blog

CHANGE

Monday, 31 August 2009 08:54

Definition

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to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

Symbols of Change

Quotes

"Change your thoughts and you change the world."

-Norman Vincent Peale

But, really, what is change all about?

Since coming to Jubilee, I have seen enormous changes. Changes in the residents, the staff, volunteers, the board, and the organization. I have changed. Change can be scary. Change can be good. Change can be mysterious. Change can be daunting. Change can be freeing.

In fact, resiliency becomes very personal, very quickly. It is the grandest outcome of a change reaction. Resilience is the process of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. Resilient people overcome adversity, bounce back from setbacks, and can thrive under extreme, on-going pressure without acting in dysfunctional or harmful ways. The most resilient people recover from traumatic experiences stronger, better, and wiser.

Jubilee’s residents have gone through enormous change in order to walk through our doors – both coming in, and leaving. Women from all walks of life have felt the sting of change – which is why they reached out to Jubilee. And I have been a witness to the amazing transformations taking place among the residents we serve. Change has become a lightening rod of hope – our residents have readjusted and taken out a new compass to guide them on their way. There is very little bemoaning the fact that change exists – rather, I have seen delight in the possibility of a better, brighter future when change has met many of our women in dark places. It humbles me to know the changes that our women have had to move through.

Jubilee staff and board are also witness to change as we create new goals, are faced with new challenges, and move forward as an organization.

How do we continue to deal with change?

If I were to share my new held convictions about dealing with change, I’d include the following key elements:

Communication - It should be no surprise that the first thing "the experts" recommend to help other's embrace change is communication.
Involve & Engage - As a member of the Jubilee community, we are all part of a larger team. A team that has unique, diverse, and needed skill sets. We’re all in it together at Jubilee.
Positivity begets Positivity - Change is inevitable. But, stepping into a new situation doesn’t have to be daunting. A joyful approach to change is better any day than an unhappy and negative one.
See the Big Picture - Change is different for everyone. We don’t all respond the same. Look at the big picture and remember, it could be a different big picture for someone else.
Be Open - Be open with others and empathize with them. Let them know you understand their frustrations and validate them. Be open to the amazing transformation change may hold.

At Jubilee I have seen that the best result of a change reaction is resiliency. Two possible definitions of resilience are:

the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.

Resilience is the capacity to not only survive life's challenges and major changes, but to learn and grow from them, to become stronger as a result.

I think Jubilee is a resilient organization, and through my connection with it – and the women we care for – I have come to witness change as a pathway to excellence. I see Jubilee, its residents, staff, and volunteers moving through change – and all of us, together, flexing the muscle of resiliency stronger and stronger.

Change is a new tool to play with, ponder, and respect, not fear.

Shannon Thomas, MNPL
Deputy Director

these ARE extraordinary women

Thursday, 20 August 2009 18:33

As the Executive Director of Jubilee, the best part of my job is welcoming the new residents.

Recently I had the opportunity to give one of them a ride to an appointment. This woman (without giving away details) who prior to Jubilee had been gainfully employed as a drug and alcohol counselor has fallen hard due to her own addiction. When I say “fallen hard” I am referring to the shame and stigma that surrounds homelessness. She had grown up in a very well to do family – as I had before my own “fall” and I can attest to the huge hurdle it is to ask for help. And I would venture that no matter what your background or class status, rich or poor or middle class, the fall is hard. Mostly because of our pride.

What was most validating for me about our conversation is what she said to me about how she is being treated at Jubilee – not like a “second class citizen” but more honored for herself as a woman. She said she felt like the way she was treated (so unexpectedly) gave her the space and breath to be able to actually move forward with her goals, as opposed to being treated as she had imagined she would be treated given her “status” in society. She expected to be treated in a way that you “hear” about on the street, in the news – that these people (homeless) are lazy, slothful, using the system, con artists and the like.

My, what a difference a day at Jubilee makes! When you walk in the door here the space immediately says, “you are worthy.” With the brightness, the slate floors, the comfortable living room, the granite countertops (all donated) in the model kitchen, you can’t help but think that this is extraordinary. And that is exactly how we meant it to be. These ARE extraordinary women. For anyone who has to look to their “dark” side and find that it is truly the “light” side and how we nurture and flame that light, they are the few, the rare and the precious.

I am so honored to be in their presence.

Susan Fox, MSW, CSJP-A
Executive Director

it’s so hard to say goodbye (to nic hage)

Thursday, 13 August 2009 12:25

An integral part of our program is maintaining a state of the art learning and technology center so the residents of Jubilee can move on to living wage jobs with confidence and skills.

Last week we learned that our NPower technical support consultant, Nic, has accepted a new position. Nic has supported Jubilee for the last six years with his knowledge, talent, patience and understanding.

A few of Nic’s contributions to Jubilee include:

Upgrading our learning and technology center
Upgrading all our staff computers
Integral in the creation of our data and information setup during the renovation
Continually planning for the future of technology for our staff and residents
Helped stabilize our technology infrastructure
Helped move us to Immaculate Conception and 612 and back again!
Added servers and completed server upgrades

Nic has helped bring Jubilee to a whole new level of technology, both with our learning and technology center and the staff computers. Nic did all this (and more) will a smile on his face, a great attitude and a clear dedication to Jubilee.

Thank you for everything, we will miss you, Nic!

Mo Whalen
Program Coordinator

Nic helping us set up our technology at Immaculate Conception during the renovation

summertime

Thursday, 30 July 2009 15:10

You can’t talk about Seattle this week without mentioning the weather. It was ridiculous, it was hot. Then Blue Angels spent a few hours roaring over Jubilee, entertaining us. Summer is here!

Besides the weather, what most brightened my week was a woman who called to see if residents would want fresh vegetables. The residents were ecstatic! Fortunately, we regularly receive donations of bread and other staples from St. Monica’s Friends of the Needy and our wonderful baker friend, Jay Kaiser. But the vegetables, another sign of summer, were a very welcome treat.

Katy Childers
Development Manager

moving out

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 07:43

One of the best times for me, and for my colleagues here at Jubilee is that time when a resident has been approved for permanent housing and we can begin to celebrate her independence. First we do the practical preparations of finding boxes, etc. for packing, we view the the apartment, sign the lease, and then, best of all, we go shopping for furniture and household items.

Jubilee participates in The Sharehouse program, a free furniture bank for homeless individuals and families. It's an amazing place; part of the Church Council of Greater of Seattle. Residents can shop for everything to set up their apartment.

Recently I had the fun experience of going to The Sharehouse with a resident who was about to move into her own place; a large airy 17th floor unit with an amazing view of the Sound and city. Her building is a part of the Seattle Housing Authority which provides low-income housing. Our first visit to The Sharehouse produced only a beautiful dresser; they had little else in their donated furniture warehouse. So they immediately set another date for her; this time we were able to complete her furnishings: a sofa, bed, coffee table, chairs, lamps, a microwave and dishes.

As we were about to leave, the director of the program presented her with a beautiful ‘Wedgewood-blue’ handmade quilt from a generous woman who keeps them supplied with these gifts. Our resident was overjoyed to have such care and support coming from the community so she could move into her own apartment.

I wish everyone could see what generosity can offer; peace, hope, dignity and above all else joy!

Kathy Lewis
Care Manager