Home Share: An Affordable-Housing Option

When Ms. Smith moved into her two-bedroom bungalow, she could well afford the $750 monthly rent.

Five years later, she found herself very ill with diabetes, out of work and not eligible for medical insurance with the state. The light at the end of the tunnel was still 18 months away when she would turn 65 and be eligible for a Social Security pension and Medicare. In the meantime, she had unemployment of $165 per week on which to live.

To complicate matters,  she also had two beloved pets she simply could not bear to part with. She knew she could no longer afford the rent and would have to leave her rental, but with no family in the area, where could she afford to live on $660 per month? Where would she find the money to pay for the deposit, the first and last month’s rent, the electricity deposit, the moving van?

With the looming fear of living in her car or a shelter,  Ms. Smith visited Fishline for answers. She was introduced to the Home Share Program, which offered her what seemed to be a small miracle. Her landlord approved a second individual in the home and a roommate was located and screened. The roommate paid half the rent and utilities. Ms. Smith was able to stay in her rental, keep her pets, and the roommate was equally as happy to have found a secure and affordable housing option for herself and her cat.

In these trying financial times, it takes very little to upset the stability we have come to rely upon.  An illness, loss of job or a family crisis can quickly lead to homelessness for the most unlikely of people.  While we cannot solve all the housing issues of our economic times, we have created a “housing bridge” to link home providers and home seekers to a temporary solution for an immediate and urgent problem.

Each and every Home Share situation is unique and should be considered a viable option for anyone seeking affordable housing options. Home owners at risk of foreclosure can access the Home Share Program to place a renter in the home and supplement the house payment.  Individuals and couples with limited incomes can access the Home Share Program to find a room for rent,  making life a bit easier until their income improves or they are able to get into low income housing.

Anyone interested in applying for  the Home Share Program should contact North Kitsap Fishline at 779-5190.

— Rae Rodriguez is client services manager for North Kitsap Fishline.  Contact her at info@nkfishline.org.

This article was originally printed on Friday, February 22, 2013 in the North Kitsap Herald as part of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors series.

Happy Retirement Party for Gavin!

On Feb 1st, friends and volunteers of NK Fishline got together to wish Gavin a happy retirement! The group celebrated at Tisley's Europub to thank Gavin for his services and wish him well! 

It's time likes these that we are reminded that the NK Fishline team is very much a community of supportive friends and family.  Gavin announced his retirement in the first week of January.  We will miss him!

This Week's Most Needed Items: Second Season Donations

This week, on our most needed items -- Second Season comes to the top of the list.  For those of you that don't know, Second Season Thrift Store is located on the waterfront in downtown Poulsbo.  All the profit from the store goes directly to support NK Fishline.  

Think of Second Season when starting your spring cleaning this year.  Our donation bins are in need of restocking, and we would greatly appreciate your gently used items.  

We accept clothing, home decor, small kitchen items, linens, and books in  gently used and excellent condition for resell.  You can drop your donations off during business hours:  Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.  Our address is 18825 Anderson Parkway, directly across from the waterfront.  

Please note, we do not accept the following items:  electronics, baby furniture, mattresses, used toys, exercise equipment.


Other needed items this week:

Please continue to think of NK Fishline when grocery shopping.  

We are still in need of fresh produce.  While we focus on canned and non-perishable good for food drives and other collections around the community, we also accept fresh produce at the food bank.  We have a shortage of fresh items this time of year for lettuce, broccoli, and other greens.  Donations of these fresh items can be dropped of at the food bank between 8am and 3:30pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday and as late as 7pm on Wednesdays.  

Diapers
Diapers! We always need diapers! Please drop off your diapers at the food bank or at any of our collection bins located at Albertson's, Central Market, or Red Apple.  

"From Biopsy to Bell" -- A Heartfelt Letter from Camille Meyers

From Biopsy to Bell

My journey started the last week of September, 2012.  My wonderful Fishline family celebrated its annual  thank you dinner for the volunteers.  I asked if I could share a presentation of the 31 years I was blessed to give to Fishline Food Bank and Thrift Shop.  Union Bank then put a wonderful display about Fishline and a write-up of my years at Fishline at the entrance of the Bank. 

This journey took a bump in the road for me.  The biopsy showed a cancerous tumor on the side of my tongue.  Wow!!  Why me!?!  The preparation, the treatments, radiation every day.  Chemo one day a week.  The loving dedication of the medical staff.  The not knowing if I'm willing, the learning processes of cancer.  I'm in the middle of my journey.

With my family, children, grandchildren and Fishline family beside me, Saturday night, January 26, 2013 at Kiana Lodge, I received a beautiful award as 2012 Volunteer of the Year from the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce.

I'm waiting to ring that Bell at the end of my treatment, ringing the sound loud and clear - the bump in the journey is over. 

I cannot ever thank my family, friends and Fishline family for all the love and support they have shown me every day. 

With loving support to all of the people also taking their journey,
 

Camille Meyers

 

"I Can See Clearly Now...."

We can see clearly now at Second Season Thrift Store!  Special thanks to Stuart Miller of M & R Homecare -- who stopped by Second Season and offered to donate their services to give our windows at the shop a much needed cleaning.  Stuart and his crew worked through the afternoon and did an amazing job! 

Thank you to M & R Homecare!

M & R Homecare offers window washing, gutter cleaning, and other home cleaning services.  They can be found at 16300 Reitan Rd., Bainbridge Island, and contacted on their Facebook page, or at (360) 842-8563.

Fishline Celebrates February's Community Partner: North Point Church

 

In what has become a holiday tradition in our community, folks dance the night away to the big band music of Buz Whiteley, bid on lovely and whimsical baskets in a silent auction and visit with neighbors under twinkling holiday lights. All proceeds from this magical night go to North Kitsap Fishline, thanks to the many years of effort and dedication of the North Point Church community.  The baskets are donated, Buz Whiteley donates the performance to Fishline and the event is organized by volunteers. Because of this generosity, the amount raised for Fishline just keeps growing every year. In 2012, over $6,000 was raised - an extraordinary amount that will help many in our community.

North Point also partners with Fishline in its distribution of holiday baskets, with members of the congregation preparing holiday meal boxes for the clients who need them the most. It also hosts the Adopt-a-Family program, where donors receive a wish list from struggling families and then provide gifts to assure a good holiday is shared by all. The Church hosts the School Supply program in the fall and has recently started making blankets for the SafePark program for homeless single women. North Point has also encouraged its community to volunteer with us, and many do.

In addition to their work with Fishline, North Point supports other organizations such as Younglife, Oasis India, and Second Table Ministries.  Their commitment to both their local and global community is a testament to their overall mission to help others. 

Being there for those in need is a mission shared by our community churches, and North Point has been an integral part of this web of caring. We are so grateful for the partnership shared over the years and look forward to an even greater cooperation in the years to come.

North Point Church is located in Poulsbo, at 1779 NE Hostmark Street.

Important Tax Information!

Don't forget!  If you have made cash or donations to NK Fishline or Second Season in the 2012 tax year, you can include these deductions when doing your taxes.  

North Kitsap Fishline is registered a 501(c)3 non profit organization.  All money, material, and food donations are eligible for tax deductible donation receipts upon request.  Fishline  spends only 3.7% of your dollars on overhead; 96.3% is spent on feeding, housing, and keeping those in need warm.  Your donations help feed and clothe people, keep them warm and dry and help with medical co-pays.  You help feed children on the weekend and provide shelter and sanitary facilities for the homeless and much more. 

Here is the information you may need:

North Kitsap Fishline

18916 NE Third Ave

Poulsbo, WA 98370 

 

Second Season Thrift Store

18825 Anderson Parkway

Poulsbo, Washington 98370

TAX ID:  91-1244431

This Week's Most Needed Items!

Just in case you are wondering, later today...say...around 3pm:  would be a GREAT time to go grocery shopping!

When picking up your groceries this week, please keep NK Fishline in mind.  Below is a list of this week's most needed items:

Did you know we accept fresh produce?  While we focus on canned and non-perishable good for food drives and other collections around the community, we also accept fresh produce at the food bank.  We have a shortage of fresh items this time of year for lettuce, broccoli, and other greens.  Donations of these fresh items can be dropped of at the food bank between 8am and 3:30pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday and as late as 7pm on Wednesdays. 

Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an easy and delicious way to add protein to your diet.  For those who are homeless or children in need, it is also a very convenient meal option. 

Diapers
Diapers! We always need diapers! Please drop off your diapers at the food bank or at any of our collection bins located at Albertson's, Central Market, or Red Apple. 

Would You Like to Be a Driver for NK Fishline?

Are you available on Thursday and Friday mornings?  We are currently looking for a volunteer driver(s) to handle our local grocery store pick-ups on these days.  The commitment would start at 7am and take approximately an hour for pick up, delivery, and unload at Fishline. 

Please note:  The driver would need to have a clean driving record and will be reviewed by our insurance company.  The process does take a few days, so please contact us soon! 

If you are interested, please contact our new Volunteer Manager, Jackie, with your details!

Vote for NK Fishline at Clearwater Casino's Fat Tuesday Parade of Service

NK Fishline has entered a float in Clearwater Casino's Fat Tuesday Parade of Service!

Each year, Clearwater holds a Mardi Gras-style parade inside the casino on Fat Tuesday, with parade floats made by members of service organizations throughout Kitsap County. The floats, created on top of red wagons supplied by the casino, are judged during the parade. All participating organizations will receive at least $500 for creating a float. The highest scoring floats in the parade will receive significantly larger cash donations.

NK Fishline was one of 20 organizations selected to participate in the parade this year.  Floats are judged on theme, originality and execution by a team of five Clearwater representatives, including three employees who win their judging seats in a preliminary shoebox float competition held a month before the event.

Here's where you -- our friends and fans come in: 

Clearwater Casino guests also have the opportunity to participate in the judging. The floats are on display until Tuesday, February 12th.  Simply go to Club Clearwater and ask for a Fat Tuesday Float voting entry. Each person will be allowed one (1) entry. Place it in the box corresponding with your favorite float. On February 12 votes will be tallied, the float with the most votes will have five (5) points added to their final score! Voting Ends at 6pm on February 12, 2013.

The parade will be held on February 12th at 7pm.  Come to cheer on NK Fishline! The parade will be lead by a one man band and the 23 floats/non-profits will make their way around the entire casino.  We are so excited about this fun event!

Click here to visit our Facebook page and see all the great pictures of the float that our volunteers built!

Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort is operated by Port Madison Enterprises, an agency of the Suquamish Tribe that develops community resources while promoting the economic and social welfare of the Suquamish Tribe through commercial activities.  Suquamish Tribe is one of NK Fishline's Community Partners. 

Source:  North Kitsap Herald, Clearwater Casino