Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Summer! We love this season for so many reasons - long sun-filled days, colorful blooms and lush greenery, and of course our annual Fun Run! Join us for this beloved Queen Anne tradition on July 15th as we once again walk, run, and dance around the Crown of Queen Anne to raise critically needed funds for the Helpline. All proceeds go directly to programs that prevent and reduce homelessness, basic needs such as clothing and food, and supportive services such as case management. This year we are delighted to team up with the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce to incorporate the Fun Run into Queen Anne Day. After the run be sure to visit the awesome Festival at the Community Center playfield and the sidewalk sale along Queen Anne Avenue. Huge thanks to our Presenting sponsor Metropolitan Market, Leader sponsor HomeStreet Bank, and Leader sponsor Queen Anne Lutheran Church, who is also once again hosting us for before and after activities.
 
The Fun Run starts at 8 am sharp. You can learn more details and register in advance here . You can also register in person (or pick up your t-shirt if you've already registered) at one of three QA Farmers Markets: June 29, July 6, and July 13, or register the day of the event. Register early; t-shirts available while supply lasts.
 
We have some big news to share -- we just received a two-year, $20,000 grant from Norcliffe Foundation to support expansion of our Case Management services. This generous grant is an important validation of our work, helping us serve more people and better meet their needs. An important new focus for us is working with repeat clients getting to the root of the issues underlying their chronic financial burden, and to increase self-sufficiency to create housing and financial stability. Budgeting, resource access, and longer term case management are now all part of our continuum of services. By participating in the Fun Run you are helping support these new services -- thank you!
 
Finally, a huge shout-out to all Seattle Public Schools staff, teachers, families, and students who contributed to another successful school year. Eighty-seven students in our local schools were better prepared to learn and participate each week thanks to Weekend Food for Kids -- our terrific partnership with Ballard Food Bank that provided 2,982 bags and 20,874 meals to kids at risk of food insecurity this past school year. Thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who pick the food up, pack it, and deliver it to the schools, making Weekend Food for Kids such a success. You are all fabulous!
 
Happy summer everyone, see you at the Fun Run and Queen Anne Day on July 15th!!

Warmly,  
Lisa
Lisa Moore, Executive Director
   
GiveBIG DONORS CONTRIBUTE NEARLY $30,000 TO HELPLINE
We are so pleased with results from this year's GiveBIG campaign -- thanks to everyone who participated! Donations totaled nearly $30,000 for this one-day campaign, with 78 donors contributing, including many new donors. Once again the Metropolitan Market stores on Queen Anne and Magnolia stepped up with a $6,000 challenge match which was quickly met. We also had a substantial gift of $10,000 from a local family. This total compares favorably to donations raised last year and confirms the awareness within the community of the Queen Anne Helpline and of the important work we do in homelessness prevention within our three service areas -- Queen Anne (including Uptown), Magnolia, and South Lake Union. 

WHY I SUPPORT THE QUEEN ANNE HELPLINE

"My name is Rene Alkoff.  I moved to Seattle from NYC about 12 years ago and I've lived on Queen Anne ever since.  A friend mentioned the Queen Anne Helpline, and I said, fortunately, I didn't need any help.  No, he said, the Helpline needs your help.  So I checked on it, and found out what an amazing job they do for people in need on Queen Anne, in Magnolia and in South Lake Union. The Helpline provides emergency assistance for housing, food and basic needs. That's their mission.

I was so impressed as I learned more about the services they provide and their impact that I offered my help in any way that was needed, and for the past several years have been donating money, basics like sheets, towels, clothing, etc, and my time by volunteering at the annual Taste of Queen Anne, their major fundraising event.  Whoever said "It takes a village" was right.  The Helpline always needs help, and I am more than happy to provide it in any way that I can."
HELPLINE ADDS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
As the Queen Anne Helpline works to expand our supportive services program to increase housing and financial stability, we have recently added a budget and resource review program (BAR) that enables clients to sit down with the Case Manager or Case Manager Assistant to review what community resources they have available to them and provide a current snapshot of their expenses and budget. The goal of the BAR program is to provide short term support to increase stability, as well as identify clients who may be referred to our longer term case management program. One client identified past credit card debt as the main source of their financial instability. They were referred to a local non-profit credit counseling service, which, if they can help address this issue, will resolve a huge financial burden for this client. Other clients report that working through their budget, sometimes for the first time ever, has helped them identify areas where they can reduce spending and increase their financial stability.
Another new component of our supportive services program is flexible funding, which can be used to assist financial clients with other needs besides rent or utilities. We were recently able to assist a single parent who has recently begun working for Lyft cover the cost of their cell phone bill and childcare costs for 2 months. This assistance will make a direct impact on their ability to continue to work and save money to support their family. Our expanded supportive services are unique and powerful in that they can provide emergency financial stabilization while also empowering clients to implement lasting change in their lives.
VOLUNTEER PROFILE - Lee Scovern

Lee Scovern, who is married and has two school aged children, has lived on Queen Anne for over 20 years. Lee is very active in the community and in the girls' schools.  While serving on the John Hay Elementary Partners Board, Lee was introduced to the Weekend Food for Kids program when it was in its infancy. He immediately volunteered to help by making food deliveries to the schools. Originally, he delivered to all the schools in Queen Anne and Magnolia but as the program grew, he eventually settled on John Hay and McClure Middle School. Any program directed toward helping children is of interest to Lee. This program was particularly compelling since it focused on making sure children have enough food over the weekend to sustain themselves when access to school food programs is not available. Lee says, "It is heartbreaking to know that in the Queen Anne & Magnolia neighborhoods there are so many kids without the necessary means to get a good nutritious meal." Lee is thankful the Weekend Food for Kids program exists and is happy to contribute his time to make sure it remains a success.   
HELP WANTED!
We have an exciting new opportunity for those wanting to get more involved at the Helpline! We are hoping to bring on two more regular front desk client support volunteers to work one 3-hour shift per week. This is an important volunteer role, supporting our clients as they shop in our clothing bank and seek food and other support services. As a community-facing role, we value a long-term commitment, patience and flexibility while working with our neighbors, and empathy. If interested or for more information contact: [email protected]. 

THANK YOU!
  
Heartfelt thanks to the following groups or individuals for their fantastic support!
 
The Norcliffe Foundation, who awarded us a two-year, $20,000 grant for expansion of our Case Management program. We are so grateful for this important support.
 
Rene Stern for organizing, Krysia Johnston and Marisa McFarland who staffed our table, and everyone who donated and contributed at the Bigelow Block Sale this year!
 
Theresa Dinh and her team from BECU in lower Queen Anne for helping at a Weekend Food for Kids packing -- thanks so much for supporting your community.
 
Sophie Goddard, who continues to collect much-needed hygiene items for us and recently brought in a bag full -- you are awesome, Sophie!
 
Deirdre Gabbay, who responded to our Facebook request for food and brought in fully packed snack bags -- what an amazing, generous response.
 
The Seattle office of Townsquared for volunteering their time to pack Weekend Food for Kids bags.
 
The many, many neighbors who have helped at a Weekend Food for Kids packing event this school year, and the drivers from each partner school, plus the drivers who pick up the loads of boxes each week from the Ballard Food Bank -- this program couldn't function without you!
 
Amy Agee, who volunteered her time and artistic chops to create all the Fun Run and QA Day graphics, Laurie Williams Elofson, who manages all of our registration, and Barbara Mays, who was in charge of t-shirts -- you are all rock stars!
 
Melanie Perez's 3rd grade class at Coe for donating the proceeds from a raffle for their class painting. A wonderful Act of Kindness!  
Mark Your Calendars
July 15th - Helpline Fun Run and Queen Anne Day! Register for the Fun Run now
or at an upcoming Queen Anne Farmers Market: June 29, July 6 or July 13

 

October 21st - Save the Date! Taste of Queen Anne at St. Anne Church, Banchero Hall

 

Our mission: To improve the lives of our neighbors by providing emergency assistance for housing, food
and basic needs.

 Queen Anne Helpline is so grateful for all of our volunteers, donors and supporters - you make our work possible and help improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. 
 
Please consider making a donation to help support  local families, seniors, and individuals. You can donate here
or visit our website:

Queen Anne Helpline
311 West McGraw
Seattle, WA  98119
206-282-1540