Welcome

• James Pogue, Comprehensive Life Resources
• We meet every Friday here at 9am
• I hope everyone had a great week
• We work in a field that can drain us, I want to hear what excites you

Presentation

Youth and Young Adult Youth Panel

• Who are you and who do you serve and how do clients qualify
  • Dave Frederick – Coffee Oasis ( https://thecoffeeoasis.com/ ). We serve currently 13-25 year old homeless youth in 5 location spread around Kitsap County.  We do outreach, job training, housing, 24x7 crisis intervention, chemical dependency counselling.  About a year ago folks reached out asking us to serve homeless youth in pierce county.  Since then, we’ve have had lots of meetings and learnings.  We are looking at locations.  Three weeks ago, things moved on a fast track; we received a federal basics grant to open a  shelter in pierce county for 13-17 year olds.  We agreed to open within 6 months of October 1^st.  So, by March 31^st of next year, we will open that shelter.  So, we have lots of fundraising and relationships to build.  The shelter will have drop in services, overnight shelter, case management, etc.
  • Chelsea Perry, Metropolitan Development Council (https://www.mdc-hope.org/ ). Our Avenue Apartments is Permanent Supportive Housing  for chronically homeless young adults aged 18-24.  Clients Enter the program with referrals from the Coordinated Entry system.  We have 13 stably housed tenants.  My role is to engage those clients in wrap around services.
  • Valentinya Germer, Comprehensive Life Resources (https://www.comprehensiveliferesources.org/ ), Youth Shelter.  Serve clients aged 12 -24 for daytime program and 18-24 in overnight shelters.  Will serve level 1 sex offenders.  Meals at 5pm.  Provide a clothing and hygiene closet.  Some transportation is available.  Shelter is housed at Beacons Center.  Some programming also happens at the REACH center.
  • Kimberley Williams, TeamChild ( https://teamchild.org/ ),a nonprofit law firm, helping clients aged 12-24. Do not assist with criminal cases.  Focus is on non-criminal, such as helping youth and young adults who are excluded from school (for an expulsion for instance) get back in school, help get special education needs addressed, help get connected to mental health, overcome legal barriers around homelessness, emancipations for minors, family reunification, and more.  (How did I never know this group existed –it is funny how amazing programs can operate and serve the same folks we serve and yet be totally off my own radar. –ed.  Have a grant from the Office of Homeless Youth (https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/homelessness/office-of-youth-homelessness/ ) to address new law to prevent homelessness for youth exiting (I continue to be bothered by the spelling of exiting – I think another t would be lovely in there.  With exite as an older spelling of excite, you’d think they’d want to avoid any confusion by just slipping in a second t, but no, not gonna do it.    –ed)  state care programs.  If clients have a record can help with sealing juvenile records (offered every 4^th Monday with volunteer legal services at their office).  Will help seal only youth records.  Can certainly help client in Pierce County, but may be able to help Outside Pierce County.  Agency has offices in King, Yakima, and Spokane as well.
  • Michaela Woodmansee, Goodwill, Youthbuild program (https://www.goodwillwa.org/training/programs/construction/ ). Located at REACH center, serving clients 18-24 who are wanting to get their GED through our pre-apprenticeship construction training program.  We offer wrap-around services, soft skill development, and leadership development.  We build community by using the cohort model.  The next group starts in March of 2019, it is a 7 month program.  The program is pretty intensive, meeting Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-3:30pm.  So it is a full time commitment, but some students are able to be successful having part-time jobs.  We offer transportation services, mental health support, and referrals to other services.  Clients don’t have to go into the trades, but the program uses the trades to make a framework for the program.
  • Kyle Moor, Tacoma Public Schools, Willie Stewart Academy (https://www.tacomaschools.org/schools/wsa/Pages/default.aspx ). The academy is a reengagement center helping students 17-21 earn their high school diploma.  It is a blend of on-line and on-site certified teachers.  Students can come in the morning or the afternoon, and are working on adding an evening option.  The academy provides case management and has social workers, a Career Technical Education (CTE) teacher, and  support with jobs and careers.  The academy uses rolling enrollment, so students can be accepted every week.  To enroll, students must be credit deficient – just for kids who are behind.
  • Shameka Willis, Housing for Success ( http://reachtacoma.org/housing/ ) Rapid Rehousing for youth and young adults aged 16-24. For ages 16 & 17, the option is shared housing, for 18-24 it is shared housing or independent living.  Program entry is through the Coordinated Entry system.  The program provides up front moving costs, furniture, wrap around services, referrals, life skills, rental subsidies and case management
  • Devon Isakson, ACT program, which is a continuation of the Pierce County 100 Day Challenge – a community effort to house as many youth as possible in 100 days (goal was 100, but housed 176). ACT program is primarily a referral service – so I work with all the folks on the panel daily.  We work with clients aged 16-24 years old who are experiencing housing instability or are homeless (not limited to literally homeless).  We can help clients navigate the Coordinated Entry system, help with family reunification, employment, education, and even ways to get groceries.  The program is newly launched as of October 8^th.  So, send folks our way. 
  • Sandra Iverson, VADIS ( http://vadis.org/ ) – we are located at REACH along with Shared Housing Services and Oasis. Work with youth 16-24 that need employment and education help.  I teach life skills at REACH and in the community and through the library system.  With outreach, I am the first touch at REACH.  I try and figure out what needs they have and connect them with folks to supply those needs.  I make appointments for Coordinated Entry.  I help them to alleviate the anxiety that comes with that.  Youth are often secretive, so I work to bond and let them feel supported – my first role is to get them to come back so we can connect them with additional resource.  Also meet with McKinney-Vento counselors and students.  In rural Pierce County this is a challenge, so I travel to meet folks where they are. 
  • Ileana Areiza, at REACH, but work part-time for Mockingbird Society (https://mockingbirdsociety.org/ ) and part-time as a navigator for REACH (http://reachtacoma.org/ ). (fun fact – the mockingbirds Charles Darwin encountered on the Galapagos were quite possibly the animal that led him to become convinced about the reality of evolution. –ed)   The Mockingbird Society works offers training to youth to become their own best advocates.  Public speaking is a big part of the program.  There actually three programs.  Family programs – delivering foster care services based on the extended family concept – that being that you need to take care of the people who take care of youth in foster care.  Public advocacy.  And finally Youth programs – with 6 chapters providing services across Washington State – in Yakima, Everett, Seattle, Spokane, Olympia and Tacoma.  The youth program focuses on policy and youth development.  We Meet the 2^nd Wednesday of the month, with a goal of improving the foster system and ending youth homelessness.  As the REACH resource navigator, (my notes are a total mess here, but I’m imaging the work is something amazing – sorry –ed.)
• James – Question for the Panel - when clients come to see you, what are the gaps that you can’t meet for your clients
  • Ileana – literacy is a challenge. For many of our youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness, you don’t get to go through school properly, so you have gaps on literacy.  Transportation is a constant barrier.  Often balancing the time transportation takes is challenging.  At REACH, we want to help them with housing and then have them come back to work on education and careers and keep building up their skills
  • Sandra – CE is one of our toughest. No resources for folks under 18.  We have nothing for folks under 18.  I’m happy that Coffee Oasis is coming to rescue us.  Housing is a big struggle.  With youth and Coordinated entry, which is only on site twice a week – we have to book out a month out for youth (side-discussions and eye contact and such made it clear this was a problem with Coordinated Entry that those of us that meddle with Coordinated Entry would work to solve –ed). 
  • Sandra - Unaccompanied minors – there not a lot of options for unaccompanied (it only takes me like 5 tries to spell this word correctly) ACT is working to expand the shared housing options for unaccompanied minors (I’m guessing we need more folks willing to rent out a room – just a guess here. –ed).  There are not enough apartments or houses that are affordable.  Coordinated Entry can be tough.  Young folks that choose diversion need assistance, so many landlords say no – we need to do advocacy with landlords ( if anyone can pull this off, it will be the fine folks in the Landlord Liaison Project at Associated Ministries – ed).
  • Shameka – the gap in Coordinated Entry from assessment to housing referral to housing intervention is often a challenge- we can’t get ahold of folks and have to send folks back. Getting 18-24 housing is a challenge – no one in this age group is making over the $3,000 that a landlord expects.  Housing barriers is one.  Once we end housing subsidies, most landlords raise the rent – these youth then have a hard time and end up homeless again.  when they come back with an eviction, it is even harder to rehouse them because of the eviction on their record.
  • Kyle- there are actually fewer gaps in the system here than in Highline, where I came from. So, good work to all of you here in Tacoma.  Our biggest struggle is the 16 or younger with fewer alternative educational options.  Also, students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) , since we only have one special education teacher, are turned away because the case for that special education teacher is full.
  • Michaela – 3 main things that prevent students from attending our program.  Mental health and substance use – it is a lot for youth to work through.  Housing is a huge need.  It is great to have all these partners, but these are challenges.  One third of youth in the program have housing needs.  Transportation needs are a challenge.  We provide transportation, but when they clients exit the program and get on the job, it can be hard to get to job sites where and when buses don’t run (not to mention transporting personal tools they may need on the job site, which someone probably said during the presentation,  but I’m don’t have that in my notes, so I’m going to pretend I’m super-knowledgeable and just add that bit in here.  –ed.)
  • Kimberly - Challenges of unaccompanied minors with referrals. Sad that we have 15, 16, and 17 year olds who want to be emancipated so they can qualify for housing programs.  Many are couchsurfing and fending for themselves because parents aren’t able to provide housing for them because of the family’s own homelessness.  Homelessness often leads to the criminal justice system getting involved  with our clients.  And even though we don’t represent clients on criminal matters, they do have court involvement, and we work with their legal representation.  We have a struggle with transportation, especially outside Tacoma where there is little public transit.
  • Valentinya - We are pretty low barrier, but lots of folk don’t have ID – we do try to get that for them – VADIS is a big help with that. Transportation and a lack of housing options are big barriers.  Taking care of basic needs is a constant challenge.
  • Chelsea - when clients come to the MDC avenue apartments – they have housing. Many barriers come in play for them to keep their housing.  We try to help clients get stable employment or Social Security, but it is a challenge.  We started doing foundation community support with Amerigroup, so referring to that.  Youth need life skills – I wish they had classes to help with the culture shock of being housed.  They need to learn how to clean their apartment and such.  And there is lots of conflict between residents.  keeping folks engaged is a challenge – many want to do something, but then disengage.  Transportation is a challenge to engaging in services.  
  • Dave – biggest gap is understanding the landscape. We are here because of the 13-17  year old gap.  We’ve seen other gaps in Kitsap, such as housing for sex offenders, youth with kids, youth with pets, a whole variety of needs. 
• James - I’m surprised housing and transportation are on the list – didn’t we take care of that?
• James - Many of our agencies work with older adults, not youth and young adults specifically (it has been killing me not to use the UYAYA acronym – Unaccompanied Youth and Young Adult – but I’m trying to keep this as acronym free as possible.. –ed). Every one of your agencies offers services that are mirrored for older adults.  What makes a youth program special that is different than programs that serve older adults.  Why are youth different
  • Youth are younger.(I wish my words could capture the straight face Dave had while he said this. –ed) The issues we face are their vulnerability and their huge lack of trust, and a lack of hope that needs to be instilled again. 
  • Chelsea – I think when dealing with housing youth, going to intergenerational poverty – they came from parents who were homeless and in poverty. There is often not a lot of trust.  We have case management and 24 hour peer support which they utilize.
  • Valentinya - Building trust is a challenge. We do have the capacity to build trust, but it is a slow process.  Things that seem basic the youth have a lot of shame around – like not knowing how to access basic needs.
  • We are attorneys for kids, our model is youth directed. When we sit down with an attorney and client, it is directed by the needs of the youth.  Sometimes that isn’t what the parent or guardian wants, and we let the youth know that we are representing the youth and are doing what the youth indicates.  Attorneys aren’t mandated reporters, so the youth have confidentiality they don’t get elsewhere.  They trust us with a lot.  They are so often told what they have to do, this is often the first time youth are able to articulate what they want.
  • Michaela – for many young folks this is their first job, or first consistent job. For our staff and program, we are building employment skills for the first time with these youth.  They have a pretty blank resume.  We work to help them establish themselves as leaders.
  • Kyle – For many students, they don’t know what they want to do – it requires us to be flexible and help them figure things out.
  • Shameka – the timeline to self-sufficiency is hard for young adults, and they often have no experience with resumes or job applications.  Many are chronologically adults, but because of their trauma, they are often much younger.  We have to teach these kids how to pay rent - how to write a check, fill out an envelope – they have often never seen someone use the skills they need to be independent.
  • Devon - often folks are technically an adult, but not really. (like my sister-in-law, ba-dum-ch –ed.) They have to build the trust so they can ask for what they need and be willing to accept help.
  • Sandra –ID’s are a huge problem. Many are out of state - $45-$100 needed.  The Department of Licensing needs 3 pierce of ID – youth often have no lease or car registration to show proof of ID.  It is tough to get a youth an ID.  16 and 17 olds – kids don’t have their social security cards or birth certificates.  Had to make friends with state entities to get IDs and SSN. 
  • REACH – want to be a one stop youth service – want youth to tell us what they need, and have all these beautiful people to do services. Mockingbird society – youth homeless and foster care youth – we treat the youth as the experts. 
• Questions
  • Joseph – Thanks for your time – I wanted to ask what partnerships you have to address intergenerational trauma and emotional resiliency to begin the healing (that was totally my question, too. –ed)
    • Shameka – we partner with Consejo (http://consejonew.consejocounseling.org/ ) for 13 up – can talk about what they need. For resiliency, at the mockingbird we work on story telling – how to tell the story without bringing up the trauma.  We have 27 partners at Reach, and have 8 there nearly full-time.
    • Sandra – we are very aware of Greater Lakes Mental Health, Comprehensive Life Resources and other agencies. If a youth has a relationship with another agency, we support them and that agency as well.
    • Kyle - we do a psycho-social assessment in a non-clinical way to get to know the student and their needs – if they have trauma in past and need support – teach them how to get connected and work to see the connection happens.
    • Michaela – We see a lot of this at youthbuild. We want to provide options for more supportive adults in their lives – give them options to go to Consejo and group sessions with Comprehensive Life Resources – totally confidential to help folks process their trauma as it is something that continually arises.  We also have folks come in and talk about their journeys.
    • Kimberley – we meet youth in the community – we go with youth to Consejo or Greater Lakes Mental Health – I even attend a youth’s weekly session at Greater Lakes Mental Health because that is what the youth wants to make it comfortable for them to attend. We’ll go to the doctor or mental health appointment – if they need the support to go to those appointments, we go with them.  We are flexible and creative to meet folks needs
    • Audience-member-with-a-name-I-didn’t-get-but-works-for-an-agency-on-the-panel – we work to center youth using regular language – try to validate youth experience and help them to talk about something they may not have words for. A large part of the conversation is speaking how the youth are comfortable communicating – as in “yeah that sucks”. 
    • Shameka – we connect young adults who have been sex trafficked to STRPWA.
    • Valentinya – expectations are around consent and being accountable – we want youth to build self-advocacy. Have Comprehensive Life Resources youth counselor in our space, and refer whenever possible to counseling.
    • Chelsea - Use peers to help work through traumas.
  • Al – 2 things – in the health care field, the no show problem is a challenge – a solution is that someone comes along with the person to make the connection. How many can do that?  (most raised their hand-ed)
  • Al – the process of trust building is the same set of techniques that abusers use in grooming. Are there specific things that you do to help the client understand you can be trusted?
    • Dave – for our staff of volunteers, it has to do with respect and boundaries, and a lot of time and patience. Youth can be in and out of a relationship over time. 
    • Chelsea – I look situationally, positioning in non-intimidating way – leaving the door open, making sure folks don’t feel trapped.
    • Valentinya – let them know that we don’t push things, but want to support what they want. Always be kinds –and self-disclosure can be helpful. 
    • Kimberley – remember that they are people and their own person and being very honest with them – these youth are very capable of understanding that. Being honest and patient and that it isn’t about them making the choice I want , but the choice they want.  Allow them to have their own voice.  And not to take it personal when they curse us out – we’ll still be there, and be consistent.  Return calls and texts and respecting the client is important.
    • Michaela – continuous reminders of choice – they can choose what they want – they can do what they want. Reminding them of our staff boundaries – setup a structure of a program that will make them comfortable – ensure they have a voice and a space.
    • Kyle – explain a role and why they do what they do – and have healthy boundaries (I’m pretty sure I didn’t quite get this right – sorry Kyle. –ed.)
    • Shameka – establish professional boundaries – let them create their own plan – support their choices, but make sure they are aware of possible consequences.
    • Devon – don’t abuse power and do what you say you are going to do.
    • Sandra – follow through is vital – do what you said you were going to do – that is really big. You have to remember and follow through.
    • Ileana – at mockingbird society – we try to present opportunities to share – always show appreciation for effort and input. Always compensate for effort.  Dignity safety belonging and agency – never call them runaways – say they are running to safety.  Help build trust by .  have strict rules about professionalism – 4 ways to identify how we interact with youth.  We are accountable to work with youth in productive ways that we then report on.  At Reach – we work on active listening
  • James – STRAPWA – has a 90 minute training that helps you understand the grooming process and how to help folks.
  • Valeri – Youth of color and LGBT are underserved – something we need to acknowledge and work to better serve. How do you acknowledge that and work to improve it.
    • Ileana – we work very hard on having equity on our board and with employees. Everett chapter is working on a LGBT community as foster families, and aligning the race of foster parents with the race of the youth. (I think that is right, but I may have missed a few words here and there – ed.)
    • Sandra – it is ongoing – a lot of trainings, but also our relationship with other agencies will benefit the youth – such as with OASIS and Rainbow center. We take youth there to make the connection and make them comfortable.  We work hard to be non-judging and meeting folks where they are.
    • Devon – for nonprofits, it starts with who you hire – we work hard to hire the folks. Have Building Changes grant that targets this population, and work with the Urban League, OASIS, and others.
    • Shameka – we work to educate our staff through onboarding about barriers youth of color and LGBT youth come with.  Educate landlords and shared housing provider hosts about specific needs. 
    • Kyle – piggy back on educating staff – and understanding one’s own privilege. We also look at data on who are suspending from school and how can we address inequities
    • Michaela - staff training, absolutely.  This is an important question.  We do outreach with organizations that support LGBT youth and youth of color.  With employment, we make sure we work with employers committed to hiring folks of color.
    • Kimberley – we are looking at institutional racism and how as nonprofits we play into that. It is a constant conversation that we are having within our organization – we look at discipline rates and expulsions – it is skewed against people of color.  We work with OASIS youth center.  We had a law school intern work with OASIS youth center and was present there so we could see what legal issues and barriers are faced by that population of youth.  As Pierce County and the City of Tacoma , we all have a whole lot of work to do.  It starts from the top and works down.
    • Valentinya – staff competency – many of our staff come from those groups, and referring folks to those organizations. Having discussions at drop-in around those disparities is also important. 
    • Chelsea - we have a committee focused on diversity in the organization – for direct staff workers we do trainings on cultural competency and trauma informed care. 
    • Dave – constantly have conversations with advocates and leaders in the community and learn from them and build relationships with them. We also have a Building Changes grant for youth of color, so we work with other agencies on that work.  Have a diverse youth council that helps us to better know how to serve them.
    • James – we also have trainers in the community – we can add that to the agenda some time.
  • Kelly – we’ve talked about generational poverty– as many of these youth become parents themselves – some agencies are taking a deeper dive. What do you do to support youth with kids and do you work to keep families together?
    • Dave – we don’t have housing for families, but our case managers work on reconciliation, therapist work on this as well.
    • Chelsea – no housing for young adults with kids at the avenue apartments – those are single occupancy units – MDC does have energy assistance and weatherization to keep things warm for low income households.
    • Missed some stuff here…
    • Michaela – we will refer to resources and ask how we can support them, and be understanding of child and family needs –so no penalizing them.
    • Kyle – we have some young families – a lot is leaning on resources – just found out about a diaper resource. Also connect to childcare setups.
    • Shameka – parents are new terrain for housing for success – we had over 12 parents ready to give birth. One support is pampers and clothing connections – The Pierce County Housing Authority has good connections when they graduate from the programs – Step-by-Step (http://stepbystepfamily.org/ ), CareNet (https://carenetps.org/ ) are good resources.  we’ll come to folks.  Connect parents or couples to Consejo.  Had a parenting resource fair because of the number of parent in the program this year – so parents know that is available to them
    • Devon – it is not always good for couples to not be together – if that is what the youth want to do, we support that .
    • Sandra – for me, being aware of the resources, and it isn’t just nonprofits, I’m watching and educating my staff constantly. Listening to youth – parenting classes are big – many youth didn’t have positive parenting – just listening to what they need and connecting to the community.
    • Ileana - At REACH, much of the help is referrals – hotlines for pregnancy, hope spark family services.  Go to the REACH website (http://reachtacoma.org/ ) to get the rerources PDF ( http://reachtacoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Tacoma_Resource_Guide1.pdf ) and let us know if you  want to be added to the resource guide. 
  • James – what can our agencies do to help you?
    • Ileana – if you provide services for youth, let us know (253-573-6590)
    • Sandra – if I don’t know you, give me your card, so I can make a connections
    • Devon – we need host home providers – if you want to rent a room, we need that option. We need donations – toiletries, granola bars, cup of soup, etc.
    • Shameka – housing options
    • Kyle – stay connected to all the resources. Our biggest need is mental health support that comes to the school. Ask any students about their education
    • Michaela - Referrals to our program – even if youth aren’t sure if they want to do that. Next cohort start on March 29^th.  Our program provides breakfast and lunch for our youth, but need funding for that.
    • Kimberly – need bus passes – and to change our definition of homeless for our youth.
    • Valentinya – any socks and underwear would be a help – clothing or hygiene donations – if you can bring them to our drop in, that would be best.
    • Chelsea – donations any household goods, workshops for youth about adulting. Making Coordinated Entry more accessible (I got that message that Coordinated Entry could support these programs much more effectively and I will bring those concerns to this month’s Coordinated Entry Improvement Meeting, where they will be at the top of the agenda, ‘cause I set that agenda too… – ed.).
    • Dave – as we open the 13-17 year old shelter – would love to have connections, so reach out to me or Pat so we can build those relationships.
  • Martha – transporation has been mentioned many times – the lime bikes and the bird bikes – if they don’t get used, they won’t stay. Anyone with public benefit assistance, if that benefit can be sent in, clients can get 95% off bikes (50% off motorized).  It is a short timeline for these companies to see if their business will pan out in Tacoma. 
    • VADIS – young kids don’t have phones or money which can make Lime bikes a problem
  • Mockingbird society – 2 trainings are available – cultures of foster care and about youth homelessness – have youth that provide that training.

Al – I came to this town about 50 years ago – we didn’t have any of these programs - we’ve come a long way, although we still have a ways to go. 

Good of the Order

• Al – there is a new bowl by the coffee - donate to support the generosity of the Salvation Army (they aren’t running some sort of charity, you know. Wait a minute… still, a donation to the Salvation Army is money well spent. –ed.)
• TCC – college housing assistance – 7 people that weren’t housed from Tiki are able to move back into Highland Flats (there is something vaguely ironic about both the name Highland Flats and the fact these folks went through the trauma of eviction, uncertainty and homelessness only to move back in to the same building. –ed.)
• Point in Time Count Registration - https://co.pierce.wa.us/4719/Point-In-Time-Count-PIT (so much rides on as accurate a count as we can manage – so sign up and help out –ed.)
• Flu shots for adults - 3 different ones in November (I think I was supposed to end up with the flu vaccine schedule from the flyer, but didn’t, and can’t find it on the health department website – so I’m not sure what to tell you. I did try…-ed)
• Springbrook connections is in need of a new location for community dinners in Lakewood.
• Nathan – we are getting near the end of the Merkle timeline – if anyone knows anything about housing options, let me know about those resources
• James – We are interested in merging coalitions together – see if your missions align together and if you can join forces. (or maybe you just need a ring, James.  As it is written “Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, Ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.” Put it on your wish list. –ed)

Coming Attractions

• November 9^th – demo of prototype Resource Website
• November 16^th – State Employment Pipeline
• November 23^rd – Black Friday – no meeting
• November 30^th – Experts Panel – Are washing machines expertly designed to accommodate the hundreds of unique clothes washing scenarios launderers encounter on a regular basis, or is it just a plot by Big-Washer to exploit or love of buttons and knobs where really we just need two options: run-it-in-cold-and-hope-for-the-best and oh-please-let-this-bleach-and-scalding-water-get-that-coffee-stain-out-of-my-favorite-turtleneck. Let our experts present their findings and take your questions.
• December 7^th – don’t know
• December 14^th – still don’t know
• December 21^st & December 28^th – winter break
• January 4^th – back in business

Restaurant Review

I lived in Seattle for about 10 years and have quite a few restaurant I really like there.  A frequent dining spot was Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon (http://www.snappydragon.com/ - it is in the Maple Leaf neighborhood Northeast of Downtown Seattle - 8917 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115).  It isn’t the most authentic Chinese food you can get in Seattle (the international district has some really fun options), but it has some stellar dishes that make it worth the stop.  First off, they use lots of fresh, local ingredients.  Everything is made from scratch.  They are probably most famous for their Jiao-zi (boiled dumplings) and their Chow Mein with soft, house-made noodles, rolled and cut to order.  The Jiao-zi are really freaking amazing.  They even have a Jiao-zi bar in the corner of the restaurant where you can sit and watch them make them.  And that was a good thing, because when I stumble on something I love in a restaurant, I kind of obsess over it until I can figure out how to make it myself.  So, I logged a few meals at the dumpling bar watching their technique, and then hit the library (for you young’uns, that is how you googled before the world wide web) to find some recipes.  After some puttering, I finally nailed it, and I make them a few times a year (and always on New Year’s Eve, where you sit with friends and drink and talk and make them in the last few hours of the old year and then eat them in the first hours of the New Year – a lovely tradition I’ve flatly stolen from the Chinese).  Another dish I adore from there is the “Dry Sauteed String Beans” (I can make that dish too).  As I mentioned, the fresh noodle chow mein is well known, and a great dish.  Fresh noodles are the bomb, and they do them wonderfully.  I’m also a fan of their Green Onion Pancakes and their BBQ pork.  I wouldn’t make a trip up to Seattle just for a stop at the Snappy Dragon, but I do try to work it in to a visit at least once a year.  Judy, the owner, and her son, David are usually around.  At some point Judy Fu put together a line of sauces which you can find in finer stores across the region (mostly in King County, but you can get the sauces at Metropolitan Market in Tacoma, I think).  And a jar of sauce may be a nice thing, but what makes the snappy dragon great is their dedication to fresh ingredients – and for that, you have to make a pilgrimage to the Snappy Dragon itself.     

Attendees

• What Excites You?
• Jiyoung Kim, Korean Womens Association – I saw the Facebook posting last night and it is good to be here
• Larry Seaquist, League of Women Voters - 12 days left until election day - everyone here has you ballot on the kitchen table (I have more of a peninsula in my kitchen, but I think I get your drift, here. –ed)- vote, no postage stamp needed. I'm excited about how enthusiastic people are about voting.
• RoxAnne Symon, Safe Streets
• Barbara Kaelberer, Accountable Communities of Health & Hope Recovery Crossroad Treatment Center – excited daughter is coming home
• Bruce Morris, Tacoma Transportation Commission
• Justin Tillis, Tacoma Rescue Mission
• Theresa Power-Drutis, excited about Gerrit's new website (it is the color palette that draws folks in –ed)
• Bill Bruno, Catholic Community Services
• Brandon Ault, Catholic Community Services
• Marilyn Duran, Tacoma Rescue Mission
• Joseph Denton – Sound Outreach, excited about spooky (I suspect he said more than spooky, but that is all I wrote down… -ed)
• Pat Steele, The Coffee Oasis
• Dana Peterson – Catholic Community Services
• Martha Sheppard, The Salvation Army
• Emmanuel Owusu-Kyereko, Making a Difference Foundation
• Carrie Ching, Molina Healthcare
• Bill Harrison, Community Medicare
• Mattye Berry-Evens, Mercy Housing
• Roseann Martinez, University of Washington, Tacoma
• Cynthia Sandoval, TeamChild
• Sheila Miraflor, last day with Hire253, excited to start at Molina on Monday
• Tiffany Burns, Community Youth Services
• Emily Less, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department
• Rosemary Powers, New Connections, excited to see folks here today
• Shara Sauve, Pierce County Juvenile Court
• Carl Duman, Veterans Administration - Suicide Prevention
• Todd Hobart, Olive Crest
• Amanda Reeves, Food Lifeline
• Matt Jorgensen, City of Tacoma
• Elaine Tuisila, Metropolitan Development Council
• Marybeth McCarthy, Tacoma Community College
• Taniesha Lyons, Tacoma Community college student and intern with Springbrook Connections
• Al Ratcliffe, Coalition Junkie (or so says I. –ed.)
• Valeri Knight – Pierce County Human Services
• John Smith, Tacoma Rescue Mission (like, 20 years ago, there was a club for people named John Smith – the mechanic next to my Dad’s shop was a member. So I was looking for that society on the web, to no avail – my Dad’s friend probably made it up.  Anyway, I did find this cool website that I spent way too much time playing with - http://howmanyofme.com/search/ .  No wonder these notes take so long to write…-ed.)
• Alexis Eykel, Landlord Liaison Program (there is only one person in the US named Alexis Eykel…-ed.)
• Kiesha Triplett, Landlord Liaison Program (but, there are two Kiesha Tripletts – man you’ve got to try that website. –ed.)
• Meri Sinnitt, Interested Citizen
• Development worker
• Kelly blucher, excited I was just a parent rep in front of Jy Insley. On Nov 14th, going back to 253 works job club at goodwill
• Kim Nozall, CLR - child welfare
• Brian Sparza, harbor care center, gig harbor - find stable and long term ahousisn gof at risk youth
• gary chambers, worksource
• Greg Walker, Valeo Vocation - we are getting busy - we need more people who are near work ready, we need them. We have customers looking to place folks with us
• Sherri Jensen, Valeo Vocation - Placed our first client in transitional housing – cut 12 paychecks last week – we appreciate you guys
• DeAnn Bauer, Department of Social and Health Services, Child Protective Services
• Bonnie Rico, Comprehensive Life Resources – excited to be back at work at this
• Liz Murphy, Comprehensive Life Resources
• Rainey Carlin, Comprehensive Life Resources
• Greta Brackman, Comprehensive Life Resources
• Nathan Blackmer, Comprehensive Life Resources, getting near the end of the Merkle timeline – if anyone knows any housing openings, let me know about the resources
• Robinson, our sisters house
• Patricia Menzies, Tent City Tacoma – glad to be out of the house and walking around
• Colin Wiley, Comprehensive Life Resources
• Kelli Robinson, Our Sister’s House
• William Terry, REACH/ACT
• Ileana Areiza, The Mockingbird Society/REACH
• Sandra Iverson, VADIS
• Devon Isakson, REACH/ACT
• Shameka Willis, REACH - Housing 4 Success
• Kyle Moor – Tacoma Public Schools, Willie Steward Academy
• Michaela Woodmansee, Goodwill – Youthbuild
• Kimberly Williams, Team Child
• Valentinya Germer, Comprehensive Life Resources
• Chelsea Perry, Metropolitan Development Council
• Dave Frederick, The Coffee Oasis
• Gerrit Nyland, Catholic Community Services