KCHA NEWS -- May 2010
A resource for King County Housing Authority residents
While Birch Creek resident Victoria Roach was living off-site, she’d occasionally stop by to visit the community and see how the construction project there was progressing.
“I was always impressed,” said Roach, who has now moved into her own new unit at Birch Creek. “It is really beautiful.”
Most residents moved away from Birch Creek for a period of time during the construction project. And though construction will continue to wrap up for the next month or two, in April, the last relocated families returned home to the property.
“It was wonderful to get to know the Birch Creek residents over the past couple of years,” said Christina Friedenthal, KCHA Senior Resident Services Manager. “I know the process was confusing at times and could be inconvenient, but we really appreciate everyone’s flexibility and patience. Without everyone working together, we couldn’t have accomplished such a great result.”
Roach said the entire process of moving away from Birch Creek and then coming back went very smoothly for her household, which includes her youngest daughter and two grandchildren.
“The Housing Authority followed through on everything they said they were going to do,” she said.
Located in Kent’s East Hill neighborhood, the property formerly known as Springwood was constructed in the late 1960s. Its buildings were functionally obsolete and needed to be renovated.
Construction on most – though not all – of the Birch Creek apartment buildings is complete.
The buildings’ exteriors have been replaced with attractive modern materials that add texture and color. The apartments have been completely renovated with new windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, wall finishes, floor coverings, and plumbing and electrical fixtures. A half-bath and a washer and dryer have been added to existing units. New heating and ventilating equipment as well as fire alarm and sprinkler systems have been installed.
“It’s really great,” said Marci Herman, a resident and mother of two young children. “It’s nice to have a big kitchen and two bathrooms. It really feels like a home now.”
In addition, several units have been made accessible for residents with disabilities.
The renovation also is improving Birch Creek’s landscape. The project is adding trees, shrubs, lawn areas, and recreational equipment. It’s also expanding and enhancing open spaces throughout the neighborhood, creating new places for children’s play, teen activities, and family recreation.
The $55 million project is expected to earn a 4-Star Built Green™ rating. Built Green™ is an environmentally friendly residential building program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties.
Work began in late March on $2.1 million in improvements to Valli Kee, a 114-unit family public housing complex in Kent. The project is being funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which is intended to provide jobs across America.
The project will replace exterior vinyl siding, roofs, and windows at Valli Kee, which was constructed in 1968. Current building envelopes have reached the end of their useful life span, are tremendously energy inefficient, and encourage moisture and mold issues.
“This initiative will not only provide good-paying jobs for the community, it will also enhance the quality, longevity, energy efficiency, and safety of this public asset, and convert several existing apartment units into homes that are fully accessible to persons with disabilities,” KCHA Executive Director Stephen Norman said.
Nationwide, the Obama administration dedicated $4 billion to housing authorities to preserve and improve the country’s public housing stock.
This project encompasses building envelope upgrades on each of the 31 single-story buildings, including the replacement of roofs, the installation of new exterior siding, new doors, and energy-efficient fluorescent exterior lights with daylight sensors. The installation of new energy efficient windows will complete the improvements to the building envelopes. Energy costs will be reduced by an estimated 13 percent for residents when the work is finished.
Enhancements to apartment entrances, extensive attic work, including an upgrade of the insulation, and the addition of seven trash/ recycling enclosures round out the renovation. Four conventional units will be converted into units that fully comply with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards with modifications to bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas.
In addition to preserving an important affordable housing resource, the new exterior façade will look more attractive and contemporary, with textured surfaces replacing the current monochromatic, utilitarian vinyl siding.
Additional Valli Kee improvements will combine aesthetic components with practical ones, including removing the trash closets located by front doors and replacing them with entry alcoves at all but the senior and townhouse units. Gables will be constructed above one-third of the entries to create a more varied and appealing “village” appearance. The six townhouse units will get a new roofing system with pitched roofs to replace the existing flat roofs.
“Valli Kee has always been a desirable complex for the residents and the community, but it has needed a fresh new look,” said Marsha Murphy, Regional Manager for the Southeast Area. “With this remodel, it is just the beginning of a new life for this development.”
This rehabilitation project will help offset declining private investment in our region. As the unemployment rate in the Puget Sound region hovers around 8 percent, these well-paying jobs will help reinvigorate the local economy.
News for Senior and Disabled Residents of KCHA Communities
A $1.7 million construction project is expected to start this month at Briarwood that’s funded by the American Recovery and ReinvestmentAct. The stimulus project is expected to both preserve the building for the long-term and improve its energy-efficiency.
Upgrades to Briarwood’s building envelope include new, post-industrial recycled content fiber cement board siding, energy-efficient windows, exterior insulation, new high solar reflective roofing, and energy-efficient exterior lighting.
In addition to the exterior project, Briarwood also will receive several interior water and energy upgrades, including new 1.1-gallon low-flow toilets, heat recovery/energy recovery ventilators, solar hot water heating, Energy Star fixtures and appliances, programmable thermostats, and high-efficiency showerheads.
The project – which is expected to employ roughly 40 workers from a variety of trades – is expected to be finished in December.
Salt has a long and interesting history. Dating as far back as prehistoric times, it has been used for a variety of purposes including making pottery, as a preservative, for religious rituals, as currency, and of course, as seasoning. Is it no wonder that salt is so prevalent today?
For many, the salt shaker is a constant presence on the table, and the thought of getting rid of it seems almost like blasphemy! For those of you who can’t relate, lucky you. For those of us that use salt and other sodium-containing seasonings in food, lowering your salt intake can be a challenge. You should strive to consume less than 2,400 milligrams of sodium per day, which is about 1 teaspoon of salt. Most people with high blood pressure can benefit from reducing their sodium intake. If you take medication for high blood pressure, it is likely that lowering your sodium intake will allow your medication to work better and can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Lowering your sodium intake is possible with a little bit of work.
Low sodium does not have to equal low taste. The following are just a few suggestions that you can use to season your food without adding salt or sodium-containing seasonings.
Beef: Bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, onion, pepper, sage, thyme
Lamb: Curry powder, garlic, rosemary, mint
Pork: Garlic, onion, sage, pepper, oregano
Poultry: Ginger, marjoram, oregano, paprika, poultry seasoning, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme
Here are a few tips:
Be a smart shopper.
Read food labels of the items you buy. A low-sodium food contains 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving. Buy more fresh whole foods like fruits and vegetables and less pre-made convenience products. Processed foods like frozen dinners or packaged noodles and sauce generally contain higher levels of sodium than if you made the item yourself.
Focus on preparing lower-salt meals.
Add less salt at the table and in cooking. Reduce the amount you use each day until none is used so that you can get accustomed to not having it. Use fresh or dry herbs in place of salt. Replace garlic and onion salt with the powder versions. They taste the same! Use fewer sauces, mixes, and instant products. This includes flavored rice, pasta, and hot cereals, which usually have salt added. Rinse salt from canned foods and limit smoked, cured, or processed meats and poultry.
Flavor that food.
Low sodium does not have to
equal low taste. The following are
just a few suggestions that you can
use to season your food without
adding salt or sodium-containing
seasonings.
For meat, poultry, and fish:
Beef: Bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg,
onion, pepper, sage, thyme
Lamb: Curry powder, garlic, rosemary,
mint
Pork: Garlic, onion, sage, pepper,
oregano
Poultry: Ginger, marjoram, oregano,
paprika, poultry seasoning,
rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme
Fish: Curry powder, dill, dry mustard, lemon juice, marjoram, paprika, pepper
For vegetables:
Carrots: Cinnamon, cloves, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
Corn: Cumin, curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley
Green beans: Dill, curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley
Greens: Onion, pepper
Peas: Ginger, marjoram, onion, paprika, parsley, sage
Summer or winter squash: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, onion
Tomatoes: Basil, bay leaf, dill, marjoram, onion, oregano, parsley, pepper
Do you need answers or help?
Living life to the fullest as we age can be exciting – and challenging.
The Senior Services Information & Assistance Line can help. We have answers to questions on topics such as:
If you are a senior living in King County – or if you know an older adult who needs information or assistance – call 1-888-4ELDERS (1-888-435-3377). Our phone lines are staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by trained professional advocates at Senior Services. We will provide the answers you want and the help you need, confidentially and free of charge.
News notes
Apply for Senior Farmers Market
vouchers
Don’t forget that the application period
for the King County Senior Farmers
Market Voucher Program ends May
28. The program allows eligible seniors
to receive vouchers worth up to $40 to
purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at
authorized farmers markets or roadside
stands. In addition, the program provides
delivery of local produce purchased
directly from farmers to homebound
seniors.
Applications are available online for
you to print out at www.agingkingcounty.org.
For more information about the program,
please contact Senior Information& Assistance at 206-448-3110 or 1-888-
435-3377.
King County seniors can get rides
through Volunteer Transportation
program
More than 400 volunteers use their
own vehicles to drive seniors to medical,
dental, eye, foot care, and other essential
appointments through Seniors Services’
Volunteer Transportation program. The
volunteers provide a personalized, one-on-
one transportation service. They
drive seniors to and from appointments,
waiting with them until they are ready to
return home. The seniors appreciate the
helping hand and moral support. There
is no charge for Volunteer Transportation
services.
You’re eligible if you are at least
60 years old, a King County resident,
can transfer into a private vehicle with
minimal assistance, and cannot use other
transportation options.
To schedule a ride, please call 206-448-5740 or 1-800-282-5815 by Wednesday
(or before) for any rides the following
week. Please have your trip details ready.
Scheduling hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Caregivers and/or family are welcome
to come as long as you give prior notice.
All rides are dependent upon driver
availability.
Get a ride on Bellevue EZ Rider
EZ Rider is a free bus service through
Hopelink in East Bellevue to help you
with your transportation needs.
It serves seniors, ACCESS riders, and
people with disabilities plus low-income
people getting to work, to job training,
or accessing child care while looking
for work.
The bus will pick you up in East Bellevue
and then take you to any one of
16 stops where you can connect to King
County Metro or Sound Transit buses.
To get home again, the bus will pick
you up at any of the 16 stops and take
you home.
Rides are available from 6 a.m. to
7 p.m. weekdays. To schedule a ride,
please call 425-943-6787. Help with trip
planning also is available.
By Generosa Schauer
King County Housing Authority
Residents at Wayland Arms are
ready for spring! Thirteen new
flower boxes have been built and
were ready just in time for April
showers and are starting to show
some May flowers.
During the winter months, Wayland
Arms underwent a $397,258
construction project – funded
by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act – that included
replacing the boiler with a new
energy-efficient one and installing
thermostats in each unit. The front
entrance also was upgraded with
an entrance that’s accessible for
those with disabilities and wheelchair
ramp. In addition, energy-efficient
lighting with censors was
installed in all corridors, and the
door hardware to all emergency
exits was replaced.
During construction, it was
determined that to complete the
new wheelchair ramp, the existing
flower boxes in the front of
the building would have to be
removed. These boxes had been
faithfully maintained by residents
since they were installed more
than nine years ago.
Recognizing the importance of
these flower boxes for residents,
Property Manager Taraz French
was able to set aside funds to have
new boxes built on the other side
of the building. Residents were
also surprised to have three new
benches added to the garden area
for them to use while enjoying
their flower gardens.
The flower boxes and surrounding
landscape were designed and
built by Jay Feery and Kevin Johnson,
both members of KCHA’s
Maintenance Crew. Thanks to
you both!
To complete the team effort,
Resident Services worked with
Wayland Arms residents to create
a set of guidelines for using
the flower boxes and a process
to assign out boxes to interested
residents.
Residents have started planting
their seeds, bulbs and plants, and
we cannot wait to see the results!
Identity theft is a growing
crime that disproportionately
affects older adults. The term
identity theft refers to fraud that
involves using someone else’s
personal information – such as a
Social Security Number or bank
account number – to steal money
or get other benefits.
Below are ways that you can
try to protect yourself from identity
theft:
• Shred your mail, documents,
and records before you throw
them away. Cut the paper into
tiny pieces so that thieves can’t
put it back together again.
• When you send out mail that
includes personal information,
place it into a postal service
mailbox rather than the outgoing
mailbox at your home.
• Review your credit report
annually – a service that’s available
to you for free once a year.
To request a copy of your credit
report, call 1-877-322-8228 or
go online to www.annualcreditreport.com.
• When you give out personal
information, don’t give more
than you need to.
• If someone contacts you by
phone, mail, or e-mail, no matter
who they say they are, don’t give
out your personal information
unless you’re 100 percent sure
of who they are. Instead, say
that you don’t give out personal
information unless you initiate
the contact. Then, try to independently
verify that they are who
they say they are by looking up
their phone number and placing
a call.
• Keep only the cards that you
absolutely need in your wallet.
Most of the time, you shouldn’t
need to carry your Social Security card with you.
News for Families Living in KCHA Communities
Vista Heights and Youngs Lake residents welcomed something new – or rather something recyclable – to their curbs this spring.
These two communities in the Renton area are joining roughly 50 other KCHA Public Housing properties in efforts to recycle some of what they otherwise would send to the landfill. Impact Property Services, a division of the Seattle Housing Authority, has added recycling pick-up to its regular waste pick-up service on Mondays at both communities.
“We like to recycle because we know it is better for our community to create less garbage,” said Olga Kuzmych, a Youngs Lake resident.
More than 50 Vista Heights and Youngs Lake residents attended community meetings earlier this year to learn more about the new recycling effort. At those meetings, residents shared both enthusiasm and concerns but most welcomed the change. For example, members of the Lats family at Youngs Lake said they were really excited about the chance to recycle so that they could help save energy and resources. than half the waste we produce can be
With more than 130 residents at each of recycled and used to make new products these two communities, successful recycling – saving energy, water, and landfill space. could mean an impressive reduction in Congratulations to Vista Heights and the amount of waste going to Washington Youngs Lake for taking advantage of this landfills. The average American creates new opportunity! more than 4 pounds of garbage in a day. The recycling effort was made possible That means, in one year, Vista Heights and by the supportive staff and residents at the Youngs Lake residents could create more two Renton area communities. Property than 220 tons of waste. Fortunately, more Manager Danielle Munroe and Landscaper
Recycling Tips
The King County Housing Authority
has been reviewing existing rent policies
for working and work-able families in
the Public Housing and Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher programs. Our goal
is to make those policies easier for you
to understand and for KCHA staff to
administer.
As part of that effort, KCHA also has
been working to improve the way that
utility allowances work for all Public
Housing and Section 8 households. We want to simplify the system, make the
utility allowance calculation easier for
you to understand, and standardize how
utility allowances work in both the
Public Housing and Section 8 housing
programs.
Now, we are ready to share the possible
changes that we are considering
both to rent policies and to utility allowances.
One possible change is eliminating
flat rents in the Public Housing program.
To learn more about the changes we
are considering both to rent policies and
to utility allowances, please come to one
of the three upcoming resident meetings
that we are planning in May.
At those meetings, you will have
a chance to ask questions about the
proposed changes and share your feedback.
So please, consider attending one of
the following three upcoming meetings
at KCHA communities in Auburn, Kent,
and Shoreline:
• 5:30 p.m. May 11 at Birch Creek,
27360 129th Place S.E., Kent
• 6 p.m. May 18 at Ballinger Homes,
2200 N.E. 201st Place, Shoreline
• 6 p.m. May 20 at Firwood Circle,
314 37th St. S.E., Auburn
If you have other questions or cannot
attend a meeting, we encourage you to
contact us by e-mail at rentreform@
kcha.org.
By Natalia Arredondo
YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center
Are you currently looking for a job but feeling stuck? Career networking may be the key you need to unlock the doors to employment.
Networking means developing contacts and exchanging information with other people for the purposes of expanding your career opportunities. It not only can lead you to your dream job but may also help you receive referrals to other agencies or services that you may need.
You also can receive information on a career field you hadn’t thought about or learn what the job market is like in another area.
Here are some tips on how to build your career network.
Upcoming job event
Looking to build your network? Come to the YWCA Job and Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10 at the YWCAGreenbridge Career Center, 9720 Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle.
You’ll have a chance to meet with employers from across King County that are offering a variety of positions within multiple fields. If you have questions or need more information, please call the career center at 206-336-7000.
If you want to succeed, you cannot give up.
That’s what Birch Creek resident Mohamed Hassan told state lawmakers in Olympia earlier this year when he and fellow Birch Creek resident Zaharo Adan participated in a student panel discussion about the WashingtonAssessment of Student Learning. The WASL was given as the state’s primary assessment from spring 1997 to summer 2009 and receiving a passing score had been a high school graduation requirement. It has now been replaced by two other assessment tests – one for grades 3 through 8 and another for high school students.
Mohamed told lawmakers that although he struggled with the test, he vowed to keep taking it until he passed.
“I said, ‘I’m not giving up no matter what!’” he said.
Both Mohamed and Zaharo entered high school shortly after moving to the United States as refugees from war-torn countries. Going to school wasn’t easy for them. The first challenge they encountered was learning English. They also found that the American education system was very different from the education they’d previously received.
Both students became regulars at the Center for Career Alternatives – which has an on-site office at Birch Creek – to receive homework assistance.
Regardless of their challenges, Mohamed and Zaharo worked hard and passed all of their classes by their senior year. The final challenge they both faced was passing the WASL in order to graduate. Both had to retake the writing portion of the test because they did not receive a passing score on their first try. Mohamed and Zaharo said they found it difficult to move from another country and try to be successful in school plus face an additional challenge such as the WASL exam.
However, both also said the test hasn’t stopped them from achieving their dreams. Mohamed currently has two jobs – working in the Kent School District as a Somali interpreter for parents at school conferences and translating for other families when they attend medical appointments. Zaharo is continuing her education at Everest College, where she’s studying to become a medical assistant.
Though sharing their experiences with state lawmakers was nerve-wracking, Mohamed and Zaharo said they were glad they chose to participate in the student panel.
“I wanted to come and be heard,” Zaharo said. “I wanted to do something that was going to make a difference.”
This month: Mostaccioli and Beans
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 forAmericans.We hope you find it easy, tasty, and economical.
Mostaccioli and Beans
Serves six.
Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked mostaccioli pasta (or any pasta shape similar to penne)
2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
2 cups lightly packed fresh spinach leaves
1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions:
Nutritional facts:
Calories: 313
Total fat: 2 grams
Saturated fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 467 milligrams
Free financial literacy class in Kent
The Multi-Service Center offers a weekly, six-hour finance class called “Show Me the Money” at the center, 515 W. Harrison St., Suite 205, Kent. You’ll learn ways to control your money, build your budget, cut expenses, understand basic credit and credit cleanup, basic taxes, the banking system, and insurance.
Weekly class schedules vary but include one Saturday per month and are by reservation only. For more information on dates and/or to reserve a seat, please call Georgene at 253-854-4406 ext. 142.
Career & education Fair planned in Kirkland for Hopelink clients
The Hopelink Employment Program will be hosting its first annual Career & Education Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at Hopelink’s Kirkland/Northshore Center, 11011 120th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. You must be a Hopelink client to attend.
Representatives from local employers and colleges will be at the event, providing information on job openings, career opportunities, education and training programs, and more.
Please bring copies of your résumé, and dress professionally.
If you have any questions, please contact the Hopelink Employment Program at 425-885-0043 ext. 100 or HEP@hope-link.org.
Translated Articles for Our Families
Rent policy, utility allowance changes coming soon for working, work-able families
Оплата за жильё и за его содержание скоро изменится для работающих и работоспособных семей
Жилуправление округа Кинг пересмотрело существующие на сегодня установки квартплаты для работающих и работоспособных семей в общественных домах и получателей ваучеров 8-й программы. Нашей целью было сделать эти установки более лёгкими для вашего понимания и для внедрения в жизнь работниками управления.
Жилуправление также включило в свою задачу улучшить метод предоставления пособий на содержание жилья для всех общественных домов и получателей 8-й программы. Мы хотим упростить систему, сделать более понятным для вас расчёт пособий на содержание жилья и стандартизировать, как это будет работать в обеих жилищных программах.
Теперь мы готовы поделиться результатами своей работы, которые предполагают возможные изменения как в квартплате, так и в пособии на содержание жилья. Одно из предлагаемых изменений – ликвидировать единую квартплату в общественных домах.
Чтобы узнать больше об изменениях в квартплате и пособиях на содержание жилья, приходите на одно из собраний жильцов, которые мы планируем на май. Мы предполагаем провести собрания в каждом из трёх районов: северо-восточном, юго-восточном и в югозападном. На этих собраниях у вас будет возможность задавать вопросы о предлагаемых изменениях и высказать своё мнение. Информация о днях, времени и местах проведения собраний сообщается на второй странице секции новостей КСНА.
Если у вас есть другие вопросы или вы не можете посетить собрание, мы просим вас связаться с нами через электронную почту : rentreform@kcha.org.
QUI ĐỊNH VỀ VIỆC THUÊ NHÀ, NHỮNG THAY ĐỔI VỀ KHẤU TRỪ TIỀN TIỆN ÍCH SẺ SỚM CÓ NHỮNG THAY ĐỔI ĐỐI VỚI NGƯỜI ĐANG ĐI LÀM, VÀ NHỮNG NGƯỜI CÓ KHẢ NĂNG LAO ĐỘNG
Nha cấp phát gia cư quận King, KCHA đang duyệt xét chính sách thuê nhà hiện nay dành cho người đang đi làm hay người (không đi làm) mà có khả năng lao động được, đang cư ngụ trong khu gia cư công cộng hay đang ở trong chương trình Số 8. Mục đích chính của chúng tôi là làm cho những chích sách này được qúi vị cư dân cũng như những nhân viên hành sự đều được hiểu thấu dễ dàng.
Như là phần của nổ lực đó, Nha cấp phát gia cư quận King, KCHA đang làm việc để củng cố đường lối khấu trừ tiền tiện ích dành cho các cư dân ngụ trong gia cư thuộc chương trình Số 8. Chúng tôi muốn làm hệ thống đơn giản, phương cách chiết tính khấu trừ tiền tiện ích cho quí vị dễ hiểu, và lập ra qui định chung cho cả hai chương trình housing.
Bây giờ thì chúng tôi sẳn sang để chia sẻ những thay đổi mà chúng tôi đang cứu xét cho cả hai qui định tiền thuê nhà, qui định khấu trừ tiền tiện ích. Một thay đổi có thể xảy ra là việc chấm dứt mức tiền cho thuê nhà cố định (flat rent).
Để hiểu biết thêm về những thay đổi mà chúng tôi đang cứu xét cho cả hai: tiền thuê nhà, tiền khấu trừ tiện ích, thì xin quí vị hãy đến tham dự các buổi họp cư dân mà chúng tôi dự định sẻ họp trong tháng Năm. Chúng tôi dự trù có 1 cuộc họp cho mỗi khu vực trong tòan 3 khu vực của chúng ta: Khu Northeast, khu Southeast, và khu Southwest. Trong các cuộc họp đó, quí vị sẻ có cơ hội để đưa ra các câu hỏi về những dự tính thay đổi, và chia sẻ những ý kiến đề nghị.
Nếu qúi vị có những câu hỏi khác hoặc không thể đến tham dự các cuộc họp, chúng tôi khuyến khích qúi vị liên lạc với chúng tôi bằng điện thư ở rentreform@ kcha.org
La política de renta, concesión de utilidad cambios vienen pronto para familias que trabajan
KCHA ha estado revisando políticas existentes de renta para las personas que trabajan y familias capaces de trabajar que viven en vivienda pública y las pro-gramas de Sección 8. Nuestro objetivo es de hacer esas políticas más fáciles para usted comprender y para el personal para administrar.
Como la parte de ese esfuerzo, KCHA también ha estado trabajando para mejorar la manera que concesiones de utilidad trabajan para todo el Público que y la Sección 8 casas. Queremos simplificar el sistema, hace el cálculo de concesión de utilidad más fácil para usted comprender, y para estandarizar cómo funciona en ambos albergando programas.
Ahora, estamos listos para compartir los cambios posibles que estamos considerando a las políticas de rentar y a las concesiones de utilidad. Un cambio posible esta eliminar las rentas planas en la vivienda pública.
Para aprender más acerca de los cambios que nosotros estamos considerando a las políticas de rentar y las concesiones de utilidad, vienen por favor a uno de las reuniones residentes que estamos planeando por mayo. Planeamos tener una reunión en cada uno de nuestras tres regiones: el Noreste, el Sudeste, y el Suroeste. En esas reuniones, tendrá una oportunidad de hacer preguntas acerca de los cambios propuesto y comparte su reacción. Para encontrar las fechas, para los tiempos, y para las locaciones, giran por favor a pagina 2 de la sección de Noticias de KCHA.
Si tiene otras preguntas o no puede asistir a una reunión, nosotros le favorecemos a contactarnos por email en rentreform@kcha.org.
no somali translation
The Voice did not receive a Somali translation for this section before the print deadline. We are very sorry for the inconvenience. Please go to www.kcha-evoice.org to view the Somali translation.
Translated Articles for Our Senior and Disabled Residents
Предохраняйтесь от кражи личной информации
Кража личной информации становится распространённым преступлением, жертвами которого в большинстве случаев становятся пожилые люди. Термин «кража личной информации» означает мошенничество с использованием чьей-то личной информации – номера карточки социального обеспечения (Social Security Number) или номера банковского счёта – для кражи денег или для получения других выгод.
Ниже приводятся способы, которые вы можете использовать для предохранения себя от кражи личной информации:
ящике у дома.
card).
HÃY TỰ BẢO VỆ MÌNH ĐỂ KHÔNG BỊ MẤT CẮP THÔNG TIN CÁ NHÂN
Việc đánh cắp thông tin cá nhân là tội ác đang gia tăng gây ảnh hưởng khôn lường đối với những nguời lớn. Việc đánh cắp thông tin cá nhân có nghĩa là sư gian lận liên can đến việc dùng những thông tin của một người nào đó – như dùng số An Sinh Xã Hội, hoặc số trương mục nhà bank-để mà ăn cắp tiền hay những thủ lợi khác.
Duới đây là những cách mà qúi vị có thể tự bảo vệ cho mình tránh việc bị đánh cắp thông tin cá nhân.
Hãy xé vụn các thư từ, hồ sơ trước khi quăng bỏ nó đi. Hãy cắt các thư từ đó thành từng mảnh vụn nhỏ để cho kẻ trộm không cách nào ráp nó lại.
Khi qúi vị gởi thư có chứa thông tin cá nhân , hãy bỏ vào thùng thư của bưu điện chớ đừng để thư ở thùng nhận thư ở nhà mình.
Mỗi năm hay duyệt xét lại báo cáo tín chỉ của mình – dịch vụ miễn phí này cung cấp cho quí vị mỗi năm một lần. Để yêu cầu có đuợc bản báo cáo về tín chỉ của mình, hãy gọi cho số điện thọai miễn phí 1-877-322-8228, hoặc vào trang mạng ở www.annualcreditreport.com
Khi cần phải cung cấp thông tin cá nhân của mình, chỉ cung cấp những gì cần thiết mà thôi.
Nếu có ai đó gọi điện thọai cho qúi vị, hoặc gởi thư hoặc gởi điện thư, dù cho họ nói họ là ai, thì hãy đừng cho họ thông tin cá nhân của mình, trừ khi qúi vị biết chắc chắn trăm phần trăm người đó là ai. Thay vào đó, hãy trả lời là qúi vị không thể cho biết những thông tin cá nhân của mình, trừ khi qúi vị là ngừơi chủ xuớng. Rồi sau đó qúi vị hãy tìm cách để nhận dạng xem ai là người đã gọi cho mình bằng cách nhận dạng số điện thọai và bằng cách gọi lại cho họ.
Chỉ cần giữ các thẻ mà qúi vị cần dùng nhiều nhất trong bóp. Phần lớn là qúi vị không cần phải mang trong mình thẻ An Sinh Xã Hội.
Protéjalo de robo de Identidad
El robo de identidad es un crimen creciente que afecta desproporcionadamente adultos más viejos. El término “robo de la identidad” se refiere al fraude que implica utilizar otra persona información personal – como un Número del seguro social o número de cuenta bancario – para robar dinero o conseguir otros beneficios.
Sean abajo maneras que usted puede tratar de protegerse de robo de identidad:
• Si alguien le contacta por teléfono, por el correo, o por el email, no reparten su información personal a menos que sea el 100 por ciento seguro de que son. En vez de eso, dice que usted no reparte información personal a menos que usted inicie el contacto. Entonces, trate de verificar independientemente que son quién dicen que están. Busca el número de teléfono y colocar una llamada a este número.
• Mantenga sólo las tarjetas que usted necesita absolutamente en su cartera. La mayoria del tiempo, usted no necesitaría llevar a su tarjeta de Seguridad Social consigo.
no somali translation
The Voice did not receive a Somali translation for this section before the print deadline. We are very sorry for the inconvenience. Please go to www.kcha-evoice.org to view the Somali translation.
News about the Greenbridge and Seola Gardens Communities
Working a full-time job and taking a full roster of college
classes makes raising a child an even bigger challenge for White
Center parent Beatrice Harper.
So she is very grateful to have her son enrolled at the new
Educare Early Learning Center at Greenbridge, where she knows
he feels comfortable and receives high quality instruction.
“I’ve come to know for a fact that it really does take a village
to raise a child, and the Educare program makes up a
huge portion of that village,” Harper said at the center’s grand
opening in late March. “That makes me feel so good inside as
a parent to know that my son is in a place that truly loves and
cares about him.”
The new, 44,000-square-foot center features six preschool
classrooms, four infant-toddler classrooms, training rooms,
and community gathering spaces. It offers full-day, year-round
infant, toddler, and preschool programs for 134 children from
income-eligible families and for children with disabilities.
KCHA is very excited to have the Educare center at Greenbridge
and contributed the land and New Market Tax Credit
financing for the project.
In addition to programming for young children, the center
also offers parent and teacher resources and training programs
to enhance the quality of early learning and care in all settings
to prepare all children to be successful in school and life.
The new facility also serves as the hub for services provided
by the White Center Early Learning Initiative. Primary partners
in WCELI are Child Care Resources, Highline Public Schools,
Open Arms Perinatal Services, Public Health – Seattle & King
County, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Educare/
Bounce Learning Network, and Thrive by Five Washington.
The partnership is supported by grants from Thrive by Five
Washington and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
By Emily Slagle
Southwest Boys & Girls Club
Come join the fun at the Southwest Boys &
Girls Club Summer Camps for youth ages 5 to
12!
The camps are from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays
from June 28 to Aug. 27. Breakfast, lunch,
and dinner are provided.
The club will not offer drop-in activities this
summer; all youth must be enrolled in a camp.
The following camps will be available:
• Jedi Camp: Create your own Jedi character,
play fun Jedi training games, study basic astronomy,
and wield a light saber in a choreographed
fight.
• Gross & Gooey Science: Make your own goo,
and carry out a number of revolting-in-a-good
way science projects.
• Under the Sea: From fish to sand, bubbles to
mermaids, take an actual look under the sea and
bring sea life up to the surface for a closer look.
• Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!: Learn about insects and
creepy, crawly critters. Explore spiders, worms,
bees, caterpillars, and more.
• To Infinity and Beyond Space Camp: Visita planetarium to discover the stars above,
learn about the wonders of worlds beyond
our own, and build your own spaceship.
• Dinosaur Camp: Learn about many dinosaurs
and their characteristics plus create
story books and art projects.
• Animal Antics: Build animal models,
learn about natural animal camouflage,
write amusing animal tales, and create crazy
creature flipbooks.
• Super Hero Camp: Identify a community
problem, design a super hero that will
solve that specific issue, and create a comic
strip based on your ideas.
• Pirate Camp: Go on a treasure hunt, do
team challenges and island crafts, and take
a field trip to Waterfront Park.
The cost is $70 per week plus the $25
annual Boys & Girls Club membership cost
(unless you’re already a current member).
Cash, check, or credit payments are accepted.
Limited scholarships are available;
please ask the Boys & Girls Club for more
details about financial assistance.
If you’d like to enroll your child in a
camp, please attend a parent orientation at
7 p.m. on one of the following dates: May
7, May 14, May 21, June 4.
The club is located at 9800 Eighth Ave.
S.W., Suite 105, Seattle and can be reached
by phone at 206-436-1910.
Exercise classes
Free, weekly exercise classes – sponsored by Neighborhood House – are now offered in the Joe Thomas Room at the Wiley Community Center, 9800 Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle.
Though the classes are free, you must arrive 15 minutes early to register. Specific attire is not required; please wear attire that you feel comfortable exercising in.
For more information, please call Melisa at Neighborhood House at 206-461-4554 ext. 22.
Nia Apartments resident Tuong Tran found plenty to enjoy at the inaugural Greenbridge Neighborhood Night earlier this spring.
At the event, the White Center Heights Elementary School gymnasium was transformed into an indoor play area with active games, board games, Wii Sports, music, raffle prizes, and more. Midway through the evening, a Latin beat came on the speakers, and salsa dancing lessons were offered to anyone who wanted to join.
“I enjoyed seeing the kids playing and the adults dancing,” Tran said after the event.
The Be Active Together team at Neighborhood House – in partnership with the King County Housing Authority and the White Center Community Development Association – organized the Greenbridge Neighborhood Night and offers a similar event to the High Point community in West Seattle.
In addition to the activities, refreshments were served in the cafeteria, which also featured resource tables hosted by local service providers.
“We created Neighborhood Night as a way to bring the community together and offer neighbors a chance to meet one another in a fun, family-friendly environment,” said Denise Sharify, manager of the Be Active Together project.
Be Active Together also offers field trips, exercise classes, and community involvement opportunities.
Upcoming Greenbridge Neighborhood night events
Come meet new neighbors, play board games, win a raffle, and enjoy
some refreshments at an upcoming Greenbridge Neighborhood Night. The events are free and fun for all ages!
Greenbridge Neighborhood Night events are planned for May 14 and July 16. Both will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Wiley Community Center.
For more information, please call Melisa at Neighborhood House at 206461-4554 ext. 22.