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In the Works
Multifaith Works Quarterly Newsletter - Summer 2006 |
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In
this Issue
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Multifaith Works Programs
To learn more about all five primary Multifaith Works programs, please
call us at 206.324.1520 or email
info@multifaith.org.
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MAPS Housing:
Safe, secure community housing for 27 low-income persons in our five
homes for people living with AIDS.
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Ariel MS House:
Wheelchair accessible housing for 5 persons living with MS.
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AIDS CareTeams:
Practical support and friendship to 75 persons through our 42 AIDS
CareTeams comprising over 375 volunteers.
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Shanti:
Intensive emotional support to over 300 persons through our 90 Shanti
volunteers.
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Multifaith Alliance of
Reconciling Communities: Provides lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgendered persons access to over 100 welcoming
congregations via the MARC faith directory.
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Issue
Spotlight:
Multifaith Works Housing Program
Program Shifts from Transitional to
Transformational Housing Model
While clients address their own
physical and emotional needs, we offer life skills education, healthy lifestyle
coaching, and resources for additional services, such as counseling and job
training.
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Lydia Assefa Dawson, JJ Kiser, and Skip Felscher
are new Housing Program Staff Members |
For the past 18 years, Multifaith Works has provided supportive
transitional housing. We have housed over 370 individuals in our five community
homes for people living with AIDS, and one home for people living with multiple
sclerosis.
We are now changing our model in order to enhance the lives of our
clients: we encourage our residents to take an additional step we call transformation.
To this end, we offer clients the opportunity and tools to
change through self-assessment and goal setting. By establishing tangible goals
measured at three month intervals, residents obtain the skills necessary to move
toward independent living. While clients address their own physical and
emotional needs, we offer life skills education, healthy lifestyle coaching, and
resources for additional services, such as counseling and job training. With
this shift, we believe that our residents will be more successful once they
leave our facilities for permanent housing.
In addition, Ravenna House is dedicated to clean and sober
housing. This home provides an environment for clients who wish to remove
themselves from the lifestyle of drug and alcohol abuse. We collaborate closely
with these residents, and they are expected to work with partnering agencies for
counseling and treatment.
The Multifaith Works Housing Program Staff includes:
• Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Housing Program Director
• Skip Felscher, Resident Advisor, Beacon House
• Rudy Gonzalez, Resident Advisor, Ravenna House
• JJ Kiser, Housing Support Specialist
• Fernando Luna, House Manager, Casa Luis
• Ed Shields, House Manager, Hillman House
• Dan Tuttle, House Manager, Gwen Beighle House
We take the needs of our residents very seriously, and we
strive to make a difference in their lives. By shifting to a transformational
housing model, we hope to provide clients with resources that allow them to
thrive once they leave our homes and continue to live as members of our
community of compassion.
There is Hope
Because of the Multifaith Works Housing
Program, I am in a safe and clean environment with others who are in the same
position as myself.
by Nicky, Gwen Beighle House Resident
My name is Nicky, and I am a resident of the Multifaith Works Gwen Beighle
House. I am a native of Fort Lauderdale. I lived
in Connecticut for a time, and have been in Washington for a little over three
years. I have worked most of my life as a hair
color specialist, and since living in Washington, I have worked in retail.
Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, on January 1st, I
became homeless. It is important for someone reading this to understand that I
am no different from them. I have always had a job, a home, and a car. This was
the first time in my life I found myself without a place to lay my head. I was
terrified. I sank into a deep depression, and had no desire to go on living.
Having virtually no family, I had no one to turn to.
Luckily, through the tireless efforts of a caring social worker
and housing advocate, I was connected with Multifaith Works. Because of the
Multifaith Works Housing Program, I am in a safe and clean environment with
others who are in the same position as myself. This has helped me to cope with
my situation and realize there is hope.
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You Are Invited
to Pride 2006 |
Let There Be Pride:
Interfaith Pride Service
Sunday, June 18th at 5 pm
Temple de Hirsch Sinai, 1511 East Pike, Capitol Hill
Featuring music by the Seattle Women’s Chorus, Diverse Harmony, and the
Temple’s Rock Shabbat Ensemble. Sponsored by the
Religious Coalition for Equality (RCE).
Reception sponsored by Multifaith Works: if you are interested in
baking cookies for the reception, please contact Multifaith Works at
206.324.1520 x221 or
info@multifaith.org. For further
information about the service, please contact
RCE at 206.930.6253 or
info@religiouscoalition-wa.org
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Dignity's Pride
Breakfast
Saturday, June 24th, 8 am - 12 noon
Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Avenue, Capitol Hill
This delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast is only $5. There will also be a
raffle for many fabulous prizes.Sponsored by Dignity/Seattle LGBT Catholics. Proceeds benefit Multifaith
Works and Verbena. Through the years, Dignity has donated over $20,000 to
Multifaith Works. For tickets and information, please contact
Dignity/Seattle at 206.325.7314. |
We Need YOU at the
Pride Parade!
Sunday, June 25th at 10am
Meet at Multifaith Works, 1801 12th Avenue Suite A, Capitol Hill
Please note that the
parade route takes place downtown this
year.We need at least 40 walkers to distribute giveaways along the parade
route. Please help us!! If you are willing to walk, please contact us at
206.324.1520 x221 or info@multifaith.org. |
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Beacon House CareTeam Volunteers,
Residents, and Staff |
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Multifaith Works Annual Picnic
Sunday, July 16th, 2 to 4 pm
at Hillman House
Featuring music from the Seattle Central Community Jazz Orchestra
Join us in celebration of
our volunteers and supporters who build a community of compassion among
those living with AIDS, MS or other life threatening illness.
Plenty of food will be
provided, but if you feel inspired to bring a dish, please contact us!
Directions will be mailed in June. Sponsored by the
Multifaith Works Board of Directors.
Please help us plan ahead by
making a reservation by July 10th:
206.324.1520 x303 or info@multifaith.org. |
Jack's Memorial
As I drove home, I felt re-committed to all we do to build a community of
compassion for our residents...
Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Housing Program Director
One Tuesday in March, “Jack,” one of our residents, passed away at Hillman
House. Jack had been accepted into our program a week earlier, and I hadn’t yet
had a chance to meet him. Even the other residents didn’t know much about him,
and during his week at the house, he had kept to himself.
A few weeks later, I drove to
Jack’s memorial service. I have attended several memorial services and
funerals, but this one impacted me very differently. I arrived on time at
3:00, but the service had not begun. I went back to my van to write a card
for the family. A few people were congregated outside, and I went inside
when I saw people walking into the chapel.
The pastor was praying when I
walked in, so I stood at the door and spotted a good place to sit. As soon
as he was done with his prayer, he thanked us for coming and dismissed us
to the reception. What? It’s already over? What happened? What did I miss?
There were approximately 20
people present. First I approached Jack’s father, introduced myself and
expressed my condolences. The only response I got was “Ya.” Jack’s son was
in shackles, escorted by two prison guards. He was eating what was in
front of him as fast as he possibly could, so I didn’t get to visit with
him. I had previously spoken to Jack’s ex-mother-in-law on the phone. She
was very appreciative that I showed up, but couldn’t talk to me for long.
She needed to chat with her grandson before he was whisked away to prison.
The entire service lasted
approximately ten minutes. A life gone, and this was his celebration and
mourning - with no sharing of stories or memories. Did any body really
know Jack? Did they care? Did his life matter or mean anything to them? I
was there to support the family and to represent Multifaith Works, while
at the same time to learn about this individual. I left not knowing any
more than what we have on file at the office.
People like Jack deserve the
supportive community that our Multifaith Works Housing Program offers.
Their lives should be honored and remembered. As I drove home, I felt
re-committed to all we do to build a community of compassion for our
residents, allowing each person to know that they are loved and deserve to
live, and die, with dignity and respect.
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Supporting Multifaith Works |
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Multifaith
Merchandise
 Ahura Peace Necklaces
"Ahura" is derived from the
Zoroastrianism meaning, "Good Spirit" or "Angel." 16" pewter chain with 4"
extension, 11 pewter faith symbol charms. $25 each. Click on image for a larger
photo.
 Hozho Peace Necklaces
Hozho is the Navajo work for "A
way of life." Eleven pewter faith symbol charms
dangle from a black waxed cotton cord that adjusts from 16" to 14."
$25 each. Click on image for a larger
photo.
Multifaith Works mugs, Tshirts, hats,
Jewish & Christian AIDS Pins, and more...
Please click
for further information about other multifaith merchandise.
How to Order
To order any of these items, please mail a check made payable to Multifaith Works at
1801 - 12th Ave. Suite A, Seattle, WA 98122. Please write the item and quantity in the memo line. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are also accepted. For more information, call
206.324.1520 x221 or email
info@multifaith.org
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Where There’s a
Will...
by Gary Southerton, Development
DirectorDid you know that one of the most important financial documents you should have
is a will? Yet six out of ten people don’t have one. Because of this, many
families are left in financial and legal limbo after the death of a loved one.
Without a will, the state decides what will be done with your estate, rather
than you. If you wish to control what happens to your finances, then preparing a
will is very important.
Another
important reason for having a will is to ensure that the vital work of
non-profits will continue. Many people have made certain that people living with
AIDS will be supported in the future by designating Multifaith Works in their
will.
If you would like to learn how to
prepare a will, obtain legal services, or leave a gift to Multifaith Works,
please contact Gary Southerton at 206.324.1520 x229 or
gary@multifaith.org.
Got a Car to Donate?
Multifaith Works is now able to accept donations
of cars, whether running or not. Simply call Corrie at 206.324.1520 x235 or
email info@multifaith.org. Once we
obtain the necessary information about your car or truck, an auction/towing
company will arise for pickup, title transfer, and voila: you get a tax credit
and Multifaith Works gets a cash donation.
As a housing provider, Multifaith
Works is always seeking houses to develop into supportive homes for people
living with AIDS and other illnesses. Receiving a house in donation, or
rent-free for a number of years cuts our development costs significantly, which
in turn means we are able to put a new home "on line" in much shorter
time. So, if you have a house to spare, running or not, please consider donating
it to Multifaith Works. |
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Wish
List
If you have items to donate, please call
206.324.1520 x235 or
email info@multifaith.org
Leftover lanscaping
materials:
Timbers • Bricks • Stones • Fencing Materials • Shade tolerant plants
Adhesive backed flip chart paper • VCR’s • DVD players • Lamps • Comforters •
Towels
In good working condition: Dish Washer • Clothes Washer • Clothes Dryer
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THANK YOU
We are
very grateful
to the following for their recent financial contributions to Multifaith
Works:
Congregations: All Pilgrims
Christian • Church of the Holy Spirit Catholic • Epiphany Episcopal •
Fauntleroy Church United Church of Christ (UCC) • First United Methodist
of Auburn Inglewood Presbyterian • Lake Burien Presbyterian Church •
Mary Queen Of Peace Catholic • Newport Presbyterian • Open Door Ministries
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic • Queen Anne Christian • Sacred Heart
Catholic • Seattle First Baptist •
St. Andrew Presbyterian • St. Andrew’s Lutheran • St. Vincent De Paul
Catholic • Temple Beth Am • University Congregational UCC • University
Temple United Methodist • Wallingford United Methodist
Foundations & Corporations: Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation Matching Gifts Program • Costco Wholesale • RBC
Dain Rauscher Foundation • Rosen Family Foundation
• Washington Mutual Matching Gifts Program
Thanks to our "Many Voices, One Song"
sponsors: Bioscrip Pharmacy • HomeStreet Bank • Kelley-Ross Pharmacy •
KBCS 91.3FM • KPTK AM1090 • Hamrick Investment Counsel • Herrera
Environmental Consultants • IKEA • Karol King
Swedish Medical Center • North Pacific Organ & Sound • Paragon
Investment Management • Douglas Kopp • QA Advanced Dentistry • Symetra
Financial • MetMeds Pharmacy • Berk and Associates • Rev. Debra Jarvis •
Dr. Felix Marcial, DDS • Adams Insurance Agency • GILEAD Sciences Inc. •
Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) • Hoffner, Fisher, & Harvey
Funeral Home • Third Place Books • Capitol Hill Walgreens • Samarya Center
• Cafe Argento • Estetica Arthur’s • Galerias Restaurant Torero’s Mexican
Food
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Through your continued
generosity, Multifaith Works continues to provide quality group housing to
low-income people who are living with AIDS, MS or other life-threatening
illnesses. In addition, your generosity helps us mobilize over 550
volunteers who work to improve the lives of our clients by providing
practical and emotional support.
In the Works
is published online and in print four times per year. To receive this newsletter
via email, or for further information, please contact Multifaith Works at
info@multifaith.org or 206.324.1520 x221.
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