Soundings (9/20/11)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
 
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Mike Kirkland

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None

Grape & Gourmet:  Tresha and Lynn Templeton say everyone will do the same the duty as last year unless otherwise requested.  Tickets will go on sale next Tuesday! Henry is in process lining up the wineries.  Wine pre-order will happen mid-October.  Lesa says all restaurants have re-signed up, but ideally need 4 more (Asian, Man Pies, or a bakery would be nice...).  We need silent auction items.  
 
Membership Committee: Bill Geyer says there will be a Fireside in mid-October, it is mandatory for all new members and new-member sponsors, 

Rotary Leadership Conference Sept 24th in Mount Vernon (Dennis and Christine will be attending).

International Committee

Bucks in the Bay
  • Steve Beringer $80 to Foundation trip to Hawaii;
  • Bill Boyd a birthday, son's graduation from WWU, gave a commencement speech there! Sad bucks Wendy Hewitt died in the plane crash in Reno;
  • Steve Brummel for successful Viking Night ($90 - $100K raised for scholarships);
  • Barry went to Lake Chelan with daughter, then to Langley to see Ron Hardesty's daughter get married;
  • Lesa Boxx went to Virginia Beach and saw ZZ Top, fundraiser at Boxx Berry Farm raised $37K, also a reminder for Friday night the 30th there is a fundraiser & "bone marrow registry" at Boundary Bay Brewery 4:40-9pm;
  • Mark Bergsma now working part time at Donnette Studios with Donny;
  • Chuck Walters had a very busy summer: oldest daughter got married, also a wedding anniversary, other daughter graduated and then got married, also upcoming class reunion, etc. and lots of missed meetings;
  • Bill Geyer and Tony went to a football game in Knoxville, TN;
  • Bob Moles attended the 911 concert in Burlington, then fly fishing trip, Mike Hammes was there also and had a great time;
  • Dannon said this Wed evening 21st political forum, free to all, at 5pm dinner at BIA Building in Irongate area;
  • Glen Groenig 66th birthday, 45th wedding anniversary and new house mortgage, hiking with the grandkids;
  • Steve Kimberly trip to Europe with wife, some biking there;
 

Sergeant at Arms by Orphalee Smith

Fines for everyone, plus Bob Becker, Brent Walker, membership trivia.

Program

Christine Palmerton introduced Riannon Bardsley, Executive Director of Northwest Youth Services (www.nwys.org), and Margie Kimberly, a volunteer with NWYS (and Steve's wife).

Riannon said she and her staff participated in a county-wide homeless count in January.  The count identified 449 homeless people under the age of eighteen, 57 of them under 15 years old!  NWYS is the only non-tribal agency that provides housing to this group.  NWYS first opened up a homeless shelter for youth in 1976.  After having to close the emergency shelter in 2009 due to budget cuts, NWYS is now starting construction of the "PAD PROJECT" (above their offices on State Street), which will have thirteen beds of emergency housing, three beds transitional housing and drop-in services for up to 70 people (plus showers, laundry, food and clothing).  Completion in December 2011.

On average, about 490 youth use NWYS services annually.  The successful cases means the kids can be in a stable setting, learn from their mistakes, and then transition to independence.  The Bellingham School District serves about 460 homeless youth, a big jump since the start of the recession.   

NWYS Programs:

  • The HUSLY (Housing Under-Served Low-income Youth) Program is a short-term (up to 90 days) housing program for homeless single or parenting individuals, 18-25, in Whatcom County.  This program can provide food and bus passes for participants and focuses on finding stable housing.
  • The Transitional Living Program (TLP) provides homeless youth with an apartment, case management, life skills classes, and supportive services. To be eligible for this program you must be between the ages of 18-21 and homeless.
  • The Permanent Housing Program assists homeless youth in finding an affordable place to live while providing case management, supportive services, and short term rental assistance. To be eligible for this program you must be between the ages of 18-25 and homeless.
  • The QYP Teen Youth Program provides a safe space for LGBTQQ teens and their allies to socialize and promote their visibility in the Whatcom County community in a positive manner.
  • Teen Court is a collaborative program between NW Youth Services and Whatcom County Superior Courts designed to deal with 2nd time youth offenders. Teen Court is based upon a philosophy of Restorative Justice in which: 1) the offender is held accountable 2) the victim is made whole and 3) the offender is restored to their community.
  • The P.A.D. (Positive Adolescent Development) is a residential staffed house for run-away/homeless youth, with bed space for six 13-17 year olds at a time, for up to 21 days.   This with an end goal to advocate for and or work with the teen at reconnecting with family and or community.  Will provide intensive case management.

Respectfully submitted,

Stowe Talbot