www.plymouthhousing.orgSPRING EDITION 2012

Seattle Dances! wows the town, raising over $450,000 for Plymouth’s residental programs

Plymouth NEWS

An audience of 460 guests enjoyed a festive evening, the highlight of which was the amazing Celebrity Dance Competition

A packed crowd of more than 460 people attended Plymouth’s 3rd Annual Seattle

Dances! fundraiser on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Fremont Studios in Seattle. This year’s com-petition raised over $450,000, and included a festive dinner, silent and live auctions, and a rocking After-Party with Shelley & The Curves.

“Seattle Dances has become synonymous with FUNdraising,” said Paul Lambros, Plym-outh Housing Group’s Executive Director. “As we launch into our fourth year in 2013, we anticipate this unique event to continue to grow. We can’t thank the community leaders enough for committing their time and talent to support Plymouth’s vital work.”

Inspired by America’s popular reality TV dance show, “Dancing with the Stars,” Seattle Dances! featured eight Seattle-area luminar-ies who learned to dance like professionals. The audience “voted” for their favorite dance couples with monetary pledges, and Mirror Ball Trophies were awarded to those who raised the most money in the three following categories:

• People’s Choice Award Winners: Nancy Pellegrino, Citi Private Bank, and professional dance instructor Jonathan Win-gard-Phillips won for their spicy bachata.

• Cyber Choice Award Winners: Dr. Richard Baxter, Calidora Skin Clinics and professional dance instructor Michelle Badion won the online vote competition.

• Judges’ Choice Award Winners: Laura Lohman, Seneca Group, and professional dance instructor Joshua Sturgeon for their elegant, breathtaking swing dance.

At the event, Plymouth was pleased to honor Marlys Erickson and Christine Hurley for their dedication and commitment to Plymouth Housing Group and the cause of ending homlessness in our community.

1. Carese Busby, Seattle Bank, and Michael Cahn 2. Barb Nystrom, Columbia West Properties, and Ossiel Josshua 3. John Rubino, GreenRubino, and Deron Hayes 4. Laura Lohman, Seneca Group, and Joshua Sturgeon 5. Dr. Richard Baxter, Calidora Skin Clinics, and Michelle Badion 6. Nancy Pellegrino, Citi Private Bank, and Jonathan Wingard-Phillips 7. Ian MacNeil, Glass Distillery, and Alison Cockrill. 8. Susie Detmer, Commerce Real Estate Solutions/Cushman & Wakefield, and Mark Kihara

Seattle Dances continued on Page 4

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PLYMOUTH NEWS SPRING 2012

BOARD OF TRUSTEESAngus Cunningham, presidentStewart Landefeld, vice presidentMercedes Fernandez, secretary

2113 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98121 > 206-374-9409 > 206-374-0602 fax > email@plymouthhousing.org > www.plymouthhousing.org

David Poston, treasurerLynn Beck, immediate past presidentDavid BeitelStuart C. Campbell

Diane CastanesRobert D. CookGregg DeRitisTyrone Edwards

Jessica GibsonBetty HenryJohn McHaleBarb Nystrom

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

One of the more shocking

facts about homelessness is that a large portion of the homeless adults living on our streets or in temporary shelters are military service veterans. Today,

it is estimated that more than 20% of the homeless adults in the United States have served their country at one time.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paul Lambros

© 2012 Plymouth Housing Group All Rights Reserved

At Plymouth, over 13% of our present residents are veterans.

I feel that this is one of the most galvanizing issues in our community—how can we let our veterans, who have sacrificed so much on our behalf, end up without a safe place to call home?

The recent King County Veterans & Human Services Levy, which King County citizens approved on the ballot last August, will go a long way towards providing support for homeless veterans who still need help regaining stability. Plymouth is intent on doing what we can to provide more homes. Plymouth’s new Williams Apartments, slated to

open in early 2013, is part of that commitment.

Together, we’re making progress in the fight to end chronic homelessness—the recent Mid-Plan Report on the King County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness reports that low-income housing organizations, including Plymouth, have created over 2,000 homes for homeless adults since 2005. That’s real progress, and with your help, we will continue to move forward. Best Regards,

Jon OkadaApril PaceErin PageCraig Parsons

Sustaining Hope Capital Campaign going strong; New building now under construction in South Lake Union

Plymouth’s newest residence will help us serve more veterans, many who have been homeless for years

I n February of this year, Plymouth began construction on the first project

in our $22 million Sustaining Hope Capital Campaign, the 81-unit Wil-liams Apartments in South Lake Union. The private fundraising portion of the campaign, which will help fund Wil-liams as well as two remodeling proj-ects at Plymouth’s Pacific Apartments and Lewiston Apartments, is now over the halfway mark, having raised $2.4 million of the $4 million private goal. Another $18 million in public funding is already secured.

The Williams project, located at 219 Pontius Avenue North, will provide studio apartments for chronically-homeless adults in our community. Due to open in the winter of 2013, Williams will be home to Plymouth’s new Recov-ery Support Program. In addition, 40 of the apartments will be reserved for homeless veterans. “This new program provides a focused approach where everyone living in the building will be working towards the same life goals,”

commented Plymouth’s Director of Social Services, Carole Antoncich. “Provid-ing veterans more homes with supportive services is vital to helping them become stable and healthy again.“

The Williams Apartments will be the most sustainably-built, and energy-efficient building Plymouth has developed to date. Incorporating significant green elements, such as roof top solar pre-heat panels and thermally-efficient windows and heating/cooling systems, the Williams Apartments is now poised to

Maria RoyerTracey Wickersham

The new Williams Apartments began contruction in February, and is due to open it’s

doors early in 2013.

claim LEED-certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environ-mental Design, which is a national rating system for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The building will also feature outdoor decks, a computer center and a p-patch where residents can grow their own food. For information on how you can contribute to the Campaign, please call Marianne Painter at 206-374-9409, ext.143.

Five New Trustees for Plymouth BoardIn January, Plymouth welcomed five new community members to the Board of Trustees. Joining the Board are: Diane Castanes, Phillips Real Estate; Gregg DeRitis, KeyBank; Jessica Gibson, Amazon; Betty Henry, Tenant Representative; Jon Okada, Veterans Northwest Construction; and April Pace, Cardea. We are very pleased to welcome them “on board.”

PLYMOUTH NEWS SPRING 2012

T hanks to a new grant from the City of Seattle, Plymouth Housing

Group now has seven new computers for residents who want to improve their computer skills. Starting this past March, the grant funds two five-week computer training courses led by Plymouth staff members and committed Plymouth volunteer, Marty Thompson.

Marty has been volunteering with Plymouth since the summer of 2011, enthusiastically teaching Plymouth residents basic computer skills once a week. The training, offered at our Plymouth Place building in Belltown, will include basic computer skills, as well as how to access the web, how to set up email, and how to access social networking sites. Plymouth residents, many who’ve never used a computer before, can use their new skills to reconnect to friends and family, research areas of interest, and create resumes for job applications.

Marty and his team will also help residents use their new computer skills to become more involved in community activities by connecting them to local web resources and support networks.

Plymouth Housing Group works to eliminate homelessness and stabilize homeless and very low-income people in housing by preserving, developing and operating safe, decent affordable housing and by providing opportunities for homeless and very low-income people to improve their lives.

WE CARENewsletter printed on an FSC certified 30% recovered fiber.

Seattle grant provides new computers: volunteer helps residents gain important skills

to our Generous Seattle Dances! Sponsors

OUR MISSION

“Computers are what the world is all about now, but most people don’t really know how to use them well,” Marty commented. “I’m helping residents communicate and connect. I’m also working with some of the musicians here, showing them how to record and send music. Their lives are so much better once they learn how to use a computer.”

Volunteer Marty Thompson teaches Plymouth resident Gary Cluff new computer skills.

– Presenting Sponsor –

SAFECO– Gold Sponsors –

BNBuilders JPMorgan Chase

– Silver Sponsors – BECU

Marpac Construction Seattle Bank ShareBuilder

SMR Architects

– Bronze Sponsors – Enterprise

Rainier Group

– Sequin Sponsor – National Equity Fund

IN-KIND SPONSORS

– Media Sponsor –

Seattle Magazine

– Beverage Sponsor –

Glass Distillery Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

– Style Sponsor –

Robert Leonard Salon

– Supporting Sponsors –

BYOB Vintners Century Ballroom

Effective Design Studio GreenRubino

Kaspars Events & Catering McCarthy Schiering

Team Photogenic

United States Housing & Urban Development Secretary Shaun

Donovan announced on March 13, 2012 that HUD has awarded nearly $201 million in special grants to 731 new local homeless programs across the country. Plymouth Housing Group is one of the three Seattle awardees, receiving a $470,000 program grant for Plymouth’s new William Apartments (see associated story on page 2).

Plymouth receives $470,000 grant from HUDDesigned to fund a variety of

homeless services, including critically needed permanent, supportive housing for individuals and families, these highly-competitive grants are part of the federal government’s plan to prevent and end homelessness. Plymouth will use the funds to support a portion of the program costs at the Williams Apartments, future home of Plymouth’s new Recovery Support Program.

Thank you

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGEPAIDSEATTLE, WAPERMIT #222113 Third Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98121www.plymouthhousing.org

Would You Like to Start a Drive for Essential Supplies?

Plymouth residents have very low-incomes, and some have no income at all. One of the ways you can help is to hold an Essential Supply Drive at your work, school or church. We ask that you collect such items as personal toiletries—soap, toothpaste, band-aids, shampoo—as well as cleaning supplies such as sponges, dish soap, and toilet paper. We can provide collection barrels and arrange for pick up and delivery. If you are interested, please call or email Jessica Reiser at 206-374-9409, ext.135 or jreiser@plymouthhousing.org. Thank you for helping Plymouth’s residents!

We are excited to announce that Plymouth’s 9th annual “Key to Hope” Luncheon will be Friday, September 28 at the Westin Hotel. Our Keynote Speaker will be Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Mayor Booker, who was named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2011, has ignited change in one of the nation’s most challenged cities. Mayor Booker draws from a deep belief in service and social justice, inspiring audiences to greater civic action. Oh yes, and he likes to save people from burning buildings, as you may have read in the news. If you would like to join us for the Luncheon, or if you would like to become a Table Captain, please email us at: luncheon@plymouthhousing.org or call 206-374-9409, ext. 146.

SAVE THE DATENewark Mayor Cory Booker

to be Keynote Speaker at 9th Annual “Key to Hope” Luncheon

– September 28 –

Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG slated for May 2Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG is coming up on Wednesday, May 2. GiveBIG is a unique, one-day, online charitable giving event encouraging residents of King County to give locally. Contributions are partially matched by a “stretch pool” provided by The Seattle Foundation and GiveBIG sponsors. The goal of GiveBIG is to raise money for the community while introducing charitably minded people to hundreds of excellent and efficient nonprofits on The Seattle Foundation’s Giving Center that make our region a healthier and more vital place to live. Plymouth will

be participating in the GiveBig again this year, so please consider making a gift online at www.seattlefoundation.org on the big day.

Plymouth Executive Director Paul Lambros with Evening Honorees Christine Hurley and Marlys Erickson

Seattle Dances continued from Page 1

The other wonderful Celebrity Dancers who really knocked it out of the park were Carese Busby, Seattle Bank; Susie Detmer, Commerce Real Estate Solutions/Cushman & Wakefield; Ian MacNeil, Glass Distillery; Barb Nystrom, Columbia West Properties; and John Rubino, GreenRubino. Their professional partners include Michael Cahn, Alison Cockrill, Deron Hayes, Ossiel Josshua, and Mark Kihara. All together fans of the dancers “voted” more than $116,000 to support their dancers and Plymouth Housing Group with their tax-deductible contributions. This year’s local celebrity judges, Sally

Bagshaw, Seattle City Council; Eric John-son, KOMO TV; and Olivier Wevers, Whim W’him, provided commentary throughout the event and collaborated for the Judges Choice Award, which was presented to the couple that was the most accomplished, personable, energetic and passionate in their dancing.

Ensuring the success of the show was producer Hallie Kuperman, owner of the Century Ballroom; Guest Emcee, Patti Payne; and auctioneer Kevin Joyce.

To view photography from the event, please visit: www.teamphotogenic.com.