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Submitted by Glasses on Mon, 12/03/2007 - 9:37am.
There are many men and women in Olympia bearing the elements today without adequate clothing and supplies. Because it's not below freezing, the Salvation Army is not observing 'cold weather rules' and letting people stay inside. Also, the shelter will not admit those without photo ID, and Bread and Roses cannot provide enough funds to cover all those who need it. If anyone has any supplies at all please consider braving the roads and dropping them off to Bread and Roses today. People are coming in soaked to the bone in their only set of clothing. Here's an idea of what is needed: Rain-gear of any kind Jackets Long johns boots gloves, scarves, hats tarps socks, socks, and more socks tents I cannot adequately portray the dire need of supplies in this kind of weather. Pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu and other illnesses will run rampant after this bad run of weather. If this is a matter near to your heart, please consider calling the city and asking for large scale emergency shelter to be opened, TODAY, whether it be a warehouse, an unused city building, or whatever else. If it's miserable going from your front door to your car, can you imagine sleeping in this muck? Bread and Roses Advocacy Center 1009 4th Avenue E (360) 754.4588
Submitted by Glasses on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 1:17pm.
So, this post has an actual purpose and a secondary purpose. First, the actual purpose: I have a question. How does one publicize a blog? Bread and Roses used to have a website, and a webmaster, but eventually both fell to wayside. A month or so ago I started a simple blogspot blog to pick up the information slack-I wanted basic information about us available on the internet, essentially. At this point, it's all we've got, and I want to know the best way to get the word out. I guess the obvious course of action would be to use the internet, but is it ridiculous to make a simple flyer and get that out, too? I mean, I want everyone in Olympia to know where to get the scoop, the down-low if you will, on the great little organization I and my compadres put so much effort into. Any ideas, oh wise bloggers? Secondary purpose: In asking about publicity, I have just publicized! Check us out!
Submitted by Glasses on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 11:15am.
In an effort to provide up-to-date information to the community while we work on a new website, the Bread and Roses Blog has been created. It is brand new, so please be patient, and we'll be adding new material as much as possible. Here's a link to the new blog, please check it out!
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Submitted by Glasses on Sun, 08/05/2007 - 6:38pm.
I need to get this off my chest. I know that rants are not healthy, but in my ranting, I hope a message which will benefit all smaller non-profits on the Oly area can be discerned. I work at Bread and Roses (this fact drives most of my reasons for posting on olyblog). We are, as I'm sure many of you know, a small grass-roots non-profit which serves the poor and homeless with a modest facility. Modest is being euphemistic; we operate out of the first floor of an old house. Living-room = office. We love donations, but only the ones that we can appropriately use and efficiently store. We are open during regular business hours Monday through Friday, and although we are often busy, we are always happy to see if a given donation can be used by either ourselves at the non-profit (say, a printer) or by our guests (hygiene supplies, socks). If we cannot accommodate a donation, we can easily refer the donor to any number of agencies that are able to handle such a donation. Just today, Sunday, my porch (I say my because yes, I live here, too) has been inundated with clothing , speakers, an unusably dirty couch, a pasta maker, large unwieldy carpet scraps, and many more items of questionable use. Because of the nature of Bread and Roses, it is up me and any of my four coworkers to move all of this so we can be a functioning agency tomorrow. I do not honestly think the donor thought one of our guests could really use a pasta maker-it was the thoughtless act of one person schlepping their offal onto an already beleaguered non-profit. Please, I know we are not the only non-profit to have to deal with this. Let your friends and family know, we are happy to take inquiries about donations, but during business hours only! It takes time out of our ability to fulfill our mission to serve. Thank you.
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Submitted by Glasses on Thu, 04/26/2007 - 10:02am.
"What on Earth could be the best news yet?" you ask? Well let me tell you all! Although the past 48 hours have brought you much news about Bread and Roses, here on OlyBlog and in the Olympian, I have something much more pertinent and exciting.
» This Weekend is the BEST TIME EVER to visit the Bread and Roses Advocacy Center (BRAC) headquarters! To Coincide with ArtsWalk, BRAC is hosting an open-house and art gallery featuring the works of some of Olympia's finest unhoused artists! "How convenient! I'm so curious about what goes on there!" you say. "How delightful!" I hear you tell your friends. "What an amazing opportunity to get informed about the work BRAC does by visiting the space, meeting staff and advocates, and asking questions!" one exlaims. Even better, there will be coffee, pasrties, live music and community, all in one handy package! You may be asking yourselves, "How can BRAC do this? How can they offer this once-in-a-lifetime event?" The answer my friends, is because we'd love to have you over. Love to talk with the town and invite questions, comments, input, suggestions. Because it will be fun. Because in this crazy world, the only way to communicate is by facing each other. Now, the details. Friday from 4-8ish and Saturday from 12-8ish, we will be open to everyone. There will be some donated art for sale, but most importantly we'd like to make contact with you! Do you have ideas for our work? Want to host a movie night? Let's talk! We're located at 1009 4th Avenue East, which is in the old Oly Yoga Center, between Quince and Eastside on 4th. Please take some time out of your ArtsWalk Weekend to visit. Also, Sunday from 10am to 4pm, we're inviting volunteers with greenthumbs (or not) to help us dig around in our garden, weed and plant. We want to be a beautified part of the community, but we need your help!
Submitted by Glasses on Wed, 04/11/2007 - 9:35pm.
Kurt Vonnegut died today at the age of 84. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
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Submitted by Glasses on Wed, 04/11/2007 - 2:14pm.
I'm writing this as a little heads up to our community about what's going on in our little office on 4th.
» We've a fresh batch of interns from Evergreen, all ready and willing to navigate the social services system with our guests. The office has been brightening up with the combination of new faces and Spring weather, and things have been mellow. We have a community bookshelf that is wanting for texts, so if you've got some good reads (not everyone wants to read romance novels), drop them by our office and know they'll be put to good use. We're having an open-house weekend to coincide with ArtsWalk 07. Friday the 27th from 4-8 and Saturday the 28th from 12-8 BRAC will be transformed into an art gallery with homeless-originated art and music displayed and heard. On Sunday the 29th, from 10-4 we are inviting the community to help beautify our garden space: planting roses, making a vegetable garden in the back, adding trellises and fencing to let the community know we're proud and deserving of a space. Bring yourself, bring your dog, bring clothes to get dirty in, bring questions/comments and be prepared to learn about exactly what is it BRAC does in the community. If you ever want to volunteer, meet the crew, or just see what we do, our space is open to everyone. We are open Monday-Friday from 9-11:45 am and Monday-Thursday 1-4:30 pm. Our address is 1009 4th Avenue E.-located in the old Oly Yoga center between Quince and Eastside streets on 4th avenue. Drop on by, ask for Liz, I'll give you a tour!
Submitted by Glasses on Wed, 12/13/2006 - 4:28pm.
I'm posting a link to information about hosting alternative shelters. I thought I would put it out for those interested in what actions can be taken directly to alleviate some of the shelter-issues in Olympia. The information is focused towards church and community groups, but individuals may be interested as well, or at least pass the link on to those who are.
Link.
» At the forum on Homelessness held last Wednesday, we were charged to continue the 'talk' about issues. It would be lovely to see action happen, too. What the Thinker Thinks, the Prover Proves.
Submitted by Glasses on Fri, 11/17/2006 - 12:57pm.
Do you have a thermos? Got some extra tea in that kitchen drawer? Brew up a pot, bring some cups and hit the 4th ave. drag to meet your community.
» Baking holiday treats? Whip up an extra batch and share some on the street. Do you know how to knit? Make a scarf or two and know that someone's night just got a little warmer thanks to you. There are so many little things we can do, not just the practical things like voting for the most socially conscious so-and-so who will maybe one day fix our problems. Make some friends. Hear the funniest stories imaginable. The Winter is not only cold and frightening, it can be unfriendly. The holiday season is isolating for many of our homeless sisters and brothers. It may not seem much, but a handshake and some conversation can alleviate some of this pain. Let everyone know that you see them and you love them. We are not alone in this world, little islands of autonomy. We are nothing but relationships. Relate.
Submitted by Glasses on Fri, 11/03/2006 - 3:55pm.
Winters in Olympia are three things: Cold, Windy, and Wet. This combination can result in pneumonia, frostbite, and even death for those members of our community experiencing homelessness. Hypothermia can be permanently debilitating, if not fatal; every year cold weather exposure results in deaths that affect us here in Olympia. This year the shelter situation is dismal, with more and more adult men and women being turned away and forced the street to face the elements. If any OlyBloggers are willing to donate new or gently used items on this list, please contact me through OlyBlog. These items will be distributed directly to the individuals who need them most. I will be organizing specific drop-off dates as our facility is small and could easily be overwhelmed by donations if we're not ready for them. I am also willing to pick up items if dates are not convenient. Wish List (adult size only please) Jackets w/hoods Thermal Underwear Gloves Winter hats Scarves Thank you and I will post an update soon.  |
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OlyBlog is a site for news and discussion about Olympia, Washington.