News roundup: Tutors needed, fundraising, library event, PNA jobs and volunteer positions, free ORCA cards for eligible high schoolers

by | Sep 12, 2016

Here’s a roundup of various neighborhood news:

Local professional organizer Lauren Williams will share strategies for getting rid of clutter and using space effectively from 6:30-7:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Greenwood Library. Attendees will learn organizing techniques and see a demonstration of an organizing session. All library events are free.

Phinneywood resident Margarita Koutsoumbas has partnered with John Lintakoon to open LinK Dentistry by Fishermen’s Terminal in Magnolia, at 4055 21st Ave. W., Ste. 101.

Domino Beauty Boutique raced in the Pink Boat Regatta on Lake Union last weekend, raising $2,778 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Nonprofit organization Invest in Youth provides free tutoring services to elementary school students at five Seattle schools, including Daniel Bagley near Green Lake, where many Phinney Ridge and Greenwood families attend. They’re looking for volunteer tutors to work with students once a week from October through May.

Each tutor is matched with the same student for the whole school year, and the pair works together on things like playing math games, reading stories or working on homework, for one hour each week. Educational materials and activities, training and support, and heartfelt appreciation are provided at every session.

For more information or to apply to be a tutor, email Erika Chen at [email protected] or see the website.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association has several job openings, including:

The PNA also has two volunteer positions open:

Create a Dementia-Friendly Community

Join the PNA’s trail-blazing efforts to create a dementia-friendly community. Our volunteer Team Members help develop, staff and support programming designed to support participants with Early Stage Memory Loss (ESML). Activities include a support group, the Gathering Place (a weekly class designed to build on strengths and engage the mind and body), a chorus, and a biannual concert. Activities generally happen between 10AM and 5PM during the work week and Team Members are expected to attend some of them.

Ideal candidates have some experience working with seniors or an interest in working with people with ESML. Background check required, 1-year commitment requested.

Hot Meal Program Lead

Hot Meal Program (HMP) Lead Volunteers provide orientation and support for new HMP Assistant Volunteers and support the Hot Meal Program Coordinator when he or she is on duty.

Lead Volunteers perform all the duties of Hot Meal Program Assistants (who help with preparation, cooking, serving and clean-up) and take on the following additional responsibilities:

  • Orient new volunteers when they arrive for their shift.
  • Provide ongoing, informal, on-the-job training and support to volunteers with less experience.
  • Provide support to the Hot Meal Program Coordinator, especially the Substitute HMP Coordinator, when he or she is on duty.
  • Shifts are Monday, 3-7 pm; Tuesday, 3-7 pm; and Wednesday, 9 am to 1:30 pm. Kitchens are located at the Greenwood Senior Center and St. John United Lutheran Church in Phinney.
  • We are in need of one lead per day. Please specify which day you’re available to help with. Food handler permit and background check required. 6-month commitment preferred.
  • This is an ongoing volunteer role and not ideal for individuals only looking to fulfill service hours.

Seattle Public Utilities Water Conservation Program is offering free water-saving toilets to qualified customers.

Would you like to save money and the environment? Seattle Public Utilities Water Conservation Program can help you do both! Partnering with Sound Generations Minor Home Repair program, the Water Conservation Program will install water-saving toilets in your home and recycle your old toilets at no charge to you. To be eligible, you must receive a Seattle Public Utilities water bill, live in the home you own, have toilets that were installed before 2004 and meet income guidelines.

Interested? Call Sound Generations at 206-448-5751 or visit www.seattle.gov/util/FreeToilets to get started!

Seattle Department of Transportation is distributing ORCA cards to income-eligible high school students in Seattle Public Schools through the Youth ORCA program.

The Youth ORCA program distributes cards to Seattle high school students who are not eligible for an ORCA card from Seattle Public Schools. The program is part of the City’s effort to increase transportation equity in Seattle and is funded by Seattle Transit Benefit District (STBD) Proposition 1, approved by voters in 2014.

City staff will be hosting events at high schools this month to distribute Youth ORCA cards:

  • Nathan Hale: Friday, September 9, at lunch time, 12:25 p.m.-12:55 p.m.
  • Ingraham: Friday, September 9, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Roosevelt: Monday, September 12, and Wednesday, September 14, at lunch time, 11:55 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
  • Ballard: Thursday, September 29, Curriculum Night, 7-9 p.m.
  • West Seattle: TBA
  • Garfield: TBA

Approximately 3,000 Seattle high school students are eligible for the program. The Youth ORCA cards will be valid for the entire school year, September 2016 through June 2017.

To be eligible for the program, students must:

  • Be enrolled in high school in Seattle Public Schools, grades 9-12
  • Not currently receive an ORCA card from Seattle Public Schools
  • Live in a household that meets income requirements (please see www.seattle.gov/YouthORCA for details)

Income eligibility for this program is consistent with other programs including: SNAP, Free and Reduced Lunch, and ORCA LIFT. To receive an ORCA card under this program, a student will need to fill out an application and get a parent or legal guardian’s signature. ORCA cards are valid on King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Everett Transit.

To apply for the Youth ORCA Program or for more information, you can email [email protected], call (206) 256-ORCA (6722) or visit www.seattle.gov/YouthORCA.

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