By KCHa StaFF
Nearly three-quarters of Harrison House residents who responded to a recent survey say the KCHA meal program has improved the quality of life in their building. And almost 90 percent said they thought KCHA should continue the program, which the Housing Authority does plan to keep as a valuable fixture at Harrison House.
“The main reason I moved here was the food service,” one resident said.
“Many of the residents depend upon it,” said another.
KCHA conducted the 2008 Customer Service Satisfaction Survey among meal program participants at Harrison House as a follow-up step to contracting with a new food services provider – Pioneer Food Services – earlier this year.
Of those surveyed, 71 percent said they ate the meals provided at Harrison House at least five days each week. A majority said that they are satisfied with the overall quality of food services they receive and that Pioneer Food Services’ menu offers a variety of healthy options.
Several said they didn’t know what they would do without the evening meal.
“I’d have no place to go as restaurants are extremely expensive, and I have no personal transportation to go to the grocery store on a regular basis,” one resident said.
Though the survey results overwhelmingly favored the meal program, some residents said they weren’t always satisfied with the food options. However, several noted that the menus have steadily improved in recent months.
“It is great having dinner at Harrison House,” one resident said. “I really appreciate the service. Sometimes it’s better than other times, but so is eating out.”
The meal program costs $175,000 annually to operate
– an amount that includes the food, labor and the accompanying utility costs. Residents and the Housing Authority each contribute funding for the program, though KCHAhas increased its share over the years to improve the variety and quality of the meals at no extra cost to residents.
Ballard neighborhood sights awe Northridge residents
By Heather Miller
King County Housing Authority
It’s like coming back to revisit an old friend.
That’s how Northridge I resident Barbara Gladen described her recent trip to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks on the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
“I haven’t been here in so many years,” she said. “It’s wonderful to come back.”
Gladen and six others from North-ridge I and II visited the Locks during a field trip that was organized by KCHA resident services coordinator Candace Ives.
The Locks function as the gateway between the freshwater of Lake Washington and Lake Union – which sit at 20 to 22 feet above sea level – and the salt water of Puget Sound. By lowering and raising water within the Locks, the Lockmaster allows boats to move from the water level of the lakes to the water level of Puget Sound and vice versa.
As the residents approached the Locks, anArgosy Cruises ship entered the large lock.
“Wow!” Gladen said. “That’s a big one.”
Everyone really liked watching the boats cruise in and out and seeing the large lock fill up with water.
Other attractions at the Locks include a fish ladder and a botanical garden that is home to 500 species and 1,500 varieties of trees, flowers and shrubs from around the world. The fish ladder was built because the Locks and adjacent dam block all salmon runs out of the Cedar River watershed. Pacific salmon hatch in freshwater lakes, rivers and streams and then migrate to sea only to return to spawn near the end of their lives.
The salmon either jump over each of the ladder’s 21 weirs or swim through tunnel-like openings. And visitors can watch their progress from several viewing areas at the Locks.
When the residents arrived at the fish ladder, they saw huge Chinook Salmon climbing. “The ladies had never seen fish that big,” Ives said. “The fish ladder
was absolutely packed. It was quite a sight to see.”
After visiting the locks and fish ladder, the residents made their way to the Carl S. English Jr. Garden. “Look at all of this, it’s awesome,” Northridge I resident Vicki Shore said of the many varieties of plants and flowers in the botanical gardens.
“I haven’t been here in a long time, and they’ve obviously redone the whole park.”
After leaving the Locks, the entire group had a lovely picnic lunch at Carkeek Park, which overlooks Puget Sound.
“It was a really fun day,” Ives said. “Everyone seemed to have a great time.”
Individuals with disabilities can find free, online disaster preparedness info
The free online resources listed below offer emergency preparedness information and resources for individuals with disabilities. Washington State Department of Health
The department provides general public information and an extensive library of fact sheets on many types of disabilities and disasters that apply to individuals in all states.
www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/pheprgeninfo.htm
National Organization on Disability
The NOD created an interactive map of federal, regional, state and local disability-related emergency management resources. It also has brochures, checklists and tip sheets that can be downloaded and printed.
www.nod.org/EPIResources/interactive_ map.html Federal Emergency Management Agency
This site has information about emergency preparedness for people with and without disabilities in print and video formats.
www.fema.gov/areyouready
American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides a guide on sign language for emergency situations and a guide specifically written for workplace emergencies. It also provides tip sheets for individuals with communication, cognitive, visual, mobility and other disabilities.
www.prepare.org/disabilities/disabilities. htm
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/seniors.html
The DOL’s DisabilityInfo.gov site provides a guide to accommodations during disasters, a guide for parents and teachers after a disaster, and flood, bioterrorism and fire information.
Go to www.disabilityinfo.gov. Then, click on the link that reads “community life.” From there, click on the link that reads “emergency preparedness.” Department of Homeland Security
This Web site is dedicated to teaching individuals how to prepare a survival kit. It provides an additional checklist for people with disabilities.
www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled. html PrepareNow
This association is part of the Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters in California. The Web site provides earthquake-specific information for people with disabilities and offers information in Spanish.
www.preparenow.org Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Run by a professor at the University of Texas, this site provides checklists and links
as well as hurricane-specific information. www.disability911.com
Anderson County Medical Reserve Corps
While this site focuses on emergency preparedness inAnderson County, Texas, it offers free videos in American Sign Language on emergency supplies, preparedness kits, evacuation plans, hurricanes and floods.
www.andersoncountymrc.com/asl.html
Do you know how to be street smart?
By Judy Lawler
King County Housing Authority
Many people enjoy spending time outside, and walking is great exercise. But it’s important to be alert when you’re walking, and it always is a good idea to walk with someone else.
Below are some other street safety tips to keep in mind:
- Stay on populated, well-lit streets. Avoid shrubbery and dark areas. Don’t take a shortcut if it means you have to walk through an alley, a vacant lot, or another deserted place. If possible, walk during the daytime instead of at night. Look around when you walk. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let yourself be taken by surprise.
- Carry something like a whistle that can make a loud noise, and don’t be afraid to blow it.
- If you ride the bus, sit near the driver. And if someone is bothering you, tell the driver.
- Be careful when you use a credit card or an ATM. Do not let anyone see your card or PIN. Wait until there is no one around before using an ATM. If you are making a deposit, have all the paperwork done before you walk up to the machine.
- Try to limit the number of things you carry around. Too many bags could affect your ability to defend yourself. If you are walking from a store to your car, have your keys in your hand before you reach the car.
- Women should not leave their purses in grocery carts. Carry your purse with you at all times. It is best to have a purse that has a long strap that you can put across your shoulders.
- Don’t wear headphones. They make it hard for you to hear if someone approaches you.
- Finally, trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid to yell or to make a scene if necessary. Those actions might be necessary to protect your safety.
TrAnslATed ArTiCles For our FAmilies
Gián là lòai côn trùng mạnh và lì lợm khi chúng cần phải tìm thức ăn. Nếu không tìm thấy đồ ăn, chúng có thể đi xa để tìm thức ăn để tránh bị hủy diệt.
Gián cũng có thể sống ngay cả trong tủ lạnh và những đồ điện khác.
Gián có mang trong mình các vi trùng gây nguy hại cho con người, làm cho chúng ta đau bịnh. Đối với người mang bịnh về đuờng hô hấp, thì có đến 25 phần trăm số người bị dị ứng từ phân gián hay xác khô của con gián.
Để liên minh với qúi vị, cơ quan cấp phát gia cư KCHA đang cố gắng kêu gọi sự lưu tâm của qúi vị về lòai gián, để rồi qúi vị không phải sống chung với những lòai khách không mời này.
Nếu qúi vị làm theo những phương thức căn bản dưới đây, thì sẽ giảm đi được nạn bọ gián một cách đáng kể:
Hãy rữa chén bát ngay sau khi ăn
Hãy đựng thức ăn trong các hộp có nắp đậy
Các hộp hay túi đựng đồ ăn như túi khoai tây xấy khô (potato chip), hộp đựng bánh qui, hộp đựng cereal cần phải được niêm kín lại để trong hộp.
Hãy chùi rữa các kệ tủ, và lau sàn nhà thường xuyên
Hãy ăn uống ở chỗ cố định, thay vì đi khắp nơi trong nhà
Các thùng rác phải có nắp đậy kín. Nếu thùng rác của qúi vị là lọai có nắp đóng mở, thì phải gói kín các túi rác, xúc rữa các chai lọ đồ ăn trước khi bỏ vào thùng rác.
Phải trét kín các khe cữa. Nếu cần, phải báo cáo cho Ban Sửa Chữa.
Hãy giữ cho căn nhà được sạch để lòai bọ gián không sống chung với qúi vị.
Nếu thấy nhà có gián, xin hãy liên lạc ban quản lý ngay.
Dabar goynta Baranbarada
Baranbaradu waa cayayaan xoog ayna ka go’an tahay quud raadis. Haddaba haddii meelaha ay anfaca ke helaysay ay weydo, waxaa la soo gudboonaada labo xaalo; inay haajirto iyo in ay le’ato oo aan mid ka harin.
Baranbaradu waxay xataa ku noolaan kartaa talaagadda (faranjiyeer) iyo qalabka kale ee korantada ku shaqeeya.
Ma ogtahay akhristow in baranbaradu siddo jeermis halis ku ah aadanaha oo xanuun noo keena. Tusaale ahaan, boqolkiiba 25 dadka qaba xanuunada ku dhaca habdhiska neefsashada waxay ku xajiimoodaan xarada baranbarada iyo ama qolofteeda.
Wada jir iyo iskaashi ahaanba, waxay KCHAisku dayeysaa in ay samayso wacyi gelin ku saabsan cayayaanka baranbarada si qofkasta gurigiisa ugu noolaado baranbaro la’aan
Haddii aad si taxadar leh u qaaddo talaabooyinkan hoos ku qoran waxay u daban tahay in taranka si aad ah isu dhimo.
- Dhaq alabta cuntada ilsamaraad ku cunteysaanba
- Ku xafidda cuntooyinka shay afka ka xiran ama ka daboolan.
• Bacyaasha cuntooyinkuku jiraan sida bacda patato chip-ka iyo bokiska crakers-ka ama midka cereal-ka waa in aad kor u fidisaa biinna ku dhejisaa, bokiskana aad xafidan u xirtaa.
- Tirtir miiska kore ee jikada, waana in aad markasta dhaqdaan faloorka guriga
- Waa inaad halmeel cuntada ku cuntaan ee iidnaan meelkasta cunto la fariisan.
- Hubso in caagga qashinku dabool adag leeyahay. Haddii aad isticmaaleysid mid af furan, waa inaad dhaq-dhaqdaa gasacadaha, iyo dhalooyinka nitaadan qashinka ku tuurin, cuntada haraaga ahna aad ku fogeysaa bac afka ka xiran.
- Hubso in caulking (koolo guryeed) ay tahay aan dhicin oo wali isu haysa meelaha la mariyey. Haddii aysan taas jirin, la xiriira dayartirayaasha dhismaha.
- Ugu danbayntii, gurigaagu waa inuu markasta nadiif ahaadaa, haddii aadan rabin in baranbaro kugula noolaato.
Haddii aad ku aragto baranbaro gurigaaga, fadlan deg-deg ula soo xiriir maaamulaha dhimaha.
Translated articles for our Senior and Disabled Residents
Ma u baahan tahay in lagu qaado
Ma tahay qof waayeel ah iskana daayey wadidda baaburta, ugu yaraanna lixdan jir ah ama curyaan ah? Mase kugu adag tahay raacidda baska? Ama qiimaha shidaalka kacsan ma ka dhigtay wadidda baabuurka qaali. Arintaan waxaa kaa caawinkara Senior Shuttles!
Waa lacag la’aan raacitaanka Senior Shuttles, inkastoo deeq bixinta la soo dhaweeynayo ayna banana tahay.
Faananka Senior Shuttles ee King County waxay baahida gaadiidka ka caawiyaan waayeelka ku nool Burien, Des Monines, Highline, Normandy park iyo Shorline.
Darawallo tababaran ayaa kuu qaadi doona ballamahaaga iyo meelihii kale oo aad u baahan tahay in lagu geeyo lagaana soo qaado.
Raacitaanka faanankaanu waxay kaloo kuu sahlayaan dhexgalka bulshada iyo la kulanka dad cusub, sidoo kale waxay waayeelka geeyaan goobaha ay ka socdaan bixinta cunto dhaqameedka iyo meelaha kale ee barnaamijka cunto siintawaayeelku ka jiro ee guud ahaan King County. Faananku waxay kaloo waayeelka u qaadan balamaha dhakhtarka, xarumaha dadka waaweyn, dukaamada adeegga iyo goobaha kale ee dhow-dhow.
Lagaagama baahna in aad buuxiso wax foom ah si aad u raacdo faanankan. Faanankuna waxay si joogto ah u tagaan dhismayaal badan oo ay leedahay KCHA ayna degan yihiin waayeelka iyo naafaduba.
Fadlan ka warso xiriiriyaha adeegga dhismaha aad degan yahay haddii aad u baahato war bixin dheeraad ah. Waxaad sidoo kale soo wici kartaa Senior Shuttles oo lamberkoodu yahay (206) 727-6262 ama 800-282-5825815 saacadaha u dhexeeya 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Isniintailaa Jamcada.
QÚI VỊ CÓ CẦN PHƯƠNG TIỆN DI CHUYỂN KHÔNG /
Có phải quí vị là người đả bỏ không lái xe, được 60 tuổi , và bị khuyết tật không ? có phải qúi vị gặp khó khăn khi đón xe bus không ? Hoặc qúi vị thấy vì giá xăng tăng cao, nên lái xe đi lại thì tốn kém ? Chưong trình xe bus Senior Shuttles có thể giúp quí vị.
Sẽ không phải trả tiền khi đi xe bus của Senior Shuttles, dù vậy họ cũng nhận tiền cống hiến.
Trong quận King, các xe van của Senior Shuttles cung cấp phương tiện di chuyển cho qúi vị cao niên cư ngụ ở Burien, Des Moines, Highline, Normandy Park để đi đến các nơi lân cận trong vùng.
Các tài xế đã được huấn luyện, sẽ đưa qúi vị đến những cuộc hẹn hay những sinh họat của qúi vị.
Phương tiện di chuyễn này cũng là dịp để quen biết và gặp gở những người mới. Hơn nữa , các xe van của Senior Shuttles có thể chở qúi vị đến những nơi cung cấp các bữa ăn trưa hay sinh họat dành cho các sắc dân trên tòan vùng quận King. Các xe van cũng đưa qúi vị cao niên đến các cuộc hẹn khám bịnh, đến các trung tâm nguời cao niên, đến tiệm bán thực phẩm và các địa điểm
trong vùng.
Qúi vị không phải điền bất cứ mẫu đơn nào để xin phương tiện xe. Và các xe van của Senior Shuttles cũng thường ghé đến các cao ốc có qúi vị cao niên hay tàn tật đang cư ngụ trong khu vực housing của quận King -KCHA-
Xin vui lòng liên lạc với điều hợp viên phục vụ cư dân, để biết thêm chi tiết. Qúi vị cũng có thể gọi cho số 206-727-6262 hoặc số 1-800-2825815 từ khỏan 8 giờ sáng đến 5 giờ chiều từ Thứ Hai đến Thứ Sáu.
News about the Greenbridge and Park Lake II Communities
YWCA helps White Center resident find full-time work at KCHA
By Heather Miller
King County Housing Authority
White Center resident Mara Palmer was accustomed to working part-time or freelance jobs.
But she knew that full-time work would be the best way to support the young children she has at home.
That’s why she approached the YWCA Greenbridge Career Development Center, which helped her find a job that’s a good match with her skills, rewrite her resume and write a job proposal. Now, she has full-time job as an independent contractor for the King County Housing Authority.
Palmer does intake and outreach for KCHA’s Weatherization Program, a role she entered in late July. She spends her days processing applications from families who want assistance weatherizing their homes and reaching out to community organizations that can help connect more people with the program.
“It’s been really nice to always be welcomed in the community and to work with people who really love their jobs,” Palmer said of why she enjoys her work.
Stephanie Nguyen, Palmer’s case manager at the YWCA center, said she helped
Do you need help finding a job? Contact the YWCA Greenbridge Career Development Center at 206-7636922 or stop by 9800 Eighth Ave. S.W., Suite 104, Seattle. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Palmer understand the steps she would need to take to apply for the independent contractor position.
“She has the ability to work with kids and adults successfully, so I thought this contract would be good for her,” said Nguyen, who first suggested the contractor position to Palmer. “She wants something that she can work regularly, flexibly and enjoy meeting with new people from different backgrounds and cultures while still having time to take care of her kids.”
To be considered, Palmer needed to write an independent contractor proposal – something she had never done before. She and Nguyen searched the Internet together for examples of similar proposals and then used those examples as a jumping off point.
“We read and re-wrote many times to get a final proposal,” Nguyen said. “I carefully read her writing and pointed out what should and should not be done for a good proposal.”
Fred Campbell, KCHA’s Director of Housing Repair and Weatherization, said Palmer has been a good fit in the contractor role.And he said she will help improve upon and expand the reach of the Weatherization Program.
“She has a natural inclination to do this work,” Campbell said of Palmer. “She’s a terrific addition.”
New, smoke-free building opens at Greenbridge
Residents began moving into Nia in September as the new, smoke-free building rolled out the welcome mat for 82 households.
The spacious, light-filled apartments in the four-story building feature well-appointed kitchens and their own patios and decks.
Nia houses both adults with disabilities who are younger than 54 and households in which at least one member is 55 or older.
“It’s a beautiful place,” said Glenn Ruth, who moved into a second-floor apartment with his wife. “This is a big move for us.”
Centralized laundry facilities are conveniently located on every floor.
Nia is KCHA’s first completely smoke-free building. Smoking is not allowed there, and no one, including staff members and construction workers, has ever smoked there.
The building has controlled access, underground parking, a live-in, on-site property manager and a part-time support services coordinator who can provide information and referrals.
Nia also has an activity room, a computer room with multiple computers and Internet access for residents and raised garden beds. Plus, a full-sized greenhouse and first-floor retail are planned.
“The building is simply a wonderful addition to the Greenbridge community,” said John E. Eliason, Greenbridge development manager. “We are pleased with the quality and character of the building and the opportunities that will be provided to the residents that live at the Nia apartments.”
News Notes
Highline Public schools
• Oct. 10: All Highline schools will be closed for a state in-service event for educators.
• Oct. 15: Students in grades K-12 will be released early from school.
• Family Story Time: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 2, 16, 23 and 30. Stories, songs, finger plays and fun for families to enjoy together.
• Spanish Story Time: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11. Join Marco Cortes for stories, songs and more all told in Spanish.
• World Language Story Time: 6 p.m. Oct. 7 and 21. Join us for Vietnamese stories, songs, rhymes, dances and more.
• Game On!: 2:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. A program for teenagers in middle and high school. Teens can play their favorite multi-player video games on GameCube, Xbox 360 and the Wii.
The White Center Library is at 11220 16th S.W., Seattle. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please call 206-243-0233.
The Salvation Army Technology Center offers free, computer-based classes for adults, seniors and youth who want to learn basic application skills. To sign up for a class, please call the Salvation Army White Center office at 206-767-3150 ext. 101 or visit the center at 9050 16th Ave. S.W. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
More information also is available online at technology.program.googlepages.com.
New Southwest Boys & Girls Club partnership to use hip hop to engage youth
By KCHA Staff
The Southwest Boys & Girls Club has created a new partnership with music artist Shyan Selah and Brave New World, a multi-faced business services organization that includes records, publishing, marketing, productions and more. Brave New World has pledged to provide meaningful workshops and help getting youth at the club excited about learning through music, entertainment and pop culture as an educational format.
Emily Slagle, the executive director for the White Center club, approached Brave New World about a partnership after a string of gang-related incidents affected club members.
“I heard about Shyan and his goals for the Seattle community using positive hip hop to engage youth in making positive life choices,” Slagle said. “We discussed how we could partner in teaching kids alternatives to being involved in gang activity, which directly affects the teens and youth of our community.”
The new Southwest Boys & Girls Club partnership also includes the involvement of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation, a staunch advocate of reaching youth through music and the arts. Selah is the spokesperson and chief operating officer of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation as well as the president/chief executive of Brave New World, Inc.
“In continuing with our model to ‘be brave,’ it is a mandate in our corporate philosophy to be true to our community and to interject inspiration and motivation to the youth in that community,” Selah said. “I am eager to assist the Southwest Boys & Girls Club with providing solid solutions that re-energize our youth.”
