Divided by deportation: Margarita Reyes Pacheco’s story is marked by immigration, family and hard work

Real Change

Artists find inspiration for cartoons from the King County Health Clinic

by Real Change Newsroom | December 20th, 2017

More than 4,300 people received free medical, dental and vision care during four days in October at the Seattle/King County Clinic. They waited in line for long hours, even overnight, for the range of services offered at this volunteer-run health care event held in KeyArena at Seattle Center.
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Real Change

In their own words: George Sidwell

by George Sidwell | December 20th, 2017

George is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

I’ve been clean and sober for 22 years now, and I’ve finally moved into my own place this past month, which is something I haven’t had in two decades.

It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Getting back to where I feel like I’m somebody is the biggest milestone of all. Feeling like I’m somebody. Feeling that I’m worthwhile. Feeling that I can make a difference.

I’m George Sidwell, and for the past seven years I’ve been a Real Change vendor.
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In their own words: Matt Hill

by Matt Hill | December 20th, 2017

Matt is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

Greetings everyone! I’m here today to try and tell everyone that we’re not at all different, and we have a lot more in common than you might think. Rich or poor, we can all share the same love and passion. I’m 35 and I admit that I have had, and still have, an addiction to gaming. I’ve been a gamer since I was 3 years old when my parents bought me a Nintendo Entertainment System for the holidays, and gaming is one of the things that has carried me through the years.
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In their own words: Lisa Sawyer

by Lisa Sawyer | December 20th, 2017

Lisa is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

My name is Lisa Sawyer. I have been homeless for about six years now. When I was younger I was very active. I used to go to a local Boys and Girls Club over in Rainier Vista. I was a part of an arts program through a local museum. I was in a drill team called the Miss Dangerettes. I worked as a day camp counselor at the Boys and Girls Club and at Brighton Elementary. I even graduated from Cleveland High School. Hello, class of 2005.
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Real Change

In their own words: Wes Browning

by Dr. Wes Browning | December 20th, 2017

Wes is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

I’ve been with Real Change since 1994. I’d been homeless repeatedly. I don’t want to ever be homeless again. I don’t want other people going through it. Real Change is about change that can end homelessness.

I was born in 1949. My father was in the army. Sent to Korea, he saw the start of hostilities. He returned on my first birthday. My mother was drunk when he arrived and demanded a divorce on the spot. A fight ensued. I was in the middle and received a concussion. They thought I’d die from it.
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In their own words: Jacqueline Martin

by Jacqueline Martin | December 20th, 2017

Jacqueline is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

I’m gonna tell you about some alarming statistics. We have more than 5,000 unsheltered people in Seattle and King County. The count from 2016 is up by about 1,000 people. The situation isn’t getting any better. But it is starting to get some attention from a whole lot of high places. So there are situations that are getting better.
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In their own words: Anitra Freeman

by Anitra L. Freeman | December 20th, 2017

Anitra is a member of our Homeless Speakers Bureau, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people who speak in the community about their personal experiences with homelessness.

If you are expecting to hear from a typical homeless person, I’m not her.

I’m a 68-year-old White woman, college-educated and appear middle class.

It’s not easy to determine how many women are homeless. Homeless people often hide being homeless, or hide period. Homeless women hide the most. Of 6,000 people homeless in Seattle tonight, at least 2,000 are women or girls. Of 3,000 without shelter, at least 1,000 are women or girls.
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Real Change

Rampant Radicals: Dae Shik Kim Hawkins

by Bri Little | December 13th, 2017

Rampant Radicals is a monthly report about Seattle's change makers from the Real Change Advocacy Department

Dae Shik Kim Hawkins has lived in Seattle for three years. He quickly realized the city is not the progressive paradise it appears to be, especially for people of color. He writes, organizes and preaches around the reality of disenfranchisement and prioritizes having everyone at the table as a means of building a truly cohesive and inclusive social justice movement.
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Bellevue Arts Museum celebrates Pratt Fine Arts Center instructors

by Lisa Edge | December 6th, 2017

“Making Our Mark: Art by Pratt Teaching Artists” speaks to the breadth of talent of artist educators who have imparted their wisdom onto those who are fine-tuning their craft. Visitors to the show will see a variety of mediums represented, including sculpture, paintings, glass, jewelry and an interactive installation. The exhibition showcases 292 works of art, making it the largest group show in Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) history. Typically group exhibitions require artists to compete to enter.
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Real Change

Divided by deportation: Margarita Reyes Pacheco’s story is marked by immigration, family and hard work

by Thacher Schmid | December 6th, 2017

If cranberries decorate your Thanksgiving table or a Christmas wreath adorns your home, you might have Margarita Reyes Pacheco to thank.

She’s a Mexican immigrant farmworker who spends 10-hour days picking berries and weaving wreaths, which Spanish speakers call coronas, until her hands ache so much they wake her at night.
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