tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39735581785980815942012-01-20T09:18:58.578-08:00Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-56033795259403541452012-01-20T09:18:00.001-08:002012-01-20T09:18:58.604-08:00

Working in the Transitional Housing Program over the last six years has been a challenging and heart-warming chapter in my life, both as a social worker and  a compassionate fellow citizen of Seattle.  I have shared the experiences and journey of many homeless men and women with HIV/AIDS as they have faced struggles with mental health and drug issues, confronted loneliness, developed independent

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-73637478820777019912012-01-09T14:53:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:53:18.426-08:00

With this past year being the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis, there were more news articles regarding AIDS than usual. One that caught my eye was written by a man who stated that the reason people wear the red ribbon is because it makes them feel good about themselves for giving.  Hmmmm. That gave me reason to think, "Is that why I wear the ribbon?". I do not deny that I am proud

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-85564713087469286392011-12-16T09:13:00.000-08:002011-12-16T09:13:14.958-08:00

by Carter Case, March 25, 2009 Last night we served dinner at Laytner House, a residential program of Rosehedge Multifaith that provides temporary housing for the HIV/AIDS homeless. Tonight we will be at an HIV/AIDS support group run by BABES, but this time we will be served dinner. We are one of you; you are one of us.  I was prepared to serve dinner last night; the cooking part is easy for me.

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-87923173847272397652011-11-30T10:23:00.000-08:002011-11-30T10:23:18.583-08:00

Our Enhanced Assisted Living Chef, Steve, has forged great relationships with our residents in the five months since he was hired. This holiday season, the staff were invited to sign holiday cards for the residents. In true form, Steve decided to write notes in the cards instead of a signature. He wrote each individual resident a short, food-related note that illustrated the humor and

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-13312332810879030122011-11-22T08:58:00.000-08:002011-11-22T08:58:04.338-08:00

Recently, I attended a training to be a Recovery Coach for the SHIFT Peer Recovery Program.  I have had an awesome experience going through this training group. I went in the door with several years of experience in recovery, thinking what can I possible learn? There were about 15 men and women from different backgrounds and ages with varied ideas and opinions. Facilitators Joe Bills and Josh

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-21828231542448404822011-11-14T09:31:00.000-08:002011-11-14T09:31:25.730-08:00

  I visit inmates at MCC-WSR, Monroe Correctional Complex-Washington State Reformatory, a prison.  A place where there is no trust; guards,fellow inmates, friends, even family, are not immune from betraying.    So, here I come, for a one-on-one visit.   There is an African proverb, "An enemy is a person whose story you haven't heard."  I hear. Even better, I attempt to listen.  It's not the "I"

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-44683201039075867002011-11-07T10:55:00.000-08:002011-11-07T10:55:14.026-08:00

I was involved in Shanti years ago and did about 4 or 5 years doing volunteer work... originally Shanti was under NWAF and so I did volunteer with NWAF and Shanti at the same time, I loved doing the NWAF because I was able to connect to the LGBT community in Seattle and Shanti because I was able to connect to my heart... Then I dropped out for several years after my client passed away. It was a

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-12757257262986157052011-10-31T15:08:00.000-07:002011-11-07T10:49:50.933-08:00

I found the Shanti program while researching volunteer opportunities online. For years, I’d been interested in volunteering, but had never found the right fit. As soon as I read the description of the Shanti program’s goals and purpose, I knew it was for me. Becoming a one-on-one emotional support volunteer for partners living with grief, isolation, illness, depression, or any combination of

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-87180496112298883422011-10-10T10:27:00.000-07:002011-10-10T10:27:26.048-07:00

I started volunteering with Rosehedge / Multifaith Works this past spring, drawn by a Craigslist ad for the CareTeam and Shanti programs. Like the last volunteer to write on this blog, I came to RH/MFW because I felt my life was missing something; I didn’t feel as though I was actually helping people, no matter how many hours I worked at my job or how many one-off food-bank volunteer sessions I

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-87296400838173413412011-09-27T10:11:00.000-07:002011-09-27T10:11:00.935-07:00

I was asked to write a letter to detail why I volunteer with Shanti, a program of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.  What initially drew me to look for a volunteer position was a recent job loss.  Previously, the jobs I had always incorporated some sort of volunteering but nothing regular and I wanted to find an opportunity that would add value to my life.   I set out to find a volunteer position that

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-53554274529100435362011-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:002011-09-23T12:58:59.933-07:00

In my nine years as a volunteer on a Multifaith Care Team, I came to appreciate greatly that this was a unique experience due to the three “prongs” that each volunteer encounters. The first “prong” is the relationship with the Care Partner.  Each Care Partner is so much more than a person with a disease.  At various times the team I was part of was matched with a writer, a florist and a computer

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-30207055675298788862011-09-14T09:39:00.000-07:002011-09-14T16:28:26.468-07:00

I was recently asked to compose a letter describing my desire to volunteer as Rosehedge/Multifaith Works’ Professional Photographer. The first thought that came to mind was, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ The idea was introduced by a friend of mine that follows my work closely. When this idea was mentioned to me in passing, there was absolutely no hesitation on my part. I sent in my request to volunteer

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-11991725081610025152011-08-26T12:45:00.000-07:002011-08-26T12:45:41.725-07:00

Creating a space to breathe Wondering connection? Lights flicker Lights ablaze Hold held Slight laugh Long walks at evening Can one wish be granted? Hope often disguised Don’t let me guess More than survive Perhaps coffee? Sit a spell? Whisper Lean towards A childhood beach Crying out at times Questions divine Fostering Night sounds Gradual wisdom Long lines Pushed aside Clutching springtime

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-48725113318490047132011-08-15T13:22:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:22:43.288-07:00

Amid the 30th anniversary of AIDS, funding cuts prompt restructuring of BABES Network-YWCA, a peer-based program for women facing HIV that uses Rosehedge/Multifaith Works offices for meeting space. Cuts come as women and minorities become fastest growing population of the newly diagnosed. The BABES Network-YWCA is streamlining operations in order to continue to serve HIV-positive women while

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-76192237363749997602011-08-05T15:35:00.000-07:002011-08-05T15:35:36.579-07:00

Here are some things our volunteers at the summer training had to say about the things they learned, loved, and experienced during the two weekends of training: •    I learned a lot about empathy and the shared human experience •    I learned that Shanti volunteers are there to listen and not offer solutions •    Learning to trust myself •    I got to see a glimpse of just how powerful this is •

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-87813979668657665952011-08-01T08:31:00.000-07:002011-08-01T08:31:59.231-07:00

As a Western Washington University student graduating next Spring in the Human Services Program, I entered a summer internship with Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.  My goals for the internship were to understand the challenges of this population, WAC (Washington Administrative Code), and be able to apply it in support of a very vulnerable population.  I didn't really have any concrete expectations

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-52734147395154048362011-07-27T19:46:00.000-07:002011-07-27T21:08:54.835-07:00

A sunny weekend in July, Rosehedge/Multifaith Works hosted our annual Volunteer Appreciation picnic.  Beyond tasty donations from Franz Bakery and Borracchini's Bakery, Mother Nature finally came through with a piece of summer to brighten everyone's smile.  The parking lot was over-flowing with sunshine, hugs, some lively music, and a host of Volunteers, Clients, and Staff. Over the years, RH/

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-49231945600575380252011-07-20T21:53:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:27:17.493-07:00

The SHIFT program for me has been the only Recovery approach that has actually worked for me. For what has seemed to be a lifetime of Drug use and countless failed attempts to quit I was ready for “something” that was going to make the difference. SHIFT’s Peer facilitated support groups with its “real” intimate atmosphere made all the difference for me.  I was able to share what was really going

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-46695680875910014832011-07-11T12:57:00.000-07:002011-07-11T13:03:14.194-07:00

A long, long time ago, before Bill Clinton had even been elected President, I lived and worked in Arkansas. My work in those days was creating, training, and supporting congregation-based CareTeams for people with AIDS and developing an agency to support those teams. In those days, (late 80’s and early 90’s) most people with AIDS died. And it soon became obvious that they lived longer and better

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-30048217804635070562011-06-24T14:21:00.000-07:002011-06-27T08:25:31.907-07:00

Last Saturday, Rosehedge/Multifaith Works welcomed 25 new volunteers into our CareTeam Program training.  These new volunteers were all so different from each other: they ranged in age from 18 to 78; they were Asian, African, Hispanic, and Caucasian; they were gay, lesbian, and straight.  They came from Shoreline, West Seattle, Issaquah, Skyway, Edgewood (I had to look that one up on a map too),

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-39233199156472382112011-06-20T16:24:00.000-07:002011-06-20T16:24:28.724-07:00

As a new agency member, I felt honored to be able to attend the two-weekend Shanti trainings. Everyone I had spoken with had a hard time encapsulating the Shanti experience and yet also felt it was one of the more effective ways of understanding the work Rosehedge/Multifaith Works does in the community. After having gone through the training, I too find it hard to express in words the magnitude

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-78019864888239240612011-06-10T08:16:00.000-07:002011-06-10T08:16:43.513-07:00

I wonder at times whenever I meet a new young patient with HIV infection whether we have grown wiser as we've grown older with this epidemic. Certainly, this year, our 30th year of fighting this disease has taught us new insights to the impact of antiretroviral therapy as not only a tool to treat but to prevent the spread of HIV. These medications can result in >96% decrease in HIV transmission -

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-36343177141223872962011-06-03T08:50:00.000-07:002011-06-03T14:30:18.036-07:00

In the mid 90’s there was a white board at the house where I went for support. I dreaded that board because they used to write the names of those that died the week before from AIDS. Was I going to die too?  I used to be a resident in the MFW housing program. The house had a Care Team, which I equate as a big hug. We have come along way since then as a community. People with HIV/AIDS are living

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-77962646321360455582011-05-27T14:25:00.000-07:002011-05-27T20:03:44.541-07:00

Yesterday I had the honor of meeting our CareTeam partner for the first time. Since our CareTeam is brand new, I was the first one to meet him. I was a bit nervous, because I knew there might be language difficulties, and I wanted him to feel the love and support that our whole team has for him. The time was delightful! We did fine talking a mix of Spanish and English (very poor Spanish on my

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-18824376408512561582011-05-19T15:48:00.000-07:002011-05-19T15:48:17.879-07:00

In a season of economic instability, budget cuts, and threats of a government shutdown people at the margins of our society – poor, living with HIV/AIDS - are often the first to feel the hit. Since I have been working at Rosehedge/Multifaith Works I have witnessed the cut of more and more supportive services that help maintain the physical and emotional health of our clients. Housing,

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-43549744061176096872011-05-06T14:09:00.000-07:002011-05-06T14:09:10.779-07:00

Eleven senators are backing a resolution that recognizes the key role housing plays in preventing and treating AIDS. The resolution, S. 162, was introduced Wednesday and is sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Its co-sponsors are Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Al Franken (D-MN), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT),

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-83771241166009899912011-04-26T15:57:00.000-07:002011-04-26T21:38:22.291-07:00

I'm writing you today to ask for your help…your financial help for our CareTeam and Shanti programs.    The people who come to us for help are simply at a low point in their lives.  Many have lost the support of family and friends.  You can imagine then, what happens when they are offered the gift of compassionate friendship, nonjudgmental listening, meaningful connections and a safe place to

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-68767300421873615842010-03-25T18:07:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:07:28.065-07:00

Radical Gates: Reflections on Lt. Dan Choi Greg Miller Housing Program Director March 25, 2010 Hearing that Lt. Dan Choi handcuffed himself to the White House gate awakened a radical spirit for the work done through Multifaith Works. People with HIV/AIDS are often the ones who, because of stigma, homophobia, and violence, are silent while wanting to speak. Multifaith leads their voices into

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3973558178598081594.post-54081442181803361842009-12-22T11:36:00.000-08:002009-12-22T14:18:02.607-08:00

The longest night has just passed and a new cycle begins for all of us. This year we have seen many people come through our lives including new residents in our housing program, CareTeam and Shanti Partners, volunteers in all of our programs, and staff members. Change is the inevitable part of our time here and often it creates discomfort and unrest. However, the changes that Multifaith

Rosehedge/Multifaith Workshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381059967342914213noreply@blogger.com0