Out from the shadows

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Articles by RC Staff

The Graduate

By RC Staff | June 25, 2014

At a commencement ceremony June 20 at Key Arena, Willie Jones was honored for earning an associate degree in business management from Bellevue College, as well as a certificate in human resources. Willie took classes while selling Real Change part-time in downtown Seattle and commuting by bus from his apartment in Burien.

Willie has been one of Real Change’s top vendors. In 2013, he was named Vendor of the Year. His sales dipped somewhat while he focused on his school work, but Willie said achieving his goal has been worth it. ...

Yes They Can

By RC Staff | June 11, 2014

College Access Now (CAN) celebrated the graduation and impending start of college for 271 Seattle high school seniors, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college. The event was held at the University of Washington HUB.

CAN, which helps very low-income high school students get into and graduate from college, works in six Seattle high schools and has nearly 1,000 students involved, up from 29 in its first year, 2005. ...

Yes, All Women

By RC Staff | June 4, 2014

More than 100 people gathered at Westlake Park, May 30 for #YesAllWomen Live!, a rally in response to the May 23 shooting near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) that left six students dead and dozens injured. “The act of misogynist terrorism at UCSB is just the most recent expression of hatred that all women face under patriarchy,” organizers of the Seattle event wrote. ...

An international trend

By RC Staff | May 28, 2014

Across North America and Europe, reports and studies from the past 15 years have come up with similar findings: Homelessness leads to early death.

A 1999 study entitled “San Francisco Homeless Deaths” used data from the city medical examiner to examined the deaths of 157 homeless people. The average age of death of that group was 42. The study’s author cautioned that because people who died in hospice or with unverifiable housing status were not included, the numbers of deaths should be considered “a conservative estimate.” ...

May Day heats up

By RC Staff | May 8, 2014

May 1 turned into the tale of two marches. In the early afternoon, hundreds gathered at Judkins Park in the Central District to march to Westlake Park downtown. Marchers, chanting slogans in English and Spanish, called for an end to deportations of undocumented workers as well as an increase in the minimum wage. As afternoon temperatures hit a record high of 85, another group of marchers gathered in Capitol Hill. Like the first group, this second troupe was heading to Westlake Park. But unlike their earlier compatriots, the second group didn’t have a permit to march. ...

Cross walk

By RC Staff | April 23, 2014

Close to 100 supporters of KentHOPE, a partnership of faith-based groups, local service providers and individuals that provides meals and shelter to homeless and low-income people in Kent, gathered on April 18, Good Friday. The supporters participated in the organization’s “Journey to the Cross,” an afternoon march to four prayer stations in Kent where pastors and congregation members read passages from the Bible. The first station was Kaibara Park, top right. At the second station, Kent City Hall, a man, bottom right, lights a candle in honor of Kent’s homeless residents. ...

Deadline approaching for program providing low-income seniors with free produce from farmers markets

By RC Staff | April 23, 2014

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with $40 “checks” that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs throughout King County.

Because funding is limited, recipients of the program will be selected at random from the pool of applicants. Completed applications must be postmarked on or before May 15. All applicants will receive mail notification of their status on or before July 1. ...

Marvin’s moment

By RC Staff | April 3, 2014

Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, top, hugs Real Change Vendor Marvin Gnad at a going-away party she organized for Marvin on March 28 at First United Methodist Church. Bottom photo: Marvin shared a laugh with well-wishers who came to celebrate his “retirement” from Real Change and his relocation to his native Kansas. For nearly seven years, Marvin has sold Real Change, saving up money to pay off his debts. ...

Real Change organizer appointed to the Human Rights Commission

By RC Staff | February 14, 2014

Real Change Community Organizer Alex Becker has been appointed to the Seattle Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

Established in 1963, SHRC advocates for justice and equal opportunity, advises the city of Seattle on human rights issues and collaborates with the public and private sectors in order to educate them on methods to prevent and eliminate discrimination citywide. ...