Facing Foreclosure in Pierce County? | South Sound Outreach Offers Free Help

Do you know someone that is having trouble making ends meet?  South Sound Outreach is a nonprofit serving all of Pierce County.  We serve anyone in need.

Join us for these upcoming foreclosure prevention classes.  Help is here.  We never charge for services.

We can also get you started with a variety of resources.

Free Tax Preparation | South Sound Outreach & Key Bank Can Help!

Last year South Sound Outreach processed 586 tax returns for clients with a total refund amount of $791,662.  We’re ready to do it again this year!

We’re hosting a Super refund Saturday on February 4th in our Hilltop office – taxes are filed free on the spot!

We’re still looking for volunteers for several tax sites.  The work is rewarding and looks great on a resume!

Download the Super Saturday PDF Flyer.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,300 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 22 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Wholegrain Jam Squares {South Sound Outreach Services}

Wholegrain Jam Squares

by Judy “O”

Fish Foodbanks Client and Recipe Diva!

2 C Oats

1 3/4 C Flour

1 C Butter

1 C Packed Brown Sugar

1/2 C Chopped Nuts

1 tsp Cinnamon

3/4 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Bakng Soda

1 C Jam (Your Choice!)

Combine all ingredients but jam.  Beat at low speed until crumbly.  Reserve 2 cups mixture.  Press remainder ino 9×13 baking dish.  Spread jam.  Sprinkle with the reserved mixture and bake for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Cool and serve with hugs and kisses.

POPCORN SALAD…[WHEN LETTUCE IS TOO HIGH PRICED...OR JUST BECAUSE ITS SOOO GOOD]

OUR FABULOUS RECIPE WRITER JUDY "O" HAS COME UP WITH YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL RECIPE USING ITEMS FROM FISH FOOD BANKS HERE IN PIERCE COUNTY

3/4 CUP MAYO
1 CUP DICED CELERY
1 1/4 CUP SHREDDED CHEESE
1 CUP WATER CHESTNUTS
3/4 CUP COOKED,CRUMBLED BACON
1/4 CUP SHREDDED CARROTS
3 TBLSP MINCED CHIVES
6 CUPS POPPED POPCORN
IN LARGE BOWL, COMBINE MAYO, CELERY, 1 CUP CHEESE, CHESTNUTS, BACON, CARROTS AND CHIVES.  MIX WELL.
SET ASIDE.
WHEN READY TO SERVE, ADD POPCORN AND TOSS TO MIX.
SPOON INTO BOWL LINED WITH LETTUCE LEAVES AND TOP WITH REMAINING INGREDIENTS.
SERVE WITH A SMILE!

YWCA Calls for No More “Cut Only” Budgets | Talking Points

State Budget Shortfall                                                                                                                  October 11, 2011

What’s at Stake:

Governor Gregoire has called for a special legislative session beginning November 28th, in order to address a $1.4 billion shortfall in the current biennial budget.  She has asked all of her state agencies for proposed reductions in state funding of up to 10%. Here are some of the recommendations:

1. DSHS: A $32 million reduction to the TANF/Workfirst program, including reducing the 60 month time limit to 48 months, and reducing the TANF grant amount (currently, a parent with 1 child receives $359 per month).
2. DSHS: Cut the DV shelter grant by $4.675 million (almost a 50% cut–an average of 70 people are killed per year in WA St due to domestic violence).
3. DSHS: Eliminate all alcohol and substance abuse services for adults, including detox.
4. DSHS: Close wards atWesternStateHospitalfor those with serious dementia and traumatic brain injuries, and reduce Regional Support Networks (mental health system).
5. DSHS: Eliminate Foster Care Assessment Program, Comprehensive Assessment Program, Continuum of Care Program,ChildAdvocacyCenters, and research and training services.
6. DSHS: Eliminate the Aged, Blind, or Disabled and Pregnant Women Assistance Program grants.
7. DSHS: Eliminate the State Food Assistance program.
8. Dept. of Health: Reduce family planning by $1.85 million (expected results are 300 to 1200 additional unintended pregnancies each year in our state; the medical costs alone for these additional pregnancies are projected at $1.4m to $5.7m)
9. Dept. of Health: Reduce Youth Suicide Prevention program by $266,000
10. Dept. of Health: Reduce Maternal and Child Health program by $2.65 million.
11. Dept. of Health: Reduce Breast and Cervical Cancer screening program by $2.39 million (5,630 women would not have access to screening resulting in a projected 155 cases per year of undiagnosed cancer).
12. Health Care Authority: Reduce Adult pharmacy benefits by $127.5 million, medical coverage for Disability Lifeline/ADATSA by $110 million.
13. Health Care Authority: Terminate Basic Health Plan, Children’s Health Plan, and Maternity Support Services ($103.4 million).

These are only some of the cuts being proposed in some departments. All departments have been asked to make cuts, including the Department of Commerce who oversees other critical community safety services, such as homeless shelter and prevention programs.

These cuts would have far reaching effects for the poor, disabled, elderly, and have a disproportional impact to women and children statewide. And, they would result in exponentially higher costs to our entire state for years to come due to the magnitude of cost to healthcare, criminal justice services, social services, job loss, and complete elimination of opportunity for a healthy, functioning community.

What Needs to Happen:

1) Contact your elected officials and strongly communicate these cuts are unacceptable—the state can not continue to balance the budget at the expense of the most vulnerable citizens. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

2) Ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same: Every voice matters.

3) Tell legislators that the cuts have gone too far and that 2 years of “all cuts” budgets unjustly thrust the full burden of the recession on those least able to bear it. We want a balanced approach that means equitable cuts combined with adding revenue.  Revenue can come from closing tax loopholes or looking at increasing some taxes or fees.  What has already been cut has ripped apart our social safety net. We as citizens are ready, willing and able to do what it takes to help advance a budget approach that generates revenue, and will adamantly oppose any budget proposal that focuses solely on cuts to services. The budget must create revenue and not jeopardize any farther the health and safety of our most vulnerable citizens.

No more “cut only” budgets! We demand a balanced approach to solving our state’s economic problems by generating new revenue, not just cutting life-saving services.   

What Your Organization Can Do:

 

1)    Ask your Board to take the action by calling their state representatives and senators, or meeting with them in person to explain the impacts these cuts would have on your agency and your clients.

2)    Do phone banking to ask your donors to take action by calling their state representatives and senators,  or meeting with them in person to explain the impacts these cuts would have on your agency and your clients.

3)    Mobilize your volunteers to make calls and send emails to electeds.

4)    Hold “town hall” style meetings with your clients and their families.

1. Help them understand what the proposed cuts are so that they are informed before the cuts happen.
2. Encourage them to register to vote and to vote for revenue producing ballot measures that    would help keep these cuts from being so severe.
3. Ask them to spread the word to their friends and family members to take action as well.

 

5)    Educate the general community about what these cuts would mean to your organization and your clients.

1. With our state now requiring a super-majority vote for any revenue increase, even closing tax  loop holes for corporations, the entire community needs to be ready to support their representatives in voting to increase revenue regardless of party affiliation;
2. The entire community needs to be ready to vote for revenue increases regardless of party affiliation;
3. Share the stories of your clients who are not the “stereotype”—convey that, with the recession, unemployment, and foreclosures, people being impacted by these cuts are regular, working families, families “just like you.”
4. The entire community needs to understand the severity and significance of the long-term costs and negative outcomes of eliminating critically needed programs—we will ALL be dealing with   the higher costs of health care, criminal justice, and social services if these cuts occur,   for many years to come.

6)    Keep this crisis in the forefront of all your communications: emails, newsletters, reports, collaboration meetings, fundraisers, site visits, events, etc.

7)    Keep the message strong and unified: No more “cut only” budgets! We demand a balanced approach to solving our state’s economic problems by generating new revenue, not just cutting life-saving services.

8)    Get as many people as you can to attend the REVENUE RALLY.

When: Monday November 28, 2011 at Noon

Where: The steps of the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia

  

For more information, visit http://www.ywcapiercecounty.org/  or http://www.nomorecutsWA.org or Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/YWCA-Pierce-County/91857367690

How Will a 10% State Cut Affect Seniors & People with Disabilities? | South Sound Outreach

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FILE 10%ReductionNov2011 (2)

Puget Sound Combined Federal Campaign | South Sound Outreach Needs Your Donations

Most businesses want clients to come through the door.  In our line of business we long for the day when ours no longer need us.

Unfortunately human service funding at the local, state and federal levels are being reduced and this increases the demand for our already over tapped services.

If you know a federal employee or military personnel, please let them know how we are helping in our community.  Currently the Puget Sound Combined Federal Campaign is underway.

We are trying to rebuild our Emergency Fund and help with our daily outreach but we need help.

Look What’s NEW!!! {South Sound Outreach}

We are so excited to share our “Who We Are” link on our Facebook page!

We would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you would drop by and “Like” us!  Spread the word about South Sound Outreach!

Thanks for your continued support!

 

Need a Job? {South Sound Outreach}

NEED HELP WITH JOB RESOURCES AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT?

Our agency is dedicated to helping Pierce County residents live sustainable and independent lives.  A part of this equation is providing work force / job resources.  Although we don’t have career counselors on staff, we have compiled a list of resources that assist with your employment search.

A HELPFUL TOOL TO GET STARTED

Washington Self Sufficiency Calculator – This calculator can help you realize what you need to make ends meet while planning for the future.

FINDING A JOB

WorkSource is Washington’s official site for online employment services.   Find a job, get job search help, locate workforce services in your area, access career information and more.

The Pierce County Library Job and Business Center is a gateway for all job, business and investing information.

Vadis is dedicated to assisting businesses recruit and retain employees with disabilities. We maintain the highest of standards in assuring that placements meet the needs of all parties.

Tacoma Community House has employment services for a wide variety of people.  As a WorkSource affiliate, they offer services to those searching for employment.  This could include assistance with resumes and cover letters, on-line applications, job search tips, job leads or successful interviewing strategies. There are also computers available for more “self-serve” style job searches and resume updates.

Tacoma Public Library Education and Job Center  has the information and resources needed to find a job and explore new careers, earn long-distance learning degrees, start and grow small businesses, write an effective resume and cover letter and develop new strategies for a job search.

The REACH (Resources for Education and Career Help) Center provides career, education, and personal development services for all young adults, age 16-24, in the Tacoma/Pierce County area.

Washington Women’s Employment & Education (WWEE) provides job-readiness and computer skills training along with housing and support services to low-income residents of Pierce County.

Goodwill helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment go to work by providing jobs, training and educational opportunities. Services are available for young adults, adults and seniors.

CARES offers services and programs to help individuals with disabilities and those experiencing distress from low income find and sustain employment and develop life skills.

WorkForce Central is the first place to call for access to a comprehensive network of workforce services, including talent recruitment and training.

BUSINESS COUNSELING

Small Business Administration direct gives you information and services based on your unique business needs.

Washington Small Business Development Centers promote economic vitality by providing advice, training and research to entrepreneurs and existing businesses statewide.

Sound Business Assistance – A Division of the Metropolitan Development Council supports individuals who are contemplating starting or expanding a small business in the State of Washington.
Existing small business owners may also gain tremendous information and assistance enabling them to be more effective in securing financing to expand their existing business.

FOR THE ENTREPENEUR

Entrepreneurial Connection presentsfresh, relevant content that provides you with ideas and insights you can use to succeed as an entrepreneur or small-business owner.

National Association for the Self Employed provides day-to-day support, including direct access to experts, benefits, and consolidated buying power that traditionally had been available only to large corporations. Today the NASE represents hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and micro-businesses, and is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan association of its kind in the United States.

My Own Business, Inc. exists to support the vital social and economic contributions of small businesses by nurturing entrepreneurship and helping individuals build their own business.

Reference for Business  this Encyclopedia of Small Business is a comprehensive and easily accessible reference source for entrepreneurs that demand practical information that can be applied to their own business.  Small business owners can browse over the 600 articles that detail information about financial planning, market analysis, sales, business plans, tax planning, human resource issues and more.

MyEntre.net  is an interactive statewide online community serving all small business owners with live, interactive education, Webinars, peer learning and other business services.

Carnegie Library Business Plans Index this index lists types of small businesses and a corresponding sample business plan, profile or book about the business with sources provided after each entry.

BPlans help people succeed in business. We are here to help you, to teach you, and to provide solutions that build and grow your business.

MARKETING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Get a free Email account for professional correspondence

Start a Facebook Business Page

Create a Twitter Account

Also consider networking with local business groups.  Most Chambers of Commerce offer low cost mixers.   There are many meet up groups all throughout Pierce County.

Local Service Groups like the Rotary, Kiwanis or Lions are often a good source of networking.

 

Visit our website:  www.southsoundoutreach.org