Hope, Home and Education

Getting Ready

2010-08-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday workers from the company CB Richard Ellis came and cleaned up First Place in honor of the United Way Day of Caring. The United Way Day of Caring is Septemeber 24th, however they came early to help First Place prepare for the new school year. The workers painted the classrooms, common room, and bathrooms. They cleaned up the vegetable garden, planted and weeded, power washed the building, and repainted the parking lot. The school looks refreshed and ready for the school year. Thank you CB Richard Ellis! September here we come.

Golf Tournament

2010-08-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday the 19th, Remco-Deacon hosted a golf tournament for First Place at the Harbour Pointe Golf Course in Mukilteo. Sara Lattimer was the organizer of the event, and did an amazing job coordinating the players, sponsers, and volunteers. There were 34 teams out on the course, over 130 total players! The golfers started out around 1:30, and after finishing up had dinner and more activities inside the club.

First Place staff Chris Cooper and Lisa Foss were on hole eight during the tournament, giving the players another way to donate. Players were allowed to pay a fee in order for one person on the team to pick out a dress (from a particularly hideous assortment) and step up to the women's tee. This was great entertainment and many players participated.

A special thanks to Remco-Deacon and all of the sponsers of the golf tournament. First Place raised over five thousand dollars from this event, which will be especially important as we roll into the new school year!

First Place Graduation 2010

2010-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last Friday June 15th, sixth-graders Natalie Givre and Ian Solis were celebrated for having successfully graduated from First Place School. Students, parents and teachers attended the afternoon ceremony at the African-American Museum. Natalie and Ian have been inseparable friends since they first started attending First Place. They are known for their acrobatic talents and both attend a weekend class in Georgetown together. Natalie and Ian will be moving onto bright futures at new schools next year.

Stephen R. Covey blog: “Our Children and the Crisis in Education”

2010-05-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” has a passion for education reform and has now created his blog “Our Children and the Crisis in Education.”

This new blog shares insights on public education in America and how it can empower and teach youth in more effective ways.

Here’s a story from his first post:

“During a break in my presentation, Muriel came up to me, introduced herself, looked me straight in the eye, and asked: ‘Dr. Covey, do you think these [7 highly effective] habits can be taught to young children?’ I answered, ‘How young?’ She said, ‘Five years old.’ I thought about it briefly, and said, ‘I don't know why not;’ and then continued, ‘let me know if you ever try them out in your school.’

“And try she did. In the months that followed, Muriel and her team of administrators and teachers decided to create a whole new magnet theme for the school--leadership. The foundation of their approach combined the Seven Habits with quality, goal setting and measurement tools. The approach is inside-out, with the teachers and administrators learning, living and modeling the principles themselves first, and then, at the most basic level, integrating the principles into their teaching every day. There is no new curriculum. The principles of effectiveness are creatively woven by teachers into every subject -- reading, math, history, science, social studies, art, etc. From the moment they walk into the school each day until the final bell rings, the children soak in their adult leaders' belief that they are leaders of their own lives, have unique talents, and can make a difference. Each child, including those with special needs, is given a leadership role in the school: leader of greeting, leader of public speaking, leader of the school's daily news program and so forth. They love it and they thrive.”

--

First Place has been extremely successful using curriculum that builds on the students’ academic lessons, such as learning the times tables or periodic table of elements. At First Place, we utilize a community-based curriculum developed by our Executive Director called Classroom Without Walls. Each class chooses a topic of interest to them from the outside community, like the parks or health care, and then incorporates themes from those topics into their learning throughout the year.

When the kids went down to Olympia for the annual Have a Heart for Kids advocacy day, each student researched a current bill in the legislature that interested them. Some chose housing issues, others school funding, and several picked health care. Then they wrote letters to their Congress members to share their perspectives on the bills. This type of learning shows students that their education is not isolated, but relates to their community outside of school. It also encourages their involvement—and their parents’—in civic activities going on around them.

--

“The winds of education reform are beginning to stir once again,” wrote Covey. “Our collective conscience is being nudged. And there's good reason. The world has moved into one of the most profound eras of change in human history. Yet our children, for the most part, are simply not prepared for the new reality. The gap is widening. And we know it.”

Check out his blog on the Huffington Post for more interesting insights on public education today.

And stay tuned in on our blog for more info about Classroom Without Walls and First Place’s young leaders!

Spring Cleaning Can Support Families!

2010-04-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Moving into a new home is a prideful accomplishment for the families who come to First Place!

We have some great news today – a high number of our families have been moving into transitional housing from shelters or shared housing. This is definitely a reason to celebrate!

Along with these great successes, First Place currently has a great need for household items to help these families turn an empty apartment into their home. We are looking for new and gently used household items.

If you’ve been spring cleaning, some of these items may be in your donate pile:

Kitchen items such as: plates, bowls, silverware, mugs, pots & pans, baking pans, colanders, cutting boards, serving utensils—and anything you find is essential in the kitchen!
Dish towels, bath towels, washcloths and laundry detergent
Pillows, comforters, blankets and sheet sets
Lamps with lightbulbs
Plastic Hangers

We currently are not able to accept furniture donations to pass on to families. We would like to encourage donation of gift certificates to places parents can purchase furniture and other household items. Gift certificates starting at $50 for these stores are greatly appreciated: Goodwill, Ikea, Value village, Target, JC Penney, and Fred Meyer.

More helpful ideas:

Purchase some of these items on Amazon.com and have them shipped directly to First Place. When you use the Amazon School Rewards link here, a percentage of your order is donated back to First Place.
Forward this blog to your friends and neighbors, or post it in your office break room.
Donate the proceeds of your spring garage sale to First Place.
Link to this blog from your Facebook page. Challenge your friends to get involved.
Ask your work department to each pick something off this list to donate.

For more information or to set up a time to deliver a donation contact Lisa Foss at (206) 323 6715.

First Place Announces Brand New Partnership

2010-03-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

First Place is announcing an exciting and brand new partnership with Antioch University Seattle and City University of Seattle. Below is our press release with the details.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 25, 2010

A Washington State Educational First:
Antioch University Seattle, City University of Seattle and First Place Form New Partnership To Help Kids and Graduate Students

SEATTLE — Antioch University Seattle, City University of Seattle and First Place proudly announce the formation of a multi-disciplinary partnership to meet the training needs of Antioch University Seattle and CityU of Seattle students and the service delivery needs of First Place school’s students and their families. This partnership is a first of its kind in Washington State.

All three institutions anticipate the pilot will begin in September 2010. At that time Antioch University Seattle Psychology students will work with children and families on site at First Place, impacting the community while receiving course and practicum hours toward their degree. In addition, students from CityU’s Albright School of Education will begin their practicum by working with students in classrooms at First Place.

“CityU is proud to partner with First Place to provide extended opportunities for our future Education and Early Education teachers so that they may hone their skills in a collaborative and unique learning environment, simultaneously serving the needs of this special community,” comments Dr. Steven Olswang, Provost, CityU. “Our long history of providing teachers who work with special populations fits squarely with the populations First Place serves.”

“Having our Psychology students getting practicum hours working with First Place children and families will allow us to send psychologists out into the community that are trained to handle both educational and social emotional issues that are faced by many children and their families, not just homeless families,” stated Dr. Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet, President of Antioch University Seattle. “This is new kind of community partnership and we are very proud to be a part.”

In the partnership, students from both Antioch University Seattle and CityU will provide clinical assessment, intervention, advocacy, classroom teaching and various support services. First Place will work with professionals and students from both universities on educational philosophy and pedagogy and the unique needs and strengths of their clients.

“CityU students will gain experience working with clinical psychologists in a classroom setting. Action research by CityU students will report on their efforts to expand teaching pedagogy through working with students coming from challenging home lives,” commented Craig Schreiber, Ed.D., associate dean, CityU’s Albright School of Education.

“First Place has a history of creating strong and lasting partnerships to fulfill our mission to provide stability and education to families at risk for homelessness,” said Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director of First Place. “Especially in these difficult economic times it is imperative that we work in concert with others who share our community goals. We have found just such a partner in Antioch.”

About First Place:
First Place is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization located in Seattle’s Central Area. Our mission is to educate and nurture children whose families struggle with the risk or reality of homelessness, where we offer housing, culturally relevant education and support services enabling families to achieve permanent stability. Our vision is hope, home and education for every child, one family at a time. Learn more at www.firstplaceschool.org

About City University of Seattle:
Founded in 1973 in Seattle, Washington, City University of Seattle is a private, not-for-profit university that has awarded over 45,000 degrees and certificates worldwide. City University of Seattle’s goal is to change lives for the good by offering high quality and relevant online and in-class education options to any person in the world with a desire to learn. The university is comprised of The School of Management, The Gordon Albright School of Education and the Division of Arts and Sciences. Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, City University of Seattle offers classes at locations throughout Washington, Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, The Czech Republic and China.

About Antioch University Seattle:
Antioch University Seattle is a bold and enduring source of innovation in higher education. Students’ passion to advance their lives, personally and professionally, is developed through academic programs that respond to the world’s needs. Students become educators, therapists and counselors, creative leaders and entrepreneurs who contribute to the common good. Together, we form a visionary community that strikes a rare—and essential—balance between idealism and experience. Learn more at www.antiochseattle.edu

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Cooper, First Place, 206.388.7775
ccooper@firstplaceschool.org

Leslie Cohan, City University of Seattle, 425.709.5403
lcohan@cityu.edu

Lori Dugdale, Antioch University Seattle, 206.268.4106
ldugdale@antioch.edu

First Place Students Read 320 Books In One Day!

2010-03-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 19, 2010, First Place held it's first Read-A-Thon in honor of National Reading Month and the love of reading at the school. Every class participated from preschool in the Griffin Early Learning Center all the way up to 6th Grade. After every book read, students wrote the name of the book on a leaf and added it to a reading tree in the school's multipurpose room.
Students came to school in their pajamas and classroom had guest readers to help break up the day! Here is a picture of the final tree with all 320 leaves.

Action Alert: Support Housing Trust Fund

2010-03-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Housing Trust Fund is a vital funding source in our state and we are at risk of losing this fund. We are re-posting information from the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and urging you to write to your Senator.

Just before the end of the regular session, the House of Representatives approved the Senate Capital budget with an amendment to fund the Housing Trust Fund with $50 million. An investment of this size will create at least 1,500 jobs, generate $10.3 million in taxes for local governments, and bring in $28.7 million in income for local businesses. Now is a critical time to contact your Senator to urge support for this critical investment.

It is your advocacy that will ensure the Trust Fund is funded at $50 million. Many of the projects that are "in the pipeline" and ready to begin will build housing for those who can least afford it - families and individuals struggling with or leaving homelessness, the disabled, and seniors on fixed incomes. Many of these individuals and families only source of income is the small $339 per month cash grant from the GA-U program. This tiny amount allows these Washingtonians to afford the basics like housing and food.

The Housing Trust Fund is essential to providing housing for those who need it the most. The Senate needs to know that the Trust Fund not only creates jobs, but also creates a path out of homelessness for thousands of people throughout Washington.

Contact your Senator today!

Read more from other organizations: YWCA Action Alert, Building Changes, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

First Place Graduate makes National Headlines

2010-03-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

Breaking News!

First Place graduate, 11-year-old Marcelas Owens, has been advocating for health care in honor of his mother since he lost her in 2007. In the past year, Senator Patty Murray has been telling his story to advocate for better healthcare and has shared his story twice in front of President Obama.
His story is now being heard and seen by thousands of individuals through news coverage on MSNBC and CBS Evening News.

Today, March 10, is an important day for Marcelas as he speaks in Washington DC in front of Congress - it is also his eleventh birthday.

Read local stories on Marcelas: KING5, Q13 Fox, Seattle Times.

Hear Marcelas' story in person!

Marcelas will be speaking at our Annual Fundraising Breakfast on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.

RSVP today to hear this inspirational young man share more of his experiences and how First Place was a catalyst for his advocacy.

Learn more about the Annual Fundraising Breakfast.Marcelas Owens (left) with Tod Leiweke (right) at the 2009 Breakfast.

Unsung Heroes Rick Teegarden, TOPS School, and Ann Borwick

2010-03-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

First Place really appreciates the generosity of our Seattle-area friends. We recently received several great donations that took a lot of planning and care by their organizers.

High school senior Rick Teegarden from Bellevue coordinated a drive that brought in over 2500 coats, a good number of which came to First Place. These coats will keep our clothing bank stocked for a good, long while. We really appreciate the time and efforts of caring community members like Rick. It’s especially inspiring to see the support from young people for their peers at First Place.

Rick was in 7th grade when he first began the coat drive. He was active with Bellevue Youth Link and its Teen Closet which at that time, he says, was woefully under-stocked for the winter months. So he took the idea of a coat drive to his middle school and got to work. Now he partners with several city shelters and justice organizations to make sure kids have the ability to stay warm during the chilly winter.

Our long-time friend Ann Borwick also sewed 60 pillow cases for the kids to take with them when they left for mid-winter break. The cases went into treasure boxes made by the TOPS 8th graders, with lots of other fun things inside like arts and crafts supplies.

Each pillow case is made from a different, colorful, kind-of zany pattern. First Place has received some great gifts from Ann in the past, such as aprons for the Griffin Early Learning Program to use when they practice painting and other crafts.

And don’t tell, but word is that Ann’s next project will be pillows and cases for preschool nap time. The kids will be excited when those arrive!

Classical Concert will Raise Awareness about Homelessness

2010-03-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Sing Us Home — A free classical concert to raise awareness about homelessness with 65-voice choir and orchestra.

Please join First Place Sunday, March 28th, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Seattle’s First Baptist Church for an afternoon of hope, community and music sponsored by Seattle First Baptist and The Greater Seattle Council of Churches.

Sing Us Home features an array of top notch musicians and soloists, including 65-singers, an orchestra, and the Lakeside High School Chorale.

The program will feature Henry Mollicone's Beatitude Mass (for the Homeless), written in 2005. Mollicone's music has been compared by reviewers to that of Bernstein, Britten, and Sondheim. His compositions are tuneful, dramatic, lyrical and powerful. The Beatitude Mass intersperses sections of the Latin Mass with texts from interviews with people living in homeless shelters.

This ten movement choral/orchestral work weaves four of the five movements of the ordinary of the Latin Mass with several other texts. The work begins and ends with beatitudes, a literary form which begins with the word "blessed" and, in this case, is applied to the situation of those who are homeless. No doubt this will be a powerful event that you will not want to miss. You can learn more about Henry Mollicone and the soloists here.

This event is free, however, there will be a free-will offering during the concert, but to increase the giving we are encouraging those who are able to purchase a donor pass in advance for $50 which will reserve you a seat. 100% of the donations will go to First Place.
If you are interested in a purchasing a pass you can do so:

On the Seattle First Baptist website.
Contacting the Seattle First Baptist Music Office at 206.325.6051 ext 27
E-mailing vicky@seattlefirstbaptist.org

Bring your relatives, colleagues, friends, and loved ones and enjoy an afternoon of music all to the tune of helping homeless families in the Puget Sound area.

Directly following the concert will be an awareness fair with local organizations who work to eradicate homelessness.

If you have any questions about this event, please email Melissa Collett at First Place.

"Kids Not Cuts": First Place Students Advocate in Olympia

2010-02-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

“Kids Not Cuts!” was the Have a Heart for Kids Day theme this year. More than 4,000 people from throughout the state gathered in Olympia on Monday, February 15th to rally for the issues that are most important to Washington’s kids.

Have a Heart for Kids Day is a yearly lobbying day organized by The Children’s Alliance to bring attention to the issues affecting children who often are not able to advocate for themselves.House Bills important to our students and parents right now include:
House Bill 3177 Housing Trust Fund & House Bill 1956 authorizing the housing of homeless people on property owned or controlled by a church.

Early Monday morning students, parents, teachers and volunteers loaded buses at First Place to head to Olympia for the annual Have a Heart for Kids Day rally.
In anticipation of the day, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes researched bills the House and Senate are considering right now and wrote letters to their legislators telling how they felt about those bills and whether they should pass. Here are a few excerpts from letters written by First Place students:

Dear Representative Pettigrew,

I am writing in regards to HB 3177.

My family and I live in a shelter. If my parents didn’t find shelter we would be homeless. My family now has hope for a better future. I think it is really important to pass this bill because in the future families like mine will need a safe place to live.

Dear Representative Chopp,

I ask for your support for HB 1956, authorizing the housing of homeless people on property owned or controlled by a church.

Recently in my school’s neighborhood, a church hosted tent city. They never messed with anybody and they looked happy and peaceful. I think it’s better that they stay there than under the free way. Please consider this bill.

Dear Representative Orwall,

I am writing in regard to House Bill 2621. I want to pick this bill because it will keep our children current with technology by providing opportunities for specialized learning.

I think this is a good plan because I go to a school that has small classes and personal instruction. We do lots of learning projects like this letter to you. Our school gets lots of support from local businesses and community volunteers. I have gone to my school for 2 years and it has been a good experience and I have learned a lot.

Please vote for this bill so it can help other kids learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math.

Student letters also talked about funds for school nurses, support for animal protection laws, and, of course, more time for recess.
During the day Representative Eric Pettigrew and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp took time to meet with First Place students and their parents, and listen to their letters and stories.

Other exciting parts of the day included marching through the capitol campus up to the steps of the Legislative Building, joining a rally of 4,000 people calling for steps toward a healthy economic future for Washington kids. First Place students made and carried signs with slogans like “Kids Not Cuts!” and “Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation” to support programs that are vital to the health and success of kids.

Most importantly, First Place families saw that their stories and presence do make a difference in how legislators think about and respond to issues and they know that their voice is an important one.

Myths of Homelessness

2010-02-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

"As soon as you get camp set up and get into your blankets and fall asleep, it's time to get up and pack up your stuff and start the day." – Connie

Myth #6: Homeless People Sleep All the Time

Huffington Post writer Christine Schanes has been sharing some of the common misperceptions about homeless people. Here’s what a few of them had to say.

"Sleeping is kind of rough. Sleeping on the streets you have to watch other people. You have to be real careful of the weather and other people. You could get kicked in the head. Other people like to mess with the homeless." - Joe

"For the moment, let's just say riding around all night on the bus and trains keeps you out of jail." - Maurice

"Problems I encounter - I have people stalking me for crimes that they have committed against me, including poisoning me, drugging me. So, therefore, I do not have a place to sleep or sleep on a regular place or regular sleep times. So, therefore, I cannot keep appointments or regular life. Sleeping times are hard to get as well as keeping my health correct." - Antonio

"Out of all the years my family and I were homeless, we slept in shelters and got enough sleep. Except for one night when we slept in a car which was a horrible experience." - Barbara

Check out the full article, and the other Myths of Homelessness at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes.

First Place families have told us they faced some of these same stereotypes when faced with homelessness. Here's the links to the first five myths:

Myth #5: Sleepwalking will End Homelessness http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes/homelessness-myth-5-sleep_b_420757.html

Myth #4: There’s Room in the Inn http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes/homelessness-myth-4-there_b_386628.html

Myth #3: Unsheltered People Only Count at Night http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes/homelessness-myth-3-unshe_b_366377.html

Myth #2: “They’re All Bums!” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes/homelessness-myth-2-theyr_b_350042.html

Myth #1: “Get a Job!” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-schanes/homelessness-myth-1-get-a_b_339500.html

Change.org also had an interesting article on how families are generally the last line of defense, and one of the strongest, for someone facing homelessness. Families are there to provide loans when everything else falls through or housing until a job situation can stabilize. Find the full article at http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/families_are_the_1_homelessness_prevention_tool.

Idea 31: Tweet & Retweet

2009-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

Today our idea is another quick one. Tweet about us! We came up with some ideas and sample tweets to get you started. Of course, the first step is to follow @FirstPlace on Twitter.

Here were our ideas:
Tweet a Success Story from our blog to brighten your day.

Tweet a statistic that you want to change.

Ask people to take our tour, or join our email list.

If you or a friend volunteers or comes to our events, tell your tweeple.

We also LOVE retweets.

Here are some tweets you can cut and paste:

@FirstPlace has the best tour in town. Find out for yourself. http://bit.ly/5wE95V

I agree with @FirstPlace. Children Shouldn’t Be Living in Vans! http://bit.ly/fphope

@FirstPlace is the only agency in WA providing high quality education to children whose families are homeless. http://bit.ly/fphope

@FirstPlace is more than a school for homeless children. They provide support to the whole family. http://bit.ly/fphope

@FirstPlace is where hope begins for families struggling with poverty and homelessness. http://bit.ly/fphope

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Keep In Touch
Be a Mentor
Align Your Business with a Cause and Go For It!
It's About the Academics

Idea 30: Don't Forget About Academics

2009-12-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

The holidays are filled with toys, and presents and gift cards. At First Place, we love them all. Every family gets a wonderful holiday, classrooms are adopted, the birthday box fills up, our library gets new books, students get new toys and we all enjoy a holiday party together.

The rest of the year, we know what the teachers really want and it’s about the academics.

Sometimes the things teachers need can not be found at Toys"R"Us or Target. Our teachers need learning games, teacher manuals, text books, science kits for experiments, learning posters and bulletin board accents.

There are two local store which are perfect resources for all of these items:

Math’n’Stuff on Roosevelt in Seattle.

Lakeshore Learning in Bellevue and online.

Next time you are considering giving to First Place, consider a gift card to one of these stores.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Keep In Touch
Be a Mentor
Honor Someone You Admire
Align Your Business with a Cause and Go For It!

Idea 29: Align Your Business with a Cause and Go For It!

2009-12-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

In Fall 2008 the Seattle Seahawks partnered with the United Way of King County, took on the theme “Tackle Family Homelessness”, and it was all hands on deck.

They hung two banners inside the stadium and one on the outside, players got involved, and they asked their fans to ‘give, volunteer, and take action.’

We asked the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC to continue their support of Family Homelessness last Spring and they contributed a large gift to a Challenge Match for our Annual Fundraising Breakfast helping First Place raise thousands of dollars. This is in addition to their continuing commitment to cause.

What could your company accomplish if you decided to get your employees, vendors, clients and customers all involved in the same cause?

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Keep In Touch
Be a Mentor
Party With a Cause
Honor Someone You Admire

Idea 28: Honor Someone You Admire

2009-12-30T12:03:00.000-08:00

We all know that person. The person who gives tirelessly to help others in the community. We all want to be a little more like them but, we all don’t have the time. You can still support that person by donating in their honor.

All of us at First Place know Peggy, a volunteer in our kindergarten classroom. Peggy is an anchor for our students.

Every Friday, without fail, Peggy comes to First Place to help Ms. Molly, our kindergarten teacher, with projects and field trips, lunches and recesses, nap time and story time. It is a very busy day. Many of Peggy’s friends know of the work she does and remembered her this year by making a year-end gift in her honor. You can too!

Go online, or send a contribution, today to honor someone who is doing all they can to support their community.

When you make a gift in honor or in memory of someone, we will send them a card to let them know you made the gift. All we need is their name and address. We then send you a tax-receipt for your gift.

Learn more about giving to First Place.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Keep In Touch
Dine In for First Place
Be a Mentor
Party With a Cause

Idea 27: Party with a Cause

2009-12-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

Your party any time of year can use this added twist. Many people (and companies) are turning their events into drives and fundraisers for First Place.

So here’s what you can do: Ask your friends to bring something to help our families in the new year. It could be a gift card for shoes, a small appliance for one of our housing units or new kids socks. Make it simple but make it fun!

Here is what others have already done:

A local anonymous donor invited friends over for dinner and had each write a check for First Place. She raised over $200 in one hour! And her guests had a great time.

Employees at Zymogentics had an auction Holiday celebration and donated $2,000 to First Place.

MXD Championships is a tennis tournament that donates proceeds from a party each July to First Place.

And, of course, KMTT 103.7 FM The Mountain, a great partner to First Place, has donated profits from their Winter Warmth concert for many years.

For help on this or any other ideas call the Development Team at 206 323 6715.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Keep In Touch
Dine In for First Place
Be a Mentor

Idea 26: Be a Mentor

2009-12-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

At face value, mentoring a student at First Place is a one-hour commitment at the same time and place each week September through June. If this is what we were convincing you to do, we wouldn’t be giving you the whole truth.

If we then said that it’s also playing games, making jewelry, hanging out, playing dolls and putting together puzzles—we would still be just scratching the surface.

Mentoring is actually changing lives one hour at a time.

Lisa is a mentor who has been with First Place close to 10 years. She mentored a young student name *Maria who was very shy and barely spoke above a whisper. Lisa asked Maria what she wanted to work on with her during the year and the student said that she wanted to be able to read in front of her class.

Throughout the year, Lisa and Maria read a book together with Lisa reading a couple of pages out loud and Maria reading out loud. During that time they worked on special projects such as making bracelets for each other and other fun things. Maria told her mentor that she wants to be a doctor and Lisa introduced her to a goal chart. Each week they talked about what it takes to be a doctor and the student had certain goals that she wanted to achieve. Every week, if she made one of her goals, she got to place stars on her chart.

By the end of the school year, the chart was done and the student was able to stand up front of her class performing in the class play. This child will always remember the valuable lessons that she learned from her mentor and Maria will always hold a special place in Lisa’s heart.

Every mentor, tutor and classroom volunteer at First Place is offered training in:

Building positive relationships with students to improve self-esteem
Using non-punitive ways to encourage students’ development of life skills
Developing strong boundaries and healthy limits
Taking time for training with students to clarify expectations
Using “teachable moments” when students make mistakes while encouraging students to take risks
Using practical problem-solving methods to show students how to see problems as learning opportunities

If you are interested in learning more, contact our Volunteer Manager Joyce Scoggins at 206 323 6715.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Keep In Touch
Dine In for First Place
Paint a Classroom

Idea 25: Use Facebook to Support First Place

2009-12-29T10:39:00.000-08:00

Facebook has become a great way to keep in touch with friends old and new. But, have you ever thought about Facebook as being a tool to help places like First Place?

Many of our Facebook friends posted our Amazon offer to their page and so far it has raised hundreds of dollars for our families. Is there more you can do with Facebook? You bet! Facebook is a great tool to create a challenge for your friends. Here are some challenge samples you can cut and paste:

Match Game:
(YOUR NAME) will match up to $200 of your friends giving to First Place. The first to reply are the first to get matched. If you give online today, there is an additional match so you could triple your gift! Just do it!

You can even join our Cause on Facebook and it will track your challenge for you!

Dinner Party:
(YOUR NAME) invites the first five people to make a donation to First Place to have dinner at my house on (DATE). Your gift is also matched through the end of the year if you give to First Place online. I’m making my famous Meatloaf! Or whatever you’re famous for!

Drinks on the House:
(Your name) will take the first five people to make a donation to First Place of $25.00 to have a drink at (your favorite watering hole). Your gift is also matched through the end of the year if you give to First Place online. Quick! Do it now! I’m thirsty!

We have 3 pages on Facebook: our Friend Page is the most active. We also have a Fan Page, and a Volunteer Group. We also have a Facebook Cause--End Family Homelessness.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Keep In Touch
Dine In for First Place
Paint a Classroom

Idea 24: Paint a Classroom

2009-12-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

One way to volunteer is to get a group together and come down to First Place to do a one-day project. Projects are often painting a classroom and hallways and also include outside and playground clean-up.

A great example is Vision Quest, a local company who offered their employees to First Place for the day. They came to First Place on September 4th; sleeves rolled up and ready to tackle any job that needed to be done. They painted 2 classrooms and the multi-purpose room. Not only are they hard workers, but have a sense of humor that kept everyone laughing and that made the painting go faster. They did a professional job and came back a few weeks later to finish up one of the classrooms. Vision Quest, you’re welcome back any time!

If you are interested in doing a group volunteer project, contact our Volunteer Manager Joyce Scoggins at 206 323 6715.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Idea 23: Honor the Ones You Love

2009-12-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

As we have been telling you on this blog, presents to others don’t always have to be wrapped with a pretty bow. Now is also a good time to give a gift to those who can no longer be with us this holiday season. Many First Place donors make gifts in honor of their friends and relatives to support our programs.

Earlier this year, we had a very special donation from Charles Palmer. Mr. Palmer had just lost his wife of many years, but before she died they decided to dedicate funds to remember her spirit as a teacher and someone to loved and cared for children. After looking at several organizations the Palmers chose First Place. After his wife’s death, Mr. Palmer made a gift to create the Lynn Palmer Scholarship Fund.

Many of the Palmers friends and relations made gifts (both large and small) to celebrate Lynn’s life. Mr. Palmer was surprised to get gifts from all over the country and some from people he never knew but knew his wife.

“I think making those donations helped Mr. Palmer in his grieving process, “ said Chris Cooper, First Place’s Director of Marketing and Development. “Losing someone you love is hard, but celebrating their life by making a gift is easy.”

Funds from the Lynn Palmer Scholarship Fund were used to pay teachers and instructional aides, provide supplies to classrooms and provide field excursion to help our children explore their world.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Idea 22: Dine In for First Place

2009-12-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

This one is short but sweet… or savory.

Next time you’re thinking about going out to dinner, consider staying home and donating what you would have spent on dinner for the family to First Place. If you would have gone out for pizza, bake up a frozen pizza instead, whip up a salad and donate what you would have spent eating out.

Or here’s a twist on that concept.

If you really need the convenience of dining out (and let’s face it, some evenings we’re just used up from our day and can’t face cooking for the family or partner), go ahead. Keep track of what you spent, and also donate that amount to First Place. As always, your donation goes directly to support programs and classrooms at First Place for homeless families and children.

How about tonight?

Right now through December 31, all gifts made to First Place online will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5,750. Give online today.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Idea 21: Sponsor a Classroom Field Study

2009-12-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Our idea on how to support First Place today is simple: help pay for a Field Study for our students.

Field Studies are our own version of a field trip. Every field study integrates what the students are learning inside the classroom with what they will see on the field study.

Ms. Molly’s Kindergartners, for example, went on a field study to the Pumpkin Patch in October. Ms. Molly packed a lot of kindergarten-level math and science learning into the day. They counted, compared, and asked lots of questions.

The first, second, and third graders would like to go to the Pacific Science Center in March to reinforce the science skills and concepts they are learning; the fourth, fifth and sixth graders would like to see a play about the Social Studies period they are learning about.

Think again about the field trips you went on as a child—the excitement that comes from changing your daily school routine, the fun you had with your friends and classmates. Our field studies provide those elements, too.

The suggested donation for one class to visit the Pacific Science Center is 5 adult tickets plus 14 student or child tickets. If you would like to super size your gift you could add a gift card to a gas station to help pay for the van ride, plus a gift certificate to Safeway to cover snacks for the day.

If you have questions about donating tickets contact Lisa Foss at 206 323 6715 or lfoss@firstplaceschool.org

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Idea 20: Host a Donation Drive at Work

2009-12-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

While you’re at work, why not do some good works?

You can hold a donation drive for First Place at any time throughout the year and for almost any holiday. Here are some examples:

Library: Our school library is constantly in need of multicultural books. Print out this list and ask your coworkers to purchase books from it.

Clothing Drive: Purchase new socks and underwear for children ages 3 through 12.

Spring Break: Make spring break activity kits for the school. You can purchase activity or coloring books (for ages 3 to 12), crayons, pencils, a toy such as a pencil topper. Call us for ideas.

Back to School: Pick a classroom and full-fill their Back to School wish list (July through September).

ABODA, a local corporate housing company, holds a drive for First Place every spring. Employees donate items from our wish list, then they turn in their receipts to the company for a matching gift. First Place receives both the in-kind items, plus the company matches the amount they spent. It’s a double win for the children!

If you have questions about donating to the Birthday Box contact Lisa Foss at 206 323 6715 or lfoss@firstplaceschool.org

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Idea 19: Keep in Touch

2009-12-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

Our idea today will take you less than 3 minutes. Sign up for our Email Newsletter. Just type your email in the box below to start the process

We send out one short update a month, along with special event invitations and reminders. We also send our annual fund appeals for Back to School and the holidays.

It's a great way to keep in touch with First Place.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Donate a Family Outing
Take a Kid to Lunch Without Leaving Your Desk
Be a Table Captain

Idea 18: Be a Table Captain

2009-12-18T10:33:00.000-08:00

Each spring, First Place hosts our big annual fundraising breakfast with up to 1,000 guests. Each year, for many of our supporters, this is THE event that introduced them to First Place and caught their heart.

And it is someone just like you who helped us do it.

We ask individuals, just like you, to host a table at the event (you, plus 9 guests). We give you all the tools and resources you need to invite your friends, colleagues, neighbors and old schoolmates.

Here's what we call our first-timer's guide to being a Table Captain for First Place.

1. Our definition. A Table Captain:

* Reaches out into the community to help First Place tell our mission and our story.
* Brings 9 or more of their friends, family, and colleagues to the Fundraising Breakfast.
* Inspires guests to give a meaningful gift to First Place during the Breakfast.

2. Why do we need Table Captains?
Table Captains reach out to individuals in the community and introduce them to First Place and the services we provide to families. When guests come to the Breakfast, they have a chance to interact with other caring community members, gain a more intimate understanding of our work, and have the opportunity to financially support the organization. After the event, First Place follows up with guests and invites them to tour our building and to volunteer with the children.

3. Top fears of Table Captains & our answers:

What if I can't get 9 people? Try your best to bring as many as you can. We can help you fill the empty seats.
What if my guests can't give much money, or any at all? Invite them anyway! Part of the event is introducing First Place to new people. We have faith that one day they will find a way to support us.
What if people say no? This will happen and we have a secret plan to help you out (it's so secret we're not going to post it on the blog).

Sign up today.

Save the Date: April 28, 2010 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. The event will showcase alumni students, and promises to warm your heart! Invitations coming in early 2010.

If you are interested in being a Table Captain, sign-up online today and in January we'll send you the details.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Donate a Family Outing
Use Flex Spending to Donate First Aid Items
Take a Kid to Lunch Without Leaving Your Desk

Idea 17: Take a Kid to Lunch Without Leaving Your Desk

2009-12-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

One of the realities of homelessness is that adults and children alike may not know where their next meal is coming from.

The children who attend First Place know that they will get two healthy and tasty meals and a snack every day that they attend school. This may be the only food they get all day—or even all week. But, these meals help kids stay focused and able to learn.
At First Place we can feed a child lunch for one month for less than $50.00. Wanna take a kid to lunch for a whole month? That’s about $3.00 a lunch. (Aren’t you paying more than that for your morning latte?)

Ms. Wube, who runs the our Food Services Program, says the hardest part of her job is trying to give all our children what they want—while following the guidelines for school meals which require that there are fruits and vegetables at every meal, that sugar content is low, and that they are balanced according to the food pyramid. Ms. Wube pays close attention to these guidelines, while paying closer attention to the children and what they like. She strives to give them food they like, and encourages them to try new things, or things they don’t like (yet)—just like mom does. One former student even called Ms. Wube her “second mom.”

You can make the difference for a kid for a whole month. For another $50.00 you can give them breakfast, too.

Right now through December 31, all gifts made to First Place online will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5,750. Give online today.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Skip the Office Party
Donate a Family Outing
Use Flex Spending to Donate First Aid Items

Idea 16: Use Flex Spending to Donate First Aid Items

2009-12-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

How many times do you get to the end of December and realize you haven't spent all of your Flex Plan on medical-related items?

If you have some money left in your flex spending account but don't need a box of band-aids, consider purchasing items you can donate to First Place.

As of January 1, First Place is losing our support from Health Care for the Homeless. Since our earliest days, this partnership has provided First Place with a nurse on-site 3 days a week and has taken care of almost all of the health needs of our children and families.

We now have to hire our own nurse and provide our own supplies for the first time in our 21 years.
We have a specific list of items that are needed to keep our First Aid Kit full. If you would like a copy of this list, email Chris Cooper, Director of Development and Marketing.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Tour First Place
Give a Birthday Gift
Skip the Office Party
Donate a Family Outing

Idea 15: Donate a Family Outing

2009-12-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

Take a moment to think back to when you were a child. Everything was so new, so vivid. Think about trips to the zoo or going to the museum with your family. How about going to a baseball game or the IMAX? These experiences are priceless and can be expensive for families struggling with homelessness.

Now you can be a part of giving these types of unique experiences. Consider donating theatre tickets, zoo tickets, museum tickets, or sporting event tickets you can help impact a child’s life forever plus inspire hobbies or even careers. Many of our families would otherwise not be able to afford the opportunity.

This is the perfect gift to do with a group of your friends -- or check with your employer to see if they have tickets to donate.

The suggested donation for this gift is: 2 adult tickets, 4 kid tickets. The two perfect compliments to your gift would be bus tickets and a gift card for a meal.

If you have questions about donating tickets contact Lisa Foss at 206 323 6715 or lfoss@firstplaceschool.org

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Collect Box Tops for Education
Tour First Place
Give a Birthday Gift
Skip the Office Party

Idea 14: Skip the Office Party

2009-12-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

Turning your office party into a benefit for First Place has been on our list. We found a blog posting on Change.org that said it really well.

Today, we're going to let them do the talking for us. This article gives you five reasons to turn any party into activism.

Why You Should Skip the Office Swap and Support the Homeless by Shannon Moriarty.

What are some workplaces that have done something similar for First Place?

Car Toys
Onlineshoes.com
Departments at Nordstrom and Boeing

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Collect Box Tops for Education
Tour First Place
Donate a Gift Card
Give a Birthday Gift

Idea 13: Give a Birthday Gift

2009-12-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

For every child at First Place, we want their Birthday to be special. Some teachers have a special hat, button or cape the student can wear for the day. The presents are kept in our Birthday Box.

When it's your birthday, you get choose one big present out of the box and then you are given a small bag and you can put as many things in the bag as you can fit.

We seek donations for our Birthday Box all year round for children ages 3 to 12.

Examples of big presents are sports balls such as basketball and footballs, board games, art kits, puzzles, action figures such as Transformers, Wrestling and Star Wars, moon sand, and dolls such as Bratz and Barbie.

Small items are things like finger puppets, small action figures, miniature cars, plastic jewelry, play-doh, small dolls such as Neopets, pencil toppers, keychains, bouncy balls and anything that would fit in your hand.

If you have questions about donating to the Birthday Box contact Lisa Foss at 206 323 6715 or lfoss@firstplaceschool.org

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Collect Box Tops for Education
Tour First Place
Donate a Gift Card

Idea 12: Donate a Gift Card

2009-12-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

Gift Cards (especially in increments of $25) are one of the most versatile gifts you can give to First Place. Here are examples of how we use gift cards during the holidays and throughout the year.

Gift cards to Safeway and Grocery Outlet are handed to families to help them through weeks where they might be struggling with their budget until the next payday.
The Clothing Bank uses gift cards to Target, Amazon.com or Fred Meyer to buy new underwear and socks, and also purchase clothing for missing sizes.
Great Clips and Super Cuts are great places for kids and families to get haircuts - especially if mom has a job interview.
Teachers love gift certificates to Staples, Lakeshore Learning Center and booksellers like Barnes and Noble so they can purchase classroom supplies.
During the holidays, we sometimes need to fill in the gaps with presents that are donated to students and families with trips to Target or Fred Meyer.
Bus tickets are used to give to parents to get to their jobs and appointments around town.
Office supplies can be purchased through gift cards, helping us keep our costs low and put more money into our programs.
Costco gift cards are great for buying snacks for our After School Program.
Other ideas for gift cards: Subway, McDonald's, Gas Stations, Visa Gift Cards, and even Baskin Robbins because who doesn't love a treat?

What's great about Gift Cards is that now you can buy many different kinds from your local Safeway without having to travel around to different stores.

Gift cards can be sent to First Place through the mail, through email at (lfoss@firstplaceschool.org) or dropped off in person. As always, call us with questions!

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Donate Office Supplies
Collect Box Tops for Education
Tour First Place

Idea 11: Tour First Place

2009-12-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

We offer the First Look Tour every Friday at 11am. Every tour can hold up to 12 people and features the following individuals:

A Parent who is former or current client telling their story and how First Place is changing their life.
Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director & a Board Member speaking about the agency from a leadership perspective.
A visit to our Clothing Bank, Library and a Classroom.

This is what a recent tour guest had to say:

"The caring and intelligent mission of First Place School is evident upon arriving for a tour. To tour First Place School is to see a brilliant intersection of social services, child-centered education, and advocacy. A carefully coordinated program offers support, incentive, and inspiration all under an umbrella of compassion and hope. Be forewarned, your heart will be stolen."
~Ellen Daffron

This tour is perfect for so many different types of people. Here are a few examples of who has been touring with us lately:

*Groups--such as a book club or church--who are doing a donation drive.

*Corporate sponsors & foundation representatives who want to view in person what their donation is accomplishing.

*Individuals who want to volunteer and learn more about all of our programs.

*Long-time donors who haven’t seen our new Early Learning Center.

*Table Captains from our Annual Fundraising Breakfast who want to learn more and get info to pass along to their event guests.

If you support First Place, we would be honored to show you exactly where your dollars go.

The First Look Tour is every Friday at 11am and does require a reservation. To sign-up email tours@firstplaceschool.org or call Lisa Foss 206 323 6715.

We can also accommodate groups and alternative tour times. Give us a call to make arrangements.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Donate Office Supplies
Shop Amazon.com Using School Rewards
Collect Box Tops for Education

Idea 10: Collect Box Tops for Education

2009-12-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

Did you know items at your local grocery store and local Staples have little coupons on them that look like this.

And each little coupon is worth money. Along the same lines as soup can labels and yogurt tops, these coupons add up to raise hundreds of dollars towards school supplies and learning materials for our teachers and students.

This fall when we first asked people to look in their cupboards and clip Box Tops for us, local mom blogger and social media/marketing expert Peggy Dolane jumped on board. She asked for a proposal to her PTA to donate one month of their Box Tops to First Place.

We get the feeling that the PTA couldn’t say no because Peggy brought us a gallon Ziploc bag stuffed with Box Tops coupons. (You can even clip a Box Tops coupon from the Ziploc box!) check out this picture of our new mound of Box Tops!

Box Tops for Education tabs can be found on hundreds of items you buy at the grocery store like Cherrios, Hefty, Kleenex, Huggies, Cottonelle, and more. (See a full list of items here.)

In addition to clipping Box Tops at home, here are some ideas on how you can help:

Ask your workplace, neighbors or book club to collect Box Tops.

Put a message out on Facebook and/or Twitter with a link to this blog posting.
If you already collect Box Tops for another school, consider splitting your collection and sending half to First Place.
You can even sign up for special deal and news alerts from the Box Tops For Education website.

Once you start collecting, all you need to do is mail the Box Tops to:
First Place
Attn: Development Office
PO Box 22536
Seattle, WA 98122

Or drop them off and take a tour.

Peggy, thank you for championing First Place to your networks. We are so grateful!

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Donate Office Supplies
Offer Your Talent
Shop Amazon.com Using School Rewards
Volunteer in a Classroom

Idea 9: Volunteer in a Classroom

2009-12-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today we'd like to share a letter we recently received from a volunteer. We were inspired by his message.

To the staff, students and volunteers at First Place:

I would like to thank you for the amazing and life changing opportunity to volunteer my time at First Place. Through my experience at First Place I have had the honor of meeting, interacting, and befriending several students, staff and fellow volunteers. I have had the opportunity to grow as an individual and as a member of my community.

There is a Chinese Proverb that says, “A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study.” My experience with the children and staff at First Place have been like my “wise man” – I have learned things I could have never have learned about life and myself through studying, that I have at First Place and for that I am thankful.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to volunteer at First Place, it has been life changing and something I will never forget.

Warmly,
Michael

Volunteering will change the lives of our students, and quite possibly your own. If you are interested in volunteering, contact our Volunteer Manager Joyce Scoggins at 206 323 6715.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Donate Office Supplies
Offer Your Talent
Shop Amazon.com Using School Rewards

Idea 8: Shop Amazon.com Using School Rewards

2009-12-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

Attention Shoppers!

You can support First Place through Amazon’s School Rewards program. Just click on the Amazon School Rewards program icon in this blog posting or on the First Place homepage, then purchase items on Amazon and First Place will receive up to 10% of your purchase. Yes, just by making purchases that you were already planning to make you can help support a great cause! This is an easy way to impact the lives of children and families.

Remember, your Amazon session needs to start by linking from this blog posting or the First Place homepage in order for the sale to count toward our goal.

This is a great and easy way to support First Place and to ask your friends, family, co-workers and everyone in your social circle to get on board!

In less than two months we’ve raised about $140 through this program. So keep shopping!

Oh, and don’t forget to buy yourself something nice. You’ve earned it!

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Donate Office Supplies
Offer Your Talent

Idea 7: Offer Your Talent

2009-12-07T13:41:00.001-08:00

Here are a few organizations and individuals who donate their talent to First Place. Each one saves us staff time and money. Every time we save money, the students and families win.

VanHouten Photography: Ben VanHouten is a professional photographer who donates his time to First Place photographing our annual fundraising breakfast, and children in the classroom.

Taproot Foundation recently granted First Place a redesign of our website. The grant provides First Place with a highly skilled team of professionals working pro bono in their area of specialty.
Linda Byron, Investigative Reporter for KING5 News has been a volunteer at First Place since our very first year. She donates her talents as the emcee of our annual fundraising breakfast and offers her professional advice to us in marketing and communications.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for the time you donate to First Place.

We have many opportunities for professionals who are interested in volunteering their skills. In addition to volunteer opportunities we have with the students, we are currently looking for help with event planning, fund development, marketing, finance, law, and advocacy.

Contact our Volunteer Manager Joyce Scoggins at 206 323 6715.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Link Your Website to First Place
Donate Office Supplies

Photos in the post: Two students eating lunch.
Linda Byron as emcee at our April 2009 Fundraising Breakfast. Both photos by Ben VanHouten.

Idea 6: Donate Office Supplies

2009-12-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

Donations of needed office supplies to First Place frees up money in our budget so we can spend it on our programs helping children and families.

Every donor to First Place is a little different. Retired teachers like to help out the classrooms, Girl Scout Troops often hold a hygiene donation drive – but when offices call us we often ask “Will you donate paper?”

In our school building, copy paper is one of our largest expenses – but we can only cut back so much without interfering with learning in the classroom.

Last January, Integral Consulting in Pioneer Square did just that. They donated over a dozen cases of paper so our teachers could make sure their lesson plans stayed on track!

One case of Office Depot Brand Copy Paper costs $35.99. A donation of 5 cases of paper would enable us to put about $180 towards our programs.

What are some of our other office supply needs?

White Board Markers and erasers
Paper shredder
A-Z File sorter
Recordable CDs or DVDs for class projects
Extension Cords (grounded, 3-prong)
9 x 12 Mailing Envelopes
File folders

If you or your company is considering making a gift to First Place, consider ordering a few extra cases of paper for us or purchasing a gift card to an office supply store or Costco.

View Holiday Wish Lists for Programs (pdf)
View Holiday Giving Page

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Make a Birthday Wish on Facebook
Link Your Website to First Place

Idea 5: Link Your Website to First Place

2009-12-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

Individuals who have taken our First Look Tour rave that First Place is Seattle’s best kept secret. (We’ve also been told it’s the best tour in town.)

But we don’t want to be a secret – we want to share our work! Today, you can support First Place by sharing a link to our website.

Our site traffic sources tells us that less than 15% of our traffic comes from search engines and the rest comes from other websites that link to First Place. This data tells us that we are reaching most of our new supporters through trusted referral sources, such as you.

If you support First Place, here’s how you can share a link to our website:

List us on your community giving page along with our logo.
Add a link to First Place in your personal email signature such as “First Place touched my heart today, what about you? http://www.firstplaceschool.org” or “Did you know I volunteer at First Place? http://www.firstplaceschool.org”
Send an email to people on your team at work, or to your vendors, sharing a memory or thought about our mission or past volunteer work.
Send an email to your book club with a link to First Place.

Who are some of our most surprising referral sources from our Google Analytics this month?

O’Dea High School has a link to First Place on a page that refers students to community service opportunities.
Antioch University Seattle added a page to their website explaining our partnership.
Rick’s Toys For Kids links to First Place as an organization it supports.
Washington Housing Advocates promotes First Place on their homepage.

If you do decide to link to us – please let us know and we’ll post an updated list.

Here is a copy of our logo if you would like to use it on your website.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Idea a Day Intro
Adopt a Classroom for the Holidays
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child
Make a Birthday Wish on Facebook

Idea 4: Make a Birthday Wish on Facebook

2009-12-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to you! When your day comes, your Facebook page is letting your friends and family know exactly when to send you a special note.

Did you know that your Facebook page can also be used to make a difference in your community? By using the “Make a Birthday Wish for Charity” application on Facebook, you can have your Facebook community invest in organizations you care about, such as First Place.

So just how simple is it to add this application to your Facebook page? Just follow these steps:

1. Download Facebook's Causes Application if you haven't already.

2. You’ll then be directed to the Birthday Wish setup page. Step 3 on this page ("Select Your Birthday Cause")will allow you to add your cause, and don’t forget to search for and select "First Place”.

3. After you've completed these steps, help promote your Birthday Wish page to your friends using Facebook's suggestions! Here are some additional ways you can encourage friends and family to support First Place through your Birthday Wish by informing them that:

First Place educates and nurtures children whose families struggle with the risk or reality of homelessness, where we offer housing, culturally relevant education and support services.
Children can attend First Place School where they receive specialized attention, help catching up in school, plus meals, free bus transportation, counseling and health care services.
Family Homelessness is often invisible. Families with children often sleep in cars, motels, emergency shelters and in the spare bedroom of a friend or relative. Many are single parents escaping domestic violence and working to keep their children safe.

If you decide to use this application, we’d love to hear from you. And of course, don’t forget to Facebook friend us and join our Cause.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Idea a Day Intro
Adopt a Classroom for the Holidays
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org
Be a Secret Santa for a Child

Idea 3: Be “Secret Santa” for a Child

2009-12-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

The holidays are an especially hard time for families struggling with homelessness. Parents desperately want to help their children feel the magic of the holidays, and children understand that they probably can’t expect a special gift when their family needs a home, and food, and clothes first.

At First Place we believe in making the holidays special for our children and families. Every year we match a donor (or a group of donors) to EVERY family at First Place in our Adopt a Family program. The First Place family makes their wish list, and the donor makes the family’s dreams come true by selecting some or all of the items to buy.

Parents positively melt with gratitude when they pick up the gifts for their children—and themselves. In spite of all the hardships the family has had this year, there will be a magical holiday, all because some generous donor cared so much about a family they didn’t even know.

Could you be that donor this year?

As of today, we have 12 families that need to be adopted.

Please consider helping, either on your own or with your Church group, book group, knitting group, bowling team—whatever group you might belong to.

Contact Lisa at lfoss@firstplaceschool.org, or call 206-323-6715 extension 1109 if you are interested in adopting a family.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas!

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Idea a Day Intro
Adopt a Classroom for the Holidays
Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org

Idea a Day 2: Write a Review on GreatNonprofits.org

2009-12-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

One of the ways you can support First Place from your desk is to write a review about us online.

The website GreatNonprofits.org lets you write a review about your experiences with any registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. It’s user-friendly, quick, and you can even log-in using your Facebook account.

At First Place, we hear from individuals, companies and foundations that online research about our organization directly impacts their giving decisions.

Having good reviews can help us raise awareness about our mission, recruit volunteers, get positive media attention and help raise funds for our programs.

Our GreatNonprofits.org page can be found here: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/profile2/first-place1

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day Posts:
Idea a Day Intro
Adopt a Classroom for the Holidays

Idea a Day 1: Adopt a Classroom for the Holidays

2009-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays we have great success with our Adopt a Family program which provides gifts for families for the holidays, but we don’t get as much support for our teachers and classrooms.

We’ve asked all of our teachers, and our programs such as Mentoring/Tutoring program, Library, After School program, and even Technology and Marketing, to come up with their own wish list in the hopes that someone will adopt their program.

In-kind gifts for classrooms and programs have a direct impact on the children who attend First Place.

When a mentor spends an hour with a student, they choose a board game, a puzzle, a jewelry making kit or an art project from the volunteer room and those short weekly interactions have huge impacts on the rest of their life. A study by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America shows that children who have mentors are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs.

Tutors use books in our library to help students with their reading. Many children enter First Place up to 3 grade levels behind their peers. In a classroom of 30 children sometimes special needs are overlooked. At First Place, each child has an individual learning plan which helps them get back up to grade level.

Our After School Program provides arts and enrichment activities that our students may not otherwise have access to. Going to the local swimming pool and learning how to swim is just one example. First Place provides a towel, swimsuit, goggles and swim caps for each child at First Place that they can keep at the end of the program, but right now we’re running short on supplies.

2nd/3rd Grade Teacher Ms. Kristy uses pedometers to help her students measure distances and learn math.

When you adopt one of our classrooms or programs, you’re not just buying a pencil or a packet of paper, you are touching the life of a child.

To view Holiday Wish Lists and for more information about Adopting a Classroom or Program, please visit our Holiday Giving page.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Previous Idea a Day:
Idea a Day Intro Post

Idea a Day to Support First Place

2009-12-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

What can you do today to make a positive impact in your community?

Especially around the holiday season we get a lot of phone calls asking us “What can we do to contribute to First Place?”

From now through January 1, 2010, our team will post an Idea a Day which will describe how you can support First Place through the holidays, and year round.

We also want to highlight the many generous volunteers and donors that help make our work possible. Our hope is that these ideas will spark something in you to take action.

Please send us your story telling us how your company, family, social club, girl scout troop or book club came together to support First Place and we’ll post it on here our blog.

It is our sincere wish that you will forward and share these ideas with your friends and coworkers.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.

Do You Have Your Winter Warmth Tickets Yet?

2009-11-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

For over ten years The Mountain 103.7FM has been supporting First Place through their Winter Warmth Concert and we couldn't be more excited each year when we start hearing our name on the radio!

This year the concert features Brett Dennen with special appearances by Brandi Carlile and Grace Potter and The Nocturnals.

We hope you can join us there, Sunday December 6 at The Moore Theatre at 7:30pm. Learn more about the event.

Tickets are $25 through STG Presents and a portion of proceeds benefits the children and families at First Place.

"Everyone in the Mountain community is glad to continue our connection with First Place. Our listeners know the importance of supporting the good work being done at First Place and we all look forward to this year’s Winter Warmth Concert and the chance to share the good music and the holidays together." --Dave Benson, Program Director at The Mountain 103.7FM

A huge thank you to everyone at The Mountain for their ongoing support of First Place. Every year they are committed to promoting our mission and this year and Sean Demery interviewed us on the morning show.

ABC's of Ecosystems - Day 4 at Islandwood

2009-11-06T11:41:00.001-08:00

On our last day at Islandwood students and staff had mixed emotions about our camp experience. On one hand, we are excited to come home and see our friends and family. At the same time, we will miss the Islandwood staff and the friends we have met over the past week. Overall, the trip was a success and we will be bringing back great memories of our Islandwood camp experience.
This morning after breakfast we spent time in the lodge packing for the trip home. Then, students went back out into the field for one more outdoor experience with nature. Students talked with their field group instructors about what they have learned this week at camp. Many students reflected on all of the new experiences they had at camp, "I had never seen a banana slug before!", and "I had never seen a deer before", "I never thought I could be away from my mom for this long", or "I was afraid to be in the woods, but now I see that its a lot of fun!"

Students also reviewed of the ABC's of ecosystems, Abiotic, Biotic and Cultural, and made plans to work with students from other schools to become better stewards of our environment.

Islandwood was such a unique experience and we are sad to see it end, but we look forward to applying what we have learned about our environment and bringing this new information back to our First Place family.
After our final meeting at the Friendship Circle, we said goodbye to our friends at Islandwood, and headed home.

Drumming and Lunch on the Beach - Day 3 at Islandwood

2009-11-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was our last full day at camp. First Place students watched a video at Islandwood's Learning Studio on the history Bainbridge Island and Blakely Harbor. They learned about different people from around the world that settled at Port Blakely over one hundred years ago and what life was like on the island back then. Some students asked, "What was life like for kids back then?" and "Why did people settle at Bainbridge Island instead of Seattle?"

Next they explored the history of the island even further by hiking three miles to the beach to explore animals and plants in that ecosystem. Students had lunch on the beach and then hiked back to campus where they participated in a drumming workshop in the Art Studio. Students learned how to play a beat on the Djembe, a popular West African drum, and learned a song in a West African language, which meant, "Welcome. I greet you with my mind, my lips, and my heart. I come in peace."
The highlight of the day was the evening Campfire Ceremony where students from different schools performed skits, poems, and other special talents. One of our students teamed up with a student from Roxhill Elementary and performed a breakdance routine. At the end of the night, we had our own talent show back at our lodge and students prepared to end their week at camp.

FP Students Sing to Banana Slugs - Day 2 at Islandwood

2009-11-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Now that the students have settled in comfortably at camp, our second day was all about learning to work together as a team.

Students in Team Pond started their day by playing an interactive game called "Owls, Mice and Seeds", an Islandwood favorite that teaches students the importance of the food chain, animal survival, and how different elements in nature may impact the food chain.
First Place students interacted with students from Bennett Elementary, and then participated in a ropes course in the Islandwood team course. Students had to work together as a team to complete a task and ultimately reach their goal of achieving team work. After lunch, Team Pond went to the garden, and sampled different foods growing in the Islandwood garden. Students also picked foods from the garden, and worked with Islandwood's kitchen chef's to prepare the dessert for tonight's meal- Apple Crisp and Pumpkin-Raisin cookies.

Along the journey today, students saw a banana slug. They were told that the banana slug would respond to singing, and the whole group burst into song, singing "Banana slug, Banana-nana-nana Banana Slug!"Some of the First Place staff's highlights from the day:

"I am noticing students working together and getting along."
"Islandwood helps students appreciate the environment as well as each other."
"I love that students who don't normally socialize together, are taking the time to make new friends."
"The students seem engaged and excited about science!"

Some of the students' highlights from the day:

"The pancakes at breakfast this morning were my favorite."
"I wanted to take the banana slug home with me!"
"I saw a decomposing bird in a tree and lots of fungus growing on trees in the woods."
"I saw a deer right outside our lodge, and took a picture!"
"I can't wait for dinner!"
"I learned about different kinds of mushrooms and which kinds of fungi are poisonous."Read about Day 1.

Check back tomorrow for more updates.

Volunteer Mentors Change Lives

2009-11-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

For 11 years, Steve Wainwright has come through the doors of First Place once a week to mentor a student.

Volunteer mentors provided a much needed hour to students attending First Place. Steve sometimes gets the feeling that some of the kids aren’t listened to as much as they’d want. Being a mentor means listening, playing a game, coloring, practicing reading or even doing homework.

National research from Big Brothers Big Sisters shows that children who are mentored are:

46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs.
27% less likely to begin using alcohol.
52% less likely to skip school.
37% less likely to skip a class.
more confident of their performance in schoolwork.
one-third less likely to hit someone.
getting along better with their families.

Steve knows what he’s doing is making a difference by giving one hour a week. His favorite moments are often at First Place Graduation when he sees pride in the eyes of the parents watching their children.

(Pictured above: Steve with a student at a year-end trip to Wild Waves.)

Steve says he appreciates the overall staff at First Place and that “everybody is focused on the right thing, consistently, year after year.”

If he could say anything to individuals who are considering volunteering at First Place, he would encourage males to give it some thought because their presence is underrepresented and much needed.

First Place currently has 15 students (mostly boys) waiting to be matched to a mentor.

If you are interested in being a volunteer mentor at First Place contact our Volunteer Manager, Joyce Scoggins, at (206) 323-6715 x1205.

First Place Students at Islandwood Nature Camp

2009-11-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Monday, November 2, 2009, the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes headed to Islandwood on Bainbridge Island to participate in the School Overnight Program which uses the environment as a catalyst for learning.

First Place students and staff will be sending pictures and updates every day for the blog. Here is the first update:
Our first day at Islandwood was one of overwhelming excitement. The class was broken into two groups, Team Pond and Team Wave. It was non-stop activity starting with a hike to Mac's Pond where we got on a "floating classroom" raft that the students powered by turning a crank. After drawing the gorgeous lake scene we went back to our spectacular lodge, the "Bird's Nest", which has soaring ceilings, a fireplace and wonderful hot showers.

After a delicious turkey dinner with pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, Team Pond went on a night hike with no light except a very faint moonlight. That was exciting enough, but about halfway through our instructor Ms. Erin had us put on blindfolds for a "trust" walk. Holding on to each other we silently and swiftly made our way onto a footbridge at least 50 feet above a ravine.

What did the students think?
"The hike was scary, fun... It was fun to learn."
"It was scary...the bridge was shaking."
"It was creepy and I was really brave."

The other half of the class was inside learning to recognize fox and coyote scat (poop) and participating in an Ecosystem Challenge where they worked in small groups with students from Bennett Elementary and Roxhill Elementary to observe, describe and draw an ecosystem. Students also spent a lot of time today getting to know the Islandwood staff and learning the Islandwood way of life.

Team Wave said:
"The food at Islandwood is delicious!"
"I liked when we went to the Learning Treehouse and talked about how to respect nature."
"I liked eating at the dining hall and learning how to conserve food and how to use table manners."

Check back tomorrow afternoon for another update.

No names were used to protect the identity of the students.

Amazon.com School Rewards Program

2009-11-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

You can now raise money for First Place when you purchase items on Amazon.com.

All you need to do is click on the banner below from this blog or the First Place website before you make your purchases and First Place will receive up to 10% of your purchase price. It's that easy!

Where The Wild Things Are

2009-10-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

The Early Learning and Kindergarten classrooms toured First Place this morning showing their terrible eyes and terrible claws.

Vote Yes On Prop. 1!

2009-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director

On November 3rd, if Seattle voters do not vote to approve Housing Levy, Proposition 1, First Place will lose important funding to two of our most essential programs; the Rental Assistance Program and the Housing Program.

Please vote yes to renew this important proposition when you vote between now and November 3rd. You will find Proposition 1 on the back of your ballot in the upper right hand corner. Vote Y ES to approve the Levy, which for the past 28 years has been assisting some of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens from losing their housing in difficult times. Last year, for example the First Place Rental Assistance Program directly served one hundred and forty five individuals helping these people with immediate funding to help them retain or obtain housing.

Also, by providing networking and contact information to other community resources, the First Place Rental Assistance Program served approximately 3,362 individuals last year.

First Place is one among many local organizations providing Rental Assistance funding to families in order to prevent them from becoming homeless. This funding helps by:

preventing families from losing their homes and becoming homeless;
preventing homelessness while a family deals with job loss, medical bills or a death in the family;
moving families into market-rate housing through providing deposits for apartments;
providing support services to stabilize families for the long-term; and
leveraging Non-Profit developers, enabling them to build affordable housing for families.

Rental Assistance is just one of the 5 successful programs funded through the Housing Levy, yet affects over 3,000 families.

Where will these families go when they lose their homes? Our state’s unemployment rate just went up to 9.3% -- now more than ever families need help to keep their homes and children need a safe and warm place to come home to.

First Place endorses passing Proposition 1.

*This letter is part of bi-yearly newsletter.

Two Ways To Support First Place At The Grocery Store

2009-10-06T10:55:00.001-07:00

We're really excited about two ways you can help support First Place right now -- by shopping at Safeway and by collecting Box Tops For Education.

Right now, if you shop at Safeway, check your receipts for the section titled "10% Back-To-Schools". It looks exactly like this:

First Place will receive 10% of your total if you follow the instructions listed on your receipt! Safeway will stop printing this offer on October 9 and then you will have until October 13 to go online and enter the code. All you have to do is go to the website www.backtoschools.escrip.com and click "Enter Receipts". Then you choose First Place as your school, or enter ID 5000012903. Then continue following instructions.

The great news is, you only have to do it once, and it tracks your purchases!

Now Collecting: Box Tops For Education!

Box Tops for Education tabs can be found on hundreds of items you buy at the grocery store like Cherrios, Hefty, Kleenex, Huggies, Cottonelle, and more. (See a full list of items here.)

Collecting Box Tops and sending them to First Place has the potential to raise thousands of dollars towards school supplies and learning materials for our teachers and students.

We want as many people as possible to get in the habit of collecting Box Tops For Education and mailing them in to First Place.

Here are some ideas on how you can help us:

Ask your workplace, neighbors or book club to collect box tops.
Put a message out on Facebook and/or Twitter with a link to this blog posting.
If you already collect Box Tops for another school, consider splitting your collection and sending half to First Place.
You can even sign up for special deal and news alerts from the Box Tops For Education website.

Once you start collecting, all you need to do is mail the Box Tops to:
First Place
Attn: Development Office
PO Box 22536
Seattle, WA 98122

We will be mailing a package out about every other month.

A Musical Extravaganza - benefit for First Place

2009-09-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 12, join us for a benefit show for First Place at Tost in Fremont. The event features artists performing jazz, African drumming, folk, soul and more. You can listen to many of the artists by clicking on their links below.

Event Details: A Musical Extravaganza for a Great Cause

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tost Lounge, 513 N. 36th St., Seattle, WA. View Google Map.
Doors: 6pm, 21+
Cost: $5 - $15 donation at the door

Proceeds benefit First Place.

Evening line-up:
6:30 p.m. - Steve Treseler Trio (Jazz) - http://www.myspace.com/stevetres
7:30 p.m. - Goat (Greg Sinabaldi, Zach Stewart and Byron Vannoy) - (Experimental Jazz)
8:30 p.m. - Colin Higgins Solo Set (Singer/Songwriter/Guitar) - http://www.myspace.com/colinhigginsmusic
9:15 p.m. - Thione Diop and Yeke Yeke (West African Drumming and Dance Music) - http://www.myspace.com/thionediop
10:15 p.m. - Andy Sells/ Forrest Giberson/ Michael Stegner (Americana Soul) - http://www.myspace.com/michaelstegner
10:50 p.m. - Michael Shrieve Group (Legendary Drummer from Santana) - http://www.myspace.com/michaelshrieve
11:50 p.m. - Byron Vannoy/ Thione Diop/ Hans Teuber/ Michael Stegner (A Fusion of Dance, World, Hip Hop and Jazz) - http://www.myspace.com/michaelstegner

A huge THANK YOU Michael Stegner of Creative Music Adventures in Wallingford who is hosting the benefit for First Place.

View the Facebook Invite.

New to First Place - How to Get Involved

2009-08-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

We are meeting new people every day who are interested in learning more about First Place. We are the only agency in the State of Washington providing high quality education to children whose families are homeless in addition to providing wrap-around support services to parents.

For everyone just learning about our mission, we invite you to get involved. Our current opportunities include:

Tours. We offer tours almost every Friday at 11am for individuals, families and groups. This is the perfect time to learn about volunteer opportunities. Each tour group gets to hear firsthand a story from a parent who has been a part of our program. To sign-up email tours@firstplaceschool.org.

Back to School Donation Drive. Students start their year at First Place up to 3 grade levels behind their peers. They need the right supplies in their backpacks, in the classroom and at home. We are actively seeking classroom donations. Learn more.

Join our Email List. We send short monthly email update as well as success stories.

Connect with us online through Facebook and Twitter.

What is the newest issue emerging in homelessness policy?

2009-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

Recently the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius had a Q & A session with the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Below is her answer from the first of five questions where she specifically talks about homeless families with children. It's exciting to see that families with children are at the top of the list of emerging issues.

What is the newest issue emerging in homelessness policy?
The issue of homelessness among children has become particularly visible as the recent collapse of the housing industry coupled with the current recession has swelled the number of families with children seeking homelessness assistance. I believe that it is possible to increase our efforts to help the growing population of homeless children and families, while also maintaining our efforts to address chronic homelessness. There are sizable opportunities for real collaboration using funding that has been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as with the recent passage of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. In addition, the President’s budget for fiscal year 2010 includes over $400 million in HHS programs targeted to individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, and a total of $338 billion for fourteen non-targeted, or mainstream, HHS programs that can serve persons experiencing homelessness. It will be critical to coordinate these resources flowing into communities to ensure that we are reaching the broadest populations possible, including in our efforts to prevent homelessness. HHS programs provide critical supportive services to homeless individuals, families, and children, and these services help these populations achieve or maintain economic and housing stability. By partnering HHS resources with resources available through other Federal agencies we can ensure a broader reach.

Read the full article here.

Family homelessness up 9% nationally, 56% in suburban areas

2009-07-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) present its 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. The report showed that family homelessness is up 9% in shelters with the largest increases being in rural and suburban cities with an increase of 56%.

The good news is that the HUD will be begin to analyze homelessness quarterly (instead of yearly) in order to gain a faster understanding of the economic impact on homelessness. Quarterly reports will be put out by the Homelessness Pulse Project. The project will report on data using a sample of cities and communities.

Here is a snapshot of findings in the first quarter of 2009 (January through March):

Of total homeless persons in the study, 55% of the individuals were in household with dependent children.
Of sheltered homeless persons, 61% were in households with dependent children.
Of unsheltered homeless persons, 6% were in households with dependent children.

Yesterday the HUD also announced Recovery Act funding awards of $1.2 billion throughout the US for rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention. Of the $1.2 billion, Seattle was awarded $4,993,052. Here is a paragraph from the press release to explain what funds will be used for:

Grants provided under HPRP (Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program) are not intended to provide long-term support for individuals and families, nor will they afford mortgage assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. Rather, HPRP offers a variety of short- and medium-term financial assistance to those who would otherwise become homeless, many due to sudden economic crisis. This can include short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 18 months), security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and hotel vouchers. Payments will not be made directly to households, but only to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies.

Learn more about how First Place helps families through rental assistance, housing and services.

Additional Links:
CNNMoney: Homeless families spike in the suburbs
CBS News: More Families Joins Ranks of Homeless
News Release: HUD Issues 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress

Surprise Shoe Donation!

2009-07-03T09:35:00.001-07:00

A huge THANK YOU to everyone at Waypoint Outdoor who last week brought us 33 brand new pairs of shoes!
We're excited to use these at the start of our next school year in September!

Upcoming Event: MXD Championships!

2009-07-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

MXD Championships is a mixed doubles tennis tournament held each July at the Bellevue Club. The tournament hosts a player party with a raffle and auction which is a benefit for First Place.

In the past four years, this events has raised over $100,000 for First Place! This year's tournament will be held July 24-26 at the Bellevue Club. Each team is guaranteed two matches. The player party includes food, drinks and a tennis exhibition.
If you are interested in playing in the tournament, you can register online. You can also view photos from last year on our Facebook page.

First Place is also seeking volunteers to help us at the party. Volunteers are needed 5pm-11pm on Saturday July 25, 2009 to help with a raffle and small auction. We are also interested in a volunteer photographer. Email Tammie Conder for more info: tconder@firstplaceschool.org.

Unsung Hero: Volunteer Donna Shattuck

2009-06-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

First Place long-time volunteer Donna Shattuck is featured in the Summer 2009 RSVP Newsletter: Experience in Action. You can find the article on page 5.

Donna, our most sincerest thank you's for the time you invest in the students at First Place!
RSVP stands for Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. RSVP encourages people 55 and older to volunteer in their community. First Place currently has two volunteers through the Solid Ground RSVP Program.

You can learn more about RSVP on the Solid Ground website. Learn more about volunteering at First Place here.

Unsung Hero: Kirkland Junior Youth Group

2009-06-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

A huge Thank You to Kirkland Junior Youth Group who came down to First Place with a donation of $330 and for a tour of the building! We appreciate their support of our programs and for their future support as summer volunteers.

Some of the youth are pictured here with Chris Cooper, Director of Marketing and Development at First Place.

We were reminded of this quote:

"A person's true wealth is the good he or she does in the world."

--Mohammed

Learn more about Tours and Volunteering on our website.

Local Artist Uses First Place Students' Hands in 'Shelter Blanket' Project

2009-06-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Local artist Jan Gallagher used outlines of the hands of the homeless to create Shelter Blanket.

Some of the hands used were taken from the students at First Place. Here is a detailed view of a hand.
Here is Jan's Artist Statement about the peice:

Creating art is opening a suitcase that I have been dragging around all my life. It is a process of unpacking and letting go, of adding color to darkness, of softening hard edges.

Shelter Blanket is a fiber portrait. I see the homeless everyday. They are wrapped in blankets, searching for compassion. I see emptiness where hope once lived. I see someone searching for a place, not just a place to sleep, but a home.

Each year the Seattle / King County Coalition on Homelessness and Operations Nightwatch counts the unsheltered homeless. On the night of January 30, 2009 they counted 1,977 homeless in the City of Seattle. You may walk past them everyday and never see them.

In creating Shelter Blanket, homeless men, women and children have extended their hands. They have touched my life. Stand before my work, touch the quilt. Touch each hand. It holds a piece of their soul and may it touch you.

$1977

ALL PROCEEDS DONATED
TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESS

This is extraordinary work! Thank you, Jan!

Jan's work will be on display at the Public showing of the Fibermorgana UW Fiber Arts Certificate Program on these dates:
Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 5:30-8:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 and 23, 2009 at 5pm

University of Washington Tower 4th floor (old Safeco Tower)
4333 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98195

View Larger Map

Updated Wish List for Spring

2009-05-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

New Wish Lists have been uploaded for the last month of school and to serve families throughout the summer.

Our Top Needs and Downloadable wish lists can be found here.

Our Development Team also has their minds on next fall for Back to School! We are looking for individuals, clubs, schools, PTA groups, churches and everything in between to consider hosting a donation drive for First Place for Back to School.

Contact Melissa Collett (206-323-6715 or mcollett [at] firstplaceschool.org) if you are interested!

In the News: Recent Articles of Interest

2009-05-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

There have been a quite a few articles lately that we want to share.

From USA Today: School caters to homeless children.
Mustard Seed School in Sacramento caters to children ages 3 to 15 - providing educational services for about a month before a child transfers into public school. First Place started as a similar stop-gap program but over 20 years has grown to enrolling an entire family for up to three years. We are always happy to see similar programs!

From the Washington Post: Poor? Pay up.
This article explains the high costs of poverty and why you have to be rich to be poor. If you keep up with us on Twitter we posted this link a few days ago.

From Seattle Weekly blog: Affordable Housing Going Up in Central District--If It Can Get Its Parking Approved.
Anytime housing for families with children, homeless and low-income households is available it's a great thing. In his post Seattle Weekly blogger Damon Agnos questions why parking is needed at a housing facility for homeless and low-income families. First Place invites anyone with this question to come down for a tour to see why a homeless family would have a car but no home. We host tours every Friday at 11am. Sign up online.

Besides that, 51 units of housing for families is excellent news!

Look For Us At Sasquatch Music Festival

2009-05-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Bands Without Borders will once again be handing out First Place information at Sasquatch Music Festival.

Janine from Bands Without Borders stopped by and we loaded her up with a tent, postcards, and some kid art from our After School Program.

If you are in a band who wants to support First Place this year, you can do that through Bands Without Borders. Here are the instructions from their website:

1 > Join the Bands Only email list via google groups
2 > Join the Facebook group (just search for it)
3 > Post an e-flyer (download from BWB website) on your website or myspace
4 > Agree to do 1 benefit concert per year for BWB or a partner nonprofit (such as First Place, Water 1st, etc.)
5 > Announce BWB to your email list & facebook friends
6 > Email us and let us know you've done 1-5. DONE!

We want to add a few more instructions to their list, such as:

7 > Become a Fan of First Place on Facebook
8 > Follow First Place on Twitter!

Thank you Bands Without Borders!

High School Auction - New Date!

2009-05-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

The students at Big Picture High School have changed the date of their Big Auction! It is now May 29, 2009 at 6:30pm.

The community is invited to attend the event which will be held at Big Picture High School, 2450 S. 142nd St., SeaTac,WA 98168.

The event includes a live and silent auction featuring items such as a brew tour at Elliot Bay Brewhouse and one night at any Kimpton Hotel.

There will be a $5.00 door fee that will help raise money for First Place. RSVP with the number of guests by emailing Josh at expressivewriterjh@hotmail.com.

First Place hopes you can make it out to this event! Thank you to the students at Big Picture High School for working so hard on our behalf!

Picture Slideshow from Annual Breakfast

2009-05-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

First Place Annual Fundraising Breakfast was April 29, 2009 at the Westin Hotel in Downtown Seattle. The event featured Linda Byron from KING5 News, Dr. Leon "Skip" Rowland, Executive Director of the Urban Enterprise Center at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Tod Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, Dr. Doreen Cato Executive Director of First Place, and two very special students, Ifrah and Marcelus.

View the Slideshow -- Photos by Ben VanHouten of VanHouten Photography.

If you missed the event you can still make a donation through our Virtual Table page.

Thank you to the event committee, staff, event coordinators and board members who helped plan the event.

Thank You to our Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor:Leadership Sponsor: Pepsi Starbucks Partnership

Table Sponsors: The Boeing Company, Brettler Family Foundation, Safeco Insurance, Seattle Children’s, Western Union and Antioch University Seattle.

Seahawks/Sounders FC Challenge Match Donors: Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC, Tom and Sonya Campion, Lucky Seven Foundation and Wells Fargo.

Special Thank You: Sound Mental Health, Print Solutions and Consulting, Julie Gauntt, Seattle Westin, The Beta Society, and VanHouten Photography.

High School Auction to Benefit First Place

2009-05-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

The students at Big Picture High School invite you to join them at a Benefit Auction for First Place this Friday, May 15, 2009.

The community is invited to attend the event which is Friday, May 15, 2009 at 7pm at Big Picture High School, 2450 S. 142nd St., SeaTac,WA 98168. There is no cost to attend and no reservation required.

Thank You to the students at Big Picture High School for planning this event and for choosing to support First Place!

Seattle Channel Features First Place Panel Discussion

2009-05-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

On April 29, 2009, immediately following the First Place Annual Fundraising Breakfast, we hosted a panel discussion featuring local individuals and businesses making big change toward ending homelessness.

The panel featured:

Bill Block, King County Committee to End Homelessness Project Director
Tod Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment
Thach Nguyen, Realtor, Developer and Philanthropist
James Sun, CEO & Founder of Zoodango.com, Finalist on NBC's "The Apprentice"
Evelyn Brown, Owner of Xazz Salon and community volunteer
Anne Keeney, Executive Director of Seattle Jobs Initiative
Moderated by Linda Byron, KING 5 News

We are excited to share with you that the Seattle Channel filmed the discussion as part of its Town Square program. Watch it online right now, or on TV the following dates and times:

Seattle Channel 21:

Thursday, May 14, 2009	5:00 p.m.
Monday, May 18, 2009	6:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009	2:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 21, 2009	4:30 p.m.

First Place hosted this panel as way to further engage individual and businesses in getting involved in ending homelessness. We hope when you watch this, you will be inspired to find a way to get your business or organization involved in social change.

Panel attendees received a packet of information to take home with them, which included facts on homelessness, a 'Take Action' sheet, a copy of the Washington State Report Card on Family Homelessness and a few other informational papers. If you are interested in a copy of this packet, contact Chris Cooper, Director of Marketing and Development at 206-323-6715 ext. 1301.

Over the next few weeks we want to feature a few companies on our blog that do some creative fundraising for First Place. First on our list to share is Car Toys.

Beat the CFO! The employees of Car Toys have a long-standing tradition of supporting the many vital programs of First Place. Every fall Car Toys employees break out of the office for their annual stress reliever "beat the CFO". For a small donation to First Place employees compete against the CFO in a high-tech virtual golf game, or in years past have taken their chance at hitting a target to dunk the CFO in a less than warm pool. Car Toys CFO Robert Jensen continues to take his dedication to ending family homelessness to a new level. “Keep up the great work,” Jensen tells us, “and we will keep coming up with other ways to help.”

Thank you to the Seattle Channel, our panelists and companies like Car Toys!

The Music Project Foundation comes to First Place!

2009-05-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Music Project Foundation is a local organization that ties the study of music with a performance experience to create a unique program that empowers students. This school year they have working hard raising extra funds to bring their program to First Place to work with our students at no charge to First Place.

In order to fund their work with First Place they are hosting a fundraiser on May 26, 2009 featuring a few music icons such as Sonny Turner of The Platters, Theo Peoples of The Four Tops, Sanjaya Malakar, a former American Idol contestant and Bernadette Bascom.
First Place is excited and thankful for the opportunity to work The Music Project Foundation and the talented musicians who are working with our students.

We know this fundraiser will be a great success!

Join us at "A Vegas Evening"
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at the Triple Door

Tickets: $50 per Person
VIP Tickets: $150 per Person
VIP Tickets Include: Private Reception w/the Stars, Hors D’oeuvres, Hosted Bar & 1 Drink Ticket, and Premier Seating

Purchase Tickets Online
by Phone: 206-838-4333
In Person: triple Door Box Office 216 Union St., Seattle

View the event flier (pdf).
Learn more The Music Project Foundation

Keeping Students Healthy

2009-05-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

With the recent school closings due to Swine Flu (H1N1 flu) First Place wanted to share with you what we are doing here in our building to make sure everyone is safe and healthy.

We sent a letter home with every student on April 30, 2009 along with two attachments -- the Homeless Health News from the Heath Care for the Homeless Network and also the Preparing for Pandemic Influenza Family Guide from the Washington State Department of Health. Because of the unique nature of our school, the teachers, case managers, nurse and school psychologist are in constant dialogue about the health of our students.

Students experiencing symptoms are being referred to the nurse and sent home from school. We are keeping up on our regular practices of washing hands regularly, using hand sanitizer and keeping school surfaces clean.

For 20 years First Place has been working with Health Care for the Homeless, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic and Seattle Children's to take care of the health needs of the children who attend school at First Place. Through this partnership First Place has access to a nurse Monday through Friday and provides us with a nurse on-site three days a week year-round.

The staff is keeping updated through multiple sources and this is a top concern at the agency.

If anyone has any concerns about what First Place is doing to prevent our school from closing, please call Chris Cooper at (206) 323-6715 ext. 1301.

Join us at our Virtual Table

2009-04-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

This morning, a very special event is happening for First Place. Our Annual Fundraising Breakfast. Just in case you weren't there with us, we wanted to include you at our virtual table.

Here are the highlights of today's program:

We're 20 year old!

This year marks our 20th serving children and families. Our successes just keep on growing.

Most recently, First Place was able to move a mother and her two children from living in a van to living in a two bedroom apartment in First Place transitional housing!

First Place serves over 1,000 individuals each year - and we celebrate each new success as if it is our first.

First Place graduate Marcelus will now share his story with you about how he came to First Place.

Listen to a story aired on KUOW last summer (Real Audio). Click here for additional listening options.

Current First Place student Ifrah has also written a speech to share with us today.

"When I first came to First Place. I lived in a shelter. I was scared for no reason at all. In my second year I was in foster care for 15 days because my mom was ill. The staff members and kids were really caring because they knew what I was going through.

I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and we were all seperated because noone wanted to take care of 7 kids except my mom. I was worried because I did not see them at school."

Read her entire speech here.

And now, we would like to ask you to make a gift to First Place in honor of Marcelus, Ifrah, and of all the children and families touched by our program. All gifts given will count toward our event goal.

Give online through Network for Good.

Download the event pledge card and send by mail (pdf).

We encourage you to invite people to sit at your virtual table by fowarding this email to your friends, family and colleagues who you know will be touched by the stories shared here.

Our warmest appreciation for your support.

Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director

Announcing The Seahawks/Sounders FC Challenge

2009-04-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

First Place is excited to announce a Challenge Match Fund for the Annual Fundraising Breakfast! Keep Reading....
Please join us on Wednesday, April 29, 2009

7:00 a.m. - Networking and Breakfast
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Stage Program Featuring

Two First Place students speaking about their personal experiences.
A poem performed by current students
Keynote Speaker Dr. Leon "Skip" Rowland
The Seahawks/Sounders FC Challenge - A challenge match presented by Tod Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment
Emcee Linda Byron from KING5 News.
Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director of First Place

Seattle Westin located downtown at 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. View Directions.
RSVP by April 21, 2009. Register online today!

What is the The Seahawks/Sounders FC Challenge?
During the event, Tod Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC) will speak about his organization's commitment to end family homelessness. He will also announce the The Seahawks/Sounders FC Challenge - which is a pool of money donated to First Place to match donations from all new donors, and all donations which are increased over last year's gift. Every person in the room will have an opportunity to have their gift matched.

THANK YOU TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND SOUNDERS FC!

More information can be found on the First Place website.

Want to bring friends? Consider hosting a table.

First Place In The News

2009-03-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Times posted this article today: Jimi Hendrix childhood home torn down.

First Place supporter Pete Sikov was the owner of the home and is keeping many of the original pieces of the house. First Place is mentioned in this paragraph of the article as a possible beneficiary:

Perhaps, he (Sikov) said, pieces could be sold as a fundraiser for First Place, an agency that helps homeless children and which Sikov has assisted in the past.

Pete has been funding the First Place Music Program for years, and we would be honored to be the benficiary of this endeavor. Thank you, Pete!

Gates Foundation Pledges $60 Million to Help End Family Homelessness

2009-03-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Washington Families Fund is launching a new strategy to prevent and end family homelessness.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged $60 Million over 10 years to the public-private partnership.

The major goal of this initiative will be to reduce the number of homeless families by 50% in the next decade.

Read more here in the Seattle Times.
Read the Gates Foundation Press Release.

First Place is excited to see this partnership in light of the increase in homelessness prevention requests through our rental assistance funds. This month in our first hour of taking rental assistance phone calls - we received 60 calls for support. We normally receive about 35 calls a month, and not all in the first hour. First Place can typically only offer assistance to 4 or 5 families a month.

Inside the walls of First Place

2009-03-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

This week we want to share with you the classroom and program updates from our monthly parent newsletter.

Classroom Highlights! Students were asked to tell us "What is the highlight of your class?"

Update from Ms. Molly and Ms. Jenni in Kindergarten:
Kindergarten has celebrated twice this week, once by making green eggs for Dr. Seuss’ birthday and today for the 100th Day of School! We made necklaces with 100 rings on them, and counted many other objects to 100. We are continuing to work hard as we master sight words and improve our reading skills. We also are adding, subtracting, and measuring with rulers. Most of all, we enjoy playing, learning, and helping each other grow.

Ms. Kristy's 1st/2nd Grade Class:
“We learned about the season of the year and about how some people like winter better than other seasons. I like to learn about winter because that is the season that I can ice skate.”

“I learned about art like self portrait, making bugs, we also went for a nature walk looking for bugs.”

“I learned doing work and playing.”

“I learned to behave and to make cakes with play do.”

Ms. Nicole's 2nd/3rd Grade Class:
“I learned geometry and making a book. We were making shapes for geometry and learned words from geometry.”

“Currently we are learning about shapes and big words.”

“We learned shapes, words, we went on field trips, we went to pump it up gym, and I learned that we jump a lot.”

“We learned about oceans. There are different kinds of animals in the water. And different kinds of things that they do. We learned, in the ocean that the momma fish lay their eggs and then leaves them. They don’t stick around to care for them. It is called survival.”

Ms. Di's 4th/5th Grade Class:
“I learned fractions and I got finished with my work first before any one in my class yesterday and today. We went to Olympia trip with the 5th & 6th graders.”

“I learned fractions & time tables up to the 13’s. We had a field study to the African American Museum.”

“I went to the African American museum .”

“We learned about fractions, we did times table to 13’s.

“I went to the African American Museum with my class.”

“I’m learning about ways to write division in math.”

Ms. Tappin's 5th/6th Grade Class
“We are learning about National Women’s Month , aviation, and WWII. It’s fun. I got my sealant. I’m famous when we went to Olympia.”

“Me, and [my classmates] were on the front page of the Olympian Newspaper. We got to interview Dr. Cato for the National Women’s Month.”

Have A Heart For Kids Day Update

On Febrary 27, 2009 First Place 4th-6th graders (along with parents, staff and volunteers) traveled to Olympia to lobby for children’s rights. We attended Have a Heart For Kids Day, which is an annual lobby day sponsored by the Children’s Alliance.

Highlights of the day were:

Attended a rally with Governor Christine Gregoire
Met with state legislators
Participated in activities with Tulalip Elementary School 5th graders
Participated in a scavenger hunt at the Capitol Building
Took a tour of the Capitol and Legislative Buildings
Shared personal stories of success and challenge with our legislators
Advocated for our school programs such as Building Bridges

In preparation for this trip, Ms. Di and Ms. Tappin have worked incredibly hard to teach their students about civics and advocacy. For example, in Ms. Di’s class, students followed the Obama campaign and aligned the K-Kids election with the presidential election. They explored the election process, and focused on ballot voting. Ms. Tappin and Ms. Di each brought in daily newspapers and discussed current events with their students, to develop an awareness of local and national issues.

Students learned key vocabulary words, and were asked questions like “What is the difference between a democracy and a dictatorship?" and "What are ethics?" Students also worked in their classrooms and in their info-skills class to learn what a bill is, and how it becomes a law and researched their state representatives, and learned about the role of government at the state level.

They also wrote letters to their legislators, lobbying for bills that were of particular interest to them. Some of their letters addressed important issues such as homelessness, foster care, health care, college funding, transportation, and more.

Thanks so much to Ms. Melanie, Mr. Art, Ms. Liz, Ms. Di and Ms. Tappin for organizing this vent and preparing our students for this experience!

View pictures of First Place students in Olympia
Read a prior post about Have A Heart for Kids Day.

Two new reports on homeless children and families

2009-03-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

In our last post, Are there more homeless students in our schools?, we talked about homeless families being invisible to the rest of the population because they stay for long periods of time in non-traditional housing, or they share housing with another family.

Yesterday another article was featured in the NY Times, giving a closer look at how families with children are coping with unstable homes and living in motels month to month. Read that article here: As Jobs Vanish, Motel Rooms Become Home.

"Motels are a part of the transition process for over 15% of First Place families, some of which live there for a majority of a school-year. In that kind of environment most of these families become exposed to street violence, drug use and other ills that develop the social and emotional traumas that prevents academic excellence or family stability," said Gene Harris, Director of Family Support Services at First Place.

Yesterday we also learned that nationally 1 in 50 children experience homelessness in America each year. The report by the National Center on Family Homelessness also ranks all 50 states. And where did Washington fall? At number 25 - right in the middle. Here is an overview on the Washington State report card:

9,575 children in grades Kindergarten through 8 are homeless.
1 in 26 children do not know where they will get their next meal.
Less than 25% of homeless children will graduate from High School.
56.5% of homeless families with children struggle with transportation to and from school.

The report also says there is no dedicated state funding (in Washington) for homeless education.

Download full report here: http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/

Check out just Washington State here: http://www.firstplaceschool.org/WA_report.pdf

Are there more homeless students in our schools?

2009-03-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

Today we wanted to share this article with you from MSNBC.com: ‘Tidal wave’ of homeless students hits schools.

More and more we have been seeing articles like this one reporting on the rising numbers of family homelessness and homeless children attending public schools.

This article is a great snapshot of what families in Seattle and King County are dealing with right now. First Place is a unique agency which serves the needs of the entire family in their struggle with homelessness and extreme poverty. We decided to take a few of the themes in the article and tell you a little bit more about what that means and how First Place helps children and families with their struggle.

Read the article here.
Learn more about First Place on our website, or by reading our blog profile.

Housing – Family homelessness can be invisible
The MSNBC.com article mentions one family living out of a garage, and another which is living with friends. Family homelessness is often invisible to the larger community because many of the families are living in non-traditional places (such as garages) which are not included in a One Night Count. (Learn about the Local and National One Night Counts)

First Place works with parents to move them from emergency shelters and temporary homes (such as a garage, a car, or friends house) and into stable housing. All families enrolled in our services work with a case manager who supports parents on job training and education, job placement, housing, life skills and health needs. First Place also has a limited number of apartment units to house families with school-age children.

Learn more about the invisible homeless in this Change.org blog post: Full House: More Families Shackin' Up.

Trauma caused by instability
When children have adult worries such where they will be sleeping and if they will eat dinner, they are not able to concentrate at school, or even sleep at night. The extreme stress and trauma also affects their physical health, their ability to learn, their emotional and social behavior, and cognitive development. Many homeless families are a single parent fleeing domestic violence or abuse which also causes trauma in children. At First Place, we work with children on their social and emotional development. We help them feel they are in a safe and trusted environment and provide counseling and art therapy to help work through this difficult time.

How trauma affects education
Many students attending First Place come to our school two to three grade levels behind their peers in public schools due to the trauma and stress of poverty and homelessness. First Place works on stabilizing the emotional needs of the students and their academic needs. In addition to the school day, many students have a volunteer tutor or mentor who spends one hour a week with the student. We also provide 40 hours of tutoring to students through Knowledge Points. At the end of the 40 hours, students gain an average one grade level in reading or math.

Teasing at school is another trauma that children endure as a result of instability in their lives. At First Place, most of the kids are in the same situation – so teasing about having unbrushed hair or wearing the same clothes every day just doesn’t happen.

Health, nutrition & basic needs
Children and families living in extreme poverty and unstable housing often lack proper nutrition, regular meals and sometimes aren’t able to bath regularly. Stress and trauma breaks down the immune system and especially affects children who become susceptible to colds, flu and more.

First Place has a nurse practitioner on-site to take care of the health needs of the children. We also provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. We also provide school bus transportation to First Place and back to their home in the evening. Throughout the year we provide clothing, shoes and hygiene items. We also work with parents to ensure their living situation supports the daily hygiene and health needs of their family.

Is Seattle seeing a ‘Tidal Wave’ of homeless students?
Answer: It’s hard to tell. First Place called Ruth McFadden, the district homeless liaison for Seattle Public Schools, and learned that most of the calls coming in are from new families and that a lot of families who were previously asking for assistance have been able to move forward. Ruth also mentioned that some of the addresses were new to her – meaning that the families asking for assistance might not be living in shelters and are possibly living in non-traditional homes mentioned at the beginning of the article.

Information about the rights of homeless students in Seattle Public School can be found here: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/homeless/index.dxml

First Place is seeing an increase in phone calls asking for assistance, and like many organizations, is not able to expand our services to meet the need due to the current economy.

Why First Place?
First Place is a tuition free private school especially designed to meet the needs of homeless and low-income students and provide support to the entire family. Our goal is to help children successfully transition into public school and to stabilize the entire family. Students transition into public school within one to three years of their time at First Place.

View a recent Success Story of a student who recently transitioned into a Seattle public school here: Proud Parent Say Thank You.

We invite you to learn more. First Place offers tour on Fridays at 11am. RSVP at tours@firstplaceschool.org.

Unsung Hero: Children's Alliance

2009-02-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Heroes are often thought of as having super-human powers. At First Place our heroes have super-human hearts. Some of them we have never met and some of them walk through our front doors every day. We want to share with you who our heroes are and the impact they have in the lives our children and families.

Our hero today is the Children’s Alliance. In addition to their work ensuring that laws, policies and programs work for kids, the Children’s Alliance is also the organizing force behind Have A Heart For Kids Day. Friday, February 27th, the annual Have A Heart For Kids Day will bring First Place students, parents and staff in partnership with over 500 child advocates from across Washington State to develop advocacy skills, learn about current laws supporting children and showcase their knowledge in meetings with legislators.

First Place has been a member organization of Children’s Alliance since 1989.

At the 2008 Have A Heart For Kids Day First Place teamed up with students from Tulalip Elementary school for a full day of advocacy and a tour of the Capital. Here are some photos from last year.

Above: Students had an opportunity to meet Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and ask questions. Below: After lunch, Senator Claudia Kauffman addressed First Place and Tulalip Elementary students answering questions and explaining the importance of getting involved in advocacy and how it can make a difference to the community.
Below: From left to right Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director of First Place, Representative Eric Pettigrew and former First Place Board President Dawn Mason.

Check back next week for a full report on this year's Have A Heart For Kids Day. Thank you Children’s Alliance.

Success Story: Divided Family Comes Home

2009-02-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Within the walls of First Place, and in the lives of the families we touch, successes happen every day. As often as we can, First Place will share these successes with you. This is what we would like to share today.

In 2007 First Place began our Family Unification Program to assist incarcerated mothers rebuild their lives and regain their children. For mother of two Jalea* this program came just at the right time.

In January 2008 Jalea was rejoining society without any means to gain housing, employment or reuniting with her two children in foster-care. Stable housing and stable employment are two key components of being able to reunite with children who have been displaced during incarceration.

Jalea's first step to getting her children back was calling First Place.

“Jalea had months of work ahead of her to meet her requirements to the court system and the department of social and health services,” said Ms. Charlene Bowen, a case manager at First Place. “She also had personal goals of attending classes to achieve her GED and learning how to prepare a better life for her children.”

After working with First Place staff for over 6 months to attend all her meetings, study for her tests and gain housing in a First Place facility Jalea become a mother again when her 18-month-old son came home.

“Now over a year after beginning with our Family Unification Program Jalea is one week away from attaining her GED and is preparing for her next stage as a student and a mother,” said Ms. Charlene. Her second child, a 4-year-old daughter is coming home to her in the beginning of March.

* for privacy sake client names have been changed.

Sign up for our email list to receive Success Stories through email.

From the Kids: Kindergarten Funnies

2009-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you never know what is going on in the young and inquiring minds of the Kindergarten class. Thankfully Kindergarten teacher Ms. Molly and her instructional assistant Ms. Jenni keep us up to date. Each week they forward the staff a list of quotes and anecdotes from the kids.

Over the course of this year we noticed the Kindergartners are always asking who the boss is. Here are a few quotes from the classroom.

The Fire Station Boss
During a visit to the fire station, talking to a regular firefighter wasn’t enough and one student asked: “I want to see the big boss.”

Her request was met later on, when the chief came up to visit and watch. With the chief watching we learned about who can be a firefighter.

Firefighter Kurt: "Anyone who wants can be a firefighter. Boys, girls, if you’re black, white, green or purple."
Kindergartner: “There ain’t no green people.”
Firefighter Kurt: "And if you want to be a firefighter, you have to pay attention in school and do your work and have a good attitude."
Kindergartner, turning to the chief: “Big boss, you pay attention in school?”

The Cheerleading Boss
The Seahawks and Seagals visited our classroom. The Kindergartners understood the Seahawks were football players, but who were the women?

Kindergartner: "Who you?"
Seagal: "We’re cheerleaders."
Kindergartner: "You guys are cheerleaders?"
Seagal: "Yup."
Kindergartner: "Who’s the boss?"

The Boss at School
Kindergartner: “Ms. Jenni, who’s your boss?”
Ms. Jenni: "Mrs. Phillips is my boss."

The next day during breakfast Mrs. Phillips the Director of Educational Services happened to be passing through and the same Kindergartner said “Mrs. Phillips, Ms. Jenni’s not helping me!”

Mrs. Phillips caught on quickly and gave our kindergartner a look that seemed to say 'are you kidding with me?' and her look was met with a giant mischievous smile.

Day 4 at IslandWood Camp

2009-02-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Thursday, February 5, saw some First Place 4th, 5th and 6th graders ready to return home after four days of learning in the woods and laughing in the lodges, and others upset that they ever had to leave IslandWood.
After packing and giving a rousing applause to our IslandWood cooks, Team Marsh took one final outdoor adventure at the floating classroom. Fighting ducks, a surrounding of trees, and a lesson on maps while the water swished below was a calm end our week.What did the students have to say about the trip?

“It was so much fun and I didn’t want to leave! When we got on the bus I cried because I didn’t want to go home.”

“I had a lot of fun and there were a lot of games!”

“It was fun! We saw five deer on the way to camp.”

“It was long days.”

“I miss everyone, but it was exciting!!”

“I got to socialize more with others.”

Special Thank You's:
IslandWood coordinator Melissa, IslandWood instructors Whitney, Heidi, Corwine, Brian and Otter, and everyone else who made for a fantastic week.

Howard and Barabara Wollner for making the learning experience possible for First Place students.

REI for donating the use of sleeping bags for the trip.

First Place staff members Mr. James, Mr. Jamal, Ms. Carol, Ms. Di, Ms. Lakesha, and Ms. Tappin.

Day 3 at IslandWood Camp

2009-02-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

The last full day, February 4th, at IslandWood was a long one for First Place 4th, 5th and 6th graders.
Long walks took Team Marsh for an early morning of bird spotting and crab catching in Puget Sound.Mastering their fears Team Wave crossed the forest suspension bridge on their afternoon walk to learn about the five kinds of trees they could reach out and touch the tops of.
Lots of preparation made perfect for the Team Pond Drum Circle at the evenings friend circle talent show.
Check back tomorrow for our final day!

Day 2 at IslandWood Camp

2009-02-04T08:52:00.002-08:00

From 6:30am to 9:30pm on Tuesday, Feb. 3, First Grade 4th, 5th and 6th graders sped through field studies and lots of learning while playing at IslandWood. Because the students have been split into three field groups we're going to allow the pictures they and their field guides take to speak for the experience (with some modest explanations). Enjoy!

A new look on old lessons. First Place students from Team Wave relearned their ABCs (Antibiotics, Biotics and Culturals) with a hands (and feet) on experience in the forest, in the greenhouse and in the laboratory.

Each IslandWood activity has both time in the field and time in the classroom. As Team Marsh journaled on what they found in the organic-garden that provides food for our meals, Team Pond discussed their day-hike to the Harbor and a documentary on Bainbridge history.

Nature doesn't hold itself back at IslandWood. Break-time after an early breakfast brought a family of deer, hawks, eagles and adventurous squirrels.

At IslandWood there are a few constants. The Friendship Circle brings us all together every morning and evening. PROPS (Proper Respect of People Speaking) is expected of everyone equally. And the occasional chalk-board advertisement reminds of the things our different schools have in common.

Check back tomorrow!

Day 1 at IslandWood Camp

2009-02-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

On Monday (Feb. 2, 2009) First Place 4th, 5th and 6th graders began a week of eco-field tripping at IslandWood, one of the nation's most innovative educational facilities. Many students experienced their first ferry ride to travel to the 255 acre outdoor learning center on Bainbridge Island, where they've joined East Port Orchard Elementary School.

Throughout the week First Place students will be learning about environmental and community stewardship through hands-on interaction with nature and by practicing sustainable habits in their daily activities.

After Monday's lunch, Team Marsh (one of three First Place activity teams) began their lessons right away by hiking to the Bird Blind, a wooden gazebo in the middle of Cattail Marsh. Outfitted with dozens of peepholes students were able to peer out upon the marsh's natural ecosystems without being spotted.

While inside the Bird Blind the team also developed their "Community Agreement". Agreeing to "have fun" "be on time" and always stick to their first goal of "working together in a positive way", the First Place 4th, 5th and 6th graders have laid the groundwork for a success week.

First Place would like to thank Howard and Barbara Wollner for their support in making this trip possible. For many of our students, it is their first time at a camp!

Stay tuned for another update tomorrow.

Welcome to the First Place Blog!

2009-01-26T15:08:00.000-08:00

When we talked about how we wanted to use a blog all we could think about were all the amazing things going on in our classrooms. This week, our 4th, 5th and 6th graders are off at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island.

To kick-off the blog the students at Islandwood will be posting each day describing what they learn. We can't wait to see the pictures.

And that is only the beginning. With this blog, we plan on sharing a few regular features:

From the Kids will bring you updates on classrooms, learning, assignments, assemblies and field studies -- sometimes written by staff, sometimes written by the kids. View our first post under 'From the Kids'

Unsung Heroes will feature and thank people and organizations who contribute to our vision or Hope, Home and Education. Read our first post under 'Unsung Hero'

Success Stories are going to be stories straight from parents, programs and the classrooms. No success is too small to celebrate. Read our first post under 'Success Story'

Executive Updates will come from First Place Leadership and provide a wider look at the agency's programs and goals.

Leave a comment and let us know what you would like to read and see from First Place.

Unsung Hero: Shoes that Fit

2009-01-26T12:54:00.001-08:00

From the Kids: A Rap about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2009-01-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

A 4th/5th Grade Student wrote and performed this rap recently at a school assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King had a dream

That all of us could be a team

And accomplish all our dreams

So we can make the earth clean

Martin Luther King was not mean

He’s the greatest man we’ve ever seen

King did not wear any bling

Because he’s not a gangster king.

King believed in civil rights

So he would go out there and fight

King will fight and us to the light.

Success Story: Proud Parent Says Thank You

2009-01-07T16:05:00.000-08:00

Within the walls of First Place, and in the lives of the families we touch, successes happen every day. As often as we can, First Place will share these successes with you. This is what we would like to share today.

First Place recently received the following note from Dara, a mother whose daughter graduated out of our program this past year.

"As a mother of a former student of First Place I am proud to let you know that my daughter became a Rainier Scholar Nominee. Her teacher told me in the parent teacher conference that out of 31 students in her class my daughter is top 2. The teacher also told me that my daughter shows intellectual curiosity and scores above average on all her work in class.

I believe that my daughter got the nurturing and the life skills that she needed to survive in the public school from First Place staff.

I want to thank you all personally on how much of an impact you guys have in all our lives. You gave my daughter something that any other school would never think of doing."

Dara, pictured with her daughter, is currently employed full-time at Fir st Place and continues to provide leadership and guidance to struggling families.

As Dara celebrates with her family First Place is celebrating their hard work in breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Dara and her family were very involved with First Place while receiving services. Her and her husband chaired the Parent Advisory Council, Dara went down to Olympia with First Place every year to lobby for children rights and she truly became a mentor to her peers who were experiencing struggles with homelessness and poverty.

Sign up for our email list to receive Success Stories through email.

Welcome New Board President James Tisdel

2008-10-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

Longtime professional and classroom volunteer James Tisdel began a two-year term as First Place Board President in September. “First Place provides hope to kids who have seen little of it,” James said of why he joined First Place five years ago.

“As Board President my main goal is to not get in the way of the already successful program, and to help create funding sources that will allow consistent support of those programs and the retention of good staff and teachers."

James, who from his youth knows first-hand the risks of homelessness, will continue to offer personal and professional insight as First Place begins new programs in its 20th year. “My mother, siblings and I were lucky to get help from family and friends to get through a hard period in my life. First Place is a family and a friend to its students, which reminds me every day that it’s that other person who is will to reach and help when there seems to be little hope at all that makes all the difference.”

Here is a picture of James on stage at our 20th Anniversary Gala on September 29, 2008.