Magazine Layout - Redmond Community Has a Big Heart

Volume XXX No. 4 Winter 2016

Redmond Pastor Lara Bolger Shares Thoughts With the Mayor As winter comes upon us with predictions of a colder, wetter and snowier season ahead, I know that the Redmond community will continue to demonstrate care for everyone, particularly those who are in most need. Whether checking on our neighbors on snowy, stormy days or offering support to organizations that help provide for people’s most basic needs, residents of our City consistently show care and compassion. Following a recent conversation, I invited Lara Bolger, Pastor of Redmond United Methodist Church and a member of Redmond’s Homelessness Task Force, to share her thoughts on serving the less fortunate in our community.

What comes to mind when you think about “compassionate caring” in Redmond?

People. Compassionate caring comes from the heart of people. The word compassion means to suffer with.

When we live with compassion we are willing to enter into the suffering of another person, not to take on their suffering, but to listen and understand it, to walk alongside them. It also implies action. When we understand someone else's suffering, a caring response may lead us to take action depending on the situation.

What are your thoughts on the homelessness crisis in our region and community? The

crisis is complex and there is not a onesolution approach to address it. It will take our entire region and community to work together.

What are key takeaways from your work with Redmond’s Homelessness Task Force?

As we created the list of recommendations, it was evident the multi-faceted approach that was needed. Creating a list of organizations that ranged from social services to local businesses opened my eyes not only to the different perspectives we all brought to the table, but the different assets and strengths we all brought.

We all play an important role. The challenging part is sustaining the level of conversation and commitment that is needed.

What needs are most pressing for struggling families in Redmond? We all need a place

to live, homes we can afford, livable wages to support our families, a broader network of care and supportive community, access to resources and healthcare. All families need compassionate caring.

What's one thing that someone can do? Treat others

as you want to be treated. Learn more about homelessness and the complexity of it by taking time to listen to someone who is homeless and get to know their story. Redmond UMC is hosting the Emergency Winter Shelter through the end of December. We also serve meals every Wednesday night at Open Kitchen from 5-7pm. Find more information at www.redmondumc.org.

Our Community Has a Big Heart – p2 Affordable Senior Housing in Downtown Redmond – p4 Council Notes: Compassion & Caring – p6 Education Hill Neighborhood Conversation Recap – p7 Recycling for the Holidays – p9 Parks & Recreation – p12

City Employees, Residents and Businesses Have a Big Throughout the year, the City of Redmond offers its employees opportunities to give back to the community. Employees enjoy the camaraderie and spirit of giving and have results to show for it!

“SOCKTOBER”

Last year, City staff hosted their first annual “Socktober” sock drive to help men, women, and families without shelter—resulting in over 4,000 pairs of new socks. This year employees were challenged to raise even more socks, especially in light of the January 2016 One Night Count results, which reported an 85% increase in homeless individuals. Employees rose to the challenge and donated 4,529 pairs during the month of October.

Socks are one of the mostrequested donation items for homeless shelters.

Within the district, over

over 300 children This year, a focused effort was placed on collecting school supplies for students in the Lake Washington School District.

City staff committed to providing the necessary supplies to outfit 50 children for their first day of school.

At the conclusion of the campaign over

are experiencing homelessness, and over 1,000 children in Redmond receive free or reduced-price meals.

1,600 items had

been collected and distributed to students in need.

In addition to these events, employees can choose to donate directly to the nonprofit of their choice through the annual workplace giving pledge campaign. Last year’s pledges gave over $20,000 to nonprofits. Providing workplace charitable giving activities is just one of the ways that City employees can help support our community.

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HEART

Let’s Create the Future Now Your Voice Matters It’s time for us to create the future for Redmond’s Community Centers. Our existing centers—including meeting spaces, recreation, and aquatic areas—need replacement or repair.

• Redmond Pool at Hartman Park is on maintenance “life support” with the City Council’s investment of $100,000 for repairs • Lake Washington School District needs space for its growing school population and has terminated the City’s lease at Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center as of June 2018 • Old Firehouse Teen Center, valued for its character and popular programs, has failing building systems and structure • Renovations are needed at Redmond Senior Center to address aging mechanical systems and building exterior

MARCH CAN MADNESS Modeled after the national college basketball tournament, this drive matches businesses in weekly competitions to see which can bring in the most food for Hopelink.

The City participated for the first time in 2016 and became the Cinderella team by advancing to the finals.

Find out more!

Share your feedback and ideas at www.RedmondsCommunityCenters.com

32 businesses in the region collected a total of 50,746 pounds of food and $19,925 cash.

While hometown favorite Hancock’s Bakery won the competition, City staff collected a combination of cash and pounds of food totaling $17,527 over the five-week event.

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