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!”

Seahawk's Charity of the Month chooses Vision House

Vision House is pleased to announced that we were selected Seahawks Charity of the Month!! Several public service announcements will be airing in September and the children will get a visit from the Seahawks! How fun is THAT!! GO HAWKS!!

Federal Home Loan Bank Grant Submitted

We met the deadline for the Federal Home Loan Bank application today. The request is for $120,000. I hope you will take time to read a few very inspiring stories from women who have overcome homelessness, poverty and abuse. You'll feel encouraged! Here is the link: stories of hope

Campaign Update

The Jacob's Well project didn't make the cut for Snohomish County funding. There were over $6 million in requests competing for about $350,000. Even with this decision, we are still very optimistic. The Kresge Foundation will allow us to increase our request to them to $450,000 and we had a conversation with the Murdock Trust today which was also optimistic. Our Murdock request for $400,000 will be decided in August and Kresge in October prior to our fall kick off November 10! Please SAVE THE DATE! (see below) So of the $4.4 million needed for the project, we have raised just over $2 million. Positive decisions from Murdock and Kresge will put us well on our way. Both of these grants are challenge grants meaning we would need to raise the other amounts needed prior to them releasing their dollars. Click here for more information about this project.

Jacob’s Well Breakfast
Save the date and plan to join us for an informative and inspiring benefit breakfast to raise funds to build Vision House Jacob’s Well.
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Location: Lynnwood Convention Center
3711 – 196th St. SW, Lynnwood 98036
Cost: Entrance is free to this fundraising event.

RSVPs are required at 425-228-6356

HUGE Garage Sale Aug. 21-22

You don't want to miss this amazing sale to benefit Vision House. It will be held at the Children's Village Child Care center located at 450 Bremerton in Renton, 98059.

You can also donate gently used small household items, toys and tool to help make this year’s Bargain Bash a smash hit! Contact Kristi at 425-228-6356 or kristis@vision-house.org to arrange for drop off. All proceeds benefit Vision House www.nohomelesskids.org Items we cannot accept: Broken, chipped, cracked, soiled or torn items Items missing pieces, parts, or cords, car radios, computers and peripherals

Campaign Plan

Today I am reworking our campaign plan. We didn't get the Snohomish County grant for $300,000 and just found out that most likely the state has spent all of their dollars for the next two years. (there were $6 million in requests for only $300,000 available)

So of the $4.4 million needed to raise for the first phase of the Jacob's Well complex, the team has raised just over $2 million. We can most likely raise an additional $1.3 in grants leaving a faith goal from churches, individuals and corporations of about $1 million. We are still working on the construction permits so they will be in place when God provides the finances. We are moving forward in faith.

Please continue to pray for provision and wisdom. Thank you.

Susan