Focus & Fight Poverty 2010

Poverty Fact of the Day: 15% of all children in Washington State (226,000) are living below the Federal Poverty Line—a $21,000 annual income for a family of four

Focus and Fight Poverty Week, September 23-29, 2010 

Focus and Fight Poverty annually renews the commitment by the Jewish Community of Greater Seattle to fight poverty through Education, Action, and Advocacy. 

The current economic recession is testing our community and families. Applications for food stamps and food bank usage are on the rise. Unemployment is up. The need for our Jewish community to come together to address poverty in our community has never been greater. Focus and Fight is our community's response to the crushing burden of poverty too many families and individuals feel.

In its third year, Focus and Fight will be held again during the holiday of Sukkot. Jewish organizations and individuals are working collectively to alleviate poverty and recommit to Tikkun Olam (repair the world) through a series of coordinated events and activities.

To become a community sponsor of Focus and Fight Poverty 2010, contact Chelsea Garbell at 206 774-2227.

  •  Education: In order to aid the fight against poverty, it is important to speak out against the many stereotypes that surround it.  Equally important to our community is to learn about the Jewish view on poverty, and about our obligation to eliminate it.
    • Speakers Bureau: In conjunction with Real Change, the Jewish Federation is helping put a human face on poverty. Highly trained, thoroughly engaging advocates from the Real Change Speakers' Bureau are sharing their stories of homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of healthcare.  They offer a personal insight into the pros and cons of our current systems and give solid advice on how the general public can help.  These speakers tailor their stories for every age group and can speak to any size crowd.  They make the perfect addition to a classroom lesson or Shabbat sermon.  As a community sponsor, agencies can schedule these speaking engagements with no additional cost to you.
    • Communal Responsibilty: Community Rabbis will inspire the community to help the anti-poverty fight during Shabbat services.
    • Educators: The Jewish Federation will provide educators with the necessary tools to teach the importance of tzedakah (charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), especially as they relate to homelessness in our community.
  • Action: This year, The Jewish Federation presents Focus and Fight Poverty Day at the Market on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Six Sukkah booths will be erected at grocery stores and farmers markets in the Puget Sound area.  Community volunteers will ask market-goers to purchase and donate fresh produce, non-perishable items, and monetary contributions for Seattle's local area food banks.  Volunteers will also collect signatures for an anti-poverty focused petition and connect both Jews and non-Jews alike to a host of anti-poverty programs and initiatives throughout the community.  At the end of the day, volunteers will personally deliver the collected food and money to the food bank in that neighborhood.  To be a Market Day Volunteer Agency and Community Sponsor, contact Chelsea Garbell at 206 774-2227.
  • Advocacy: We direct community members (through action alerts and grass roots organizing) in ways they can help advocate locally and nationally on issues of concern to help fight poverty.
    • Community Advocacy Roundtable:  Work is underway to bring together three panelists to address issues of homelessness in Washington State on an evening during Focus and Fight Poverty week (date to be determined).  Panelists might include elected officials and staff, service providers, and/or clients in the poverty sector.  The event is free and open to the community, with an emphasis on engaging socially-conscious young adults so that they may further educate their peers.  More details will be updated as they are made available.
    • Letter-Writing Campaign: Pre-printed post cards supporting policies related to poverty in Washington State will be distributed and available for community signatures at all Focus and Fight functions and events during the week. The signed cards will then be sent to Governor Gregoire to inspire action.
    • Sign up for the Washington State Jewish Action Center to get updated information about ways to fight poverty.
  • Anti-Poverty focused Community Events

 

  • Resources on Poverty: Website links to poverty eradication organizations, and community reflections, as well as information and statistics on poverty in Washington State
  • Volunteer Opportunities:  There are many easy ways to give back to your community on a regular basis.  Click on any of the links below to find out how you can help.
    • Dress for Success provides women with professional attire and career counseling so that they can find a job and get back on their feet.
    • Temple De Hirsch Sinai Homeless Women's Shelter hosts 10 women Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 p.m. through 7 a.m. These women are selected by the Noel House, a homeless women's shelter located in Seattle. For further information or to volunteer, please contact Kim Fuqua Alben at kimfuqua@gmail.com.
    • Family Promise of Seattle: Most shelters are single-gender, which can pose a huge problem when a parent is one gender and a child is another.  Family Promise provides an invaluable and rare service by coordinating a network of congregations and volunteers to provide families with food, shelter, transportation and counseling. 

 

Contact Name: 

Kim Greenhall

Email: 
KimG@JewishInSeattle.org
Phone: 
206 774-2221
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