3.6.24 Newsletter – Leadership Comes in Many Forms

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

www.SoundFoundationsNW.org                            soundfoundationsnw@gmail.com

Leadership Comes in Many Forms

This past weekend, Martina (in the doorway in the black top) completed her Eagle Scout project at The Hope Factory.  Saturday she led the build and tilt up, and Sunday she led her team in the Paint Department.  Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“Hi! My name is Martina and this weekend I held my Eagle Scout Project at The Hope Factory. A few people from my Troop, Troop 681, our brother Troop, Troop 186, and other loved ones of mine, came to support me and helped build the 470th home that is going to come out from Sound Foundations NW. We named the home Optimistic Otter. It was a blast watching my friends use a nail gun for the first time. The fear on their faces at first was hilarious and then they started to get more comfortable.

We had a lovely pizza party right before tilt up which was an exciting experience for me. On Sunday, there were 3 groups in the warehouse. It started a little chaotic, but I found everyone a job on the paint side and showed them how to do it safely and properly. We finished painting the interior and the exterior trim of 4 homes.

Huge shout out to Barb, Steve, Dan, and Bruce for being such great mentors and giving amazing support. Thank you! Without you this would not have been possible, and I am so grateful for the opportunity and experience you all have given me by allowing me to do my project with you. I would also like to thank all the other Team Leaders who have taught me so much and shown me the ropes through my time volunteering here. I will see you all again sometime soon and look forward to learning more.”

And from Steve, her father:

“Silvia (Martina’s mom) and I were so impressed and overwhelmed by the level of engagement you and your Team Leaders put into making Saturday so safe and enjoyable, while also giving so much attention to Martina to help her succeed. We know your help started with first meeting with Martina and then agreeing to allow her to come and volunteer, learning the jigs, your methods, and your mission. Yes, she put in the work to get all of her friends and family there, but even among businesses that support Scouts and their projects, you all were fantastic. It was a huge success.”

It was an honor to host this event.  Thank you, Team Leaders, for making this possible.

A HUUUGE SHOUT OUT TO…

…the Brettler Family Foundation for SPONSORING TEN TINY HOMES!  Your commitment to ending homelessness is incredible.  You will affect the lives of up to 600 of our homeless neighbors with your grant.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

AND SPEAKING OF THANK YOU’s . . .

More special shout outs to those who have put their money where their hearts are in February to help us purchase the materials to build more tiny homes:

Anonymous (more than a few times), IIBEC/Puget Sound Chapter, The Hill Team, Daphne, Sarah, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Steve and Desiree, Tamar and friends, SOCOTEC Inc, Darbi, Masha, Vaproshield, Udayveer, Tim, Kyle, Alexandria Immel Residential Design, William and Carolyn, Russell, Michelle, Kimberly and John, Boeing, Timothy and Christina, Scott, Catherine, The Windermere Foundation, Suzie, Lynda, Target Corporation, Jennifer, Judy, Joan, Grace, Gail, Margaret, Mercer Island United Methodist Church, Metabo Tools, and employees of Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce who had their donations of time matched by their company sponsored employee giving programs.

WHEW!  WHAT A LIST!  THANK YOU ALL!!!

links to news stories about homelessness in Seattle and elsewhere

Well worth the time to watch.  “You can never get so low that we will not be beside you.”

More drama from Burien:  https://publicola.com/2024/03/05/claiming-need-for-protection-from-unsheltered-people-burien-bans-nighttime-homelessness-throughout-city/

More housing in Seattle:  https://publicola.com/2024/03/05/draft-comprehensive-plan-would-increase-housing-less-than-needed-to-accommodate-250000-new-residents/

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

ATTENTION GROUPS:  March and April schedules are filled.  The May and June calendars are now open.  

BUILDING WITH US IN MARCH:  Martina’s Eagle Scout Project (first time), Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity/UW (first time), Bonnie’s Bunch, Brighton Jones, University of Utah (first time), Epiphany Church, Lake WA Sai Center, LIHI (first time), The Hill Team, Salesforce, Isso Seva, Holy Names Academy, David and Friends, Ryan Company, Horizon House, MD Architects, Target, Rotary, Coldstream, and Congregation Beth Shalom.

  • March 13th:  Amy Smith with the CARE Department tours The Hope Factory with Police Deputy Chief Barden.
  • April 2nd:  Councilmember Cathy Moore tours The Hope Factory.
  • April 3rd:  Students of Hillside Student Community School tour The Hope Factory.
  • April 6th:  Barb on a panel discussion for students of architecture at UW.
  • April 27th:  Multi Parish Day of Service.
  • May 4-5:  Sarthak’s Eagle Scout Project.
  • May 7-8:  GiveBIG
  • May 18th:  Third Annual One Seattle Day of Service.
  • June 11th:  Barb speaks to doctors at Swedish Medical Center
  • COMING THIS SPRING:  Our 500th home!!

DON’T FORGET TO “SPRING FORWARD” THIS SUNDAY!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED THIS WEEK

  • Our “regulars“ who are the heart and soul of our organization.
  • New Crew:  Aaron, Sophia, Alisha, Brett. Amma, Jenna, Dave and Natalie.
  • Our wonderful groups: Martina and the Scouts, Sigma Lambda Betta fraternity (UW), Green River CC, Bonnie’s Bunch, Brighton Jones and University of Utah

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

TO VOLUNTEER

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

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4EACAF2AA0F4C52-48375556-volunteers#/

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.

To give by check, credit/ debit card, a Donor Advised Fund, or a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, start on our Donate page, or:

donate to help build tiny homes for the homeless, a solution to homelessness, in Seattle

Sponsor a Home:

our first complete tiny home sponsor wall, representing 62 tiny homes for the homeless

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 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.

Visit our Website:

www.SoundFoundationsNW.org