If you’ve spent any time at Teen Feed or in the U-District community these last few months, chances are you’ve heard the name Gossett Place. Whether you’ve heard the name or not, let me tell you that it’s pretty awesome! Gossett Place is brand-new subsidized housing sponsored by the Low Income Housing Institute and Sound Mental Health. It’s part of a larger group of housing facilities with units for “high-utilizers” – folks that, because they don’t have a safe place to call home, end up stuck in various parts of our larger service system: treatment centers, jail, ER’s, shelters, etc. Gossett Place is open specifically to individuals dealing with long-term chemical dependency and/or mental health issues.

Gossett Place is located in the heart of the U-District and has one incredibly exciting different feature than its housing counterparts: several units were set aside specifically for young adults accessing U-District agencies! To briefly summarize the referral process, Teen Feed has been working closely with other U-District service providers over the past few months to submit referrals for young adults that meet the “high utilizer” criteria or who are assessed by Gossett staff to be “highly vulnerable”. There have been many meetings, presentations on youths’ histories and lots of applications to fill out…but the reward has been great!
The reward is that to date, 14 young adults have moved into Gossett Place. These 14 young adults now live in the nicest, newest building in the entire U-District, each with their own state-of-the-art studio apartment. The building has many perks including a common area with a big screen TV, a computer lab, on-site laundry and direct access to professionals who provide support for their chemical dependency or mental health needs. Residents pay 30% of their income as rent; if they don’t have income they don’t pay anything. Gossett’s biggest perk is that young adults enter as they are; it’s truly a housing first model. This means they don’t have any expectations to fix their “problems”…they simply get to move in, get settled and then receive support to work on the issues they feel are important to them.

The young adults creating new homes and futures for themselves at Gossett Place talk often about how nice it is to be out of shelters, to know they have their own bed to sleep in, and to enjoy the feeling of sleeping in.

They talk about how nice it is to live in a community where they feel supported and not expected to change themselves at a moment’s notice.

They’ve told us they now have the time and space to dream about what’s in store for their future. Their stories have lost the concern or fear of the present and have picked up a beautifully contagious sense of hope.

My hope is that all those we serve will catch a case of this hope and to get experience their own version of Gossett Place.

-Ryan

Ryan Fouts is Teen Feed’s Support Coordinator, leading the Service Links for Youth (SLY) program. To learn more about SLY, click here.

DISCLAIMER: In the Teen Feed News newsletter, Larry Gossett should have been listed as a King County Councilmember, not a Seattle City Councilmember. We apologize for the oversight.

We hope you will join us for an inspiring afternoon in celebration of youth, volunteerism and community at the newly renovated Neptune Theatre, to benefit Teen Feed’s programs in support of homeless and at-risk youth. Festivities will include:

• Fabulous Lunch and libations
• Outstanding community leaders
• A moving Teen Feed Program
• Youth representatives
• The Brad Papineau Quartet
  …and much more!

Register today! Please RVSP to Suzanne Sullivan at events@teenfeed.org or 206.949.1092 before September 26th. There is no cost to attend the celebration. We look forward to welcoming your financial support at the event.

See you there!

It is a good day at Teen Feed when we receive a gift of much needed supplies for the homeless youth we serve. Today, it was a huge box of warm gloves that came in the mail from Magid Glove and Safety … something that will come in terribly useful when the weather turns cold in Seattle.

Since its inception, Magid has been actively involved in supporting the communities it does business in – locally and globally. With a primary focus on promoting the health, safety and well-being of those in need, Magid accomplishes its philanthropic objectives via financial and non-financial contributions and through the support of its employees’ individual charitable efforts.

By sending gloves, Magid made a tangible difference in the lives of homeless youth ages 13 – 25 who will be struggling on our streets this winter. Youth will stay a little warmer – when there isn’t money to buy a cup of coffee and stay indoors, when the shelters are full, when youth are waiting for Teen Feed to open for a warm healthy meal each night.

Thank you Magid employees. You do make a difference.

Have you ever wondered what volunteering at Teen Feed would be like? 

Thanks to talented filmmaker and dedicated Teen Feed volunteer Eimanne El Zein, you need not wonder any longer.  Watch the video she produced, “From Homeless to Hopeful.”  Then, email us at info@teenfeed.org to find the volunteer opportunity that makes the best use of your time and talents.

You can also securely donate to Teen Feed right here online, simply click on the “Donate Now” image.

We here at Teen Feed are looking forward to the screening of “From Homeless to Hopeful” at the Central Cinema on April 2nd! 

Purchase tickets online here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/167697

Teen Feed Coordinator
Teen Feed Joint Job Description: Overview
Position Closes:  1/17/11, 5pm

PURPOSE & DESCRIPTION:

The two Teen Feed Coordinators are jointly responsible for the complete operation of Teen Feed.  This includes site supervision, all volunteer recruiting and training, schedule coordination, and ensuring safety and respect for all Teen Feed guests and volunteers.  The Coordinators also work within the community in an outreach and liaison capacity.  Both are required to be present Tuesdays 2 PM – 5 PM for all InReach and Staff Meetings.  Both are also required to maintain weekly meetings with one another – information sharing and open communication are a necessity for the safety of the program. Though some duties are listed under a specific coordinator, both positions are required to be knowledgeable of all duties presented.  Outside of the required hours, schedules are flexible depending on availability and approval of the Executive Director.

Hours:  4 evenings until 9pm are required weekly, including some Saturdays.
Salary:   $36,000-$38,000 annually DOE, full time salaried.

 DUTIES:

 Site Supervision:

• Oversee Teen Feed, as scheduled.  Enforce rules and ensure safety among Teen Feed guests; using techniques for conflict de-escalation.
• Have working knowledge of every facet of Teen Feed operation, including set-up, meal preparation, serving, and clean-up.  Train and support the food team volunteers in these tasks.  Available to unlock host sites to volunteers, as required.
• Support Advocates in their role, including regular check-ups with each person.  Able to affirm and offer support to Advocates as they establish rapport with guests within appropriate boundaries.
• Supervise guests during Teen Feed operation:  enforce age limit, help guests receive needed referrals or services, and refer and act as a bridge to SLY & STOP Programs.
• Supplies inventory – Responsible for tracking, stocking and organizing Teen Feed supplies at each location. Responsible for keeping storage closets neat.
• Facilities responsibilities – Understand Teen Feed’s contracts with all host sites, ensure contractual compliance including but not limited to:  quick response to any property damage, agreed upon access, and regular communication.  Inspect each site after Teen Feed to ensure building is left clean and secure.
• Job may include facility repair such as graffiti removal, and always includes maintenance such as sweeping, mopping, taking out garbage, etc.

Program Evaluation and Development:
[The following two duty areas contain tasks that are shared between coordinators, contained in the first bulleted list; as well as tasks that are assigned to each position separately.]

• Provide monthly reporting to Executive Director and staff team each 2^nd Tuesday.
• Provide monthly reports to the Board of Directors: documentation on progress, program changes/trends, and proposals for program improvement. 

Teen Feed Coordinator – position open
- Input program statistics data and update Teen Feed Statistics spreadsheet Annually
- TFAP and Food Lifeline orders and pick-up

Teen Feed Coordinator – existing
- Update Teen Feed Manual Annually, as well as all Teen Feed Program specific documents
- Input data in Salesforce database – including in-kind TF donations

Volunteer Recruitment, Training and Support:

• Train / Maintain / Support Volunteers through nightly debriefing and ongoing engagement about other volunteer opportunities.
• Create and distribute monthly TF schedule for meal teams, volunteers and Teen Feed staff.
• Securely handle Volunteer enrollment Paperwork – including WA background checks.
• Designate annual Volunteer Awards.
• Facilitate Volunteer Orientation.
• Update advocate, meal team, and reserve volunteer contact lists monthly.

 Teen Feed Coordinator – position open
- There are no specifically assigned duties to this open position, however the position is required to be knowledgeable about all aspects.

Teen Feed Coordinator – existing
- Recruit new Advocates, Food Teams, and reserve volunteers
- Update volunteer information in Salesforce
- Responsible for time-limited projects that connect volunteers with the larger work of the agency – Annual Celebration, Major Donor Drives, etc

QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of social service systems and clinical issues pertinent to homeless youth.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse local service providers at their sites and demonstrate respect for all service organizations’ philosophies and missions.
• Ability to perform all services in a culturally competent manner, respecting homeless and street-involved young people as valued individuals.
• Skilled in using language and behavior that demonstrates a basic respect for the dignity and value of those served, as well as co-workers and colleagues.
• Knowledge and ability to use a harm reduction model in supporting and providing all services.
• Ability to take initiative, be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.  Commitment to collaboration.
• Ability to follow all agency policies, including but not limited to the code of ethics, confidentiality, and personnel policies, including keeping private any privileged information relating to other employees or those served.
• Commitment to youth empowerment.
• Sense of humor.

 Education and Experience:

• Four-year degree in social sciences or related field; or six years of social service experience.
• One year of experience with homeless youth and young adults.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse populations, including youth of color and GLBTQ youth.
• Proficiency with MS Office.
• Familiarity with U-District preferred.

Employment with Teen Feed is at will.
Send resume and cover letter by 5pm Monday 1/17/2011 to: 

Megan Gibbard, LICSW
Executive Director, Teen Feed
megan@teenfeed.org
4740 B University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206.605.5044

We’ll dream of fall as the rainy season comes.  Here are some photos of the Corson Building’s most recent Cider Press to Benefit Teen Feed.  All photos rights reserved by the portable victora http://portableviva.com/.  Thanks Victoria!

Apples 2010

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August 2, 2010, Seattle, WA:  Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard is playing an intimate benefit show for Teen Feed on Wednesday, November 3^rd at the Crocodile in Seattle.  Teen Feed is a nonprofit that operates a seven-night-a-week meal program for homeless youth and young adults in the University District of Seattle.  Tickets are $30 and will be available at the Crocodile and Sonic Boom Records. 

Teen Feed, which began as a six night per week meal program, recently expanded to cover all seven nights. Proceeds from this benefit show will directly support this expansion which ensures that homeless youth can access a safe dinner every night they are in need.  Founded in 1986, Teen Feed works with the community to offer support to meet basic needs, build strong relationships, and ally with homeless youth as they plan their future off the streets. 

 In 2009, Teen Feed served over 11,000 meals and case managers assisted 60 homeless youth enter into stable housing. Teen Feed case managers are present every night for youth in need.

 “I believe in the work of Teen Feed ,’ says Gibbard, ‘I wanted to do my part to help raise awareness and money for the organization.’

A former homeless youth who  frequented Teen Feed meals and is now successfully employed and off the streets said, “Teen Feed was consistent, dependable, and genuine.  I totally credit Teen Feed for keeping me alive.”  To find out more about Seattle’s homeless youth or the work of Teen Feed, please visit www.teenfeed.org.

Ticket Information available at online at http://thecrocodile.com/index.html or http://www.sonicboomrecords.com/tickets/

For more information please contact:

Megan Gibbard
Executive Director, Teen Feed
megan@teenfeed.org
206.605.5044

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOISE FOR THE NEEDY HAS RAISED $24,781 FOR TEEN FEED!

JULY 20, 2010, SEATTLE, WA: Seattle-based non profit Noise For The Needy, an organization that raises money for charitable causes through the production of live music shows, has just announced its final totals for 2010’s Noise for the Needy Festival! This year, the organization is thrilled to announce that it has raised $24,781 for Teen Feed.

This year’s NFTN beneficiary, Teen Feed, serves over 11,000 meals each year to over 600 homeless youth in the Seattle area. The organization, founded in 1989,  averages 40-50 guests each evening, and serves meals six nights weekly. This year, Teen Feed (www.teenfeed.org) is adding a seventh night. This amazing organization is the only provider of meals specifically to youth and young adults in the University District that is open regularly Sunday through Friday. 

Megan Gibbard, Executive Director of Teen Feed, is thrilled that “The money raised from Noise for the Needy will directly support the expansion of Teen Feed from 6 to 7 nights each week!  The cost per night of Teen Feed is $500 — which covers the staffing to coordinate the meal teams and volunteers, supplies like food handler gloves and cleaning products, and the outreach workers and case management staff present every single night of Teen Feed so that youth can get help when they need it.  Without the support of Noise for the Needy – truly – we would not have been able to expand in June of this year.”

The organization was also able to leverage NFTN to, as Gibbard explains, “reach out to a broad base of volunteers — and had over 40 individuals express interest in being a meal team or an advocate volunteer.  These individuals are invaluable, allowing us to support the 40-70 young people who eat with us each night.  We have 5-6 advocates present each night to listen, support and keep TF safe — invaluable!”

Gibbard continues: “I’m not sure how you quantify such an important effort — but it was huge for us. Bottom line — because of the hard work of Noise for the Needy — all their volunteers, staff-volunteers, folks attending the shows, and promotion – over 2,500 more dinners will be served to youth who are hungry this year. That’s a lot of ranch dressing.  And so many opportunities to connect with youth who need a caring adult.  You never know when you make the difference.  But you do.”

Noise for the Needy and Teen Feed would love to thank all the bands and volunteers that made this year’s festival possible—as well as everyone who attended. 

Headliners this year included The Album Leaf, Visqueen, John Vanderslice, Delta Spirit, Kinski, Portland Cello Project, Thunderheist, Horse Feathers, Tiny Vipers , The Maldives, Whalebones and Virgin Islands.

For more information, please contact Joan Hiller Depper at Riot Act Media. (joan@riotactmedia.com).

Thank you Mayor McGinn for visiting the University District Saturday July 10th and spending some time with us at Teen Feed!

Megan and Alisa with Mayor McGinn

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