Register to Vote

Hi. I want to encourage you to register to vote if you haven’t already in time for the general election on November 2nd. This election we will be electing US house representatives, state house reps and senators, and other offices. There will also be a number of important local and state ballot initiatives.

In order to qualify to vote on November 2nd, voters must be registered in advance. You may register online, by mail or in person. If you register by mail the deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration is 30 days before an election. You can pick-up an application at local libraries, post offices or department of motor vehicles. If you miss the 30-day mail-in deadline or if you prefer, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election. To vote in the general election on November 2nd you need to register by mail by October 4th or in person by October 25th.

If you are at least 18 years old and are a US citizen you have the right to vote even if you are unemployed, homeless, between permanent residences, or living in a shelter. People who are homeless can register at the shelter, park, motor home, intersection or other identifiable location they consider their residence and use a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office as their mailing address.

Even if you have been convicted of a felony you can now vote. In 2009 the Washington Legislature passed a new law that restores the right to vote automatically to people with felony convictions when they have completed their time in prison and have served any required community custody supervised by the State Department of Corrections.

However you must be registered in order to vote. For more information, call the Toll Free State Voters Information Hotline at 1-800-448-4881

If you want to know how the state ballot initiatives will help or hurt homeless and low income people you should check out the U District Conversation on Homelessness “are you ready to be a legislator?” forum on Sunday September 26th from 630 pm to 830 at University Heights Center on NE 50th St between Brooklyn & University Way NE in Seattle.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 2nd.

Community Resource Exchange 9/24

Hi, I wanted to let you know about the United Way Community Resource Exchange on Friday September 24th from 9 AM to 2 PM at Qwest Field Plaza at 800 Occidental Ave South in Seattle. The Community Resource Exchange is a one-day, one stop way for homeless people to get free services like healthcare, legal assistance, haircuts and national phone calls. Also available are referrals to social services including housing, counseling, public benefits and employment training. A free hot meal will also be served. And Community Voice Mail will have a booth where people can sign up in person for voice mail numbers. If you are homeless, we encourage you to attend this event as it will be a great way to get a variety of free services in one place, in one day. So don’t miss it, and bring your friends to the Community Resource Exchange on Friday September 24th from 9 AM to 2 PM at Qwest Field Plaza. Thanks for using Community Voice Mail.

Lifeline Awareness Week

Hi. The following is an important message from Seattle CVM and the FCC about Lifeline, a federal program that provides discounted phone service for low-income people who qualify. This message provides basic information about Lifeline, and gives you one option for finding out more information about the program. As the message says, in the near future we'll send another message with detailed information about the Lifeline program in our state. Thanks!

Hello. My name is Joel Gurin, and I'm the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Chief for the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. I have an important message for you from the FCC and Community Voice Mail about National Lifeline Awareness Week, which is this week, September 13th-19th.
Millions of people in the United States do not have basic telephone service. This means that they cannot easily communicate with family, friends, employers, schools, and emergency services. There is a program to help low-income consumers pay monthly phone bills, but only about a third of eligible consumers are enrolled. The "Lifeline" program provides a discount on monthly phone bills. The amount of the monthly Lifeline discount depends on where you live. A companion program, "Link-Up," helps with the cost of activating new telephone service. Both landline and wireless companies participate in the Lifeline and Link-Up programs.
If you receive assistance through certain federal programs (for example, Medicaid or Food Stamps) you qualify for Lifeline and Link-Up. You may also qualify based solely on your income.
In most states, you apply for Lifeline and Link-Up directly through a local phone company. In some states, however, you apply through a government office. To find out whether you qualify and how to apply, ask your caseworker or call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-CALL-FCC, or 1-888-225-5322. That's 1-888-225-5322This is a toll-free call. When you call, press the "0" key after you select English or Spanish to be connected to an operator.
Your local Community Voice Mail program manager may also send additional information in the near future about specific Lifeline and Link-up options in your area.
Please share this information with your friends and family. No one should be unable to dial for help in an emergency. Thanks for listening!

YWCA Resource and Job Fair 9/9

Hi. If you or someone you know is looking for a job or employment resources, I want to let you know about the YWCA resource and job fair next Thursday September 9th from 10AM to 1 PM at the Greenbridge Learning Center at 9720 8th Ave. SW in White Center. Meet with employers and learn about community job resources. Bring your resume and brush up on your elevator speech. Some of the groups that will be there include:
• Multi-Service Center
• Renton Technical College
• AARP
• Within Reach
• Express Credit Union
• YWCA Youth Employment Services
• YWCA Green Jobs Navigation Employment Services
• YWCA Employment & Housing Navigation Program
• South Seattle Community College
• Paychex
• Puget Sound Electrical JATC
• Airport Jobs
• Safeway
• Kelley Services
• Rescare HomeCare
• Seattle Childrens Hospital
• NW Protective Service
• Seattle Police Department
• YWCA Domestic Violence Services
• Cares of Washington
• White Center Community Development Association
• Educare Learning Center and
• Lowe's
So don’t miss the YWCA Job and Resource Fair next Thursday the 9th from 10 to 1 at Greenbridge Learning Center at 9720 8th Ave. For more information call 206-336-7000. Good luck.