Wednesday, April 28, 2010

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.

Friday, April 16, 2010

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

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

We are Rolling Forward!



On Sunday, April 11, more than 150 people from various churches, community groups and construction companies celebrated a community partnership to bring supportive housing, services and child care to homeless families in north King and south Snohomish Counties.

The ground breaking ceremony honored the 600 donors, volunteers and supporters who are collaborating to build the Vision House Jacob’s Well complex. Located at 23rd Ave NE and Ballinger Way NE in Shoreline, the facility will consist of 20 housing units, a child care center, counseling offices and program space.

While addressing the crowd, Bob Ferguson, King County Council Chair, shared the importance of children having a home, “Children need a stable, safe, loving home to grow up in. This facility will be such a benefit to homeless mothers and their children – providing them all of the things they need to get back on their feet.”


Kurt Campbell, owner of Campbell, Nelson, Nissan and the original visionary for the Jacob’s Well project, stated, “It shocks me that there are more than 11,000 people who are homeless in King and Snohomish Counties. And even more disturbing is that 40% (over 4,500), of the homeless are families with children. There’s never been a greater need for a supportive housing complex in our community than right now.”

Shari Tracey, Shoreline councilmember, said "The number of private and corporate partners that have come together to get this project started is a clear demonstration of how important housing is and how badly these services are needed in our community. This will be an amazing facility, serving the needs of so many homeless kids and their moms. I'm happy that we could be a part of it."

VIP's
From Vision House
Susan Camerer, Co-Founder and Executive Director
John Camerer, Co-Founder and Director of Operations

From King County Council
Bob Ferguson, King County Council Chair

From City of Shoreline
Will Hall, Deputy Mayor, City of Shoreline
Shari Tracey, Council Member, City of Shoreline
Chris Roberts, Council Member, City of Shoreline

From City of Lake Forest Park
John Wright, Council Member, City of Lake Forest Park

Friday, April 9, 2010

We can't wait! Please join us!

Jacob's Well Ground Breaking! Help us celebrate the launch of constructing the Vision House Jacob’s Well facility in Shoreline to serve homeless mothers and children! Please bring your kids and some handheld garden shovels and participate in the official ground breaking ceremony. Cookies, desserts and drinks will be served.

Sunday, April 11th - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Ballinger Way and 23rd Ave. NE.