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

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 to Support First Place

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.

Volunteer Mentors Change Lives

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.

New to First Place - How to Get Involved

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.

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

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

Unsung Hero: Volunteer Donna Shattuck

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

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.

Updated Wish List for Spring

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!

Picture Slideshow from Annual Breakfast

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.

The Music Project Foundation comes to First Place!

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

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

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

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.

Are there more homeless students in our schools?

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.

Welcome to the First Place Blog!

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.