Seattle Solidarity Network

Is your landlord refusing to make needed repairs or withholding a deposit? Is your boss stealing your wages, making you work through breaks or not paying overtime? Are you having any other problems with your boss or landlord?

If you are ready to do something about it, it's time to get in touch with the Seattle Solidarity Network. They are a volunteer network of working people who believe in standing up for ourselves and each other, and generally making bad bosses and landlords pay what they owe.

If you want to talk about an issue you are facing with a boss or landlord, or if you want to support fellow workers and tenants taking action around Seattle give them a call at (206)350-8650 or check out their website at www.seasol.net.

Please note that they are not a social service agency and they are not lawyers - they work with people who are ready to stand up or themselves and for others. Again, the phone number is (206)350-8650 and the website is www.seasol.net. Thanks, and remember: Don't Fight Alone!

North End Community Health Fair 5/24/11

Hello. I want to let you know about the free North End Community Health Fair next Tuesday, May 24 from 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. at North Seattle Family Center, at 3200 NE 125th St.

The North End Community Health Fair is sponsored by UW Bothell and the Children’s Home Society of Washington. The health fair is FREE TO THE PUBLIC and will include:

¨ Informative and comprehensive health screenings for blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, diabetes, and other health concerns.

¨ Learn about diet, nutrition, exercise, car seat safety, stress management.

¨ Learn ways to keep yourself and your children healthy.

¨ Information on local health resources.

¨ Bring toys and cosmetics for free toxic chemicals testing.

¨ Fun activities for children and families! Raffles! Free food nibblers!

¨ Special Guest: Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney

That’s, the North End Community Health Fair Tuesday, May 24 from 10to 6 at North Seattle Family Center, 3200 NE 125th St. For more information call 206.364.7930 or 425.352.5376.

King County Housing Authority Section 8 Waiting List opening 5/25-6/7

Hi, if you or someone you know need subsidized housing, I want to let you know about the opening of the King County Housing Authority’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list May 25 though June 7th.

Section 8 vouchers allow participating tenants to choose and rent units from private landlords. The Housing Authority pays a fixed amount of the rent to the owner each month, and the tenant pays the difference between this subsidy and the total rent, in addition to any utilities not included in the rent. In general, tenants pay between 30 percent and 40 percent of their monthly income for rent and utilities.

This month, as it did for two weeks in 2007, King County Housing Authority (KCHA) will create a new waiting list for its Housing Choice Voucher Program by means of a random drawing. The King County Housing Authority serves residents of King County outside of the cities of Seattle and Renton.

Starting on Wednesday, May 25, the application form will be available to submit or print online at www.kcha.org. Application forms for those without computer access can be picked up at any of the following 11 locations:

•Section 8 Office: 15455 65th Ave S, Tukwila
•Auburn DSHS: 810 28th St. NE, Auburn
•Eastside DSHS: 805 156th Ave NE, Bellevue
•Federal Way DSHS: 616 S 348th St., Federal Way
•Kent DSHS: 1313 W Meeker St, #100, Kent
•White Center DSHS: 9650 15th Ave SW, Seattle
•Kent Multi-Service Ctr.: 515 W Harrison St, Kent
•Mt. Si Senior Center: 411 Main Ave. S, North Bend
•Northshore Family Ctr.: 18315 Bothell Way NE, Bothell
•Shoreline Family Ctr.: 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline
•Spiritwood Apartments: 1424 148th Ave SE, Bellevue
•Kirkland Library: 308 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland

Applicants must qualify for a housing preference to be eligible. These preferences are: Households are homeless or about to become homeless; Families are living in substandard housing; or Families are spending more than 50 percent of their incomes on rent and utilities. Only one application per household will be accepted and applicants must be over 18 years of age. Applicants who receive a voucher are required to live in King County for their first year on the program.

All completed applications not submitted online must be returned by mail only and postmarked by June 7 to the following address:
King County Housing Authority
Section 8
P.O. Box 58550
Seattle, WA 98138

Applications will become available on May 25 and can be submitted any time during the two-week period. There is absolutely no advantage to submitting an application on the first day. Once all forms have been processed, no more than 2,500 names will be selected through a random drawing that will be held after June 7th. These will form the new Section 8 waiting list. Applicants not placed on the list will be notified by the Authority following the random drawing.

For information about the application process, please call the King County Housing Authority Section 8 Office at (206) 214-1300. So pick up or print out a section 8 lottery sign up form or submit the application online after May 25 and don’t forget to submit it by June 7th if you want a chance at receiving a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. Good luck!

Choice Career Fair & W.A.G.E.S. Internship Program 5/18

Hi, if you or someone you know is looking for work, I want to let you know about two opportunities coming up, The Choice Career Fair on Wednesday the 18th at the Seattle Center NorthWest Rooms and WAGES internships, a YMCA job training program for 18 to 22 year olds that is having info sessions Wednesday and Thursday the 18th and 19th.

At the Choice Career Fair, you'll meet face-to-face with hiring decision-makers from some of the areas top employers. Dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes, because they are there to hire. You can save time, money and effort interviewing with multiple companies in one day at one location. Many of these companies have several openings. You will no longer be just a piece of paper, you can get right in front of the decision makers attending this event. That’s the Choice Career Fair, Wednesday, May 18th, from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Seattle Center NorthWest Rooms Next to Key Arena at 1st Ave. N & Republican St. in Seattle. For a list of job titles, maps and a line pass, please go to www.ChoiceCareerFairs.com.

W.A.G.E.S., Working to Achieve Growth in Employment Skills is a job readiness internship program of the YMCA for 18 to 22 year olds. Do you need a part time job that pays? Are you between the ages of 18 and 22 years old. Are you struggling with issues around homelessness (like couch surfing or transitional living)? They would like to discuss the W.A.G.E.S. 8-week job readiness internship with you. Attend one of the two info sessions to learn more. The info sessions are on Wednesday the 18th at 2 PM and on Thursday May 19th at 2 PM at 2100 24th Avenue South, Suite 250, in Seattle. Interested applicants should be prepared to complete an application and submit a resume for consideration for the program. Contact Corey Young at 206.749.7547 for more information.

Good Luck!

North & East King County Career and Education Fair and the Washington Women In Trades Career Fair 5/6

Hi. If you or someone you know is looking for a job, a new career or work training, I want to let you know about two events this Friday, May 6th, the North & East King County Career and Education Fair and the Washington Women In Trades Career Fair.

Hopelink and the City of Bellevue are sponsoring the North & East King County Career and Education Fair, Friday May 6, 2011 at the Bellevue Crossroads Community Center from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Representatives from local employers and colleges will provide information on career opportunities, education and training programs and more. This year’s event will host dozens of local employers from various industries -- all with jobs. Please come with copies of your resume and ready to speak with company representatives. The event is free and open to the public but you should register either by Emailing HEP@hope-link.org or online at www.hope-link.org/fair. That’s North & East King County Career and Education Fair Friday from 930 to 3 at Bellevue Crossroads Community Center at 16000 NE 10th St, in Bellevue.

The Washington Women In Trades Job Fair is on Friday May 6th from 9 am to 2 pm at Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center. Ever wished for a career that fits? Are you looking for good pay AND a sense of accomplishment? Here’s what you’ll find: Climb an electrical pole, shovel some sand, run a traffic cone relay, or build a birdhouse! This is all about fun, but it’s inspiring & educational, too. Learn about lucrative non-traditional opportunities at the many apprenticeship and training program exhibits. Meet with recruiters from both private companies and public agencies. Annual exhibitors include Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Alaskan Copper, Puget Sound Energy and more. Plus, you can meet and chat with a real live Rosie the Riveter at the Rosie Corner! New this year, Tradeswoman Survivor Game Designed for our school age attendees, but open to everyone, this is a fun way to experience first hand what it’s like to be a tradeswoman. That’s the Washington Women In Trades Job Fair Friday, May 6th from 9 am to 2 pm at Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center which is at 305 Harrison Street. For more information call (206) 903-9508 or online at wawomenintrades.com/jobfair.