Foundation is in! Get your hammers ready!

 

Foundation is in and we are ready for framing! Get your hammers, tool belts and volunteers ready for our March framing kick off! It is going to be HUGE!! Watch this blog for more details or email info@vision-house.org. 

Just in Time! Thanks Seahawks!

Braving the freezing weather, snow and icy conditions the Seattle Seahawks generously showed up today with 23 Thanksgiving Day feasts along with blankets for the Vision House families at our Renton location! Vision House staff member, Mary Burton, commented, “When I delivered the baskets to some of the families, they were so surprised and grateful. They weren’t expecting anything, so it was fun to see the smiles on their faces.”  Thanks Hawks! We appreciate you! NOW BEAT THE CHIEFS!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving - 2010 Newsletter

For the latest news and updates, click on our >>Newsletter. 

Lumber Framing Package Secured!

We have GREAT NEWS today! A generous donor has provided a grant for the amount of $59,000 to pay for the remaining amount needed for the lumber package for the Jacob's Well expansion project in Shoreline! Get your hammers and your volunteer construction teams ready for framing parties starting early spring 2011!

Jacob's Well Dessert Event

Jacob's Well Dessert Event Raises over $63,800!

Approximately 160 people raised $63,837 at the Jacob's Well Dessert Event! When added to other fundraising proceeds, a total of $101,000 has been raised towards the $160,000 needed to purchase the lumber to build phase 1 of Vision House Jacob's Well. This beautiful housing complex in Shoreline will provide housing and support services for homeless mothers and children. 

To see pictures of the event, click here.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

 

Presenting Sponsor:

Inspiration of Hope Sponsors:

In-Kind Sponsors:

Aurora Church of the Nazarene

Mars Hill Church, Shoreline

Sound Church

Kaija Dalon, Wendy DiPesco, Barbara Fruhling, Carynn Tamman

Nearly $18,000 Raised at Shoreline Area "Sleep-Out".

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Women Helping Women - Shoreline Sleep-Out such a huge success! Our total to date (and money is STILL coming in!) is: $17,616!!! (This includes the matching gifts). Our goal was to match the original pledge of $4,000. We did that, and when the second matching gift was pledged. the group assumed that would simply be an add-on. However, the reality is that we matched, dollar for dollar, both matching gifts, and then some! The dollars raised will go to help purchase the lumber needed to start the framing on the Jacob’s Well project and bring more housing and support services to homeless moms and kids. We hope to start framing right after the waterline is installed (permits in process) and the weather permits.

Vision House Jacob's Well Receives $266,000 Grant

The HEDCO Foundation recently provided the Vision House Jacob's Well project in Shoreline, Washington with a $266,000 contribution. The Foundation asked that dollars be earmarked to the development of the sewers, waterline extension and storm drainage. This is great news since the lack of an on-site fire hydrant and waterline has delayed the framing portion of the project. 

In exchange for the generous contribution, the Jacob's Well group is honored to acknowledge the gift by naming the on-site community and service center after the foundation. "We are very excited about this generous grant! As you can imagine, asking contributors to help install sewers and other infrastructure improvements is a tough sell!" joked Susan Camerer, Vision House Executive Director. "We are thrilled to be moving forward and now our next big push will be to raise the funds needed to purchase the lumber to begin framing the building." 

More information about the Jacob's Well project and the upcoming dessert fundraising event October 16th at 7:00 PM can be found here: Building Hope One Board at a Time!

Sleepless in Shoreline

Women Helping Women: Shoreline “Sleep-Out”

Turning tents into homes

Fri. Sept 24, 7pm – Sat. Sept 25, 8am

Shoreline Covenant Church
1330 N. 185^th St.
Shoreline, WA  --  206-542-1050

                                                                       

Women and friends of Shoreline Covenant Church are turning tents into homes for women and children in Shoreline by raising money to buy lumber for Jacob's Well-a transitional housing complex, being constructed by Vision-House, for homeless women and children. Contact the church to bring your tent and pledges from friends, neighbors, family and co-workers and spend one night in solidarity with our sisters who struggle every night to find a safe and dry and warm place to sleep with their kids. We will end on Saturday morning with breakfast served at 8am!

We will "sleep-out" in our tents in the church parking lot and raise at least $4,000 in pledges. We have a donor willing to match that dollar for dollar, so if forty women participate and each raise $100 (that's only ten people giving $10 or twenty-five people each "buying" one $4 board), we can turn $4,000 into $8,000 and make a serious dent in the $160,000 Vision House needs to frame Jacob's Well before winter.  http://www.vision-house.org/vh_north.htm

You can pledge $4 a board or you can make a flat donation in any amount. Make checks to Shoreline Covenant Church, note “Shoreline Sleep-Out” in the memo line. To donate online visit http://www.vision-house.org/vh_donate.htm and scroll down to the bottom of the page to “other amount” and make a note in the comments field with “Shoreline Sleep-Out”.

Questions? Call Pastor Erika at 206-542-1050 or email erika@shorelinecovenant.org

Together we can help some of our most hidden and

vulnerable homeless: moms and kids!

Labor Day Volunteers

What a perfect way to spend Labor Day... laboring!! All volunteers are welcome on the Jacob’s Well site in Shoreline MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th from 9:00am – 1:00pm to help with placing wiring up the job shack. You will need a shovel and a pair of work gloves. Please let us know if you are able to help. kristis@vision-house.org. Lunch provided! (Map and directions on the lower, right hand side of this page.)

A Child's Perspective on Homelessness

Kim Ahern and son Jack, 9, lived at Nickelsville, only tent city in King County that allows children on a long-term basis, as she searched for housing after moving to Seattle in April 2010.  Watch the video.

Out of Options Family Lives in Vehicle

Here is a link to a Seattle Times video. It is a great story on how transitional housing programs like Vision House Jacob's Well make a difference. Watch the video and please continue to spread the word that kids shouldn't be homeless, find ways to get involved and be prepared to lend a hand on the Jacob's Well project. >> Watch the Video

Building Hope One Board at a Time

 Jacob’s Well Dessert Fundraiser
Purpose: Money raised will help build the beautiful Jacob's Well housing complex for homeless children and mothers in Shoreline. You can fund a bedroom for a homeless child! Or a kitchen or a living room!

 Date: Saturday, October 16th

Time: 7 – 8:30 PM

Location: Aurora Church of the Nazarene

1900 N. 175th St. Shoreline, WA 98133

RSVP: You may rsvp one of the following ways:

Online

Email: info@vision-house.org

Phone: 425-228-6356

Before and After! Thanks CommunitySERVE Volunteers!

What is CommunitySERVE Day?

It's the local church REACHING out to our community TOGETHER to share God's love in practical ways:
• Assisting families who need help repairing their homes• Helping teachers set-up their classrooms for the fall• Improving under-resourced schools with painting and landscaping• Other great opportunities
CommunitySERVE Day brought churches of different denomination, size, and tradition together to put faith into action. Partnering churches include: Eastside Foursquare, Northshore Baptist and Overlake Christian Church...working together to show the care and compassion of Jesus for people in the communities of Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond and Woodinville.
See all of the pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/visionhouse/

BEFORE

AFTER

THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!

Concrete slab is being poured!

The concrete slab is being poured for the Jacob's Well complex in Shoreline! 

We're one step closer to serving homeless kids and moms in this beautiful facility.  

Thanks to Graham Contracting, Stoneway Concrete and Ralph's Concrete Pumping for their hard work and contributions in helping us build a safe, loving place where homeless and abused moms and kids can restore their lives.

Slab prep done and ready for the concrete pour!

Thanks to incredible volunteers working tirelessly, we are a few steps closer to housing homeless moms and kids. Thanks volunteers! We appreciate you! Slab preparation is complete and we are ready to pour the foundation floor.

There has been a slight delay in construction for now. The fire department is requiring a second fire hydrant on site before they will allow us to start framing. So volunteers will be working this weekend on clearing and mulching the slope on the west side of the property to prepare it for planting this fall or next spring.

Success!! Ready for inspections and then the concrete pour!

Work Party Reminder for Tomorrow.

Don't forget the work party and free catered lunch tomorrow, August 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the Jacob's Well site in Shoreline. Let us know if you can lend a hand! visionhouse1@comcast.net. Thanks!

Volunteer Opportunities Saturday, August 7th

Join our volunteer work party and free lunch this Saturday, August 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the Jacob's Well site in Shoreline. RSVP to Kristis@vision-house.org or 425-228-6356. Bring shovels and gloves. Thanks!

Vision House + Pepsi = $250,000

Vote today and every day for the month of August. The project with the most votes wins $250,000! You can also text 101786 to Pepsi (73774).  

This Weekend's Work Party Actvities

Saturday, July 31, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
There are 4-5 major tasks that need to get accomplished.

- Digging several thickened footings, placing rebar

- Installing insulation and plastic around foundation

- Backfill around the plumbing

- Placing wire mesh in position

- Securing elevator shaft for safety

Vision House will provide 1-2 general supervisors and of course, lunch is included! RSVP to Kristis@vision-house.org or call 425-228-6356.

Volunteers Welcome Saturday, July 24th - 9 to 1 PM

All volunteers welcome on the Jacob’s Well site on Saturday July 24th from about 9:00am – 1:00pm for some landscape clean up. We are preparing the west slope for native plantings this fall. You will need shovels, rakes and a pair of gloves… lunch will be provided. Let me know if you are able to help. Thanks!

VOICES Prayer Gathering Aug. 15th, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

FREE LUNCH and Work Party

We will be finishing the back fill, installing perimeter foam, doing some digging and shoveling AND enjoying a wonderful lunch prepared by a group of talented volunteers! RSVP to kristis@vision-house.org

Thanks Construction Cleanup Crew!

Even trips to the dump help homeless moms and kids!! Today's construction cleanup crew helped to keep the Jacob's Well projecty on schedule!! Thank you Kelly, Florence, Caleb, Park and Bob!! What a great accomplishment. The site is now ready for Donovan to do the back fill on Monday! Also, thank you Marla and her hospitality crew for whoever generously provided the food! It was perfect!

New Jacob's Well Sponsors!

The Elevator Constructors Union Local 19 voted this week to install the elevator for our Jacob's Well project on a volunteer basis! Estimated value of their contribution $35,000!! Advance Plumbing & Heating has also agreed to install all of the ground work plumbing at no cost. Very generous and thank you!

Great Turn Out for the June 3 Planning Meeting

Another great turn out for the Jacob's Well planning team. Several new churches, builders and event planners attended. The momentum continues to build as we gear up for volunteer framing crews this summer. Watch for the upcoming fundraising event October 9th! Several articles have been published recently regarding the project. Our hospitality committee has a wonderful plan in place to be sure construction volunteers are fed on site and appreciated for their hard work. If you have been thinking about getting involved in the Jacob's Well project, don't hesitate. You are going to be blown away at how this project comes together. Get on board today. Contact Susanc@vision-house.org. Minutes to the meeting can be found >>HERE.

Greatest Construction Needs

Concrete for the foundation walls should be poured this week! The project is moving forward amazingly well! After this, we hope to be moving forward with the plumbing and pouring the slab soon after. Then watch for framing volunteer opportunities! Other critical construction needs are the following: Heating, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Electrical Contractor, Heating and Mechanical Contractor, Fire Sprinklers and Lumber. Let's us know if you have any contacts. Thanks! susanc@vision-house.org

Lastest JW Construction Site Images

May 15th Construction Crews

Foundation work is progressing nicely! Be prepared for framing to start soon! Are your tool belts and hammers ready?

>> See more pics

JW Construction Progresses

Last night an incredible group of skilled and generous volunteers from Graham Contracting worked until dark installing the foundation for the Jacob’s Well project. We want to give a shout out of appreciation to the following: Brian Fortune, Tyler Rice, Steve Johnson, Ishmael Trammel, Jimmy Simpson, Mike Dimiero, Brian Turk, Joe Van De Plasch and Rick Hedeen. We are so incredibly grateful to this incredible group of philanthropists!! Thanks for your heart for homeless kids! We appreciate you!

Foundation Development Started Today

Thanks so the volunteers from Graham Contracting, foundation construction started today!

Construction Planning Meeting June 3rd

Eveyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! We will meet at Third Place Commons this quarter. Foundation will be nearing completion and we will set a plan in place to complete the framing on a largely volunteer basis this summer. We hope to have the project sealed in and weather proof by this winter. Come learn more about how your church, company and/or community group can get involved.

Date: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Start Time: 7:00 am End Time: 9:00 am

Third Place Commons
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park WA 98155 USA

Directions: In Lake Forest Park Towne Centre at Bothell Way NE & Ballinger Way NE. Location Phone: 206.366.3333

For more information:
Contact: Bill Bear
Email: flyingbear2@gmail.com

All Hands on Deck

Get your construction teams ready! The Jacob’s Well foundation will soon be in place. Summer, 2010 is the time we will mobilize 6-12 churches, community groups, companies and organizations to complete the framing of the Jacob’s Well project.

Group 1 – First level walls

Group 2 – Second level floor

Group 3 – Second level walls

Group 4 – Third level floor

Group 5 – Third level walls

Group 6 – Trusses and sheathing

Each group will identify:

*1-2 qualified Construction Leads
*Appropriate number of labors and supplies (nail guns, hammers, ladders, etc)
*Hospitality Lead to coordinate food, drinks and water to the volunteer construction teams
*Hospitality crew to prepare and deliver to the construction site food, drinks and water for the volunteer construction crews
*A fundraising effort or plan to raise $30,000 to pay for their lumber drop (Vision House is also working to identify appropriate sponsors so don’t let the money stop you from getting your construction crews ready!)

One qualified contractor or a team of overseers will be identified and paid to supervise the entire framing project.

Contact susanc@vision-house.org with questions.

Get the Stats

Since Vision House began in 1990, nearly 700 homeless men, women and children have benefited from our services. Vision House has an incredibly strong success rate. Since 2002, 93% of the residents in our family program have transitioned to permanent housing, and 72% of the men in our men’s recovery program have transitioned to permanent housing.

Also since 2002, in the following areas:

Financial Stability

83% of our men and 89% of the parents in our family program have increased their financial stability by proving they can pay rent on time, save money and reduce their existing debt or resolve credit concerns.

Increase in Employability

83% of our men and 68% of the parents in our family program have experienced an increase in their employability by participating in a job training program, receiving higher education or maintaining steady employment.

Mastering of Life Skills

91% of our men and 80% of parents in our family program have increased in their mastery of life skills demonstrated by passing weekly unit inspections, attending required meetings, increasing communication skills or improving skills at setting boundaries for their self and/or their family.

>> Read the Stories