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Issued today by the Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA Western Region...
Statement Against Racial Violence:
We, the Roman Catholic Womenpriests and supporters of the Western Region of the USA, mourn the lives lost to racial violence and condemn systems of oppression. We grieve with George Floyd’s family, Ahmaud Arbery’s family, Breonna Taylor’s family, and all families who have lost loved ones to senseless and racist acts.
Our hearts are in solidarity with those who experience the continuing effects of widespread historical systemic racism. We condemn racism in the United States, and in particular, the escalation of racial violence we have recently witnessed. We affirm that Black Lives Matter. White Catholics must stand in solidarity with the black community so that not one more person is murdered because of the color of their skin.
With grieving, yet hopeful hearts, we renew our personal commitments in both prayer and action. We commit to the work that must be done to make the Gospel Justice a reality. We call on our local and national leaders to stand with the oppressed and assure justice for all people of color by changing the systems that allow racist structures to continue. We demand concrete actions to put an end to the deeply rooted and deadly sin of racism in this country.
Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth.
Concerned Clergy of Olympia stands in solidarity with all People of Color in our community, particularly our beloved Black community whose sacred lives and safety we must center at this moment in time. We acknowledge the legacy of violence in the United States against People of Color, and we commit to actively work to peaceably bring forth racial justice and dignity.
Our faith traditions tell stories of liberation from oppression and command us to love the vulnerable, the poor, and the immigrant; they remind us that we are all one shared humanity, require that we share and fairly distribute resources, and uphold the values of peace, justice, mercy, and compassion.
We reiterate the values of our faith traditions and those embodied in the Olympia Charter for Compassion (www.olycompassion.org) and call upon our local leadership to do the same.
Olympia Charter for Compassion
www.olycompassion.org
We work to build a community that welcomes and respects the unique gifts brought by all who make up our diverse Olympia community.The latest from Joan Chittister...
us6.forward-to-friend.com
Read this reflection on Pentecost in which Sister Joan remarks that "we are living now with a torch in our hands, however dark the darkness."From NCR...
Path to priesthood leads Ohio woman to create community at Hildegard Haus
www.ncronline.org
Fairport Harbor, about 30 miles east of Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie, has a naturally ecumenical flavor. The village covers 1 square mile and is home to some 3,000 people and nine churches. T...A fire raged in downtown Olympia Thursday night, destroying the Quality Inn Hotel. Fourteen families from the Family Support Center were being housed there during the pandemic. No one was harmed, but everything they owned was lost. Here's how you can help...WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! As many of you probably know by now, there was a devastating fire at the Quality Inn last night. However, most of you probably do not know that Family Support Center was hosting 14 families at the Quality Inn as part of the agency’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. Last night 38 children and parents were awoken in the middle of the night with only moments to get to safety. Many of these families, who were already in crisis, have now lost everything. Thankfully, with the work of many, many people, everyone made it out safe and all our families were able to sleep in a safe, warm bed last night. However, now more than ever, THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
They have an immediate need for two things – electronic/digital gift cards and essential supplies. Electronic gift cards can be purchased at the locations listed below and emailed to natalies@fscss.org. Essential supplies include diapers, wipes, formula, non-perishable foods, and easily microwaveable foods (cup of soup, mac and cheese, cup of noodle, etc.). Donations can be dropped off at the main office (3545 7th AVE SW, Olympia WA 98502) M-W-F from 10am-2pm. .
We know that is was not only our families that were impacted, and our hearts go out to everyone else who was staying at the Quality Inn last night. We are extremely thankful to the staff at the Quality Inn for all they have done for our families, for the hard work of the of the fire departments that responded as well other first-responders in attendance, to Intercity Transit for sending buses at 2am, and for our strong partnership with the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services who helped ensure our families had somewhere to sleep last night.
Electronic/digital gifts cards can be purchased from the following locations. $50 and $25 increments work best. Please have them emailed to natalies@fscss.org.
Walmart – giftcards.walmart.com/ip/Basic-Blue-Walmart-eGift-Card/653984410
Target – www.giftcardmall.com/e-gift-cards/target-egift-card
Safeway – www.giftcards.com/safeway-gift-card
Fred Meyer – does not do e-gift cards but you can buy them online and have them sent to our office free of charge! - giftcards.kroger.com/our-store-cards/fred-meyer
Financial contributions are also welcome: portals.compass-360.org/Compass360WebUserServices08/org=fscss.org/request=campaignGeneralPortal/c...
Lots of interesting (virtual) stuff coming up at the Priory in the next few days and weeks...
www.stplacid.org
As of March 14, the programs and retreats that we usually offer, except for now the ones farther out on the calendar, have been canceled or postponed due to current coronavirus precautions. We are offering some retreats and programs via ZOOM–so that you can stay safely at home and still enjoy some...From the womensordination.org...
www.womensordination.org
I am writing during “Laudato Si’ Week”, the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter:The Priory has some interesting online programs starting this weekend...
www.stplacid.org
As of March 14, the programs and retreats that we usually offer, except for now the ones farther out on the calendar, have been canceled or postponed due to current coronavirus precautions. We are offering some retreats and programs via ZOOM–so that you can stay safely at home and still enjoy some...A letter from the Thurston County Health Officer...
Thurston County Health Officer: Dr. Yu COVID-19 Letter to the Community - ThurstonTalk
www.thurstontalk.com
Diana Yu, MD, MSPH, Acting Thurston County Health Officer gives updates and answers questions about COVID-19 in Thurston County.An update from Just Housing...
Dear friends and family of Just Housing Olympia,
docs.google.com
Dear friends and family of Just Housing Olympia, We hope you all are doing well and feeling supported in taking care of yourself and your loved ones during these trying times. Over the last few weeks, we have continued working with our community partners to help ensure that our houseless commun...May 3 is Vocation Sunday...
Vocations Sunday 2020 – Women's Ordination Conference
www.womensordination.org
As we prepare for Vocations Sunday, May 3, the world is entirely different than what we could have imagined even just months ago. We cannot gather together as we have for years, standing proudly and publicly as we call for the recognition of women’s vocations to the priesthood.Wednesday, March 25th marks the 26th annual World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination. This concerted, global action is celebrated on the Feast of the Annunciation and together we will honor Mary's "yes" to God to bear Christ for the world and celebrate the women who courageously say "yes, I am called" to priestly ministry.
Help increase SNAP benefits during the economic turbulence...
Increase SNAP Benefits for those affected by COVID-19
act.sojo.net
The Senate is in final negotiations around its new $2 trillion stimulus package in response to COVID-19. Low income workers and families at economic risk are those most likely to be impacted by the economic fallout from the continued spread of COVID-19.Wise words from the virus...
youtu.be
#LISTEN Just stop, freeze, don't move. It's not a request this time, it's an order. I'm here to help you. This breakneck rollercoaster is running off its rai...An action alert from Sojourners...
COVID-19: Urge your members of Congress to offer bolder leadership, focused on impacted communities
act.sojo.net
The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to deepen for millions of people in this country and around the world. Legislators are now negotiating another $1 trillion stimulus package aimed at the economic and financial impacts of the coronavirus.Reposting a note from Just Housing on the virus situation... sorry about the formatting error in the previous version
docs.google.com
Dear community, As you know, the first originating case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Thurston County. Just Housing Olympia (JHO) will be working with Partners in Prevention Education (PiPE) and others involved with the Greater Regional Outreach Workers League (GROWL) to support our unhoused nei...Some Priory offerings are online...
www.stplacid.org
As of March 14, the programs and retreats that we usually offer, except for now the ones farther out on the calendar, have been canceled or postponed due to current coronavirus precautions. We are offering some retreats and programs via ZOOM–so that you can stay safely at home and still enjoy some...Coming in May...
www.cwstrike.org
Join Catholic Women Strike for a month of coordinated, global, prophetic demonstration or witnesses demanding women’s equality in the Roman Catholic Church.Details on tonight's e-mass...
PLEASE NOTE: Due to coronavirus concerns all masses and other gatherings are canceled until further notice. For the latest updates, read the latest edition of our email newsletter.
www.holywisdomicc.org
Newsletter archive To review our archive, click on a newsletter or mass announcement below. Chants are found in the contemplative mass listings. Subscribe to our newsletter Holy Wisdom publishes a monthly newsletter, and also sends out occasional reminders about masses and links to readings and othe...The latest Sidewalk newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
(Sorry for the duplicate e-mail – there was a bug and nobody was able to click through to the main article. Got that fixed! -Kento)From the San Diego Union Tribune...
Rev. Kori Pacyniak leading the way as transgender and nonbinary priest
enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com
The conversation began in typical fashion, with a question many grandparents ask: “When you grow up,” Kori Pacyniak’s grandmother wondered, “what would you like to be?”More shots of the foot care crew in LA, courtesy of ace photographer Mike Wisniewski
Coming up in a couple weeks...
www.waisn.org
Together, we will speak in one voice to say that immigrants and refugees make Washington a better place to live, work, and thrive.HW COMMUNITY MEETING CANCELLED TONIGHT
If you have comments regarding the End-of-Life Sessions scheduled in February or the rewording of our Welcome/Who We Are Statement, please email Diane.
Thanks.
The latest Interfaith Works Newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
Farewell This marks the farewell to 2019 and my farewell to the organization. The past eighteen months that I’ve served as Co-Executive Director have been very rewarding. I am grateful for all the many experiences shared with so many wonderful people, especially at community wide interfaith ...SideWalk's newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Thank you to all of our donors who gave during the Give Local campaign. Because of your generous financial support, SideWalk raised $14,565! Combined with our expected Incentive Fund boost, we expect that in three weeks we raised enough to help at least 19 people escape the streets of Olympia.As we prepare for Christmas, we acknowledge the Christ, here and yet to come, with the most ancient of titles, Holy Wisdom! May we have the courage to receive Holy Wisdom and allow her transformative power to work through us for the healing of the world.
www.womensordination.org
Today, December 17, we begin the O Antiphons that lead us for the next sevenHo Ho Hobos will be outside Duck The Malls today, at the Capitol Theater, 206 East 5th Ave. from 11-4:00! They’re also very close to having sales/sales updates up at hohohobos.com Roving sales crews are out, but as ever, they are hard to predict where they will be.
Every December since 2015, Ho-Ho-Hobos has provided jobs on the streets by employing homeless folks to make and sell Christmas wreaths (and now toys and ornaments!). Their model is to work with the street community to empower unhoused leadership. By engaging people not only making wreaths (paid), but also organizing and facilitating the project (unpaid), they’ve fostered a sense of ownership, self-worth, and pride.
What started one winter in a fireworks stand on loan from a Nisqually elder is now coming into their 5th season. Along the way, they’ve had a small impact in the lives of hundreds of wreath makers, and a much larger impact on a smaller handful of fully engaged participants.
Statement from the bishops on policy priorities is here: docs.google.com/document/d/19D5AJpaLyZ1obG0fOXMbkTP0qdIoMITqO3_csK3Scpc/edit
Centering prayer and mass will proceed as normal on Saturday but the potluck has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with St. B's. We will, however, be rolling beeswax Advent candles after mass as planned. The cost is $6 for a set of four candles. Multiple colors will be available.
The latest SideWalk newsletter is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Last year, SideWalk volunteers helped Brian move into a new home in Lacey. He wrote in recently to let us know how he's doing.Community Kitchen donations...
Catholic Community Services' Community Kitchen
spsgives.org
Help feed your hungry neighbors three meals 365 days a year.The quarterly justice journal A Matter of Spirit is out...
Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center » A Matter of Spirit
www.ipjc.org
A Matter of Spirit A Matter of Spirit (AMOS) is the quarterly justice journal of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center with analysis, theological reflection and action on justice issues. Our Governing Council selects four topics for the year, which are then given to our Editorial Board to determ...News from Sidewalk...
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
This is a tremendous achievement, and we’re proud of that. Every time we help a person experiencing homelessness move in to a new home, we change their life.First Christian Church is hosting a cold weather shelter in Koinonia Hall this week from 7 p.m.-7a.m. They are in need of blankets, healthy snacks and volunteers for the evening hours. Please drop off any donations during the evening hours at First Christian Church at 701 Franklin St. SE Olympia, or if you're available to help please call their office at 360-943-8025. This is a temporary shelter until November 1st when the county's cold weather shelters will begin. Thank you for your willingness to help those who are in need.
Ho-Ho-Hobos are in need of a location...
Ho-Ho-Hobos Petition for Space
secure.avaaz.org
Every December since 2015, Ho-Ho-Hobos has provided jobs on the streets by employing homeless folks to make and sell Christmas wreaths. Our model is to work with the street community to empower unhoused leadership. By engaging people not only making wreaths (paid), but also organizing and facilitati...The latest Interfaith Works newsletter is out...
us3.campaign-archive.com
Please join us for an afternoon of sharing and friendship around the theme of sacred gratitude, that giving thanks is a holy act. There will be Interfaith readings by faith and community leaders, Interfaith musical selections, and after the hour-long program, we will gather for informal fellowship ...This just in...
Another Path Opens? | Women's Ordination Conference: The Table
www.womensordination.org
Women's Ordination Conference works for women's ordination as priests and bishops into a renewed priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.Theology courses available...
People's Catholic Seminary Courses Available Now
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
(C) Mary Theresa Streck People's Catholic Seminary offers courses in contemporary theology and programs for spiritual enrichment. The...Statement on climate change from the RCWP bishops...
docs.google.com
Statement on Care of Creation We, the undersigned Roman Catholic Women Bishops of North America, express our support for international efforts to care for creation, to protect the environment and reduce the causes of climate change. We support the youth of the world like Greta Thunberg who are sp...Side Walk's latest...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
Last month, SideWalk started our new Peer Supported Rapid Rehousing program for our most vulnerable participants. I'm excited to tell you more about it.The Interfaith Works newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
THE GRAND OLY OPRY Friends it is that time again... summer is a’comin’ and Olympia’s premiere summer hoedown is right around the corner. So, dust off those hats, polish up those boots, and get ready for the best booty-shakin’, skirt-twirlin’, whiskey-swillin’ hootenanny all summer!Hello members of Olympia-area faith communities, service providers, advocacy groups, and others,
We are forwarding you as an FYI our urgent appeal to the Olympia City Council for a pause on the sweep of the 4th Ave bridge camp presently scheduled to take place at 8 AM Wednesday, Sept 11. We invite you to consider sending your own appeal to the Council and to senior City staff using the recipient addresses in the letter below. (We have also attached a set of talking points for your consideration.)
We also encourage you to consider attending the City Council meeting at 7 PM this Tuesday, September 10, where the Council will be considering a motion to pause this sweep. If you wish to speak to the Council during the public comment period, you need to show up between 6:30 and 7 PM to sign up.
If the Council does not pause this sweep, we also invite you to show up at the 4th Ave bridge camp before 8 AM the following day, Sept 11, to be present as a witness or to assist camp residents in trying to save their belongings.
Thank you from Just Housing Olympia for all that you do for our community. For more information contact:
Tye Gundel 206-653-5739 tyegundel1994@gmail.com
Regon Unsoeld 360-349-1168 runsoeld@gmail.com
Rabbi Seth Goldstein on sanctuary...
Pursuing Justice in Word and Action, Together
rabbi360.com
This week’s Torah portion contains the powerful and clear call to justice and righteousness: “Justice, justice you shall pursue!” (Deuteronomy 16:20) We read these words after Moses implores the Is...Temple Beth Hatfiloh now is offering sanctuary to a mother and son from Guatemala.
Facing deportation, a mother and son seek sanctuary at Olympia synagogue
www.theolympian.com
A year after declaring itself a sanctuary congregation, Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia officially acted on that decision Thursday, announcing it would protect an immigrant woman and her son from Guatemala.Interesting conference coming up...
Building More Just Communities - Call To Action
cta-usa.org
West Coast Regional Conference Doubletree Hotel Sacramento, CA October 4-5, 2019 Come join us for a weekend of friendship, inspiration, community, and liturgy. We will be presenting longtime friends of CTA (Roy Bourgeois and Ched Myers) as well as speakers who are new to our gatherings, with an emph...Bishop's letter about the situation on the border...
docs.google.com
We, the undersigned Bishops of the International Circle of Roman Catholic Women Bishops express our anguish, sadness and incredulity at the current treatment of children at international borders of the United States. We speak out against any failure to provide adequate water, food, clothing, be...The Eucharist is about more than Christ becoming present...
The Eucharist is about more than Christ becoming present
www.ncronline.org
There has been a lot of clerical hand-wringing of late about Catholics who don’t believe what the church teaches about Christ’s presence in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. According to the&nb...Sign on to the Pastoral Letter on the El Paso Shootings
Sign on to the Pastoral Letter on the El Paso Shootings
action.groundswell-mvmt.org
Mr. President, we recognize that you are a symptom of our decaying moral fabric and you have ignited a modern day wildfire. The coals of white nationalism are always smoldering in our common life, and they have fueled the violence of indigenous genocide, slavery, lynching and Jim Crow. Stop stoking....The IW newsletter is out...
mailchi.mp
In February of this year, Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) supported my trip to Tijuana to provide witness on Meeting’s behalf to migrants who had traveled from Central America to the US southern border last Fall. Turned back by US Border Patrol or deported by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enfor...Coming off of a horrible weekend...
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
A Prayer In Response to Gun Violence "Let us lament with all those who are touched by gun violence Let us lament the shooter’s choice...Coming Tuesday: This very large youth group from Los Altos, CA United Methodist Church will visit Olympia and perform this show on July 30. A free will offering will be taken to support the work of our Refugee Ministry Team, currently supporting an 8 member family from the DR Congo.
Despite the warmth, sunshine, and summer festivities, Just Housing, local government entities, and other community groups have not slowed down our efforts to address our region's housing and homelessness crisis.
In light of what is happening at our boarders and with the ICE raids, this new song by David Haas can help us in our prayers during this difficult time. It's called: Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children.
Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children (David Haas)
m.youtube.com
Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Music: Copyright © 2019 by David Haas/Emmaus Communications. Icon by Kelly Latimore ...The latest Walk the Walk is out...
Walk The Walk - SideWalk's Monthly Newsletter
walkthurston.dm.networkforgood.com
In 2011, SideWalk launched Coordinated Entry for homeless adults. Coordinated Entry is a vital service. It acts as the single front door for people experiencing homelessness to access housing and shelter programs. This reduces runaround for people on the streets and weaves disparate programs and ser...Interesting article...
Girl power: Vatican 'hid art that showed female priests'
www.independent.ie
There is "overwhelming evidence" that women served as clergy in the early years of Christianity - and some of the evidence was deliberately hidden by the Vatican, according to ground-brUpcoming Programs at The Priory Spirituality Center...
Weekend Programs | St. Placid Priory
www.stplacid.org
We offer many programs throughout the year. Our weekend programs generally occur on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm. We also have a few weekend retreats that last from Friday through Sunday.Good think piece here...
Ilia Delio:Theology needs radical revisioning | Global Sisters Report
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
www.globalsistersrepor t.org/column/spirituality-envi ronment/theology-needs-radical -revisioning-56295?utm_source= PANTHEON_STRI...The new issue of A Matter of Spirit is out...
Latest Interfaith Works newsletter is out... mailchi.mp/607111d86ef3/interfaith-works-newsletter
mailchi.mp
In February of this year, Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers) supported my trip to Tijuana to provide witness on Meeting’s behalf to migrants who had traveled from Central America to the US southern border last Fall. Turned back by US Border Patrol or deported by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enfor...Interesting developments...
Francis: Decision on women deacons cannot be made 'without historical foundation'
www.ncronline.org
Pope Francis announced May 10 that he has given the report of the Vatican commission studying the history of women deacons in the Catholic Church to the global umbrella organization of women religious...May 12 is Vocation Sunday. Celebrate by remembering those who are barred from service.
Vocations Sunday 2019: Where are the Women? | Women's Ordination Conference
www.womensordination.org
Women's Ordination Conference works for women's ordination as priests and bishops into a renewed priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.Excellent interview
Out on a limb: In conversation with Bishop Patricia Fresen
www.youtube.com
“Never forget, only dead fish swim with the stream”, said the famous British journalist, writer and public intellectual Malcolm Muggeridge. Muggeridge got to...Interfaith Connection is out...
mailchi.mp
In this Gathering, join us in welcoming Karen Capuder. We will be gathering on a Saturday this month. For more details, Find the link here to Learning right relations.orgBridget Mary Meehan, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest Bishop, offers a description of the sacramental theology that is Holy Wisdom's foundation as an Inclusive Catholic Community.
bridgetmarys.blogspot.com
In his new book The Universal Chris t, Richard Rohr writes “you can only reform things long term by unlocking them from inside – by...Rabbi Seth from Temple Beth Hatfiloh has an interesting dispatch from the border...
“In Every Generation:” Notes from the Border
rabbi360.com
Earlier this week, I stood outside Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, TX. Painted on the exterior wall was a quote from Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1938: “Remember, remember alwa...HW folks at the SideWalk Fundraiser "Love for a Change." SideWalk is a local organization on a mission to end homelessness in Thurston County, WA.
HW friends Roger and Kitty recently went to the border to work with refugees. Here's their account.
docs.google.com
The volunteers from Holy Family Parish, Kirkland, WA March 13,2019 Last week Kitty and I welcomed asylum seekers from Latin America on the Texas-Mexico border at McAllen, Texas. "Lazarus teaches us that other persons are a gift. A relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing ...Join us for for SideWalk's annual Love for a Change gala on March 28th, 2019. A magical evening of drinks, live entertainment, a delicious dinner catered by Nineveh, and the best dessert dash in town! Hosted by Lauren O'Neill, Love For A Change will be a night to remember as our community comes together to declare that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Purchase your tickets today!
There is a code blue for Olympia tonight: 22 degrees out, and the emergency will last about a week. HW folks are encouraged to volunteer if you're able. See link for more info.
docs.google.com
www.iwshelter.org/hwtf-volunteer.html What is the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan? Thurston County coordinates the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan (aka the Winter Weather Response Plan for Winter: 2018 – 2019), intended to provide shelter and other accommodations for unhoused citizens during epis....Come join us on Saturday for: Compelled by Love: A Lenten journey with The Gospel of John - A Pre- Lenten Retreat
-March 2nd
-11:00-4:30, Doors open at 10:30
-Please bring a snack to share
-Brown bag lunch
-All are welcomed!
docs.google.com
Compelled by Love: a Lenten journey with The Gospel of John A Pre- Lenten Retreat With Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson March 2nd 11:00-4:30, Doors open at 10:30 Please bring a snack to share Brown bag lunch St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church Suggested donation: $20.00 (or what you ...After a long pause in enforcement against camping, the City of Olympia has officially resumed the practice of sweeping encampments on public property. Here are more details on how to ask Olympia City Council members to pause the sweeps (again) & pursue a humanitarian path forward.
docs.google.com
Just Housing friends and family, After a long pause in enforcement against camping, the City of Olympia has officially resumed the practice of sweeping encampments on public property. The return to this historical practice was first signaled by the completion of multiple sweeps that took place o...All about House Bill 1591, the Homeless Bill of Rights...
docs.google.com
Information and Suggested Talking Points for House Bill 1591 We are reaching out for community support around House Bill 1591, which brings the conversation of ending the criminalization of homelessness to the state level. Those advocating for the bill are referring to it as a Homeless Bill of R...“Code Blue” advisory calls for expanded shelter beds
OLYMPIA – The National Weather Service has issued new forecasting that predicts below freezingweather patterns in the Puget Sound area through February 17, 2019. In response to this predicted weather pattern, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is extending the “code blue”advisory at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 until further notice. The County will assess weather and resources every 72 hours.
During a “code blue”, organizations, including Hazardous Weather Task Force members, take special measures to keep people who are homeless safe by expanding shelter services to accommodate the increased need, offering transportation to shelter for those people in outlying areas, and by offering survival supplies to those who choose to remain outside the shelter system.
“It’s the generosity of our community that make additional shelter a possibility,” said Keylee Marineau, the Thurston County Homeless Prevention Coordinator. “However, providing extra shelter beds in our community for an extended period of time is dependent on the availability of trained volunteers and staff from our partnering agencies. In the event that the extra shelter beds are not possible, we will distribute survival goods to those who remain outside the shelter system.”
During this code blue activation period, expanded shelter options are available at the Salvation Army, 1505 4th Ave. E. Olympia for single men and women. Family Support Center’s Pear Blossom Place, 837 7th Ave. SE, Olympia, is available for families with children needing shelter and Community Youth Services, 520 Pear Street SE, Olympia, is available for youth ages 18-24. Trained volunteers will be providing transportation to shelter, and supplies in cities as well as in outlying areas.
Volunteers and donations of blankets, coffee, creamer, cup of soups, and other snacks are needed. Items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army at, 1505 4th Ave. E. Olympia, after 8:00 p.m. during the “code blue” activation. For volunteer opportunities please visit, www.iwshelter.org/code-blue.html or email Keylee Marineau at keylee.marineau@co.thurston.wa.us.
For more information call Thurston County’s Coordinated Entry Shelter and Housing Hotline at 1-844-628-7343.
www.iwshelter.org
Help support our shelter by volunteering your time and skills. Our volunteers primarily support our staff, assist with guests needs, cleaning, organizing and being available to meet our guests and get to know them. We also need volunteers to help transpor