Seattle, WA. The Borgen Project is hosting its first virtual summer event on July 31st, 2021: BORGENFEST. It is both a festival and a call to action to end global poverty; with music, celebration, and guest appearances. The festival features musical performances by Kitty Coen and 99 Neighbors, and includes guest appearances by Congressman Adam Smith, representative of Washington’s 9th congressional district; Natalie Gill-Mensah, an infectious disease expert and member on The Borgen Project’s Board of Directors; and Clint Borgen, President, and Founder of The Borgen Project. Proceeds from the BORGENFEST will benefit the organization’s poverty reduction efforts. To attend the event, you can find more information and register here.
This event is meant to build awareness about poverty reduction legislation and aid programs, while also celebrating the many obstacles overcome this past year in the international community. From the COVID-19 pandemic to an increase in violence against women, 2020 and 2021 have been particularly difficult for everyone. Yet amidst these tumultuous times comes a potential for unity: and that is cause for celebration.
Here’s a video about the organization:
Amy Pettigrew, Senior Program Manager at The Borgen Project and BORGENFEST Committee Chair, outlined the importance of this event: “The negative impacts of COVID-19 have caused a significant setback in hunger and poverty reduction efforts. Now is the time to ramp up our efforts and amplify voices who continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic, in tandem with the fight to end global poverty. That’s what this event is for.”
More about The Borgen Project:
The Borgen Project is a bipartisan nonprofit campaign working at the political level towards the goal of eradicating global poverty. The organization was founded in 2003 by Clint Borgen, and has since then met with 87 percent of the U.S. Senate regarding key poverty-reduction legislation and other relevant bills. The Borgen Project continually mobilizes people worldwide to join their cause. With the advocacy help of this campaign, bills have been passed that improve women’s access to education, implement global health programs, reform global food aid, and more.
You are invited to celebrate with The Borgen Project on July 31st at 7pm EST, and you are welcome to register for the event here.
Seattle, WA. Pike Place Market is open to visitors, and many vendors are offering unique items for sale in-person. This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, vendors are also offering items for sale online. It’s an online charitable marketplace where you can buy items and have them shipped to your home. Patricia Gray, Community Relations Manager of the Pike Place Market Foundation, explains, “It’s not your typical tourist place; but it’s a real place with authentic people, and that is because it’s actually a living, breathing, village. It’s a village that all works together to support a whole community where everyone is welcome.” Here’s a video about the Market this holiday season:
The Pike Place Market is more than meets the eye: not only is it a serene place to wander while sipping a cup of cold brew and browsing local art, it has a historical charter that focuses on providing low-income housing and services, especially for seniors. The Pike Place Market Foundation initiated a recovery fund in June 2020. The $3.5 million campaign will go toward increasing the size of the community safety net to support vendors in the Market and launch emergency programs to support the senior residents of the Market.
Even Rachel the Pig, the iconic market piggy bank, is sprayed with Lysol. Photo courtesy of the Pike Place Market.
If you visit the Market you’ll find safety measures to keep customers healthy: increased sanitization, social distancing, and mask implementation. The money donated to the Rachel the Pig piggy bank goes straight to the Market Foundation to fund many services, which have expanded during the pandemic. Emergency programs such as food distribution, Covid-19 testing, and shelter-in-place orders for over 500 senior residents of the Market are a few of the programs implemented by the foundation. Since the Covid-19 shutdown, the Market’s social services remain open and deployed emergency programs such as food distribution and Covid-19 testing for neighbors throughout downtown in addition to shelter-in-place orders for more than 500 senior residents of the market. The Pike Market Senior Center, Food Bank, Health Clinic, and Heritage House remain open.
The Pike Market food bank provides much-needed assistance during tough times. Photo courtesy of the Pike Place Market Foundation.
Now for big ray-of-sunshine news: the foundation is very close to its $3.5 million dollar goal. “The dollars are flying in, and it’s the holiday season so things are really busy. We will announce our grand total in January,” says Patricia Gray. However there is still a long road ahead, and the Market will have to double down on its recovery fund efforts if it wants to continue supporting local businesses and residents. The Pike Place Market Foundation has given out about a hundred grants to the Market small businesses so far, totaling up to half a million dollars of the recovery fund, and on top of that, a worker safety net is available to help vendors cover rent and healthcare costs. When the current eviction moratorium has expired, these artists will likely need more assistance with rent.
If you shop online at the Charitable Marketplace, a portion of the proceeds goes towards the Market Foundation. In this way, shoppers can support local artists while also supporting local residents through the low-income housing provided by the Market Foundation.
Blown glass ornaments made by Motoko and Joshua. Photo Courtesy of the KOBO Art Garden.
One of the vendors, the KOBO Art Garden, (http://www.koboartgarden.com) is not able to sell in person at the Market right now. The business is run by Motoko Hayashi and Joshua Swanson, a couple that has creatively transformed their garage into an art studio to create their authentic blown-glass artwork. The couple has been selling their art at the Market for fifteen years, and now they must rely solely on online sales through their website.
Typically the KOBO Art Garden hosts a glass-blowing workshop, where people come and learn to blow their own glass creations, which they get to take home. It’s the perfect way to get hands-on experience and become immersed in the art of glass-sculpting. These sessions are temporarily on hold due to the virus, so income has been sparse. Luckily the couple was able to qualify for a loan, but what they really need is the support of locals.
Wavy bowls crafted by Motoko and Joshua. Photo courtesy of KOBO Art Garden.
As you are finishing up some last-minute holiday shopping, consider shopping at the Pike Place Charitable Marketplace, where you can support local businesses while also funding the Market foundation. Of course, you can still go in-person to Pike Place Market with your cold brew and bundles of scarves, where you can say hi to Rachel the Pig and throw some coins in there too (for good luck, of course).
Seattle, WA. Fifth Avenue Theatre is ready to host two live-stream holiday concerts are made to recreate the joys of live theatre. There will be holiday music, tap dancing, and all sorts of colorful festivities to brighten this chilly Seattle winter.
“This year we are doing a different kind of holiday special where we are celebrating all parts of the season,” says Bernie Griffin, Managing Director of the Fifth Avenue Theater. “We have a couple of hosts, Cayman Ilika and Shaunyce Omar, and some special guests– kind of a throwback to when I was growing up, the old holiday specials where there would be special guests that would pop in.” The Fifth Avenue Theater isn’t holding back this holiday season, but brightening the mood with a festive holiday special that can be viewed online.
This online performance is different from what the theater is used to: “For the holidays we would normally bring in about fifty thousand people into the downtown theater for our holiday show, and have been a part of families memories for decades” says Bernie. This year the Fifth Ave has gotten creative with their shows, especially among Governor Inslee’s new Coronavirus regulations. “We were actually going to film our holiday special at the theater a few weeks ago, and then the governor’s mandate came down as far as additional restrictions for the good of the health guidelines, so we had to send all of the equipment out to people’s homes. They filmed in their own apartments and houses, we sent music to them and now it’s splicing it all together,” she explained.
This beautiful theatre will remain empty this holiday season, but the Fifth Ave is bringing the music straight to your home.
The Fifth Avenue Theatre is offering a variety of package optionsfor theatre-fanatics with subscriber access to new content including a mix of exclusive original video, podcasting content, and live stream concerts by theatre partners around the world. Subscribers can enjoy micro-doses of musical theater with access to original video series’, in which actors and composers cooperate to create an original video-story and song. Or, for a full dose of musical theater, subscribers can listen to full-length musical podcasts featuring the 5th’s First Draft commission Half the Sky and Afterwords (Village Theater Beta Series); and one more still to be announced. Cuddle up with a steaming hot-cocoa and enjoy live concerts from the lobby Cabaret; performances by Seattle stars filmed from the lobby of The 5th.
Determined to continue supporting local artists during the pandemic, The 5th Ave recently hosted its Holiday Bazaar. This nine-day virtual event was an auctioning off of wines and various Fifth Avenue gems, as well as a marketplace for artisans who are not currently working. “All of that money goes directly to the artisans for their beautiful hand-crafted gifts. We hope it provides a little bit of assistance,” says Bernie Griffin. “I just recognize the individuals who work for The Fifth Ave and their dedication to this organization, our community, our patrons and our artists, to figure out how to do this”.
The “Pearl or Perfection” chandelier, historical centerpiece to an intricate ceiling.
The Fifth Avenue Theatre has a deep-rooted history here in Seattle. Constructed in 1926, the theatre is today considered one of the most beautiful theatres in our country, thanks to its elaborate interior design. The ceiling is an exact replica of the ceiling of the Throne Room of Beijing’s Imperial Palace, only it’s twice the size. The ornate, five-toed dragon in the center was created as a symbol of the Chinese emperor, with the “Pearl of Perfection” chandelier dangling from his mouth. In the 1990’s, the theatre became the only professional theater organization in the Pacific Northwest to stage both Broadway touring musicals and its own original productions at the time. From its very inception, The 5th Avenue Theatre was created to serve Seattle. The theatre has supported other Seattle theatre organizations, and has made grants to support education programs at cultural institutions throughout Seattle. Not to mention providing much-needed musical entertainment and creative release to Satellites.
5th avenue street lights up in celebration of the holiday season.
This year has been challenging as far as musical theatre goes, as Coronavirus regulations prohibit people from gathering. However, The 5th Ave continues to “create art and to continue to lift the spirits of folks as only musical theater can do,” says a hopeful Bernie Griffin. “However it is that we are able to do that during this time is what our role is as a community asset”. The theatre is happy to continue to feed the creative appetite of the Seattle community, and is grateful for its supportive followers. There is much to look forward to in terms of new shows, podcasts and concerts– all of which can be found on The Fifth Avenue website. “During this time we really need the support of all our community, when the time is right, to get back on our feet”.
We’re proud to introduce The Essential 5th Digital Collection, a digital season featuring content created by The 5th that immerses you in the very essence of musical theater.
With The Essential 5th Digital Collection, we invite you to join us in our virtual theater for a mix of exclusive original video and podcasting content created by The 5th and livestream concerts by theater partners around the world—including some of Broadway’s brightest stars.
The Essential 5th is broken out into three different package options with subscriber access to exciting new content expanding at every level:
The 5th Avenue Theatre has an essential role to play in your life—just as you have an essential role to play in ours. The close connection between our audience and our art has always lead to musical experiences at their richest. It is your support—whether through your subscription, your donation, or even your kind words and messages—that we maintain the critical resources that support our staff, create opportunities for our local artists, and plan for recovery.
Seattle, WA. According to LifeWire, a nonprofit that offers support to victims of domestic violence, there has been an uptick in domestic abuse that correlates with the need to stay home during the pandemic. “Quarantining at home with an abusive partner is very dangerous,” explained Rachel Krinsky, Executive Director of LifeWire. “Domestic abuse is based in power and control; and when people are trapped at home together, power and control are just much more intense. And so, survivors are more isolated, they are more controlled, they are more vulnerable to coercion– all of those mechanisms of abuse are much more intense, and so there is more frequency and severity of abuse of all kinds.” The opportunities survivors used to have to get some distance from their abusive partners have slimmed as many individuals are not going into work right now.
LifeWire offers emotional and logistical support to families that suffer from domestic abuse.
LifeWire is a Seattle-based nonprofit that offers a variety of services to both men and women who are in an abusive relationship. Professionals listen to individual survivors and help them identify resources and develop a plan to build a safer life for themselves. LifeWire provides temporary housing for victims believing that “no survivor should have to choose between staying in an abusive relationship and becoming homeless.” Staffers also provide therapy and facilitate support groups for victims to recover from past traumas. The emotional and logistical support that the nonprofit provides to help victims break free from abuse is in high demand right now. Rachel Krinsky explained: “We have folks coming back to us who hadn’t needed services in a long time– yet on the flip-side, we have people who have not been reaching out to us because they have not been able to find windows to do that.”
Temporary housing provides refuge to survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Furthermore, the economic struggles brought on by this pandemic especially impact victims who financially depend on their abusive partner, making it increasingly difficult to become independent. LifeWire has experienced an overwhelming increase in demand for emergency funding, rental assistance, food assistance, and other kinds of services. The nonprofit has shifted all services online, with the exception of temporary housing. It continues to provide therapy, support groups, individual advocacy, legal advocacy, and financial support amidst the challenges of this pandemic. LifeWire provides temporary housing that offers people their own bedrooms and shared communal living space. With safety precautions put in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, there have not been any outbreaks in temporary housing units thus far.
LifeWire also works to prevent domestic abuse by giving educational presentations on healthy relationships to high school students and college students in the Bellevue area. These presentations help students identify toxic relationships and open up a conversation about domestic abuse. LifeWire continues to give these presentations via video conference. “I think it’s just really important for all people, and for young people, to understand that healthy relationships don’t involve cohesion and control,” said Rachel Krinsky, Executive Director of LifeWire. “They involve people getting to care for each other, but they don’t involve intense jealousy and they don’t involve harm. There’s a lot of complexity there and that’s why we need to have those conversations– with each other, and in families, and in friend groups– and that’s why we encourage people to talk about these issues.”
Andrea and her newborn baby moved into LifeWire’s shelter during the pandemic.
From LifeWire:
If you find yourself suffering from domestic violence, do not hesitate to call LifeWire’s 24-hour helpline. If you would like to support LifeWire as they strive to meet the increasing demands of their services during this time, you can do so here.
LifeWire’s missing statement: “Our mission is to end domestic violence by changing individual, institutional, and societal beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate it. Domestic violence is a human rights issue. LifeWire envisions a world in which every person lives in a safe environment, free from oppression and with the opportunity to thrive.”
Seattle, WA. Local nonprofits are in need of volunteers and now you can volunteer without leaving your home. Check out some COVID-safe ways to help your local community. Volunteer Match is a great place to find opportunities that are curated by interest. The organization has thirty categories including the following: Advocacy and Human Rights, Seniors, Arts and Culture, Health and Medicine, Environment, LGBTQ+, Crisis Support, and Homeless/Housing.
Types of virtual volunteering include the following:
Website design or support
Data entry
Email marketing or management
Fundraising phone calls and outreach
Social media promotion and management
App development
Volunteer tracking
Copywriting, blogging, or editing
Graphic design, photography
Marketing or branding assistance
Video creation
Virtual assistance, staff support
Nonprofits are also in need of funding. One way to help is by organizing a grassroots fundraiser for your favorite nonprofit. Unique fundraising options include: virtually teaching an art class, giving a makeup tutorial, hosting a cooking class, or any other skills you may have and would like to share. You can publicly host them via video conference, inviting your friends, family, and whoever else wants to join. You would ask for donations in return for your skill sharing. This way you can enjoy doing what you love; all while supporting a great cause.
If you’re passionate about mental health, consider getting involved with a program called The Longest Day (TLD). It’s an organization working to create a world free from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The Longest Day (originally named for the organization’s focus on fundraising on the summer solstice) has developed some out-of-the-box fundraising options that are available year-round.
Hosting a virtual wine-and-art night is a creative way to fundraise.
With The Longest Day, volunteers may participate in virtual activities like attending monthly committee meetings, making phone calls to participants, writing thank you cards, reaching out to connections, assisting with the marketing of events, participating on the TLD social media pages and more.
The Longest Day’s mission statement: “To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.”
The Northwest Abortion Access Fund advocates for women’s right to safe abortion methods.
If Advocacy and Human Rights sparks your interest, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund (NWAAF) is seeking volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors to oversee the operations of the organization. Volunteers fight for the rights of Northwest women who want an abortion and cannot afford it. Board meetings occur once a month, and board members also engage in various NWAAF projects and attend a weekend-long undoing racism training.
Between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2019, states enacted 483 new abortion restrictions, which account for nearly 40% of all abortion restrictions enacted since the Roe v. Wade court case. Access to abortions is becoming increasingly difficult, and volunteering with NWAAF is the best way to get involved and have your voice heard.
The Northwest Abortion Access Fund’s mission statement: “To fund abortion and break down barriers to abortion access for people in the Northwest. Vision We envision a world where people can easily access safe, legal abortion care with respect, dignity, and compassion. Values Trust & Respect, Autonomy, Internationality, Reproductive Justice, Racial Justice, Economic Justice, Culture Shift.”
Host a virtual cooking session as a way to stay connected as a community.
Another local organization you can get involved with is the Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Community Center. Volunteers age 23 and older serve as role models and informal mentors for LGBTQ+ youth in Seattle, who often do not have other LGBTQ+ or supportive ally role models in their lives. There are a number of roles available including group facilitation for those with previous experience and training, or Discord and Minecraft, which temporarily replace their in-person drop-in program. There are also some volunteer opportunities for LGBTQ+ and ally youth aged 22 and younger to serve on a committee planning a social event for the LGBTQ+ youth community. These events give the LGBTQ+ youth of Seattle the opportunity to connect with one another and build self-esteem in a hate-free environment. They typically occur 3-4 times a year, and take 2-3 months of weekly meetings to plan. The Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Community Center mission statement: “The Lambert House empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their allies through the development of leadership, social and life skills.”
These are just a few of the hundreds of virtual volunteer opportunities you can find on Volunteer Match. You are sure to find one that suits you. Happy hunting!
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