications and information distribution provided gratis.

Donations are applied to reserves to support emergency overnight expense and cost to potentially lease and improve low cost facilities. The initiative depends on volunteer services and the generosity of the community. hat is required of you - is to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly.�

Micah 6:8

OUTCOMES SWHC envisions a time when those who have a need can rely on our community to house them overnight and where, for those who need a while to recover, find work, and pull their lives together, a welcoming place will be available to provide hospitality with dignity and compassion. This is a community that is informed and engaged recognizing that for all of us there are times when we need others in order to get by.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What You Can Do DONATE Cash - Please consider a cash donation to support the work of the South Whidbey Homeless Coalition. We have minimal operating expense but do have administrative costs for business license, post office box, telephone service, mailing, functions, supplies and brochures. We are building a cash reserve for legal fees, insurance, and accounting costs.

Housing - The urgent need is for a donated house suitable for group living. Terms can be flexible to the owners needs - gift, lease, rents. In addition, the Coalition is building a cash reserve to acquire and/or build housing. Reserves are also being accumulated for home conversion, repair, maintenance and operational costs.

Volunteer - Get involved by attending regular coalition meetings, helping prepare and serve the monthly Open Door Cafe dinner, production and distribution of flyers, etc. When special fundraising events are launched, volunteers will be especially helpful. As housing becomes available, volunteers will have an opportunity to assist in upkeep, supervision and odd jobs. Contact us for current volunteer opportunities.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition has filed for 501 C-3 status. The process is overseen by the State of Washington in compliance with IRS regulations. Current wait times for processing are up to two years. We are seeking your generous help so our work can begin immediately. Tax deductible status will follow as soon as possible.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What You Can Do

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What You Can Do Please consider donating a home, a manufactured home a camper, a travel trailer , vacant land or a continuum We could also sell an estate furnishing and clothing

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

What You Can Do

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Click Pictures Below For Homeless Stories I had an encounter today I would like to share with you. These are happening on a much more frequent basis. I believe when we direct our energy toward something the universe seems to interact. Plus my work at Good Cheer has shown me the face of the homeless on a regular basis.

My energy currently is focused on establishing a home where those without shelter can lay their head for a space of time and gather strength in community before heading back out into the world. We all need one another. I will try and post each encounter without breaking any anonymity. These are encounters with the divine so I believe they are to be shared. Blessings.

As I got on the bus to Langley from Bayview the driver greeted me and then asked a man who I sat in front of if he was getting off in Langley or what? The man appeared to have been sleeping or shutting his eyes. He answered that he 'did not know where he was going, he had not figured it out yet. I said to him about 'yeah, it's hard to figure things out sometimes.'' He then stated 'it's hard to figure things out when you don't know where you are going to sleep at night."

Well folks, there stands before you a couple of primary issues the homeless face. Where to sleep safely at night, and where to hang their hat during the daylight hours.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Homeless Persons Stories It was heartbreaking to see the anguish on this man's face, as he tried his hardest to not lose his image as a strong person. I shared with this man that there were some very wonderful citizens of island county who were working hard to make sure that this dilemma will be resolved here in our community soon.

That led to a conversation with a woman on the bus who shared with the man and I how she and her daughter had once been on the waiting list for a shelter when she was homeless. Her story touched this man and his spirit was lifted and it showed in his eyes when I got off the bus.

What a blessed encounter and I will see him again for sure. It's a small island. It is my heartfelt hope that before 2014 is over we will have a House of Hospitality here on the south end of our island.

Please send out prayers and light to help keep this vision alive friends.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Homeless Persons Here are two local stories...one from an adult who stayed the House of Hospitality in our community back in the 80's and 90's, and the other from the child of a mother who stayed there. This child is now a loving father of two children of his own. Both these stories bear testimony to the enduring legacy of a community that cares for it's homeless. We need another such home here.

JamesBartz I am on it Girl! Maybe perspective from a child who spent a little time there would diversify the testimonials a bit. I still drive by that house occasionally and say a little prayer, and give a little internal thank you. and God Bless you Judy. Until a person knows what it is like to not have a bed to sleep in every night, it is easier to blame homelessness on laziness or drugs. The truth of the matter is, that almost 80% of our nations homeless were in foster care systems at one point or another. Children Folks!....and, To live in a country that lets so many children slip through the cracks makes me feel very sad, ashamed, and heartbroken.

PaulaButcher Once upon a time there was a place to live with other women who were all in the same situation; Homeless! (Reasons ranged from Domestic Abuse, Drugs, Alcohol, or just being a young adult with a child).

This place was a normal house amongst the neighborhood that had Women of all ages, some with children and some with none, living in a respectful harmony of safety. Everyone living there were given chores that were rotated amongst them along with their own clean up after yourself daily chores too like making your own bed.

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Homeless Persons Stories The bathrooms and the kitchen were shared and cleaned by all. Respect was the first rule of this house, along with no drugs, alcohol or fighting. They all had to sign a rental contract and pay a fee to stay there depending on their situation. Some women stayed for a month and some stayed longer depending on how soon they could find their own place, and get back on their feet. Some had a harder time trying to function in this harsh world, but there was always help out there for them.

When you feel you've hit rock bottom and there is no hope, you get pretty sad and depressed and you cry a lot. You feel unloved, ashamed and you think there is no one around supporting you. Face it, you feel it's hopeless. But it's not, there are good people out there, strangers who care and who want to help. But there needs to be more giving strangers to help build, donate and supply help to those people who have fallen onto hard time like domestic abuse. Giving of your time, energy, or money to non-profit agency helps to guide a person to stand on their own and bring back their dignity of self worth. Even just giving a comforting conversation helps boosts a persons self esteem. So please people, giving of yourself could safe a life.

I myself was one of those women who needed a safe place to live, who needed support, love and a roof over her head and a warm bed to sleep in. I had a one year old child too who was my life force to getting stronger inside and to feel like a human being again and not a doormat to be walked on over and over again. (please turn page to continue)

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Homeless Persons Stories It was my child and my faith that got me stronger inside this safe house home called the Genesis House. It was also the guidance of others that I met who came to help me go through this transition so I could survive and stand on my own two feet once again. I started to feel better when I finally got a place of my own, and then I went back to college and finished my first AA degree in Liberal Arts. Then I got a job and things started to get even better. I had the opportunity to build my own house with assistants from the Housing Authority and another non-profit organization, but I ended up moving away. I am always thankful that I have a roof over my head no matter where I am, and I will always give back to others who need it. It's been over 22 years since I have lived in the Genesis house, and for the last 17 years I have volunteered my time and energy to help others where ever the need is: Feeding, rebuilding, teaching or just helping with grocery shopping for my neighbors, I give back.

I've come along way with many years of college education and degrees because I didn't give up on myself or on my child to have a better and safer live. I hate that I had to go through a terrible abusive situation and struggle through this when a year before I had a great paying job with benefits, and a much safer life with no soap opera drama to follow. I just had to get back on track with my life and go forward with my goals. But I think we all have to go through some trials in life, some have harder ones to walk through then others do. It's just another lesson to learn that helps you grow. My lesson was to learn to read the signs and to stay away from those "Red Flags". I was blind yes, I was in

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Homeless Persons Stories It's just another lesson to learn that helps you grow. My lesson was to learn to read the signs and to stay away from those "Red Flags". I was blind yes, I was in love too. But I also felt trapped and had no control over my life, so I thought. Lesson learned. Never again will I be a doormat to be stomped on, but I will always welcome those over mine in front of my door Another Persons Story Ah Summer, time for sun and beach and camping out!! And this little campsite seems a perfect spot away for a time from the hustle and bustle of the 'real' world. In reality however, this is the home of a person here on south Whidbey who has no home, other than this tent.

One of our wonderful and caring coalition members found this campsite on a small piece of property they own near Langley. What did they do when they saw their property had been violated this way? Well they did what every caring and compassionate person might do. Left them a sweet note inviting them to our Coalitions next monthly meal, along with some water and a bit of food they had in their car. They also intend to follow up and see what other resources and help they can be for this person.

If we had our House of Hospitality already this individual could have packed up their gear (when they had enough of Mother nature!) and been welcomed to a safe, warm home to lay their head. Camping out in the woods is cool, but for women particularly, this is not a safe place to live. These stories are just a few of many persons who are homeless, we would appreciate your donation to help south Whidbey homeless!

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

Sponsors Page Click Logos To View Their Information

Cheers Thrifts Stores - Langley and Clinton

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South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

We ‘re Affiliated With Many Local Church's We are affiliated with many local south Whidbey church's who also have a passion to help homeless people. Some of the churches have provided housing in church buildings We working with them in hopes they will provide homeless housing.

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South Whidbey Homeless Coalition

South Whidbey Homeless Coalition