RH/MFW - Side by Side - December 1 2011

December 20, 2011

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Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

As we move through the busy holiday season and approach the end of another year, we wanted to again turn gratefully to our friends who have filled the hearts of so many! We believe you joined the Rosehedge/Multifaith Works family because you support the mission of providing compassionate care to people living in isolation.

Also at this time of year, we love to take a look back at the successes you helped create. We hope you will take a little time to read about the good work that you were a part of. We are so proud of our incredible staff here, of every single volunteer, and every supporter who made this mission their fight.

Like every non-profit, we're facing tighter budgets, less federal support, and higher volumes of people who need our help more than ever.

Every donation makes a huge impact.

If you have stepped up recently, we thank you and we ask you to stretch yourself a bit more. Again this year, one of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works' dearest supporters has generously offered to match every new or increased gift up to $10,000!

Thank you VERY much for helping keep our programs vital, our advocacy powerful, and our clients thriving.

Happy Holidays

Who Was the Shepherd?

Last night we served dinner at Laytner House, a residential program of Rosehedge Multifaith that provides temporary housing for the HIV/AIDS homeless. Tonight we will be at an HIV/AIDS support group run by BABES, but this time we will be served dinner. We are one of you; you are one of us. I was prepared to serve dinner last night; the cooking part is easy for me. I was unprepared to walk in the door. Facing fragile people living with AIDS terrified me. We were told that there would be 8-10 people. In truth, we served 12-14 including three of us from Mercer Island Presbyterian Church and two Seattle Pacific University students. Most were African American, most were male, most were 30-40 years old, younger than I thought they would be. As we readied dinner, those at the group home were in the dining area participating in a memorial service for someone who had recently died. Facing their mortality. Facing their reality. We were one of them.

I sensed that it would be appropriate to share Steve's status with them before I said grace and before dinner was served. I caught his eye. He agreed. The Rosehedge/Multifaith Works coordinator had introduced us just as members of MIPC, but somehow after witnessing the memorial service, it seemed even more appropriate to share with them Steve's status. We are one of you; we do understand; we share your pain. It was the peace that passes understanding. It was a dropping of pretense and barriers. Married 41 years, a sero-discordant couple. There was a small round of applause, a shift of energy in the room. It was not even a subtle shift. You could feel everyone relax. You are one of us; we can trust you. Grace said and unsaid.

Dinner was served: shepherd's pie, homemade applesauce, green beans, chocolate cake, rolls and butter. It all went on the plate at the same time. I am startled by my choice of shepherd's pie. To shepherd means to watch over carefully. Who was the Shepherd? Which one of us or none? Clay, Tom, Maleeka, and Nieman. I had feared finding old men dying of AIDS with lice, smelly bodies, and toothless. All day my mind had played tricks on me. I did not find what I expected. I did not expect what I found. Gracious people, a community living with AIDS, courteous of each other and of us, brought together by a virus and a will to survive. Gathered around the large table we ate together and exchanged small talk. I asked the question, How many people were not born in this country? Four hands were raised, all from Africa. One of those hands belonged to my husband, Steve. You should have seen the look on the Resident Advisor's face when he found out that this old white man was also an African American. We had a good laugh. Two cakes, one left behind for tomorrow. Someone commented that two pieces of cake were glutinous, but I assured them that it wasn't if you ate the second piece the next day.

People began to move on for other nighttime activities, one to do an intake form with the Rosehedge/Multifaith Works coordinator, some to smoke, and some to wash dishes and clean up. We said our goodbyes, gave hugs where appropriate, and walked out of Laytner House on a journey back to Mercer Island and back into our own lives. I went with trepidation and fear. I came away with a sense of compassion for the residents of Laytner House and myself. Who was really fed? Who was really the Shepherd? We are one of you; you are one of us. It was a note of grace, a blessing for us all, heart-felt and real. Would I do it again? Yes! Would I encourage others to serve dinner? Yes! Fear of the unknown holds us back. The answer to how is yes.

One of the ministers from my old church in Denver, led an 8-week summer sermon series entitled, What I Saw. She led people out on the streets of Denver into the Laytner Houses and the Urban Peaks. She led people out of their own comfort zones to find the Shepherd. The Shepherd is different for each one of us, but once in awhile we catch a glimpse of him in each other and find her in ourselves.
Carter Case, CareTeam Volunteer

Worth: A Measure of Value

I visit inmates at MCC-WSR, Monroe Correctional Complex-Washington State Reformatory, a prison. A place where there is no trust; guards,fellow inmates, friends, even family, are not immune from betraying.    So, here I come, for a one-on-one visit.

There is an African proverb, "An enemy is a person whose story you haven't heard." I hear. Even better, I attempt to listen. It's not the "I" who is important here, it's the presence of Shanti. So, I listen, and I believe. This belief has conditionality. It is held between us on a path we walk together. Oh, I've heard stories change, deny, even contradict earlier versions, but the storyteller and I are still on a path together, and I continue to believe . My giving the Shanti model of unconditionality challenges the inmate whose life is all about conditions and contradictions, his perceptions of what is possible have too often shrunk as he teeters on a tightrope when he might be walking at least the width of a footpath.

Then I say, so long, with a firm handshake. If I clasp his hand with both of mine, or rest my hand on his shoulder, let alone hug him, I'm subject to censure and to putting the Shanti program into jeopardy: "Limit your physical contact with felons, please."    It's a revolving door for me. "I'm outta here" at the end of the day, whether or not my footstep is lighter or my heart heavier; I breathe unfettered air.    Of course, I'm coming back! What part of fifty-four miles round trip and six to eight hours-twice a month-isn't worth it?

Worth. A measure of value for me.. I cannot fathom a man's imprisoned ways. But he returns, and greets me with a smile (although he may wait with it until unobserved in our room). A smile: with its own redemptive power. And to this I might add the last line from Eliot's "The Wasteland": " Shantih   Shantih Shantih ".

Frederick Bindel, Shanti Volunteer

Love Without Boundaries

A Valentine's Day Dinner and Dance
February 14, 2012
Renaissance Seattle Hotel - Madison Ballroom
Love Without Boundaries is a unique fundraising event that combines the romance of the holiday with compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS. This fun and festive occasion features a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, and dancing to the sultry sounds of Dina Blade. For many, especially those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, there are few truly welcoming choices for a romantic Valentine's Day "on the town", even in Seattle.

Love Without Boundaries changes that.

This benefit event offers everyone, whether LGBT or straight, single or coupled, an opportunity to celebrate romance and friendship while supporting our friends, family and neighbors who need a little help. We also don't make you sit at a table with people you don't know. This is the only fundraising event in town that offers tables of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10! This event feels like a big party for just you and your friends.

You're The Cheese In My Sandwich

Our Enhanced Assisted Living Chef, Steve, has forged great relationships with our residents in the five months since he was hired. This holiday season, the staff were invited to sign holiday cards for the residents. In true form, Steve decided to write notes in the cards instead of a signature. He wrote each individual resident a short, food-related note that illustrated the humor and relationship he has co-created with them.

For the resident who doesn't like cheese, it read: "Dear X, Thanks for being the cheese in my sandwich."

We love Chef Steven for both his fabulous dishes, and the laughter he brings into our homes!

Recovery Coach Training

Recently, I attended a training to be a Recovery Coach for the SHIFT Peer Recovery Program. I have had an awesome experience going through this training group. I went in the door with several years of experience in recovery, thinking what can I possible learn? There were about 15 men and women from different backgrounds and ages with varied ideas and opinions.

Facilitators Joe Bills and Josh Wallace allowed us to meet each other through open questions and through different exercises. WOW! I had no idea that I knew so little about healthy boundaries, listening without judgment, and participating in group activities. There was so much open-mindedness not only in the participants but also with the facilitators as well! That was nice for me because there was no judgment ... right or wrong.

The whole week we were all taken care of! We didn't have to worry about "Anything"! Joe and Josh made sure we were comfortable with our feelings throughout the week of training.
I would totally recommend this to anyone who knows nothing about the Shift Program and to those who think they know about being an Open, Caring, Listening human being...

I am so grateful for not only what I learned in the training but also the knowing that it works.

Timothy Dean
SHIFT Peer Recovery Coach

Changing of the Guards

It is with a deep sense of appreciation and gentle sadness that we announce Bertram Johnson's departure from Rosehedge/Multifaith Works. After six years on the CareTeam staff he has accepted a position with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We are grateful for all that he has done for this agency and the people we serve.

Continuing this legacy of wonderful CareTeam leaders is Stephanie Pietras! Stephanie has been passionate about her work in the field of HIV/AIDS for more than 20 years, beginning with Rhode Island Project AIDS serving RI and southern Massachusetts. She worked in Catholic education in Liverpool, New York for 15 years and received a Master in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University's Institute for Ministry in 2004. Stephanie has been on staff at Rosehedge Multifaith Works since March 2007.

Urgent Need Wish List

1. Regular and XL Twin Bedding sets (Sheets, comforter, blankets etc...)
2. A comfy arm chair for one of our transitional houses
3. New Computers
4. Wiis or other gaming consoles that encourage physical activity
5. Bus tickets/passes

We are still looking for Auction items for the Love Without Boundaries event. Have something to donate or want to help the team gather Auction items? CLICK HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

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