The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on September 18, 2023, at the Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community in Kirkland’s Totem Lake. Members gathered beforehand to socialize and enjoy refreshments.
Jim Meniketti greeted members and collected money for the meal.
Past President Amy Mutal, subbing for President Gary Cohn, called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
Past President Amy Mutal led us in the pledge.
Attending were Pete Anderson, David Aubry, Bob Auslander, Scott Becker, Michelle Cazeau, Donald Dicks, Sandi Ekins (Honorary), Jocelyn Ellison, Margie Glenn, Jim Meniketti, Amy Mutal, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, John Pruitt, John Storbeck, and Rick Walter. Zoom was not available for this meeting.
Guests:
Dave Aubry introduced Bob McConnell and Ted Ederer from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, who are here to learn more about homelessness in Kirkland. Scott Becker introduced Catie Malik who is running for Kirkland City Council.
Announcements:
Rick Walter is inducting one new club member tonight and two more at our next in-person meeting on October 2.
Dave Aubry reminded everyone of the upcoming Kirkland Rotary Central Station pavilion ribbon-cutting by the city of Kirkland Tuesday afternoon, September 26, at 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. All Rotarians are encouraged to attend. He also reminded everyone of the upcoming Kirkland Rotary Foundation Gala & Auction. Look through your closets for items to auction – also consider if you have a day or two’s stay in a vacation condo that could be auctioned.
Rick Walter then inducted our newest Member, Michelle Cazeau, of Banner Bank. She received a warm welcome from club members.
Ms. Boone then gave us a detailed explanation of the services facilitated by the city in order to move folks living outside into shelter, and to connect them with the type of services they need in order to be able to live in a more regular situation.
The city engages in grant funding with various agencies in order to provide services to people who need them. The city does not manage its own shelter and counseling services, but is able to assist service providers with funding from various sources, and can then refer people in need to the appropriate service providers. Ms. Boone described how the city has expanded services to folks. The city’s philosophy and approach includes identifying how many people need assistance on the Eastside. The city thinks regionally because the required services may be located outside the city’s boundaries.
The city continues to develop data as to those in need and the resources that are available. There are currently four shelters on the Eastside – women, men, youth, and families. Every night, almost all available beds are full.
These are temporary shelters, but individuals can remain as long as they commit to working with the appropriate counselling program, and they continue to work with the counselor.
The city tries to focus on prevention through such programs as supplemental income to keep people in their lodgings. The city does street and vehicle outreach through a full-time person. The city helps people in need navigate the system in order to keep them off the streets.
There were many questions from Rotarians that elicited more information, such as the fact that the first homeless-assistance programs on the Eastside began with area churches.
There will be a new mental-health resource center on the Eastside next year.
Efforts focus on a ‘shelter-first’ approach on the theory that without stable shelter, all the other issues cannot be profitably addressed.
This meeting was far more informative as to what efforts were being made to address these issues than was last week’s meeting.
There will be a board meeting this Thursday at Brezza Condominium. All club members can attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Aubry, Recording Secretary