I work in fundraising at Building Changes and a great deal of my time is directed towards engaging people like you in our work. Our donors consist of the most diverse, informed and compassionate residents of Washington state who all believe in our vision - Ending Homelessness Together. In fact, you are all so wonderfully unique and involved that we at Building Changes feel the responsibility to connect you with other like-minded individuals -- birds of feather flock together, right? Well, a couple of weeks ago at the spectacular Chihuly Boathouse we did just that.
That's right. Dale - Chihuly's - Boathouse! Thanks to board member and former Chihuly employee, Joanna Sikes, we were fortunate enough to occupy one of the most visually stimulating venues in Seattle. The evening could not have been better. Our guests walked freely though the grand Evelyn Room (above), the pool room (below) and into the "hot shop" for a glassblowing demonstration (below).
It was quite a festive event and upon first sight one might not have known that we were all gathered for a very serious cause. That is until Nola Renz came forward to speak. Renz is the Executive Director of Helping Hand House, a supportive housing nonprofit that receives funding from our grantmaking program, the Washington Families Fund. She told a story that is all too common among our state's 10,000+ homeless families -- the story of a young girl who overcame childhood poverty and domestic abuse only to find herself in her mother's shoes years later -- ‘until one day she fled for safety with nothing but her children and their clothes'. It turns out that the heroic, strong and caring mother in Renz's story was none other than herself...
Board Member Aana Lauckhart, Guest Speaker Nola Renz, and Board President Sam ‘Tripp’ Hunter
At the end of night, in the emptiness of the boathouse, I took a moment to reflect. Sure, we plan these events to raise money -- Building Changes is a community supported nonprofit. But it's the stories that are shared and the truths that are revealed at these venues that are then taken home and shared with family and friends, further expanding awareness and support for our mission to end homelessness.
Seattle has a long history of creating and sustaining innovative affordable housing solutions for those who need it most. What began as a small housing bond in 1981 for low-income seniors and disabled citizens has evolved into a levy supporting affordable housing development and restoration, down payment assistance to first time homebuyers and emergency rental assistance for families on the verge of homelessness. On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to renew the housing levy in 2010, which will be on the ballot this November. If Seattle voters approve the measure, taxpayers will invest $145 million back into our community over the next seven years.
The housing bond and three subsequent levies passed because they produce outstanding results. The current levy, spanning from
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