KCHA NEWS - April 2009
A resource for King County Housing Authority residents
Kathleen Weller never thought she’d live in a place as nice as her new unit at Birch Creek Apartments.
“It’s like a fresh start,” said Weller, who has lived at the Kent property formerly known as Springwood since her son was 2 years old. He’s now 11.
“I knew they were going to be nice, but I didn’t know they were going to be this nice,” she said of her new unit. “Everything is so beautiful.”
Families began moving into newly completed units at Birch Creek in late February once the first three buildings were finished. The two-year redevelopment project began in spring 2008. The redevelopment is so dramatic that KCHA decided to change the property’s name to Birch Creek to reflect the new look and feel.
“As we took 24 families to their new units and gave them the keys, over and over we were thanked and blessed,” said Tehani Bowman, the Birch Creek property manager. “It is an awesome feeling to share these beautiful new units with my residents.”
The former Springwood Apartments was built in the late 1960s, and its buildings are functionally obsolete. The redevelopment project is:
• Replacing building exteriors with attractive modern materials that add texture and color
• Completely renovating apartments with new windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, wall finishes, floor coverings, plumbing and electrical fixtures
• Installing new fire alarm and sprinkler systems
• Adding a half bath and a washer and dryer to all existing units Resident Anna Orekhov said she loves being able to do laundry at home and to have everything in her unit feel new – including the fresh white paint that she says makes the apartment feel energized and alive.
“I never expected to see this,” said Orekhov, who has two children ages 3 and 6. “It’s above and beyond what I’ve dreamed of.”
In addition to the upgrades in most apartments, several Birch Creek units are being made accessible for residents with disabilities.
To help fund the construction project, KCHA entered into a financing transaction that shifted the property from Public Housing to Tax Credit, Project-Based Section 8.
Weller said she wants to thank everyone who has been involved in making the Birch Creek redevelopment possible.
“This is just ‘Wow!’” she said of her new apartment. “I’m just so blessed to be here and to have this.”
April 15 is almost here: Get free tax help, apply for EITC
Free tax prep
Free assistance with preparing tax
returns is available through the April
15 tax deadline at several locations
through the United Way of King
County’s Free Tax Prep Campaign.
The free service is available to
households making less than $42,000
a year.
You don’t need an appointment, but
because many sites get very crowded,
you should arrive as close to the site’s
opening time as possible for the best
chance of getting served.
The tax preparation help is provided
by multilingual volunteers who
have been certified by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS).
For more information about free tax
prep assistance, please call 2-1-1 or
1-877-211-9274 or go to unitedwayofkingcounty.org/taxhelp.
Earned Income Tax Credit
Federal income tax returns are due
April 15, and as you’re filing your
taxes, you may want to apply for the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Low-income working individuals
and their families may be eligible to
receive a tax refund between $438 and
$4,824 if they apply for the EITC.
To qualify, you must meet certain
requirements and file a tax return,
even if you didn’t earn enough money
to be obligated to file a tax return.
The EITC has no effect on certain
welfare benefits.
To find out more about the EITC,
go to www.irs.gov/eitc or www.kcha.org/currentresidents/eitc.aspx.
Hopelink money management classes continue in April
Hopelink is offering a free series of classes
on money management for the community.
This month, those classes are from 6:30 to
8:30 p.m. April 8, 15, 22, and 29 at Hopelink’s
Adult Education Center in Kelsey Creek Plaza,
15015 Main St. Suite 206, in Bellevue. The
classes will focus on budgeting and managing
money in troubled economic times, credit
basics, and how to build credit or rebuild damaged
credit.
To register and for more information, please
call 425-644-7911. For more information
about Hopelink and its services, please call
425-869-6000 or visit www.hope-link.org.
Special RAC Meeting
A special Resident Advisory Committee
meeting will be convened at 5:30 p.m. April
6 in Room 109 at KCHA’s Central Office, 600
Andover Park W., Tukwila. This meeting will
be a combined meeting of both the Northeast
and South groups.
News for Families Living in KCHA Communities
Temperatures hovered near freezing and heavy snow fell as about 1,500 immigrants – including many KCHA residents – waved signs and listened to speakers outside the state Capitol in February.
Most boarded 26 buses to make the trip to Olympia for Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day to make their case for state funding of services spanning everything from English as a Second Language classes to homeless housing. Many others traveled together in individual vehicles.
“The sudden change of weather was a challenge, but we did have a good turnout,” said Maggie Sung, the community liaison for the Refugee Women’sAlliance (ReWA), which helped organize the event. “Immigrants and refugees of many ethnicities came together to show their presence and to voice their concerns in Olympia.”
Sheikh Biyad Shongolo used to live at the former Springwood Apartments in Kent before he relocated to a nearby apartment during the redevelopment of the property now known as Birch Creek. Originally from Somalia, Shongolo made his second trip to Olympia this year to be a part of the refugee and immigrant event.
He’s been unemployed since he was laid off from his job last June. That’s further strained his ability to support his wife and seven children. He decided to participate in this year’s legislative day because he wants the state to allocate funding to expand work opportunities for immigrants.
“My priority is finding a job,” Shongolo said. “I have a big hope.”
Ban the bug
By Amy Moe – Resident Services
Coordinator
King County Housing Authority
Nobody wants to live with cockroaches,
rodents or bedbugs in their homes. These
pests multiply quickly and can damage our
health. We know that they transmit disease,
bite, contaminate food, and can trigger
asthma and allergies.
KCHA wants to work cooperatively with
you to help keep all of your homes free of
pests. We’re responsible for ensuring that
your property is maintained in a decent,
safe, and sanitary condition. But we need
your help.
If you notice pests in your home – even
one – please contact your property manager.
When you report a suspected pest problem,
your property manager will schedule an
appointment for a pest management professional
to visit your home. The professional
will search for pests and recommend ways
that we can work together to eliminate
those pests and prevent their return. The
professional also may use the most effective
pesticides that have the least negative impact
on you and the environment.
Here are some ways that you can help
prevent pests from invading your home:
It is very important to keep your unit
clean and sanitary. Please throw away trash
frequently, and don’t let it pile up. Pests need
food, water and shelter to live and reproduce.
By keeping your home clean, you’re making
it a less desirable place for pests to live.
Please report any pests, leaks, or mold in
your unit to your property manager immediately.
We can only be successful in keeping
pests away if you let us know about any
concerns you have as soon as possible.
Please don’t try to eliminate pests on your
own with store-bought bug sprays or other
pest removal products. Those products can
be tempting, but they’re not effective. Pests
can become tolerant of these store-bought
pesticides, which can cause the bugs to scatter.
Also, those pesticides are poisonous to
people, pets, and wildlife.
If your property manager has scheduled a
pest management professional to visit your
unit, please follow your manager’s instructions
on how to prepare ahead of time. That
might include moving furniture to give the
professional access to areas where pests are
living.
We hope that this approach will help all
of us benefit from fewer pests and a healthier
environment!
KCHA manager heads up grant to build healthier communities
By KCHA Staff
Elizabeth Westburg, KCHA’s resident
services development manager, has been
selected to lead a new effort to fight
childhood obesity in two King County
communities.
KCHA – in partnership with the Seattle
Housing Authority and Public Health – Seattle
& King County – has been awarded
a four-year grant from the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation to improve opportunities
for physical activity and access
to healthy, affordable foods for children
and families. The grant’s focus is on the
Greenbridge community in White Center
and Birch Creek Apartments in Kent as
well as two Seattle Housing Authority
communities.
Westburg, who has a 5-year-old child
herself, said she knows firsthand how
important nutrition is to growing and developing
children. She also understands
how tough it can be to make healthy food
attractive to them, especially given the
added challenges of busy lives and the
cost of food.
“While kids are young, they’re developing
eating and exercise habits that they’ll
carry with them throughout their lives,” she said. “So this initiative has the opportunity to create healthy habits for life.”
Seattle-King County was selected as one
of nine leading sites for the foundation’s
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative
based on a demonstrated success in increasing
active living and healthy eating.
Westburg invited residents and community
members to share any ideas or thoughts
they have about making it easier for Greenbridge
and Birch Creek youth and families
to lead healthier lives.
“Resident involvement and ideas will be
the key to success,” she said. “We’d really
like to hear from you.”
In the coming months, Westburg said
she anticipates many chances for resident
involvement such as attending listening
sessions, participating on a steering committee,
joining a community kitchen and more.
Those opportunities will be publicized in
The Voice and elsewhere.
In the meantime, residents and community
members are welcome to contact
Westburg at 206-574-1186 or by e-mail at
ElizabethW@kcha.org.
As part of a new partnership with the
King County Housing Authority, the
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)
has scheduled several workshops in
April for women and their families in
the Somali/Somali-Bantu Community.
The workshops are part of a new effort
called the ReWA Somali/Somali-Bantu
Outreach Project.
In addition to ReWA and KCHA, the
Kent Fire Department and the nonprofit
Kent Youth & Family Services are assisting
with some of the workshops.
April Workshops
Birch Creek
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 2
Topic: Things to know before purchasing
used vehicles
Where: Kent Family Center in the ESL
classroom on the second floor
Valli Kee
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April
16
Topic: Things to know before purchasing
used vehicles
Where: Valli Kee Recreation Center
Cascade
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April
23
Topic: Things to know before purchasing
used vehicles
Where: Cascade Recreation Center
Kings Court Community Center to begin expansion
Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in April on a project that will more than double the Kings Court Community Center’s original size to roughly 2,500 square feet.
Once complete, the center will feature two new additions: a space for a computer lab and a classroom and a space for maintenance storage.
Federal Way Youth & Family Services will provide programming in the classroom and computer lab, such as after-school tutoring, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, arts and crafts, life skills development classes and more. The center and its new spaces will be open to Kings Court and Evergreen Court residents and Federal Way residents participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
The expanded center will mean a big improvement for the Federal Way Youth & Family Services’ programs that will operate there. The larger space will allow the organization to more easily offer multiple programs at the same time. Also, the Kings Court center previously wasn’t able to accommodate certain programs such as ESL classes.
“We couldn’t do a lot of our programs because everything was done in one room,” said Patrice Cade, a program coordinator at Federal Way Youth & Family Services. “In the new center, everything will be more spaced out so that we can do more programs. We can’t wait.”
The project also will replace the center’s roofing, siding and heating system. It also will feature new interior paint and a renovated kitchen with new cabinetry and flooring.
The renovation is expected to take four months to complete and cost approximately $320,000, with $120,000 coming from a Community Development Block Grant through the city of Federal Way.
By The YWCA Greenbridge Team
Special to The Voice
Résumés are an essential key to searching for a job. Keep in mind that your résumé is an employer’s first impression of you and can determine if you get an interview.
It’s important to always keep an updated and typed résumé on hand when applying for jobs. Here are 10 tips on how to impress a hiring manager using only your résumé.
1. A résumé is only a summary of your work skills and experiences. Try to keep your résumé to one page in length and limit your work history to the past 10 years or less, unless you have specific work experience further in the past that is related to the job you want now.
2. Employers often review a lot of résumés; so they’re not interested in lengthy reading. Keeping your job descriptions brief and simple will allow an employer to quickly view your attributes and experience without becoming bored.
3. Using a bullet or list format is a great way to list duties and skills you might have gained through your past work experiences.
4. Avoid using specific employment dates. Instead, use the more general months/years such as February 2006-April 2008.
5. Always tailor your résumé for the specific position for which you are applying.
6. Try to understand the problems or needs the employer you’re applying to may have. Then, illustrate on your résumé how you and your skills would help meet those needs.
7. Remember that you want to stand out from other applicants. One simple way of doing so is to use a different font when typing up your résumé. Instead of Times New Roman, switch your font to Georgia or Tahoma style. These two are different but still professional and clear to read.8. Print your résumé on résumé quality paper, which is usually thicker than white copy paper and might have a slightly different shade of color to it.
9. Remember that you want your résumé to reflect who you are. It is important to ask yourself: “Am I comfortable that this document accurately represents me?” Even small exaggerations should be avoided. Apart from being wrong, most human resources departments do background checks, and if you are busted, it might ruin your credibility for good.10. Always run spell check for errors, and never do handwritten corrections. The résumé you turn in should be clean and well organized. Do not submit a ripped or crumpled résumé. Keep it in good condition.
Please fill out, return
resident surveys
KCHA recently delivered a copy of
the Resident Satisfaction Survey to each
family living in our family properties.
When you receive your survey, please
take a few moments to fill it out and send
it back to us.
If you require a survey in
a different language, please notify your
property manager, and they will do their
best to accommodate your request.
We want to hear from you about what
we’re doing well and what we can improve.
“The more surveys we get back, the
more we’ll know about how we can best
serve you,” said Bill Cook, Director of
Public Housing.
You can either send it back in the
mail or leave it in the drop box at your
property’s management office. Thank you
for taking the time to share your feedback
with us!
Simple Delights – Recipes to help you eat well on a budget
This month: Turkey Stirfry
While a healthy diet is the cornerstone
to good health, meeting that goal can be
a challenge. The recipe below conforms
to the recommendations contained in the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food
Guide Pyramid. We hope you find it easy,
tasty, and economical.
Turkey Stirfry
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves 4.
Ingredients:
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 cup hot water
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 pound turkey, cubed
1-3/4 cups carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup hot water
Directions:
1. Combine the chicken bouillon cube
and 1/2 cup hot water to make a broth in a
small bowl; stir until the chicken bouillon
has dissolved.
2. Add the soy sauce and cornstarch to
the broth. Combine and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over
high heat. Add the garlic and turkey.
Cook, stirring until the turkey is thoroughly
cooked and no longer pink in
color.
4. Add the carrots, zucchini, onion,
and 1/4 cup water to the cooked turkey.
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until
the vegetables are tender-crisp (about
5 minutes).
5. Uncover and bring the turkey mixture
to a boil. Cook until almost all of the
liquid has evaporated.
6. Stir in broth mixture. Bring to a boil,
stirring constantly until thickened.
NOTE: Serve over steamed rice.
Nutritional facts per serving
Calories: 195
Total fat: 9 grams
Saturated fat: 2 grams
Cholesterol: 44 milligrams
Sodium: 506 milligrams
News for Senior and Disabled Residents of KCHA Communities
Dancing, toe-tapping fun at Harrison House
By Linda Stevens
King County Housing Authority
Ray Cole, a friend of one of the Harrison
House residents, began performing country
music at the Kent mid-rise this year. His first
performance was a huge success with residents
tapping their feet to country music from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. He also performed original
music such as the song that he sang to his wife
on their 60th wedding anniversary: “For the
First Time.”
Ray did his first performance as a gift to his
friend at Harrison House, but afterward, he
decided he wanted to come the second Friday
of each month – from 1 to 2 p.m. – as a gift to
all the residents.
In March, he sang 26 songs, including several
originals, and residents sang along to “You are
my Sunshine” and “Side by Side.” One resident
danced outside in the lobby. Another resident
now wants to learn line dancing. It was a wonderful
experience for all of us.
By the Healthy Aging Partnership
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has been called the “silent killer.” Without symptoms, it can severely damage arteries and organs and lead to heart attack or stroke.
Only in severe cases, does hypertension carry warning signs – fatigue, confusion, changes in skin color – which is why healthy adults should have their blood pressure checked every one to two years.
The Healthy Aging Partnership (HAP), a coalition of 40 Puget Sound area not-for-profit organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of older adults, recommends more frequent checkups for those with risk factors for heart or blood-vessel disease.
Risk factors include: high blood pressure in the past, smoking, being overweight, diabetes, age (45 and older for men, 55 and older for women), and a family history of coronary artery disease and/or early fatal heart attacks.
Blood-pressure tests measure the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. With high blood pressure, that force is too strong and usually means the arteries have been narrowed by a build-up of plaque.
A blood-pressure reading consists of two numbers. The systolic, or top number, measures the pressure when your heart has just finished pumping blood into your arteries. The diastolic, or bottom number, is the pressure between beats when the heart is relaxed.
So what is high?A reading of 140 or above (systolic) and 90 or above (diastolic) is considered high. Pre-hypertension is now defined as 120 to 139 (systolic) and 80 to 89 (diastolic). These new, more stringent national guidelines
are based on research that shows the risk of heart
disease and stroke increases at lower blood-pressure
levels than previously thought.
Here are some tips from the Healthy Aging
Partnership to prevent the silent killer from sneaking
up on you:
Free blood pressure checks are provided at
some public health centers, senior centers, and
through local screening programs. To find out
about services in your area, please call HAP’s
free, confidential help line at 1-888-4ELDERS
(1-888-435-3377).
Blood pressure readings from automated testing
devices, like those found in stores and pharmacies,
may be unreliable and need to be confirmed by a
doctor or health professional. A diagnosis of high
blood pressure typically requires three or more
high readings on successive doctor’s visits.
Lifestyle choices can lower your risk. Maintain
a healthy weight, stop smoking, exercise, limit
alcohol, cut back on salt and processed foods, and
eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Find ways to manage or reduce stress, including
deep breathing, yoga, or walking.
In addition to lifestyle and behavior changes,
doctors may recommend that patients with hypertension
take medications to lower their blood
pressure and use a home blood pressure monitor
to keep track of their progress.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack and
stroke. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience
a sudden, severe headache, chest pain, weakness,
or paralysis in your face or limbs or other
symptoms.
For more information about high blood pressure
and other issues related to life as an older adult,
call 1-888-4ELDERS (1-888-435-3377)). To learn
more about HAP and its partner agencies, visit our
Web site at www.4elders.org.
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and in fact, April is known as Eco-Month. In recognition of Earth Day, you might want to spend some time thinking about whether there’s one aspect of your personal life that you could change to make it more environmentally friendly.
Here are ideas about how you can help improve the environment in recognition of Earth Day:
1. Start taking your own bags to carry your groceries home from the grocery store. You can take the same plastic bags that they gave you the last time you shopped or bring one of your own backpacks or tote bags.
2. Reduce the amount of water you use. Ways to do this could include shortening the time you spend in the shower by even just a minute or two, turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, or not using the toilet as a trash can.
3. Always wash your laundry with cold water. That can save as much as 80 percent of the energy you use for washing laundry.
4. When you’re not using them, unplug devices – such as a cell phone charger – that use electricity even when you’re not using them.
5. Shop for second-hand goods.Anything that you are comfortable buying second hand keeps that same item from ending up in a garbage dump. This applies to furniture, clothing, toys, and kitchenware.
As you look for ways to stretch your budget, consider getting involved at your local senior center. Many senior centers offer regular low-cost meals as well as a variety of social and recreational activities for older adults.
Below is a listing of senior centers in King County. Please call the center directly for updated information about their programs, services, and any related costs. Membership typically is open to anyone 55 or older.
AUBURN: Auburn Senior Center 808 Ninth St. S.E. 253-931-3016
BELLEVUE: North Bellevue Community Center/ City of Bellevue Aging Services 4063 148th Ave. N.E. 425-452-7681
BOTHELL: Northshore Senior Center 10201 E. Riverside Dr. 425-487-2441
DES MOINES: Des Moines Senior Center 22030 Cliff Ave. S. 206-878-1642 FEDERAL WAY Federal Way Senior Center 4016 S. 352nd 253-838-3604
ISSAQUAH: Issaquah Valley Senior Center 105 Second Ave. N.E. 425-392-2381
KENT: Kent Senior Center 600 E. Smith St. 253-856-5150
KIRKLAND: Kirkland Senior Center 352 Kirkland Ave. 425-587-3360
REDMOND: Redmond Senior Center 8703 160th Ave. N.E. 425-556-2314
SEATAC: North SeaTac Park Community Center 13735 24th Ave. S. 206-973-4690
TUKWILA Tukwila Senior Program 12424 42nd Ave. S. 206-768-2822
By Heather Miller
King County Housing Authority
The vast majority of residents living in KCHA’s senior and disabled mid-rise buildings say they are satisfied with their unit, their property manager, and their maintenance crew, according to a recent survey.
“This is the best home I have had in many years,” one resident said.
KCHA administered the survey in an effort to find out how well we’re serving our residents and ways we could improve. The survey found that, of those who responded:
• 89 percent are very or somewhat satisfied with the quality and condition of their unit
• 89 percent are very or somewhat satisfied with KCHA’s maintenance services, the quality of repair work, and the time taken to complete repairs
• Close to 90 percent are very or somewhat satisfied with the availability and accuracy of the information they receive from management and the way they are treated by office staff
“We have a happy smiling staff, and our ‘home’ is well taken care of,” one resident said.
In addition to asking about our own performance, the survey also asked about how safe residents feel at home and in their surrounding environment. The survey found that, of those who responded:
• 85 percent are very or somewhat satisfied with the safety and security of their neighborhood
More than 40 percent of residents living in KCHA’s senior and disabled mid-rise buildings responded to the
survey.
“We truly appreciate the response
we received from the residents,” said
Bill Cook, Director of Public Housing. “We look forward to continuing
to provide quality housing and
services to our residents.”
The King County HousingAuthority is committed to providing accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities so that their living arrangements are, as a whole, comparable to that of other applicants and residents.
Requests must be medically necessary and sufficiently tied to the individual’s disability. To request a reasonable accommodation, please talk to your property manager or resident services coordinator. Also, a copy of the reasonable accommodation request form for public housing applicants and residents is available on the KCHA Web site at www.kcha.org/currentresidents/sh_reasonable.aspx.
King County Metro’s Dial-a-Ride Transit (DART) uses vans that go off regular bus routes to pick up and drop off passengers within a defined service area. DART service may allow you to arrange for transit service closer to a location. DART does not go door-to-door. It operates on a fixed schedule, but one that has more flexibility than regular Metro buses. The cost for DART service – which is available to everyone and operated by Hopelink under contract with Metro – is the same as regular Metro bus rides.
To use DART, call 1-866-2613278 (voice), or 1-800-246-1646 (TTY) during the following hours; you may leave a message at all other times:
When you call for a reservation, be prepared with the locations of where you want to start and where you want to go. The person taking your reservation will determine if you’re in the service area of a DART route and will tell you when and where to meet the van. The pick-up or drop-off point doesn’t need to be a regular bus stop and may not be exactly at your desired location or desired time. You are asked to be at that designated location at the given pick-up time.
You also can make your reservation online through Hopelink’s Web site: www.hope-link.org/gethelp/dart.
Because a limited number of off-route deviations can be made on any given trip, reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to make your trip request at least two hours before you want to be picked up. You can make your reservations for 30 days at a time and up to 30 days in advance.
DART can also connect you with regular Metro service at a transit center or other transfer point within its service area. DART service hours and days vary from route to route. To check DART routes, go online to transit.metrokc.gov/tops/ bus/dart/dartinfo.html.
Translated Articles for Our Families
Kaarka cuntada oo caawimaad ka geysta gadashada raashinka
Dowladdu waxay ballaarisay barnaamijka cuntada ee danyarta, taas oo keentey in hadda dadan ay xaq u lkeeyihiin in ay ka qaybqaataan. Haddii aadan markii hore laguu ogolayn waxay u badan tahay in hadda laguu ogol yahay. Waliba hadda aadbuu barnaamijkaaani u saacidayaa dadka maaadaama ay bangiyadii cuntada ay cunto yari hayso.
Shaqsiyaadka iyo qoysaska dakhligoodu gaaarayo 200% ka hoos diilinta qiyaasta saboolina ay dowladd dhexe, waxay hadda xaq u leeyihiin in ay codsadaaan barnaamijka cuntada ee laga maamunlo xafiiska cayrta loo yaqaan.
Si aad laguugu ogolaado barnaamijkaan cuntada waa in aysan ku soo gelin dakhli ka badan $1,734 bishii halkii qof. Waxaad ku dartaa $600 shaqsikasta oo ku soo kordha qoyskaaga. Matalan, qoys ka kooban 4 qof waxaa soo geli karta $3,534 welina waxay xaq u yeelanayaan inay ka qayb qaataan barnaamijkan cunto.
Si aad u codsato barnaamijkan waa inaad buuxisaa codsi ah online ama warqad aadna geysaa xasiifka cayrta ee kuugu dhow. Hawladeenada cyrtu waxay kaa qaadi doonaan wareysi ku saabsan dakhligaaga iyo xaaladda nololeed ee qoyskaaga, biillasha iyo kharashka kale ee kugu baxa.
Haddii lagu diiwaan geliyo, lacagta cuntada waxaa laguugu shubayaa electronic benift transfer (EBT) card, kaasoo u eg credit card. Lacagtaas bishiiba marbaa lagu shubaa.
Qoysaska ku nool gobolkaan Washington ee danaynaya in ay codsadaan barnaamijka cuntada waxay gudbisan karaan arji online ah foodhelp.wa.gov kadibna riix meesh leh “Basic Food” ama la xiriir xafiiska DSHSka ee kuugu dhow. Liiska xarumaha DSHS waxaad ka heli kartaan foodhelp.wa.gov. wixii war bixin intaa dheer, fadlan wac 1-877-514-FOOD.
Tiểu bang đã giới hạn thêm trong việc trợ giúp phiếu mua thực phẩm từ mùa thu vừa qua để có thêm nhiều cá nhân và gia đình được hợp lệ cho chương trình này. Cho dù qúi vị trước đây không hợp lệ cho chương trình phiếu thực phẩm, thì bây giờ, có thể qúi vị được hợp lệ, và đặc biệt là vào thời gian này, vì những nơi phân phát thực phẩm food bank đang gặp cảnh thiếu hụt thực phẩm. Những cá nhân và gia đình có mức lương đến 200 phần trăm theo qui định của chính quyền liên bang trong mức nghèo túng, thì hiện nay được hợp lệ cho chương trình phiếu thực phẩm của Bộ Y Tế và Xã Hội. Để được hợp lệ cho chương trình phiếu thực phẩm, thì gia đình có một người phải có mức lương không trên mức $1734. Tiêu chuẩn này lên đến mức $600 tính thêm vào mỗi người trong gia đình. Thí dụ như, một gia đình 4 người, có thể có kiếm được số lương $3534 mỗi tháng, vẫn được hợp lệ để lãnh phiếu thực phẩm. Để ghi vào chương trình, qúi vị phải điền vào mẫu đơn hoặc bằng trang mạng. Qúi vị sẽ được nhân viên bộ Xã Hội phỏng vấn để hỏi về hòan cảnh sống, mức lợi tức, tiền chi phí gia dụng và những chi phí khác. Nếu qúi vị được hợp lệ, thì phiếu thực phẩm được nạp vào Thẻ Điện Tử Chuyển Đạt Phúc Lợi EBT card, giống như các thẻ tín dụng, hay thẻ rút tiển. Phíêu thực phẩm được nạp vào thẻ vào mỗi tháng. Qúi cư dân của tiểu bang Washington nếu muốn xin phiếu thực phẩm qua mạng thông tin bằng cách truy cập vào trang mạng www.foodhelp.wa.gov, rồi nối vào mục Basic Food – thực phẩm căn bản, hoặc qúi vị có thể liên lạc văn phòng Bộ Y TẾ XÃ HỘI DSHS ở địa phương. Danh sách các văn phòng DSHS được kê ra trong trang mạng www.foodhelp.wa.gov. Muốn biết thêm thông tin, xin vui lòng gọi cho số 1-877-514-FOOD.
Translated Articles for Our Senior and Disabled Residents
Gaadiid bilaash ah oo meelkasta aad ku tegi karto
King County Metro’s Dial-a-Ride (DART) waxay isticmaashaa dariiqa ay maraan basaska caadigaa waxaana laguu diyaarin karaa gaadiid ku qaada oo u dhow meeshaad u socoto. DART waxay ku socdaan jadwal degsan balse waa mid ka doorasho badan midka metro-da.
Kharashka adeega Cost.-keebaa qofkasta u furan-ma la midbaa baska caadigaa ee metro.
Si aad u isticmaasho DART, fadlan wac 1-866-261-3278 (voice), ama 1-8002461646 (TTY) inta lagujiro saacadahaan: 5.
a.m to 11p.m Isniin-Jimce
7:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m sabti, 9:30 a.m
6:30 p.m axadda iyo maalmaha fasaxyada.
Markaad soo wacayso waa inaad ogtahay meesha aad ka baxayso iyo meesha aad u socoto. Qofka xajiska kuu samaynaya ayaa garan kara inaad u dhowdahay marinka DART iyo goobta aad kula kulmayso baabuurka ku qaadi lahaa. Goobta lagaa qaadiyo ama lagugu dajinayo qasab ma’ahan inay noqoto meel u dhw bus stop ama waqti iyo goob aad rabtay.
Waxaad sidoo kale xajiskaaga ka samesan kartaa webka hopelink: www.hopelink.org/gethelp/dart. Hopelink ayaa maamusha DART kagana hasata qandaraas Metro.
Maadaama tiro cayiman laga leexan karo marinka, xajisku waa qofkii u hor yimaada ayaa loogu hor adeegayaa. Waa inaad codsiga bixitaankaaga aad soo gudbisaa labo saac ka hor inta aan lagu qaadin. Waxaad hal mar sodsan kartaa 30 qaadmo. Sidoo kalana waxaad cossigaaga dhiiban kartaa 30 beri ka hor.
Chưong trình DART(Quay Điện Thọai Để Xin Xe Đi) của quận King xử dụng các xe van sau khi đã phục vụ các tuyến đường búyt thông thường, đễ có thể chuyên chở qúi vị nếu đang ở quanh nơi đó. Chương trình xe DART họat động theo giờ giấc ấn định , nhưng lại linh động hơn các tuyến xe búyt thông thường. Lệ phí để đi xe DART – áp dụng cho mọi người mọi giới – thì y như giá đi xe búyt. Để dùng xe DART, xin gọi cho số 1-866-261-3278 hoặc nếu là người có khuyết tât, xin gọi cho số 1-800-246-1646 (TTY) trong các giờ giấc sau đây, hoặc qúi vị có thể để lại lời nhắn vào lúc ngòai giờ bắt phone. Từ 5 giờ sáng đến 11 giờ tối từ Thứ Hai đến Thứ Sáu Từ 7:30 sáng đến 9:30 tối cho các ngày Thứ Bảy Từ 9:30 sáng đến 6:30 chiều cho các ngày Chủ Nhật, các Ngày Lễ Khi gọi, thì hãy nói cho biết mình đi từ đâu và đến nơi nào. Người nhận phone yêu cầu của qúi vị sẽ cho qúi vị biết là qúi vị có đang ở gần tuyến đường của xe van DART hay không, và cho qúi vị biết lúc nào và nơi nào qúi vị đón bắt xe van. Nơi đón và nơi đỗ không nhất thiết là ở trạm xe búyt, và cũng không phải là đúng nơi hay đúng giờ giấc mà qúi vị mong mỏi. Qúi vị cũng có thể đặt xe bằng cách vào trang mạng của cơ quan Hopelink: www.hopelink.org/gethelp/dart. Cơ quan HopeLink điều hành các xe van DART dưới hợp đồng của công ty xe búyt Metro. Vì chỉ có số giới hạn các van DART chạy sau giờ chạy tuyến, nên việc xin đặt xe được theo thứ tự “ai gọi trước – được trước”. Qúi vị phải gọi đặt xe ít nhất là 2 tiếng đồng hồ trước khi muốn xe đến đón. Qúi vị có thể gọi đặt xe cả 30 ngày trước.
WHITE CENTER SCENE
News About the Greenbridge and Park Lake II Communities
Do you have a home-based business? Would you like to operate it from an attractive storefront space just below your apartment? Then, we may have the perfect place for you!
KCHA is re-opening its interest list for the live-work apartments at Greenbridge.
What is a live-work apartment?
These are three-story townhouse apartments along Eighth Avenue Southwest south of Southwest Roxbury Street. In each townhouse, a two-bedroom apartment is upstairs, and commercial space is on the ground floor. The commercial space is available for approved small businesses that are owned and operated by tenants.
What kind of businesses are we looking for?
KCHA is looking for businesses that could enhance the quality of life of the surrounding Greenbridge community, possibly by offering a product or service that area residents need. Some examples might include: shoe repair, seamstress, beauty salon, barber shop, small store, travel agency, real estate agent, accountant.
What kinds of businesses would NOT be considered?
1. Manufacturing or industrial businesses
2. Businesses that require modifications or improvements to the building
3. Businesses that would be a nuisance to neighbors due to noise, smell, certain activities, late hours, or other conditions
4. Examples of businesses that would not be allowed include restaurants, machine shop, auto repair, or daycare
How can I apply?
Prospective residents would have to be eligible for a two-bedroom unit and demonstrate that they have a home-based business that could be operated from the ground-floor space. To apply, please send a description of your business and your contact information to: Live-Work Selection Committee 600 Andover Park W. Tukwila, WA 98188.
Now that KCHA has won the $20 million HOPE VI grant to redevelop Park Lake Homes II, we’re working closely with the residents who live there to prepare them to relocate while the project is completed. To help with that process, we’ve hired three new staff members who have joined the Park Lake II relocation team:
JerryYin, resident services specialist-logistics
Ashley Suttell, senior office assistant Gail Haynes
Below, they answer about their backgrounds and role in the relocation process.
What made you interested in working at KCHA and what are you excited about in your new job?
Gail: I have worked with families for several years in various social ser-Jerry Yinvices capacities: from a drug and alcohol advocate and domestic violence advocate to being a veteran service officer serving vets of all military branches. So I’m familiar and comfortable working with people with diverse backgrounds. I also have a real estate license. With those combined skills, I feel I have something to offer the families at Park Ashley suttell Lake Homes II. I honestly believe it’s been my life’s calling since I was a child to reach out and help people, especially those who are under served and have low incomes.
Ashley: I became interested in the Housing Authority while working for the Department of Community and Human Services for King County. Once I saw an opening, I decided to apply. I very much enjoy working in a field that helps others on a daily basis. I am excited to learn more about the communities we serve and also create and establish lasting relationships both with our residents and the surrounding communities.
What will be your role in the Park Lake II relocation and/or HOPE VI redevelopment?
Gail: I am the first point of contact for seniors and adults with disabilities getting ready to move away from Park Lake II. I do case management, help assess needs, and can assist residents with things like filling out necessary paperwork.
Jerry: My job doesn’t involve a lot of direct contact with residents. Instead, I am the point of contact between KCHA’s HOPE VI team and everyone else that we work with such as KCHA’s central applications office, Section 8 department, and private landlords.
Ashley: My job is primarily behind the scenes organizing paperwork, tracking information in our databases, and assisting the case managers when needed.
How can residents reach you if they have questions?
Contact Gail Haynes by phone at 206-335-6761; e-mail at GailH@kcha.org.
Contact Jerry Yin by phone at 206-335-6924; e-mail at JerryY@kcha.org.
Contact Ashley Suttell by phone at 206-349-0208; e-mail at AshleyS@kcha.org.
This month’s featured Community
Kitchen recipe – Couscous
with Tomato Stew
Ingredients:
6 oz. couscous
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 chopped onion
1 chopped garlic clove
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 can of tomatoes, drained
3 cups of chicken or vegetable
stock
1 can garbanzo beans
4 Tbsp. plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. cilantro
Directions:
Cover the couscous with boiling
water for 10 minutes, or until water
is absorbed. Heat the oil in the skillet,
add onion, garlic, and cumin.
Cook for five minutes. Then, stir in
the tomatoes, stock, and garbanzo
beans. Bring to a boil. Add the
yogurt and cilantro. To serve, pour
over the couscous.
Serves 4.