Finding Shelter in Churches: Pheonix Housing Network

by Joy McDonnel

In March of 1996, Catholic Community Services assumed responsibility of the Intercommunity Family Shelter Network, a fledgling program in Tacoma which sheltered five homeless families with children in a small network of host churches and faith-based schools.  In 1998, this program changed its name to The Phoenix Housing Network to reflect the expansion of services beyond the shelter.  Despite its growth in a broad continuum of services (80 units of transitional/permanent housing and a complete array of tailored services) the Phoenix Housing Shelter remains the primary way in which families continue to enter this program.
Over more than 15 years, the faith communities in Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place and Puyallup have opened their doors, welcoming homeless families as part of their participation in the Network of churches and faith-based schools that provide evening shelter through The Phoenix Housing Network.

Getting a Fresh Start: Shiloh’s New Life transitional Housing and Services Ministry

by Rev. Gregory Christopher, Senior Pastor

Shiloh’s New Life Transitional Housing and Services Ministry is designed to empower the lives of those who need a hand up and not a hand out. This ministry is designed to meet the needs of the homeless by providing transitional housing, technical assistance for employment and help in furthering their education. Every home provided is equipped with a computer and training is offered using the church’s computer lab. Persons entering these homes must be ready to be empowered for greater living.

Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing: The Rescue Mission

by Lynette Grubbs

The Rescue Mission reaches out to churches  to educate people on issues of homelessness and to encourage them to help in whatever way they can.  Mission staff members speak to church groups and invite them to sponsor meals, sponsor families in our transitional housing, or volunteer.

It's a Wonderful Life

 

Due to capacity and other factors, Associated Ministries will not be hosting “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Blue Mouse Theater as a benefit for Family Emergency Fund. The Family Emergency Fund still exists and the need for the fund will only increase as resources continue to decrease in the community at large. We still need and encourage your support for the Family Emergency Fund. For those who would like to make a contribution please click here to donate online. (or check can be sent to Associated Ministries at 1224 S. I St., Tacoma WA 98405) If you would still like to see the film “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a part of your family Holiday tradition, it is playing at the Galaxy Narrows off Mildred Street in Tacoma. The Galaxy has graciously offered to let us take up a donation for the Family Emergency Fund following the film. One of our Board members will be available in the lobby after the film to give you more information about the fund and to accept donations.
Thank you for your continued support of Associated Ministries and the Family Emergency Fund!
www.associatedministries.org

Donation Gifts

Alternative gift idea for the Holidays!

Consider a donation to Associated Ministries as a way to give to your loved ones for the Holidays this year. Why not honor that family member who has everything or needs nothing by supporting those most marginalized in our community this season. Please click here to donate online.  (If you would like a holiday acknowledgement card sent to you so that you can let your loved one know of this donation please click here for this request). Associated Ministries Unites People of Faith to build Stronger Communities.www.associatedminitries.org

Building more than Houses: Habitat for Humanity

by Sue Potter

Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity builds so much more than houses.  When bankers and homemakers and truck drivers work alongside homeowners, they build relationships.  When Baptists and Catholics and Jews and Pentecostals put aside their differences and pick up a hammer, they build bridges of understanding and respect.

A Year in the Life: Access Point for Housing

by Greg Claycamp

One year ago, Associated Ministries was awarded a contract by Pierce County to provide Centralized Intake and Homelessness Prevention.  We dubbed this program Access Point 4 Housing, or AP4H.  As we end our first year and look forward to the next, we want to explore what the view looks like from our perspective.

 Far more people are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless in Pierce County than anyone understood; that is the big takeaway from our first year of operations. The need is beyond the scope of government, and beyond the reach of all of the exceptional organizations attempting to meet it.  The need is so great that we can only approach it by organizing ourselves as a stronger community, one that insists homelessness is unacceptable, and that we will personally and collectively act to prevent it.

Hunger Walk Cash and Food Donations Total $230,000

The Associated Ministries 2011 Hunger Walk raised approximately $230,000 in cash and food donations. This would not be possible without the generous support of our many walkers, teams, sponsors and supporters. To everyone who played a in the 2011  Hunger Walk, we extend a sincere thank you!  - Associated Ministries

42 People of Faith in Pierce County Create a Circle of Protection

Associated Ministries would like to thank the people of faith that braved the cold and rain and draw a circle of protection around programs that affect the most marginalized in our communities.  42 people in Tacoma joined the nationwide effort and over 150 religious leaders and people of faith signed a letter to Super-Committee Co-Chair, Senator Patty Murray. As the Super-Committee was unable to reach an agreement this week and budget cuts will be felt across the board for programs and service, people of faith continue to have an obligation to help the most vulnerable be heard. We know from our experience in serving hungry and homeless people that these programs meet basic human needs, protect lives, and the dignity of the most vulnerable. 

155 People of Faith Attend Thanksgiving Interfaith Service

Associated Ministries’ Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service has been a cherished tradition for parishioners in Tacoma- Pierce County for more than 25 years, bringing people together from many different faith traditions to worship and give thanks for our many blessings. This year’s powerful service held Tuesday Nov. 22, at Christ Episcopal Church in North Tacoma, brought together 155 people of diverse faiths, denominations and congregation and raised over $1,000 for Associated Ministries Family Emergency Fund. 

- Associated Ministries

A Different Approach: The Congregational-Based Housing Project

By Rev. Chris Morton

Naomi and her daughters-in-law were in search for a new home in the land of Judah where there was more food (Ruth 1.6ff).  Jesus invited Zacchaeus to come down from the tree so that the two of them could go to Zacchaeus’ home (Luke 19. 1-10).  Narratives abound that remind us of how important home is – whether it is a physical structure in which we abide, or a spiritual and an emotional place where we feel connected. No wonder our hearts break when we see people who do not have a place to live, or to stay; when we see people who do not appear to have connections to the community.  Is it any wonder, then, that we have worked so diligently to fulfill our social contract to ensure that everyone has a safe place to live? 

Youth in Crisis find Temporary homes

by Elliot Stockstad

Safe Families for Children is a growing national movement of congregations and volunteers responding to families in crisis.   Safe Families began on the West Side of Chicago in 2003 when Dr. David Anderson—who directs a private foster care agency called Lydia Home Society—had an idea.  His staff was equipped to work with children after they were in the State child welfare system, but what if more could be done before families got to that point?

Elected leaders also need to step up to protect vulnerable people

by Chris Morton

Change is all around us, and it is demanding that our institutions like businesses and government change too.  As the economy continues to change, the amount of funding collected by our governments at all levels continue to decline.  Congress and the State Legislature are facing crippling debts, and there are voices from the community calling for cuts to programs and services.  Such voices are trying to help us live within our means, reminding us that the social contract that holds our communities together is not only in and through the government, but also includes civic organizations, not-for-profit agencies, and religious congregations.  In the midst of the conversation around government budgets  there are people, politicians among them, who are saying that “the churches” will simply have to step up their efforts.

Adopt a Family and Christmas Toy Drive

It’s that time of year again to prepare for Project Interdependence’s annual Christmas events! 

There are two different ways in which you can participate.  You can participate in our Adopt-a-Family for Christmas program or donate toward our Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway. 

1. Adopt-a-Family and shop directly from a child’s wish list and deliver the gifts directly to their home.  You may also have the option to deliver the gifts to Associated Ministries and staff will deliver the presents to the family’s home.  Each year we receive numerous applications from families living all across Pierce County. Thus you can choose a family you’d like to adopt based on the family size and location. 

Volunteer Tax Preparers are Needed

Assist low-income families in preparing their taxes

• No Experience Needed
• Free Tax Training
• No Risk to Tax Preparer (IRS approved)
• Flexible Hours: Weeknights and Weekends
• Convenient Locations throughout Pierce County

Click Here to complete a volunteer application!

Why Volunteer

Help lift people out of poverty. You can help low-income families keep the heat on during the cold months of tax season, put food on the table, buy school supplies, and send family members to visit the doctor for the first time.

Pierce County Statistics:

• An estimated 46,000 Pierce County Communitty members qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), are living in poverty, and need your help.
• As many as 11,000 hard working families in Pierce County qualify for the EITC, but are not receiving it.
• EITC is one of the largest antipoverty programs. Each year 6.6 million people, half of them children, are lifted out of poverty each year due to EITC.
• The IRS estimates that 20%-25% of qualifying workers miss out on thousands of dollars every year, because they fail to claim the EITC.

How the Program Works

FREE training on tax law and tax software will be provided on the weekends in December and January. Certification in Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced tax law will be offered. All training materials will be provided.

After completion of training and volunteering at least 40 hours throughout tax season the, you will receive a Certificate and Letter of Acknowledgement from the IRS.

A trained site coordinator will always be present at the volunteer site to answer questions and assist you in preparing tax returns for clients.

At Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, we provide a comfortable, knowledgeable, understanding, safe and inviting environment for clients to have their tax returns prepared and be educated on tax law and other vital community services.

Click here to fill out the volunteer application!

For more information please contact: Blake Marzloff

Pierce County Asset Building Coalition Director
253-383-3056 ext 116 or blakem@associatedministries.org

Unleashing the Collective Power of Faith

By Reverend Heidi Calhoun, Associated Ministries

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time.  But, if you have come because your liberation is bound with mine, then let us work together”.  Lill Watson, Aboriginal activist.

I read these words for the first time about 12 years ago and it altered my theological understanding of social justice forever.

Healing & Hope: Paths to Unity

People all over the country found many ways to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this past month.  Expressing our unity and exploring the profound meaning of healing, hope and forgiveness was the theme for those who gathered at St. Mark’s Lutheran by the Narrows on Sunday evening September 11th, 2011.

The prayer service was planned by an interfaith group of Pierce County religious leaders.  Attendees came from as far as Shoreline, Kirkland, Olympia and Auburn as well as from Tacoma.  In all, about 150 people were in attendance.   Host Pastor, Rev. Jan Ruud of St. Marks described the experience as “a strong affirmation of the unity we share that is at the heart of all our faith.”

Unity through Diversity:

by Chris Morton
Executive Director at Associated Ministries

Division seems to be at the heart of the Church today.  The Church is what I know about, so I won’t suggest that the same is true in synagogues, mosques, temples, or other houses of worship.  But if division is central to a gathered community, then each time that we enter that community emotions deep within are being stirred.  Deep emotions that are often paradoxical:  righteousness and humility, hostility and compassion, impatience and understanding. 

Mentor a family in Transition

Associated Ministries kindly requests the participation of your congregation in our mentorship program, which brings members of the faith community together to help individuals and families transition successfully from welfare to work.

All the Good you Can

Rev.  Leslie Ann Knight

Fircrest United Methodist Church

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

(John Wesley, English Evangelist, founder of Methodism.  1703-1791)

Woven throughout scripture is the requirement that the poor – especially widows, orphans, and foreigners – be treated with respect and fairness, and not denied basic needs.  The people of God are to draw persons in need into their circle of concern and care – and justice. 

The Growth of a Spiritual World

Chris Gilbert, Tacoma Baha’i

Baha'i Communities around the world participate for nine days every three months in Intensive Programs of Growth. These focused outreach efforts support the building of spiritual neighborhoods and occur somewhere in the world every day of the year.

Our Writings remind us, "We are the leaves of one branch."  And, "So powerful is the light of unity it can illuminate the whole earth."  Baha'i Communities around the world participate for nine days every three months in Intensive Programs of Growth.  These focused outreach efforts support the building of spiritual neighborhoods and occur somewhere in the world every day of the year.

Compassion Weekend

Pastor Ralph Kalms
Christ Lutheran Church, Lakewood

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
                                                                                                         Romans 12:1 (The Message)
Compassion Weekend is a name we’ve given to an attempt to have our congregation worship by serving.  I saw this idea originally at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California and have been thrilled at how its’ been embraced at two different congregations I’ve served at since.  The idea is simple: we pick a weekend in which we commit ourselves to serving our community for a full day Saturday and half day Sunday.  We cancel our regular morning worship services as a way of saying that God can be worshipped outside a sanctuary as we give ourselves away on behalf of others.  And we commit not only our time and energy but our money as well in paying for whatever work we do. 

Celebrating unity within our diversity

10 years ago, after the tragedy of September 11th, more than 3,000 people gathered at Cheney Stadium. We responded as one community in an interfaith candle-light vigil to show that despite tragedy & crisis and through our differences, we would respond united as ONE. Since then, you have responded to the calling of your faith in service and relationship to others in your community in a number of ways, both large and small.
In all of our diversity, we have continued to come together these past 10 years. Each time that we gather; whether to volunteer, to help our children with one of their activities, to elect someone to office, to protest in peace or support something that we believe in---each time that we gather, with our diverse perspectives, from our varying religious traditions, ethnicities, nationalities and cultures we witness to our commitment that we are a community that will not be divided.  Read more

Community Needs Forecast

These Community Wellness Indicators tell the story of quality of life in Pierce County, Washington. We offer them as a tool kit to help human service providers and those who support them. You could call these the global pulse of the most vulnerable among us.

On this website, you will find 70 indicators, divided into 11 categories: http://indicators.uwpc.org/

Rev. Christopher B. Morton’s keynote speech at the Forecast release on June 21, 2011 with a link to the pdf

Accessing shelter and housing in Pierce County starts with one phone call: 253-682-3401

Pierce County, together with Associated Ministries, is implementing a new centralized intake and referral system for families or individuals at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. It’s called Access Point 4 Housing, and offers a single, trusted access point to which people can be referred to for homelessness prevention services, assessment, case management and housing services.
Anyone in need of prevention or re-housing services can be assisted through this new centralized intake process and referred to the best local housing and other resources best suited to meet their needs. Find out more

The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center seeks volunteer chaplains

The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center is seeking volunteer Chaplains to offer spiritual guidance, answers religious questions and provide general moral support to the victims of domestic violence seeking assistance at the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center. Ordination is not required. Training will be provided and the time commitment is flexible (3-20 hours/month). For more information, please call 253-798-4310 or email familyjusticecenter@co.pierce.wa.us.

Blake Marzloff, is the new Director of the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition

From Valorie, Director of Project Interdependance

It is my privilege to introduce Blake Marzloff as the new Director of the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition.  Blake not only comes to Associated Ministries with an impressive skill set, experience, educational background and recognized leadership, but he comes to our agency with an enthusiasm and genuine personal commitment to social justice that is reflected in his work on behalf of low-wage individuals and families.