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Evergreen Awards
April 2003: Nonprofit Service Month ( In grateful recognition of outstanding community service The recent past has not been an easy time for America and it has not been an easy time for America’s community-serving organizations. Here in Washington state, as throughout the nation, nonprofit organizations have responded with redoubled efforts, with renewed creativity, and with strong voices on behalf of people and communities far and near. The nine Washington nonprofits receiving 2003 Evergreen Awards exemplify the spirit of unwavering and inventive commitment to mission and service that animates the supporters, volunteers and staff at nonprofit organizations, large and small, in every corner of the Evergreen State and in every community across our nation. The Evergreen State Society presents these awards as tokens of appreciation for the dedication to public benefit work and to the people, causes and communities these and other nonprofit organizations have taken it upon themselves to serve.
The Cultural Development
Authority In recognition of the successful transformation of a government agency into a community-based not-for-profit public development authority. On January 1, 2003, the Cultural Development Authority of King County assumed responsibilities that had been met for 35 years by agencies of King County government. Through the establishment of an independent development authority, the continued support of King County for the arts, heritage and historic preservation can be linked to entrepreneurial energies and fundraising from individuals, corporations and foundations. As the scope of governmental programming diminished, the determination of the supporters of an effective county-wide cultural development resource role has led to the creation of an organization that can continue to do this public-benefit work into the future. Family Resource Center In recognition of creative financial management during difficult times. Family Resource Center owns and operates the Eastside's human services campus. Twenty-two health, housing and human service agencies offer a hundred programs to Eastside residents at this unique service hub located in Redmond. Responding to the clear warnings of declining government support for the programs of its tenants, Family Resource Center initiated a capital campaign to pay off its mortgage and thereby significantly lower overhead costs and increase program dollars at 18 of its agencies. As support for needed community services declines, Family Resource Center has designed a creative financial strategy that extends the benefits of sharing a physical location and offers a positive, sustainable answer to limited funding. Fremont Public Association In recognition of effective response to increasing numbers of low income, non-English speaking, and homeless people with urgent needs. For nearly 30 years the Fremont Public Association has worked through coalition building, advocacy, and direct service to provide programs that reach both families in difficult circumstances and the people and institutions in a position to respond. The economic downturn and financial limits of government at every level have posed new challenges to people in need and the agencies that serve them. In this time Fremont Public Association has expanded its services and efforts. When a response to the needs of our neighbors is crucial, Fremont Public Association serves as a community hub for people and families in all walks of life. Living Voices In recognition of commitment to dramatization of the multi-cultural nature of the history we share. For the last 11 years, Living Voices has offered performances using a combination of theatre and media to bring to life watershed moments in history. Over 1,000 appearances in more than 30 states last year challenged audiences to consider their place in history and to confront and shape the future. In a world divided by poverty, prejudice, fear and war, Living Voices remains focused on reaching diverse audiences to inspire hope and tolerance. Pioneer Human Services In recognition of unwavering response to increased numbers of recently released offenders. For forty years, Pioneer Human Services has served men and women completing terms in prison by offering employment, housing, counseling and treatment. It is a national model for such services and unique in its successful reliance on earned income to support its work. In recent years, a rapid increase in the numbers of people incarcerated has led, inevitably, to a corresponding increase in the numbers of people leaving prisons after completing their terms. The recent economic downturn has exacerbated the challenges ex-offenders face as they seek to establish themselves in the community. At a time when the conditions that lead to recidivism have increased, Pioneer Human Services has expanded its capabilities to address the needs of recently released offenders. Richard Hugo House In recognition of vital energy in support of creative writing and the development of community in the Seattle area. Named for northwest author Richard Hugo, this cultural center on Capitol Hill invites beginning writers, accomplished authors and energetic readers of all ages and incomes to participate in a continuous program of readings, workshops, classes, bookclubs, lectures, performances and other offerings. The threats of the recent past have diminished the level and variety of community activities supporting artistic work and civic engagement. In response, Hugo House has invested in a common space for creativity and collaboration while reaching out to disadvantaged populations such as homeless youth, incarcerated men and a range of writers who suffer financially. By maintaining its wide variety of programs open to people from throughout the community, Hugo House has nurtured the creativity of writers and poets while enriching the cultural life of Seattle and creating a place for community to develop around the shared passions of reading and writing. R.O.A.R. of Washington In recognition of responsiveness to the changing circumstances of people in need. For the past 12 years R.O.A.R. has worked in the greater Seattle area to deliver specific assistance to families and individuals struggling with crisis and difficult circumstances. R.O.A.R. is able to identify and respond to needs that are not being addressed in other ways. For example, R.O.A.R. helps job seekers maintain energy and morale through long days by providing simple sack lunches. The creative responses that R.O.A.R. provides are more urgently needed today. They report requests for unexpected forms of assistance in these turbulent times and are committed to finding appropriate resource to address this wide range of needs. Teens in Public Service In recognition of positive connections established between the energies of teenagers and the needs of the community. For the past six years, Teens in Public Service has opened doors to community service for students in Seattle schools through paid summer internships at local non-profits. In a time of reduced employment opportunities for teenagers and increasing needs in the non-profit world, the program has expanded, allowing nearly 50 placements during this program year. By exposing teenagers to volunteerism at a time when they are forming their values, Teens in Public Service works to create a generation of socially aware and committed leaders. USO, Puget Sound Area In recognition of continued service to military personnel and their families during a period of great national challenge. Since 1966, United Services Organizations, Puget Sound Area, has mobilized resources from individuals, corporations and other supporters to provide free morale-enhancing service to America’s armed forces stationed in and traveling through our region. The terrorist attacks and military deployments of the recent past have made the work of the USO all the more important. Family separations and a weakened economy have placed extra demands on the privately supported work of the USO. On behalf of the communities of the Puget Sound area, the USO volunteers provide a much-needed human touch to military families when the risk of isolation, anxiety, loneliness and discouragement is all too present. © 2003, The Evergreen State Society, Seattle, Washington, USA |
