Our Many Transitions

I am honored to begin 2013 as the new Executive Director of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works. Since I started on January 2nd, I have been meeting with staff, board, volunteers, residents, and stakeholders to learn more about the community we serve and to hear your thoughts and hopes for the future of this vital organization. 

Unfortunately, in my short time here I have learned that the future of our programs is unclear as the funding landscape has changed quickly and drastically. In my first five days with Rosehedge/Multifaith Works, we heard from two long-term, governmental funding sources that they were cutting both transitional and enhanced assisted living grants for 2013. This combined cut in funding totals over $600,000!

We need your help more than ever as we move forward. I am asking you to make a donation of $100, or any amount that is meaningful and comfortable for you today. (www.rosehedge.org/donate-now/)We have immediately begun addressing the impact of these devastating cuts and are putting into place a strategic plan of action. Stable housing is an essential component of HIV prevention and treatment. Rosehedge/Multifaith Works takes great pride in providing not just houses for our residents, but homes.

Combined, our transitional housing and enhanced assisted living homes offered 15,330 bed nights for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).  Through our Care Team and Shanti support programs, over 300 volunteers provided more than 15,000 hours of emotional and social support to hundreds of PLWHA.  Our newest program, SHIFT peer recovery network, trained 15 recovery coaches who dedicated over 700 hours providing recovery support to 66 people.  This great work and service would not be possible without support from people like you, who understand that Rosehedge/Multifaith Works serves the most vulnerable population of people living with HIV/AIDS:  those who are homeless and struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Rosehedge/Multifaith Works was created through grassroots efforts and by people making a decision to put their compassion into action. I am confident that we will rise above these challenges and continue to make a difference in the lives of so many people living with HIV/AIDS. Please assist us by making a gift today.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
In peace,

Lauren B. Simonds, M.S.W.
Executive Director

P.S. – I hope you will join me on March 5th, along with other Rosehedge/Multifaith Works board, staff, volunteers, and residents for AIDS Action & Awareness Day in Olympia!  This is our chance to educate legislators about the critical needs and issues facing people living with AIDS.  (http://whacan.org/aids-action-awareness-day/)

Among the Counted

An estimated 1,900 are homeless each night in Seattle.  They can be found in transitional housing, sleeping in shelters, under roadways, in doorways, or curled up in their car/truck. A quarter of these persons can be considered chronically homeless, which according to HUD's definition, means they are homeless for long periods of time and have a disability such as HIV/AIDS.

Catherine's plan had never been to be one of the people counted as homeless when she first lost her apartment.  This was a temporary situation and would turn around in a few days.  Days turned to months and months turned to years.  All told, the journey to finding a home she can call her own has taken seven long years.  Five years on the streets and two as part of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works’ transitional housing program.

On the streets you aren't concerned about the basics of clothing, food or medical treatments.  In fact, good health is the least of your concerns.  You live to use…and use to live.  You do anything to get that next high.  You tell yourself it is a natural progression from the early lies or cheating to the extremes of theft and prostitution.  Alone, all Catherine could do at night was cry and wish she wasn’t there.

Connecting to Rosehedge/Multifaith Works during early sobriety, Catherine knew that she had no more chances…without the transitional housing program she would be on the streets again.  Faced with this fear, she changed dramatically and quickly.  After nearly two years in transitional housing, she made the big step into permanent housing.

When asked about her success she quickly quantifies it as OUR success.  “I didn’t do this by myself” she states.  “A lot of people gave me a hand…and then a second hand.”   Alone, inside her apartment she can, at times, feel intimidated by the dramatic change.  It is a fear that is quickly defeated by opening the door and joining her new community.  A community built on compassion, concern and love.

Each January, volunteers canvas the Seattle area and count the men, women and children without shelter.  This One Night Count is done for two reasons: to document the nature and extent of homelessness in King County, and to build public engagement and action around the issue. It is a solemn and eye-opening opportunity to witness the survival struggles of our neighbors who are homeless.  Witness to her journey and after seven years, Catherine is no longer one of those counted!

Good Fortune

Why I give.
Well maybe I am bored
And maybe I want to give back.
Or maybe I think it has something to do with that
Fortune cookie I got last Friday.
It’s none of that!
I give because people need, and then I just do it!

Larry C.
Former Resident & Current Donor

He lived compassion at life’s end

Lying in his bed, he listened to the sounds of life.  He could smell the pot roast cooking in the kitchen and hear his housemates moving through the halls.  A movie was playing on his VCR and he was comfortable.  He had not envisioned his life this way.  He loved the beach and the sunshine.  He loved his work and his many friends knew him as a passionate foodie.  Assisted by his pain medications, he often dreamed of those days.  In a way it was a gift because he could live in whichever memory he chose – and he chose the best ones every time
.
Chris was pretty sure he would not live much longer – although over the years he had entertained this possibility countless times and still – here he was.  Thinking of ‘life’ he sometimes counted off the living that he could no longer accomplish.  First of all, he was blind – so he could no longer watch his beloved movies or see the smiles on his friends’ faces.  His frame was skeletal and he could no longer walk.  His kidneys were shutting down so his ‘big day out’ was going to the clinic for dialysis.  All of his physical and social needs were supported by the staff and volunteers at Rosehedge/Multifaith Works – his home for 14 years.

Compassion.  That was the word Chris used to describe the lifeblood that kept him going – countless acts of compassion and love.  The house cook stopped by his room regularly to chat and find out what he felt like eating.  They had long foodie talks and had become real pals.  CareTeam volunteers sat with him, sharing movies and conversation.  One older gentleman became his best friend.  With the help of a wheelchair, they would roam the neighborhood.  He would feel the fresh air on his face and listen to the kids as they raced home after school.  The nursing staff loved Chris – in fact, everyone loved him because he was so ready with a smile and encouraging word even when the days were hard to live through.

One evening, he fell asleep listening to a movie.  The nurse came in to see him and realized that he was in crisis.  That night Chris left his body in the local emergency room and was suddenly free of pain and restriction.  Those he left behind mourned.

Chris’ memorial service was held on a sunny afternoon at the church across the street from his home.  His family came from California and Portland; his friends came just as far. His father, who was in the hospital at the time, attended the service via Skype. One of his former house nurses came from Bellingham.  There were house staff, volunteers and housemates – all gathered to honor him, remember his life and support each other in their grief.  His 8-year-old nephew played the violin.  Memories were shared and the healing began.
And as Chris watched this gathering of people who had touched his life, he recognized that he was right all along.  His world was COMPASSION.

Chris touched our lives so profoundly that Staff and volunteers of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works have created a quilted panel to memorialize his life and the many ways he is remembered.  Chris’ quilt panel was sent to Washington DC to join more than 48,000 panels that make up The AIDS Memorial Quilt.  These panels have been hand-crafted by friends, family and lovers of people who have died of AIDS. We will remember!

Alanna Gunne
CareTeam Program Coordinator
Rosehedge/Multifaith Works