11.8.23 Newsletter – A Tale of Two Emails

weekly newsletter of Sound Foundations NW, a non-profit builder of tiny homes for the homeless in seattle

www.SoundFoundationsNW.org            /           SoundFoundationsNW@gmail.com

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Recently we received these two emails.  We receive about one email like the first one nearly every week.  We appreciate emails like the second one.  We don’t have to guess what our mission is.  We know exactly why we build tiny homes.  It’s all about community, both in the villages and in The Hope Factory.

Email #1

Recently I was a victim of a horrible scam and the 5th wheel I rented was stolen while I was at work.

They took everything I owned including one of my cats. This caused me to be homeless for the first time in my life.

I have no family here because I just lost both my parents last year and now my car that I was sleeping in broke down and had to be towed.

I do not know how to get assistance for hotel or housing or any help because I have never been like this before. I need someone to please help me so I can get my life back before it’s too late.

I am willing to go through any program you offer just to have somewhere to sleep. I did just start a new job Monday last week, but I need to be able to ride the bus to get there so I don’t lose this job. I have not gotten a paycheck yet so I can’t get a car as I just started.

Could you please let me know if you can help. I am desperate, scared and just done being homeless. 

I can’t go to a shelter because of my lupus and be surrounded that close to people but I am afraid to stay like this.

Thank you.

Tammy

 

Email #2

I don’t know if you remember me – I was volunteering at Sound Foundations NW this last spring and a little into summer. This might also ring a bell – my husband is French and we found out about Sound Foundations NW through a French documentary crew that interviewed you. We’ve had a big life change ourselves as we moved to France a little over a month ago.

It makes me so happy to receive these newsletters and keep up-to-date on what’s going on there. Volunteering there was one of the best things I could have done and really helped me through some difficult moments in my own. There’s no better medicine than working together as a community to help others. Every time I volunteered there, I met the most amazing people. And thank you, I’m forever inspired by you and your grit.

It was a pleasure working with and beside you. Thank you!

All the best,

Katie

 

VOLUNTEER HOMECOMING DAY, NOVEMBER 28thon giving tuesday donate to sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder of tiny homes as a solution for homelessness in seattle

We’re all about the joy of having a home, regardless of size, so on GivingTuesday, November 28, we’re hosting a Volunteer Homecoming and we would love to see you!  Have you built with us before but not for a while?  Are you curious but never yet helped build a tiny home?  On this open build day, we’re especially encouraging past and curious volunteers to sign up, individually or with a friend or two, to come make a difference by helping build tiny homes for our homeless neighbors.  No experience necessary – we train willing hearts! 

Fill out the form on our Giving Tuesday webpage https://soundfoundationsnw.org/givingtuesday-2023 and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the form and click the blue button to submit.  Space is limited to 20 volunteers and you must be 16 years old to build with us.  Come remind yourself what it feels like to build community!  We can’t wait to welcome you home.

(If you’re a regular Tuesday volunteer, please wait and use the usual SignUpGenius form during the week prior.  Thanks!)

graphic showing the breakdown of costs for each part of a tiny home for the homeless

Want to Help in Other Ways?

Starting this week, we’ll be talking about GivingTuesday in our newsletters and on our social pages on Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn using #warmsafeanddry.  In the next three weeks, please forward our newsletter to just one friend, neighbor, or colleague who might be interested.  Post links to our homepage and GivingTuesday pages on your social accounts using #warmsafeanddry, and follow our pages and like, share, and comment.  Use our hashtag #warmsafeanddry wherever you can, and look for our graphic to share, too.  All these small actions will collectively broaden our reach and help us reach our goals of fundraising for five new tiny homes by Giving Tuesday, and adding 250 new newsletter subscribers by year’s end!

Thank you for all you do to help get our homeless neighbors #warmsafeanddry – see you at The Hope Factory!

 

NEW STATS FROM LIHI

a row of nearly finished tiny houses for the homeless lined up in production

2,080 people lived in tiny homes in 2022, including:

  • 1,689 people, including 52 children, lived in tiny homes or micro-shelters. LIHI operates 18 Tiny Home Villages in King, Pierce, Thurston and Whatcom counties.
  • 391 people lived in LIHI’s enhanced shelters including Aspen Court, a converted Comfort Inn motel in Tacoma, and Lakefront Community House in Seattle.
  • A total of 1,200 people lived in tiny homes in Seattle/King County in 2022.

 

TEAM LEADERS NEEDED!

Seattle firefighters building a tiny home for the homeless

We are running short on Team Leaders due to illness, new bionics (like knees, hip, etc.) and people going South for the winter.  If you have been thinking about becoming a Team Leader, now is a great time to step up.  Talk to Barb about your training schedule or email soundfoundationsnw@gmail.com.  Thanks!

 

 

links to news stories about homelessness in Seattle and elsewhere
 

FYI:  We are already in conversation with King County Executive Constantine’s office regarding possible solutions.

 

 

upcoming news and events that impact tiny homes for the homeless, a temporary solution to homelessness, in Seattle

  • (The King Co. Regional Homeless Authority cancelled their tour and is planning on rescheduling in the near future.

  • November 8th, we will host a virtual Lunch and Learn for Amazon.
  • November 28th, Volunteer Homecoming Day at the Hope Factory in honor of Giving Tuesday
  • December 12th, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be building with us.

 

AROUND THE HOPE FACTORY

 

volunteers building tiny houses for the homeless at sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder in seattle

volunteers building tiny houses for the homeless at sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder in seattle

volunteers building tiny houses for the homeless at sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder in seattle

volunteers building tiny houses for the homeless at sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder in seattle

volunteers building tiny houses for the homeless at sound foundations nw, a non-profit builder in seattle

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED THIS WEEK

  • Our “regulars“ who are the heart and soul of our organization.
  • “New Crew” members: Pranav, Scott, Jack, Pat, Diego, and Geoff.
  • Our wonderful groups: Arup, Bonnie’s Bunch, Sammamish Rowing Club, Rob’s Party (first time) and Trane (first time.)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

TO VOLUNTEER

Come build with us this week! Here’s the link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4EACAF2AA0F4C52-45987727-week#/
  • Please remember to wear painting clothes even if you do not anticipate painting. Minimum age is 16 years. Please, no exceptions.
  • Clarification: If the SignUpGenius says (The name of a Group Build) AND Open Build, this means that you can volunteer even if you are not a part of the group.
  • TEAM LEADERS IN TRAINING: If you wish to become a Team Leader in Training, DO NOT SIGN UP for the day you wish to do this. Email SoundFoundationsNW@gmail.com and we will put you on the list

We hope to be building with you soon!

Your Leadership Team: Beatrice, Tom, Bruce, David, Timothy and Barb

It Takes a Village to FUND a Village!

YOU are a big part of why stacks and stacks of lumber fill The Hope Factory. There are several ways to give throughout the year. Questions? Please email devel.sfnw@gmail.com.  All gifts qualify as tax deductible but please consult your tax professional for your own situation.

our tiny home sponsor wall thanks donors to Sound Foundations who have donated the cost of materials to build one tiny home for the homeless

Sponsor a Home:

Remember, if you sponsor a home (currently $4500), you get to name the home! Tiny home sponsors have their names (or “anonymous”) and the name of their home added to our Tiny Home Sponsor wall and join our growing list of supporters who’ve reached a little deeper to become part of the solution to ending homelessness. Email devel.sfnw@gmail.com or click the image at right for details.

A Few Reminders

  • We do tours every day but Friday. Come visit if you haven’t been yet.
  • We have a “Welcome to Sound Foundations NW” PowerPoint presentation that is also in .pdf form. If people ask you what we are all about, these are a simple thing to attach to an email to explain who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Email SoundFoundationsNW@gmail.com for this .pdf or PowerPoint.
  • We fund our homes through a combination of private and public donations. For more information, please go to our website – Helping Finance the Homes.

Protocols, Address, Directions

  1. Volunteer at your own risk for Covid or any other illness. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home.
  2. Masks are optional when volunteering at The Hope Factory. There is no shame in wearing a mask.
  3. The minimum age is 16 years. Please, no exceptions.
  4. When you are at The Hope Factory, please social distance whenever possible.
  5. Covid booster shots are not required but highly encouraged.
  6. We are usually there by 9 am or 2 pm on most Sundays. Make sure you double check the times in the Sign Up Genius. You can come and go as your schedule permits. Just let us know so we can plan ahead.
  7. Please bring your own gloves. 
  8. Please leave your own tools at home.
  9. Please bring your own lunch. 
  10. No matter what you do, please come prepared to paint. 
  11. Warehouses can be difficult to heat and cool. Please dress appropriately. 
  12. We currently have no indoor restrooms, Honey Bucket only.
  13. We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions. If you must cancel at the last minute, please contact us as soon as you know. Others may want to volunteer in your place.
  14. No experience necessary. We train willing hearts. 

OUR ADDRESS is 5 S. Nevada St., Seattle 98109 in SODO. 

GOOGLE MAPS – find us here.

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Sound Foundations NW