Our Jewish tradition commands us to provide help to the poor and disadvantaged. Many of our Temple Beth Am programs have arisen from that tradition, assisting both our Jewish neighbors and the larger community.
In 2003, we took a major step toward “living the teaching” by hosting Tent City on our grounds for the first time for a stay of six weeks. Tent City gave us the opportunity to see the faces of the homeless and poverty. We learned that although Tent City allows couples to stay together, most shelters in our area do not – and many do not allow children, forcing homeless parents to accept temporary separation from their children. We also learned that many homeless citizens have part- or full-time jobs.
After Tent City, a group of Temple members developed the Homeless to Renter Program (H2R). The Temple Board approved the proposal unanimously in February 2004. In Summer 2010 our H2R Program helped the 120th family move into their own rental apartment.
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SIMCHAT SUKKOT: Eat, pray, and learn!
Sunday, October 16, 7 PM
Our Homeless to Renter Program is now 7 years old. During those years, we've helped over 500 people (nearly 150 families) move into their own homes. In addition to helping families, H2R provides the opportunity for Temple members to learn more about homelessness and what can--and must--be done to keep families housed instead of homeless. Our Simchat Sukkot educational fundraisers of past years have enlisted an impressive array of knowledgeable speakers, including Dr. Doreen Cato of First Place, Alison Eisinger of the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness, Sharon Lee of LIHI, and Tim Harris of Real Change -- all representing various aspects of our community's efforts to end homelessness.
This year, in order to acquaint you with a statewide perspective, we are pleased to welcome Michele Thomas, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Washington Low Income Housing Association. As the economy continues to sputter, advocacy on a statewide level is all-important to assure that the issue of housing for low-income families continues to be on the front burner for public officials.
Please join us on October 16 at 7 PM, to visit the sukkah, have some drinks and noshes, and continue our H2R learning journey with Michele.
Download our online donation form here.
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H2R Chef Fundraiser Event a Huge Success
On Sunday, August 14th six well-known chefs came together to donate their expertise; time and ingredients for the “Taste of Elegance in the Courtyard” – a Celebrity Chef Fund Raiser for H2R (Homeless To Renter). These chefs deserve recognition for their incredible generosity with their time and ingredients and their outstanding presentations to the guests: Chef Dylan Giordan, Serefina & Cicchetti; Chef Zach King, Purple Café & Wine Bar; Chef William Leaman, Bakery Nouveau; Phyllis Rosen, Catering by Phyllis; Karen Binder, Madison Park Café; and Henry Gordon, Balabuste Catering. In addition Frank Michiels, partner in Eight Bells Winery, provided superb wine tasting for all the guests. Due to the generosity of the chefs and the winery, 100% of the $100/person entry fee and all additional donations will go directly to H2R. In addition, 14 restaurants contributed certificates for the silent auction. A total of $14,500 was raised at this event.
These 6 participating chefs deserve public recognition for their contributions to making this such a successful fundraiser, benefitting our community’s homeless families with children. If you patronize their restaurants, tell them that you appreciate their support for H2R.
Thank you,
Ellen Naor
Chair, H2R
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Families fall into homelessness for many reasons: the loss of a job, divorce, domestic violence, overwhelming medical bills, substance abuse. The first step is to provide temporary shelter, food, and medical care, and other services the family may require.
The next step is to help these families move up out of homelessness. Some already have jobs, but they are the “working poor.” They have sufficient income to pay monthly rent on a small apartment, but can’t save enough to pay the move-in costs: first and last month’s rent and security deposit.
Thus, they are stuck in homelessness or temporary housing because they can’t take that next step. We decided to help these families by arranging to help pay for their move-in costs.
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The H2R program partners with the Jewish Family Service, a social service agency which works with both Jewish families and families from the border community in need of help. Here’s how H2R works:
- Jewish Family Service identifies and qualifies a family ready to move up and out of homelessness.
- The family locates an apartment with rent they can afford if they receive help with move-in costs.
- H2R fund pays move-in costs, up a total of $1,000 per family. We also provide household supplies, special afghans made by our Knitzvah Knitters, and, if necessary, help the family with the costs of apartment supplies.
- Jewish Family Service manages the H2R fund and provides us with progress reports.
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We invite everyone to support H2R.
- Your tax-deductible contribution, regardless of the amount, is a wonderful opportunity to help hardworking families.
- Make your check payable to Temple Beth Am–H2R, and mail it to Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle, WA 98115.
- You may designate your H2R contribution as a tribute to a friend or loved one. Please complete the donation form.
- For Temple Beth Am members, a H2R check-off appears on your dues envelope.
We also invite you to join our H2R Committee to help plan fund-raising events and identify external sources of funding. Please contact Ellen Naor.
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