From Homelessness to Housing: One Resident’s Success Story

Newsletter Fall 2013

From Homelessness to Housing: One Resident's Success Story

At Rose of Lima House, it is our desire to help women thrive as they transition out of homelessness. Jessie Moore, a Rose of Lima resident since November 2010, is a shining example of how one can persevere through even the toughest of circumstances .

Jessie became homeless in 2009 after she lost her job as a check processor. To avoid a formal eviction, Jessie put her belongings in storage and found an emergency shelter.

While homeless and staying at the Noel House Shelter, Jessie continued to pursue her educational dreams. She would go to class and spend the rest of her time in the library doing homework. Since 2009, Jessie has completed three AAS degrees. She is proud to have maintained a 3.35 GPA.

Jessie was offered a field placement at the YWCA; upon completion, she continued on with them as a volunteer. One of Jessie's many accomplishments at her field placement is a file cabinet of resources that she created. Jessie loves assisting people with information and referrals. This passion has translated into more than 1,000 volunteer hours at the YWCA!

Jessie is 57 years young. She is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She maintains close ties with her family.

When asked about Rose of Lima House, Jessie says, "Rose gave me a place where I could continue to pursue my education. I have a stable home. I can leave and come back, and don't have to do homework in the library. I can come home and do it." Thank you for being an inspiration, Jessie!

The Gift of Transportation--That's the Ticket!

Many thanks to our volunteers at St. Mark's for donating bus tickets! Through King County Metro's "Transit Incentives Program", you can get 8 free bus tickets when you renew your vehicle tabs. We've given out dozens of tickets so the women in our community can get to various appointments, including doctor and health clinic visits.

Interested in contributing? You can download a form at metro.programs/tip/order-tickets.html; call 1-866-709-8472; or email tickets@

Tickets can be mailed to Sharon Poole at Noel House Programs, 118 Bell Street, Seattle WA 98121.

Noel House Programs 118 Bell Street Seattle, WA 98121 206-441-3210



Eileen McComb Program Director eileenm@

Sharon Poole Community Liaison sharonp@

Rose of Lima House 118 Bell Street Seattle, WA 98121 Phone: 206-456-3100



Quanetta West Program Director quanettaw@

Scarlett Williams Resident Services Manager scarlettw@

Fund Development Jackie Schultz jackies@ Phone: (206) 456-3105

Paying it forward through peer counseling

Annette Kline has survived some trying times. After becoming homeless due to a landlord's neglect of her home, Annette lived in her car. When her car was stolen, she camped in the woods. That area was raided by the police, and she was told that she had to leave. Annette moved to Seattle and found refuge at Noel House Programs' volunteer-run shelters.

"When I was offered a home at Rose of Lima House" reflects Annette, "it changed my life."

In the five years that she has been part of Rose of Lima House (ROL), Annette's health has improved tremendously: she successfully quit smoking while participating in the ROL Tobacco Cessation Program, and was able to access dental care.

The stability and security of Rose of Lima House afforded Annette the opportunity to give back what was given to her. She has participated in the annual One Night Count of people sleeping on the streets, traveled to Olympia to speak to our elected officials on Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day, and earned a scholarship to attend the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless state conference.

Continued on the next page...

Volunteers offer a taste of home at Noel House

Twice a year, the Windermere Relocation and Referral Services in Northgate closes its office, and the staff devotes their community service project to the women at Noel House. Debbie, Ashlyn, Rose, Cauline, and Kathy lovingly prepare a beautiful brunch at the beginning of summer, then they come back with treats during the holidays. Watching their final presentation being spread out in the Noel House kitchen is quite exciting!

The women are grateful for the hard work the group joyously puts into offering a variety of homemade brunch items, along with the muchneeded donations of laundry soap and toiletries.

Joan was eager to express her gratitude; "They have come a few times over the past year or so. We love their biscuits, gravy, fruit--really, anything they come up with. And they appreciate us as much as we appreciate them, too. That's what I love most about all our volunteers."

Many thanks to our friends at Windermere in Northgate!

If you would like to get a group together for a rewarding volunteer experience, please contact Sharon at sharonp@ or 206-456-3103.

Noel House Programs' 2013 Holiday Card is Here!

Give the ones you love a meaningful gift this holiday season.

Each year, Noel House Programs invites our supporters to give the gift of shelter, meals and community to women experiencing homelessness.

For a suggested minimum donation of $10 per card, you sustain the life-saving services that help women move out of survival mode and truly thrive.

Make your holiday card order today by calling Sharon Poole at 206-456-3103, or via e-mail: sharonp@

Interested in selling cards through your church or community group? Contact Sharon at the number listed above.

Give a gift that transforms lives.

Union Women's Shelter Opens!

Paying it forward, continued...

On September 22nd, Noel House Programs will open its fifth volunteer-run shelter. Union Church, located in the South Lake Union neighborhood, has created a lovely and welcoming space for 12 guests.

"The congregation at Union Church is amazing," shares Eileen McComb, Program Director at Noel House Programs. "They have taken a very thoughtful approach to designing the shelter and have learned about the services available to the women who will be their guests."

Initially, the shelter will open one or two nights at the end of each month.

Volunteers are welcome! Union Women's Shelter is in need of people to stay overnight with the guests (two volunteers per night), transport bedding, and prepare light meals. If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact Eileen at eileenm@.

"At Rose of Lima House, I feel like I belong," Annette shares. "I'm home. I'm where I'm supposed to be, and it's awesome."

Annette now works as a Peer Counselor for Catholic Community Services' Counseling, Recovery and Wellness (CReW) program. As part of an outreach team, Annette engages people who are homeless and encourages them to participate as a CReW member.

"Having been homeless myself, I am able to relate to the people we're trying to reach," explains Annette. "I think seeing someone who has reached the other side of homelessness--seeing that things can change for the better--gives people hope."

Thank you, Annette, for improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness!

"I love the staff at Rose of Lima House because they accept me for who I am."--Ginny

"I didn't know it was possible to be part of a positive community until I lived at Noel House."--Tina

118 Bell Street Seattle, WA 98121

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Enjoy great company, a delicious salmon dinner, and a view of the sunset over Puget Sound at Seattle's acclaimed Local 360 Restaurant.

VIP Tickets: $150 Includes reception, jazz performance, and 5-course dinner Guest Tickets: $100 Includes 5-course dinner

When: Thursday, October 17, 2013 Doors open at 6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders Program begins at 7 p.m. for Guest ticket holders

Where: Local 360 Restaurant 2234 1st Avenue, Seattle's Belltown neighborhood

Order tickets now by contacting Jackie Schultz at 206-456-3105 or jackies@

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