Recap of JW Construction Planning Group

The meeting had 28 participants, representing 15 different organizations. Background information on Vision House and the Shoreline (Jacob’s Well) project was shared. Participants discussed their possible involvement in the project, commitments, questions/issues, and next steps. A special group on construction issues was formed.

Key items from these discussions were:

• The need for more networking activities to increase the number of participating churches and other organizations. Jim Manker challenged the group to bring someone with them to the December 3rd meeting, doubling our numbers! Please let me or Vision House know if you need any support or materials to do your peer-to-peer recruiting.


• The need for an updated data base of churches and key church and community players in the North King County and South Snohomish County area. Linda Rutkowski volunteered to work with the Vision House staff to complete this task.


• The need for a prayer support group for the project. Emily Olsen and Pamela Jackson volunteered to get this group started and working.


• The need for project management/project leader. Susan Camerer is currently filling this role until other resources can take over this responsibility.


• The need for a Shoreline project video with history and story by Kurt Campbell. Steve Tompkins and James Harleman volunteered to get the resources for the video and contact Kurt for this project.


• The need for additional web-based tools. Steve Tompkins volunteered to see if Zondervan Publishing would donate their social networking tool, “The City,” to this project.


• The construction group needs a more detailed budget. Todd, Victor, Gabby, and Susan will work to get this information.


• The need for more resources and funding to do the project! Participants were asked to identify what resources and funding is available from their organization, and bring this information to the December 3rd meeting. Obviously this is a major prayer request also.

For detailed informaton about our Shoreline expansion project, Vision House Jacob's Well, go to "Download Jacob's Well Resources" on the menu bar to the right.

Vision House Giving Trees

You can make Christmas a little brighter for a homeless family this year! Vision House giving trees are a great way to rally your co-workers, family, friends, and church family around a great cause. Sponsoring a giving tree is easy! Here’s how it works:

1. Contact Kristi Slattery at 425.228.6356 or kristis@vision-house.org and let her know you would like to sponsor a tree.

2. Kristi will arrange to have a giving tree delivered to your office or church towards the end of November.

3. People will take tags off the tree that describe a Vision House child or mom and their Christmas wish. They will then buy a gift card or give a financial gift and return it to the box under the tree.

4. Kristi will coordinate pick-up of the trees and gift cards just before Christmas.

5. Gift cards are provided to Vision House families to purchase specific items as needed and are also used throughout the year to support the children and mothers in our care. Trees will be claimed quickly, so call today to reserve yours!

Vision House (425) 228-6356 www.NoHomelessKids.org kristis@vision-house.org

Here is a PDF flyer to give to others. >>> Giving Tree Flyer

Jacob's Well Planning and Construction Meeting

Please join us to find out more about our next building project – Vision House Jacob’s Well in Shoreline. This complex will include 20 apartments for homeless mothers and their children, as well as a child care center, program space and counseling offices.

Date: Thursday October 29th

Time: 7 – 8:30 AM, Coffee provided.

Location: Campbell Nelson Nissan Conference Room
24325 Highway 99 (across from the Home Depot/Costco Shopping Center)
Edmonds, CA 98026

Action Items:
Invite others from your church and other churches that would be interested in learning more about this project.
Invite individuals in the construction industry that would be interested in serving on the Project Advisory Team.

For more information contact:

Gary Kingsbury
Vision House Board Member
gary.kingsbury@comcast.net
(206) 962-1496 cell
(206) 542-0826 home

Jacob’s Well New Direction - God Strengthen our Hands

2009 has been a very difficult year for funding. Nearly every major funding source has declined our grant request. Let me assure you that it is not because the proposal lacks merit. The Jacob’s Well plans are solid and the need is great, but they regrettably just didn’t have the resources. Even funding sources that we had signed letters of agreement to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars have let us know they won’t be able to fulfill their pledge commitments.

So how do we move forward on this project? Yesterday, six local church leaders came together to see what role they can take. We have broken the project down to 47 bite size pieces. Our goal is now to mobilize 47 churches to do a smaller portion of the project and to build the project piece by piece.

If you want to learn more about the construction, please plan on attending the 7:00 AM meeting at Campbell Nelson Nissan near Costco in Edmonds Thursday, October 29th, 2009.

We would also like to invite you to the combined north and south end event which will be held at the Bellevue Hilton Tuesday, October 13th. Registration begins at 11:30 AM. We have combined this year's events to use our resources wisely. More detail.

I love the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah wept for his people who were suffering. Their homes had been destroyed. Their city wall lay in ruins; its gates destroyed by fire. They lived in disgrace. But God called him to rebuild the city wall and he obeyed. At times, he faced such adversity that the laborers would build with tools in one hand and a sword in the other. Nehemiah kept his weapon near, ready to fight for his family, the unprotected, and the vulnerable. Ready to defend the people that he was called to protect. And I am here to tell you, we are ready for the fight. And I ask that you fight along side us for protection of the weak, the poor, the homeless and the vulnerable.

It will be difficult. It will not go quickly. But I guarantee, when you see God face to face and life here on earth is over, you will hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”