Homeless and Feeling Helpless

In April of 2011 I found myself in a very unsafe place with a roommate who was becoming physically violent with me and threatening me with a knife.  I contacted Lifelong AIDS Alliance and asked what could be done to get me into safe housing since I was not working at the time and was struggling to stay off methamphetamines.  I had been sober for approximately 30 days at the time. I was placed in a men's shelter for the night. I had a friend store all of my belongings except for a few articles of clothing.

The next day I met again with my housing advocate at Lifelong.  Clarissa put me in touch with a lady named Mary at Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.  On my way back to the library I contacted Mary.  She was very understanding and compassionate on the phone. I met with her the following day and immediately felt comfortable with her. She gave me the number of the resident advisor at Beighle House. I contacted him immediately and arranged to meet with him on Wednesday and also attend the house meeting. I was immediately placed at ease as he informed me that he understood what it meant to be in recovery and the need for support as well as having a safe and stable place to live.

April 6, 2011 was the day I was given keys to my new room and to the front door of Beighle House a Rosehedge/Multifaith Works transitional home.  While living at Beighle House, as with most people in recovery, there were some brief relapses.  Not one time did anyone from Rosehedge/Multifaith put me down, or make me feel like I was a failure. Quite the opposite was true. They rallied around me and let me make my own choices in what to do to get back on track and stay sober. Each time they supported me and were more concerned with what they could do to help rather than "punish" me or give me new requirements to stay in the house. Instead, they offered many resources to help with recovery and also got me involved with their Shift Peer Recovery program who helped me get a recovery coach at no cost. The staff always listened to me and made me feel as if I was someone of value. They were always concerned, not only with my recovery from meth but also my personal physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.

I can honestly say that if it had not been for Rosehedge/Multifaith Works housing and staff as well as Shift Peer Recovery Program, I would still be actively using meth on a daily basis, homeless and hopeless, if not already dead.  My life before they stepped in to house me, care for me, and support me was headed down a dead end street. I learned more about my addiction, and health during my stay with Rosehedge/Multifaith Works than I ever thought I would. My mental and emotional health is also getting better. I am forever grateful to them for the love, compassion, support and most of all how each staff person gave of themselves unconditionally to make sure that I survived and found stable and safe permanent housing. On Feb 1st, 2013 I moved into my new apartment and am still sober. This would never have been possible without the staff of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works. Thanks again for being a family that cared!

John C.

Former Rosehedge/Multifaith Works Tenant

Comfort Where We Overlap

“I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap.”
― Ani DiFranco

Sharing a space with many others can be challenging and it can be comforting, but if we are open to the people around us it is always stimulating, edifying, and profound. Working within community continues to inspire me every day.

I came in to the office today bearing mishloach manot, which in Hebrew means “sending meals.” This is a Jewish tradition for the holiday of Purim (this upcoming Saturday night and Sunday) in which people send food baskets to each other to share the celebration through food, and show appreciation and a sense of unity for people in their community.

 We wish the Rosehedge Multifaith Works community a community of support, celebration, and good food.

(BTW...The cookies are called “Hamentaschen”)

Tamar Libicki RN,
Clinical Director Rosehedge Multifaith Works

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

Empty Cupboards

How do feel about being left alone? I’m sure it’s not good.

For one thing it’s lonely and for another thing - there may not be food. It sucks being lonely AND hungry. I have been lonely in my life. But I have been blessed. I always had love and food and work and other stuff…I’m lucky! Some are not as fortunate!

And so that’s how it is. That’s why I give to Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.... 
 They take away the lonely.

Larry C.
Former Resident & Current Donor