World AIDS Day 12/1

Hello. This is a health message from Community Voice Mail and AIDS.gov, the Federal HIV/AIDS information source.

Wednesday, December 1st is World AIDS Day. This is an important day for us to remember the friends, family, and community members who we have lost to AIDS, and to honor those working to respond to HIV.

It is also an opportunity to remind ourselves that help and treatment are available for people with HIV – which is why it is so important to know if you have HIV. If you’ve never had an HIV test, or if your last test was a while ago, I encourage you to get an HIV test. HIV tests can be quick and there are many places that offer them for free.

To find an HIV testing center near you, call the CDC information line at 1-800-CDC-Info , or 1-800-232-4636. You can call any time and someone will answer your questions and help you find a free or inexpensive testing center. Or visit aids.gov/locator, where you can enter your zipcode, city, or state to see a map of nearby HIV testing centers and service providers.

We encourage you to share this information with your friends and family. Together we can address HIV and AIDS in our communities! Thank you for listening, and please, tell your friends and loved ones.

Get Online Day 11/18

Hi, would you or someone you know like to learn how to use computers and the internet? This Thursday November 18th is Get Online Day! Participate in a free Get Online event in Seattle and find out more about the computer learning centers in your neighborhood. Did you know you can attend classes for free or low-cost at computer learning centers in your own neighborhood? Stop by your nearest participating center on Thursday, November 18 between 4:00 and 8:00 PM and Get Online! There will be activities and demonstrations on many topics, including: social networking, posting/viewing photos online, paying bills online, using email, accessing wireless networks, using Skype to make free phone calls, and using the internet safely. Also, each computer learning center will be hosting a celebration with refreshments. The Participating centers are:

STAR Center at 2600 South Walker Street
206-325-4284

RecTech-Garfield at 2323 East Cherry St
206-684-4788

Neighborhood House at 4410 29th Ave South
206-461-4568

RecTech-Rainier at 4600 38th Ave S
206-386-1919

Refugee Women's Alliance at 4008 Martin Luther King Jr Way
(206) 721-0243

Horn of Africa Services at 4714 Rainier Avenue South, Suite 105
(206) 760-0550

RecTech-South Park at 8319 8th Ave South
(206) 684-7451

Seattle Urban League at 105 14th Avenue
206-461-3792

RecTech-Yesler at 917 E Yesler Way
(206) 386-1245

Get Online Day is this Thursday November 18th from 4 to 8 pm. For more information visit www.seattle.gov/getonline, call Vicky at 206-233-7877 or E-mail vicky.yuki@seattle.gov or Amy at amy.hirotaka@seattle.gov.

Energy Assistance Programs

Hi, If you or someone you know are having difficulty paying for heat this winter and face living without heat, several programs are available to low income households to make home energy use more affordable, avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm and safe environment especially for the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (or LIHEAP) is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating needs. The program provides:

• Heating bill assistance up to $1000 annually
• Energy conservation education
• Support for window repair up to $1000, chimney cleaning, and furnace repair or replacement up to $5000
• Eviction prevention up to $500

Another program, Puget Sound Energy’s HELP provides assistance with the cost of natural gas consumption to qualified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) natural gas customers with an account in their name or in the name of a member of their household. HELP Provides:

• Puget Sound Energy customers help with their home energy costs and
• Natural gas bill assistance up to $1000 annually

Both these programs do not require that your household have a disconnection notice or even overdue bills in order to be eligible. In Seattle energy assistance is administered by Central Area Motivation program (or CAMP), In South King County, The Multi-service center administers the program, and in North & East King County the program is through Hopelink. But no matter where you live, To apply for the program, you must call the automated Energy Assistance Appointment Line 1-800-348-7144 to schedule an appointment at one of the three participating agencies, determined by ZIP code. That’s 1-800-348-7144.

Stay warm this winter with assistance through LIHEAP and HELP.

Community Green Jobs Forum 11/12

The Community Green Jobs Forum is a free event to learn about green job opportunities through Project Greenlight, which is recruiting men and women of color and low-income workers for free job training in:

Deconstruction: hazardous materials and demolition jobs that reuse/recycle building materials

Green building: entry-level weatherization installation

Green Manufacturing: manufacturing and assembling environmentally sustainable products.

Light refreshments and language interpretation will be available.

The Green Jobs Forum is on Friday, November 12, from noon to 2 at YWCA Learning Center at 9720 8th Avenue SW, in White Center. Please pre-register by calling (206) 290-5136 or email info@gotgreen.org. More info at gotgreen.org.

Youth Resource Outreach Fair 11/12

Youth Resource Outreach Fair
NOVEMBER 12 Noon TO 3 P.M .
For Youth Ages 12 - 24 without a stable place to live
At south Lake Union Armory 860 Terry Ave. N

Over 25 organizations will be providing information and resources including
- HIV testing and information
- STD information
- Hepatitis testing
- Free books and academic advising
- Transitional housing screening
- Case management sign-up
- Emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
- Flu shots
- Clothing
- Hygiene supplies
- Community voicemail
- Dept. of Licensing - info. on getting identification

Sponsored by the Seattle Parks Department and Street Outreach Workers (SOW)

Donated transportation provided from several locations throughout King County (see below).

West Lake Center (The Stage)
11:30 a.m., 1 p.m.
Transportation Provider: New Horizons Ministries
Contact: Chris Hutsen, 206-374-0866 ext 110

Ferry Terminal – Out front near McDonalds
11:30 a.m., 1 p.m.
Transportation Provider: New Horizons Ministries
Contact: Chris Hutsen, 206-374-0866 ext 110

YMCA The Center (aka 2100 Building)
Out front 11:30 a.m.
Transportation Provider: Auburn Youth Resources
Contact: Sarah Murphy 253-740-7189

Orion Center and PSKS
Transportation Provider: Orion Center
Time not yet set. Stop by or call the Orion Center for
more info 206-622-5555.

Eastside (location not yet set)
Transportation Provider: Friends of Youth.
Call Friends of Youth for time and location. 425-869-
6490 ext. 342

Kent Library (212 2nd Ave N., Kent)
Out front 10:45 a.m.
Transportation Provider: Auburn Youth Resources
Contact: Sarah Murphy 253-740-7189

There may also be transportation from the U-District. Call Katalin Hausback at the 45th Street Youth Clinic for
more info: 206-633-7639.

Please share the Event Flyer

Homeless Vets Stand Down 11/12

If you or someone you know are a homeless veteran, The Homeless Veterans Stand Down, is next Friday 11/12. Its a free event where homeless veterans can get free sleeping bags, hats, gloves, pants, boots, and services, including Community Voice Mail. It is next Friday the 12th starting at 8:30 AM. Items will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis and in the past, most items have been distributed by noon. The Homeless Veterans Stand Down is at Seattle Vet Center at 2030 9th Ave. in Seattle.