Friday, November 30, 2007

Taproot

CISC was officially awarded a service grant from the Taproot Foundation this week. One of five grantees in this round, we will use this grant to work on messaging and branding for the organization.

We have already met with our account director and are now assembling a team of volunteer professionals to help us with this project. As one of the core parts of our strategic plan, we want to be able to better articulate our mission and services to the community.

Staff will be working with the Board Marketing Committee and are looking forward to completing the project next spring. For more information or to get involved, give us a call!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Kudos to the DON!

The DON?? That's the Department of Neighborhoods for the City of Seattle. As part of their updating of neighborhood plans, this time around they are coming out to the community to solicit input from residents, rather than wait in City Hall for people to show up. What a great idea!

We had over 25 elderly residents today participate in a focus group and express their opinions on land use, transportation, housing, open space, capital facilities, and utilities. Not something our seniors often get to comment on, for sure!

And they were able to do it in their own language, in a setting comfortable to them. Good work and bravo to new DON Director Stella Chao!

If you'd like to put in your own 2 cents, go to the Department of Neighborhoods website and make yourself heard!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Preschoolers Celebrate Thanksgiving with Seniors

Yesterday, as 55 Sunshine Garden seniors celebrated Thanksgiving, many of our 4 year old preschoolers joined them and got their first taste of turkey.



What a special treat for young and old alike! Not just turkey, but fruit, spring rolls, puri, and much, much more. Now that's something to be thankful for!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Get Out and Vote

Last night 30 members of the Seattle API community came to CISC to learn from Pabitra Benjamin of APIAVote in Washington, DC how to organize our friends and neighbors in advance of the 2008 elections.

This workshop was hosted by ROAR (Raising our Asian Pacific Islander Representation), a grassroots group of local community activists working to expand the infrastructure for non-presidential elections by informing voters about every single race and important ballot measures.

Engaging infrequent voters, limited English speaking voters, and younger voters is a goal that will be accomplished through a series of monthly workshops throughout 2008 and beyond, according to Nadine Shiroma.


A new exhibition focused on API voting will be also be featured at the Wing Luke Asian Museum when it reopens in its new space next May. To participate in this project, contact Joshua Heim at the museum.

To find out more about ROAR and participate in these exciting workshops, contact George Cheung.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Eastsiders Give Thanks Early

Seniors at our North Bellevue Community Center site celebrated Thanksgiving early with a holiday party and lunch. Activities included making Pilgrim and turkey decorations, T-Day bingo, and of course, FOOD!

And yes, this met the nutritional guidelines required for all senior meal sites - and tasted great too!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Transportation Planning in Bellevue

As part of their community outreach efforts, the City of Bellevue conducted a focus group with some of our seniors at the North Bellevue Community Center.

They gave their honest opinions on the upcoming sidewalk and bicycle plan the city is putting together and offered valuable suggestions such as lengthening the amount of time signals give to people crossing the street, increasing the size of traffic lights, much more.

Did you know that one of our seniors bicycles from his home to the center every single day of the week, rain or shine? That's what the program is all about - keeping seniors healthy, active, and engaged in their community!

Friday, November 09, 2007

Special Friends of CISC

Wednesday evening, Dr & Mrs John & Elena Yam hosted a small gathering of some of CISC's most special friends. Good food, great conversation, and of course we all learned a little more about CISC that night.

Did you know that CISC provides services at 14 different sites throughout King County? Do you know where they are?

Did you know that CISC runs 5 different play and learn groups with two more coming on line soon? Can you guess where they will be?

Do you know how much we rely on the generosity of individual donors to help provide services to more than 5,000 individuals each year?



To get the answers to these questions and many others, contact Donna Ma at donnam@cisc-seattle.org