March Email Newsletter
Content
The Sheriff of Hillyard
By: Adam Gangelhoff
Expansion
March Edition 1, Issue 6
Paul Hamilton talks about the Hillyard Neighborhood. If you’ve spent any time in Hillyard, Spokane’s first neighborhood to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, chances are you’ve run into Paul Hamilton. He’s hard to miss, a strong man in a cowboy hat, long grey hair and beard, he looks like the sheriff from a Clint Eastwood movie. A self-described lifelong, civic minded individual, Hamilton started serving his community as a young man thanks to encouragement from neighborhood activists like original NECCA Board Member Joyce Jones. Today he often walks the streets making friends with everyone from the kids at the skate park to the seniors in Winchester Court. “If you don’t take control of your neighborhood, who will?” Hamilton explained. Hamilton is a third-generation Hillyard resident. Both his father and grandfather worked for the railroad, which up until the early 1980’s, was the main industry of the neighborhood. Except for six years away for college, Hamilton has lived here his entire life. “I live here, work here, raise my children here. My life is consumed by Hillyard.” A graduate of Shaw Middle School and Rogers High School, Hamilton claims that if you cut him open, he would bleed Rogers purple. He coached the Rogers wrestling team for 30 years and still has coffee with his former wrestling coach every Friday morning. Con’t on back.
AARP Tax Aid volunteers are at the Northeast Community Center on Wednesday’s to assist with taxes.
Services Extend Beyond Main Agencies
By: Adam Gangelhoff
Construction of the expansion here at the Northeast Community Center has made for interesting days. Last week the center felt like a washing machine on spin cycle as the crews placed temporary shoring next to the building. These sheets of steel are driven into the ground to create a retaining wall that will prevent the existing building from sliding into the foundation hole for the new building. With that done, the cement walls for the foundation can be finished and the setting of the structural steel can begin. With all the commotion outside, things have stayed just as busy inside. Although most visitors come to the center for appointments with one of the agencies, there are many other services offered every day in the building. From tax preparation, to prescription assistance, there is virtually something for everyone. For the past 20 years, AARP Tax-Aide has been offering free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation services to taxpayers with low to moderate income at the Northeast Community Center. Site coordinator Mary Abbott said her group of eight volunteers helps an average of 40 people each Thursday afternoon. With the average return costing $200, she estimates they save the community $8,000 each day they are here. “That keeps a lot of money in people’s pockets that need the money,” Abbott said. The volunteers are here every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. through the first week of April. Appointments can be made by calling Washington Trust Bank at (509)358-3526. Also on Thursdays, Kelly Armstrong from MTGMEDS offers free prescription drug assistance. Armstrong says she acts as a conduit for people who need medicine but can’t afford them. “Most pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs,” Armstrong explained. “I help people access a resource that most don’t realize is there.” These programs offer free medicine to the under-insured and uninsured, with the high-cost brand name drugs and insulin generally being the medications that qualify. Armstrong is at the Northeast Community Center Thursdays from 9-5. Call (509)981-6420 for an appointment. Con’t on back.
Association 4001 N. Cook St. Spokane, WA 99207
With his heavy involvement and history in the area, it was only natural for Hamilton to join the board of directors at the Northeast Community Center. He came on in 2002 and says that “it’s the most organized, well-greased, well-ran board I’ve been on.” He’s excited about the expansion and the positive impact it will have, particularly on the neighborhood’s youth. Hamilton sees this area as a community campus of sorts, with the community center, Shaw Middle School, Spokane Skills Center, Senior Housing, Andrew Rypien Field and the soon to be converted Mann Army Reserve Center all within walking distance of each other. “Some of my goals (for the center) are to get more people aware of what we’re doing, because it’s awesome and aware of the expansion, because it’s going to be awesome,” Hamilton said. “The place is just going to be full of people.” Hamilton has too many accomplishments to list, too many stories for this space. He has been a part of virtually every significant event in Hillyard over the past 35 years. But he isn’t looking for a thank you or even a pat on the back. The best way to say thanks is to join him and keep Hillyard going strong until the next sheriff can take over.
On Tuesdays Tim Burns, the Police Ombudsman for the City of Spokane, is available to listen to all comments, complaints and compliments. The role of the Ombudsman is to provide independent civilian oversight of law enforcement misconduct involving the Spokane Police Department. In addition, Burns is required to respond to any situation involving a Spokane Police Officer where deadly force was used. Burns is Spokane’s first Police Ombudsman. A retired police officer from California, Burns was hired last August to the newly created position. He has over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, code enforcement, teaching, licensed contracting and conflict resolution. Burns has fallen in love with Spokane and values the people he works with. “We have a great chief, a woman of great strength and character and I would say the same of our mayor.” Burns is typically available between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Northeast Community Center and can also be reached at (509)625-6742. Matthew Rannow is an AmeriCorps VISTA who has started a service that offers personal help with resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills. The Work Readiness Connection offers a welcoming and supportive environment to help clients prepare for and succeed in the job market. Rannow has helped over 60 people since August, with many coming from AARP and Work Source referrals. “In the future, I will be looking for volunteers to run interviewing workshops and help clients as the program grows,” Rannow said. He has many jobs listed on the job board outside his office and can also help with basic computer skills. The Work Readiness Connection is located in Room 450. Call (509)487-1603 for an appointment. The Northeast Community Center also is home to weekly and monthly meetings for the Hillyard Rotary, Spokane Gardners and Greater Hillyard Business Association. The Hillyard Belles practice their dance routines here and when the community needs a place to make a plan of action, they meet here. The Chalk Art Walk Festival, Hillyard Skate Park and Pump House Community Garden all trace back to meetings in our building. Recently, the center has been home to a Spring Break and Winter Break Camp, sponsored by the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation. The camp builds leadership skills and teaches healthy habits to area youth who might not have the opportunity to attend a summer camp. All these services make the ongoing expansion even more exciting. As the community center grows, so does the potential of the residents of Northeast Spokane.
The Northeast Community Center is still accepting donations to fund the expansion. Please visit necca.myspokane.net for more information. Also, designate NECCA as the beneficiary of your local United Way campaign. Thank You!
By: Adam Gangelhoff
Expansion
March Edition 1, Issue 6
Paul Hamilton talks about the Hillyard Neighborhood. If you’ve spent any time in Hillyard, Spokane’s first neighborhood to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, chances are you’ve run into Paul Hamilton. He’s hard to miss, a strong man in a cowboy hat, long grey hair and beard, he looks like the sheriff from a Clint Eastwood movie. A self-described lifelong, civic minded individual, Hamilton started serving his community as a young man thanks to encouragement from neighborhood activists like original NECCA Board Member Joyce Jones. Today he often walks the streets making friends with everyone from the kids at the skate park to the seniors in Winchester Court. “If you don’t take control of your neighborhood, who will?” Hamilton explained. Hamilton is a third-generation Hillyard resident. Both his father and grandfather worked for the railroad, which up until the early 1980’s, was the main industry of the neighborhood. Except for six years away for college, Hamilton has lived here his entire life. “I live here, work here, raise my children here. My life is consumed by Hillyard.” A graduate of Shaw Middle School and Rogers High School, Hamilton claims that if you cut him open, he would bleed Rogers purple. He coached the Rogers wrestling team for 30 years and still has coffee with his former wrestling coach every Friday morning. Con’t on back.
AARP Tax Aid volunteers are at the Northeast Community Center on Wednesday’s to assist with taxes.
Services Extend Beyond Main Agencies
By: Adam Gangelhoff
Construction of the expansion here at the Northeast Community Center has made for interesting days. Last week the center felt like a washing machine on spin cycle as the crews placed temporary shoring next to the building. These sheets of steel are driven into the ground to create a retaining wall that will prevent the existing building from sliding into the foundation hole for the new building. With that done, the cement walls for the foundation can be finished and the setting of the structural steel can begin. With all the commotion outside, things have stayed just as busy inside. Although most visitors come to the center for appointments with one of the agencies, there are many other services offered every day in the building. From tax preparation, to prescription assistance, there is virtually something for everyone. For the past 20 years, AARP Tax-Aide has been offering free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation services to taxpayers with low to moderate income at the Northeast Community Center. Site coordinator Mary Abbott said her group of eight volunteers helps an average of 40 people each Thursday afternoon. With the average return costing $200, she estimates they save the community $8,000 each day they are here. “That keeps a lot of money in people’s pockets that need the money,” Abbott said. The volunteers are here every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. through the first week of April. Appointments can be made by calling Washington Trust Bank at (509)358-3526. Also on Thursdays, Kelly Armstrong from MTGMEDS offers free prescription drug assistance. Armstrong says she acts as a conduit for people who need medicine but can’t afford them. “Most pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs,” Armstrong explained. “I help people access a resource that most don’t realize is there.” These programs offer free medicine to the under-insured and uninsured, with the high-cost brand name drugs and insulin generally being the medications that qualify. Armstrong is at the Northeast Community Center Thursdays from 9-5. Call (509)981-6420 for an appointment. Con’t on back.
Association 4001 N. Cook St. Spokane, WA 99207
With his heavy involvement and history in the area, it was only natural for Hamilton to join the board of directors at the Northeast Community Center. He came on in 2002 and says that “it’s the most organized, well-greased, well-ran board I’ve been on.” He’s excited about the expansion and the positive impact it will have, particularly on the neighborhood’s youth. Hamilton sees this area as a community campus of sorts, with the community center, Shaw Middle School, Spokane Skills Center, Senior Housing, Andrew Rypien Field and the soon to be converted Mann Army Reserve Center all within walking distance of each other. “Some of my goals (for the center) are to get more people aware of what we’re doing, because it’s awesome and aware of the expansion, because it’s going to be awesome,” Hamilton said. “The place is just going to be full of people.” Hamilton has too many accomplishments to list, too many stories for this space. He has been a part of virtually every significant event in Hillyard over the past 35 years. But he isn’t looking for a thank you or even a pat on the back. The best way to say thanks is to join him and keep Hillyard going strong until the next sheriff can take over.
On Tuesdays Tim Burns, the Police Ombudsman for the City of Spokane, is available to listen to all comments, complaints and compliments. The role of the Ombudsman is to provide independent civilian oversight of law enforcement misconduct involving the Spokane Police Department. In addition, Burns is required to respond to any situation involving a Spokane Police Officer where deadly force was used. Burns is Spokane’s first Police Ombudsman. A retired police officer from California, Burns was hired last August to the newly created position. He has over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, code enforcement, teaching, licensed contracting and conflict resolution. Burns has fallen in love with Spokane and values the people he works with. “We have a great chief, a woman of great strength and character and I would say the same of our mayor.” Burns is typically available between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Northeast Community Center and can also be reached at (509)625-6742. Matthew Rannow is an AmeriCorps VISTA who has started a service that offers personal help with resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills. The Work Readiness Connection offers a welcoming and supportive environment to help clients prepare for and succeed in the job market. Rannow has helped over 60 people since August, with many coming from AARP and Work Source referrals. “In the future, I will be looking for volunteers to run interviewing workshops and help clients as the program grows,” Rannow said. He has many jobs listed on the job board outside his office and can also help with basic computer skills. The Work Readiness Connection is located in Room 450. Call (509)487-1603 for an appointment. The Northeast Community Center also is home to weekly and monthly meetings for the Hillyard Rotary, Spokane Gardners and Greater Hillyard Business Association. The Hillyard Belles practice their dance routines here and when the community needs a place to make a plan of action, they meet here. The Chalk Art Walk Festival, Hillyard Skate Park and Pump House Community Garden all trace back to meetings in our building. Recently, the center has been home to a Spring Break and Winter Break Camp, sponsored by the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation. The camp builds leadership skills and teaches healthy habits to area youth who might not have the opportunity to attend a summer camp. All these services make the ongoing expansion even more exciting. As the community center grows, so does the potential of the residents of Northeast Spokane.
The Northeast Community Center is still accepting donations to fund the expansion. Please visit necca.myspokane.net for more information. Also, designate NECCA as the beneficiary of your local United Way campaign. Thank You!
