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	<title>Helping Hand House | Preventing &amp; Ending Family Homelessness in Tacoma, Puyallup &amp; Pierce County, WA</title>
	
	<link>http://helpinghandhouse.org</link>
	<description>Preventing &amp; Ending Family Homelessness in Tacoma, Puyallup &amp; Pierce County, WA</description>
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		<title>Protected: Staff meeting Feb 20, 2013</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/CNIMjAEgYnY/staff-meeting-feb-20-2013</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/staff-meeting/staff-meeting-feb-20-2013#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:12:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Staff Meeting]]></category>

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		<title>Update Letter to Supporters about Staff Changes</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/0qzwRFp4nSI/lettertosupporters</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/lettertosupporters#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:41:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3979</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Please click here to download the signed PDF letter from HHH Board President Karen Thomas Dear friend of Helping Hand House, As you may have heard, Helping Hand House is going through a transition in staffing. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the changes. I am very proud to say&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Please <a href="http://helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Helping-Hand-House-letter-to-supporters.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>click here</strong></a> to download the signed PDF letter from HHH Board President Karen Thomas</em></p>
<p>Dear friend of Helping Hand House,</p>
<p><strong>As you may have heard, Helping Hand House is going through a transition in staffing.</strong> I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the changes.</p>
<p><strong>I am very proud to say that Helping Hand House is the largest provider of housing for families in East Pierce County, with next year being our 30th year serving the community.</strong> This is a large and significant responsibility that we carry, and we are extremely focused to insure that every dollar that we spend is going to further our mission of helping remove families from poverty. We are currently in the process of revising our 2013 budget because we have not received all of the funding that we had planned on from some of our largest grant funders, including government funding. In order to balance our budget and maintain our priority of providing excellent service the decision has been made to reduce the size of the management team by three staff persons. This will allow us to still maintain a strong core administratively while maintaining our team of case managers who directly serve our clients.</p>
<p>We are also going through a planned transition with the retirement of our senior finance manager, who is handing off her responsibilities to her assistant. This process had been planned for over a year and was actually delayed graciously in order to help us get through the executive transitions of this year.</p>
<p>One of the most visible changes to the community is our beloved full-time volunteer and community engagement coordinator. I know how important this position has been and we plan to contract with her to continue many of her duties on a part-time basis.</p>
<p><strong>Fortunately, we continue to receive enormous support from individuals who contribute funds and volunteered goods and services to help us serve our mission.</strong> The support we have received from the individuals in the community has always been outstanding, and we would not be able to do nearly as much as we do without you.</p>
<p><strong>Please rest assured that Helping Hand House is still in a strong position to continue for another 30 years serving the community, and we will continue our tradition of excellence in helping families recover from homelessness and build strong futures.</strong></p>
<p>Thank you so much for your patience and support as we continue our strengthening and evolution into a new generation of serving the community.</p>
<p><strong>Sincerely,</strong></p>
<p>Karen M. Thomas<br />
Helping Hand House Board President</p>
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		<title>Helping Hand House Announces New Executive Director</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/2Vbtwf8QBKg/helping-hand-house-announces-new-executive-director</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/helping-hand-house-announces-new-executive-director#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:29:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3673</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Helping Hand House is pleased to announce that Duke Paulson has been named Executive Director.  Paulson most recently served as Vice President of the Asset Building Division at Making a Difference in Community (MDC), a Tacoma-based Community Action Agency dedicated to helping people move from poverty to self-sufficiency.  In his role, Paulson was responsible for&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Helping Hand House is pleased to announce that Duke Paulson has been named Executive Director. </strong> Paulson most recently served as Vice President of the Asset Building Division at Making a Difference in Community (MDC), a Tacoma-based Community Action Agency dedicated to helping people move from poverty to self-sufficiency.  In his role, Paulson was responsible for MDC’s education, employment, and community initiatives, overseeing sixteen diverse programs.</p>
<p>“We are thrilled to welcome Duke to Helping Hand House,” said Karen Thomas, Board President.  “We are confident that his knowledge, experience and skills, as well as his deep connection to Pierce County, will be tremendous assets to Helping Hand House.”</p>
<p>Paulson has worked in the social services field in Tacoma and Pierce County for sixteen years and is committed to making a difference in the lives of low-income individuals and families.</p>
<p>“I am very excited about joining the team at Helping Hand House,” said Paulson.  “It is an amazing organization that has great impact, and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”</p>
<p>Paulson is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, earned a National Development Council (NDC) certification in low-income housing development, and has been recognized for his leadership by the American Leadership Forum of Tacoma/Pierce County and the DeVos Urban Leadership Institute.  He serves on the board of Tacoma 360 and the Affordable Housing Consortium in Pierce County.  As an Executive Member of the Pierce County Road Home Coalition, Paulson has developed strategies to make a permanent and measurable difference in reducing chronic homelessness.</p>
<p>Helping Hand House’s Board of Directors selected Paulson to replace Nola Renz, who left the organization after fifteen years of service to take a position in Colorado.</p>
<p>Paulson’s leadership will help the organization continue its work of preventing and ending homelessness for over 200 families a year in Pierce County. “I am honored to have the opportunity to bring my passion and vision to Helping Hand House as the organization continues to play such a critical role,” said Paulson.  “Helping Hand House transforms lives and its work has a positive effect on the entire community.”</p>
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		<title>VIDEO: South Hill Rotary parking lot testimonial…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/gLvdYULSoxo/video-south-hill-rotary-parking-lot-testimonial</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-south-hill-rotary-parking-lot-testimonial#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:29:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3655</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks for all the hard work of the South Hill Rotary down at the Puyallup Fair Parking Lot &#8211; you&#8217;re making a huge difference in the lives of families! Here is the story of one of these (and this family actually lived in the Rotary duplex before moving into our transitional housing program&#8230;) Pat Williams&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for all the hard work of the South Hill Rotary down at the Puyallup Fair Parking Lot &#8211; you&#8217;re making a huge difference in the lives of families! Here is the story of one of these (and this family actually lived in the Rotary duplex before moving into our transitional housing program&#8230;)</p>
<p>Pat Williams shares about the impact of the South Hill Rotary&#8217;s parking lot at the Puyallup Fair, and the Rotary Duplex it supports &#8211; thank you!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UU4nVJq-N0Y?list=UU0ipfSlZtwnlBx0N8oknSag&amp;hl=en_US" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe></p>
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		<title />
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/QrgGWzic0pQ/3414</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/uncategorized/3414#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:59:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3414</guid>
		<description />
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://helpinghandhouse.org/get-involved/volunteergroup-opportunities"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3394" title="Volunteer" src="http://i2.wp.com/helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/volunteer-badge-small.jpg?resize=300%2C186" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
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		<title>ARTICLE: Analysis of Student Homelessness in Washington State Counties</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/BcuPRh9BqY8/article-analysis-of-student-homelessness-in-washington-state-counties</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/article-analysis-of-student-homelessness-in-washington-state-counties#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:20:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3074</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shocking stats re: increases in student homelessness here in WA state. During the 2010-11 school year, 26,049 students in Washington schools were identified as homeless—a 19% increase from the previous school year and a 55% increase from 2006-07. Columbia Legal Services (CLS) conducted an analysis of student homelessness trends over the past five years using&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Shocking stats re: increases in student homelessness here in WA state. During the 2010-11 school year, 26,049 students in Washington schools were identified as homeless—a 19% increase from the previous school year and a 55% increase from 2006-07. Columbia Legal Services (CLS) conducted an analysis of student homelessness trends over the past five years using publicly accessible data. CLS hopes this updated analysis will help the community understand the crisis affecting Washington’s youngest residents.</p>
<p><em>Get the full report at <a href="http://schoolhousewa.org/countyanalysis.php" target="_blank">http://schoolhousewa.org/countyanalysis.php</a></em></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/BcuPRh9BqY8" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Elections are coming…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/dsl1CtS9GvQ/elections-are-coming-2</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/elections-are-coming-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:07:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3060</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8230;and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we&#8217;re unable to suggest who you should vote for (other than imploring you to exercise that glorious right as a citizen). But we wanted to give the following tools to our thoughtful supporters, as a way to enhance their ability to advocate for vulnerable families in our communities. Cicero District&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>&#8230;and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we&#8217;re unable to suggest who you should vote for (other than imploring you to exercise that glorious right as a citizen).</strong> But we wanted to give the following tools to our thoughtful supporters, as a way to enhance their ability to advocate for vulnerable families in our communities.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.azavea.com/products/cicero/live-demo/">Cicero District Finder</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>This tool is the easiest we have seen to find the relevant legislators and contact information, using your home address.</strong> There are few things as powerful as citizen advocacy &#8211; simply picking up the phone to let your legislator know that need them to remember the most vulnerable families in this environment of budget reductions at all levels of government.</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/dsl1CtS9GvQ" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ARTICLE: “Legacy of Growth at Helping Hand House”</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/ZewargqhIns/article-legacy-of-growth-at-helping-hand-house</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/article-legacy-of-growth-at-helping-hand-house#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:33:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=3007</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Article about Nola Renz&#8217;s departure from Helping Hand House in the Puyallup Herald. &#160; Legacy of growth at Helping Hand House Changes: Friday will be executive director’s last day ANDREW FICKES OF THE HERALD Last updated: June 12th, 2012 09:30 PM (PDT) When Nola Renz took over as executive director of Helping Hand House in&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Article about Nola Renz&#8217;s departure from Helping Hand House in the Puyallup Herald.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<h3><strong>Legacy of growth at Helping Hand House</strong></h3>
<p>Changes: Friday will be executive director’s last day<br />
ANDREW FICKES OF THE HERALD<br />
Last updated: June 12th, 2012 09:30 PM (PDT)</p>
<p><a href="http://i1.wp.com/www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Nola-headshot.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-3008" title="Nola headshot" src="http://i1.wp.com/www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Nola-headshot.jpg?resize=179%2C230" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a>When Nola Renz took over as executive director of Helping Hand House in 1997, the nonprofit agency which serves homeless families in east Pierce County had just two full-time staff members and an annual budget of $168,000.</p>
<p>“We worked with 35 families a year,” Renz said. “Now we have 14 staff and 42 homes.”</p>
<p>About 200 to 300 families annually graduate through the agency’s homes, which are scattered across Puyallup, Sumner, Eatonville, Orting and Bonney Lake. Today, Renz has an annual budget of $1,688,000, based on the 2012 fiscal year.</p>
<p>Renz will step down on Friday and move back to her family in Colorado to take on a new job as the executive director of the Denver-Metro Homeless Initiative, a nonprofit organization that funnels funding sources to homeless agencies across the seven counties in Denver’s metro area.</p>
<p>“I love my job, so it was a very difficult decision,” Renz said. “When the opportunity came, I thought it was time. This lets me grow in another way and stretch myself.</p>
<p>“I want to use the skills that I gained to help as many people as possible. This is an opportunity to do more of what I’ve been doing.”</p>
<p>When Renz took her job at Helping Hand House, she said she saw her upbringing reflected in the core mission of the agency: aiding homeless families with children. Several times during her childhood, Renz said she experienced homelessness.</p>
<p>“I changed schools 23 times between first grade and graduating,” she said. “I’d be at a school for a week, or sometimes three weeks. That does something to kids.”</p>
<p>Renz not only worked on enhancing the housing component of the agency, she also ensured that the underlying issues that cause homelessness were addressed.</p>
<p>“Solving the problem of homelessness is way bigger than just housing,” she said. “We have to have financial literacy also.”</p>
<p>Besides the 42 homes in its housing inventory, the agency also provides an education and employment program, including life-skills classes — at least two per month.</p>
<p>“We always find things that could be a benefit to families,” Renz said. “We have really focused on the education piece and how parents see that. We help parents get an education so they can get a better-paying job and support their families.”</p>
<p>Renz and her team have attracted a gamut of partnerships, both in-kind and financial. Among its top financial sponsors for fundraising events include Boeing, U.S. Bank and IKEA. In-kind partners include Our Savior Lutheran Church, whose mechanic-minded members lend their garage for free repairs to homeless families on their family vehicle, and South Hill Rotary, which loans three duplex units used annually by up to 12 homeless families who are served by Helping Hand House.</p>
<p>“We are always looking for partnerships that advance the mission without adding to the expense too much,” Renz said.</p>
<p>Renz said a good succession plan has been put in place for her role at Helping Hand House.</p>
<p>“I hope for a smooth transition, because it’s an awesome agency,” she said. “I’ve never known people who put so much of their whole being into what they’re doing. And they believe in what they’re doing to the core. And that’s pretty awesome.”</p>
<p>Jamie Anderson, development director for Helping Hand House, said the leadership team is excited for Renz.</p>
<p>“She has done a lot of great work here in Pierce County and has been a great leader,” Anderson said. “She is a real forward-thinker for the homelessness issue. She has created a culture here at Helping Hand House that values people and wants to create permanent solutions for people.”</p>
<p>Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-841-2481, ext. 313, or by email at <a href="mailto:andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com" target="_blank">andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_andrew.</p>
<p>Read more here: <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/13/v-printerfriendly/2178696/legacy-of-growth-at-helping-hand.html" target="_blank">http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/13/v-printerfriendly/2178696/legacy-of-growth-at-helping-hand.html#storylink=cpy</a></p></blockquote>
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		<title>Important announcement from Nola Renz, HHH Executive Director</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/DhOFVoZw7MU/announcement-from-nola-renz-hhh-executive-director</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/announcement-from-nola-renz-hhh-executive-director#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:12:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2971</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[April 18, 2012 Dear Friend of Helping Hand House, I am writing to let you know about a big change for me and for Helping Hand House. After fifteen rewarding years leading the organization, I am leaving to take a new position as the Executive Director of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.   This was a&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2975 alignright" title="Nola Renz" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Nola-Pic-shrunk.jpg?resize=135%2C130" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" />April 18, 2012</p>
<p>Dear Friend of Helping Hand House,</p>
<p><strong>I am writing to let you know about a big change for me and for Helping Hand House.</strong> <strong>After fifteen rewarding years leading the organization, I am leaving to take a new position as the Executive Director of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.  </strong></p>
<p>This was a difficult decision for me, but one that I think will be a wonderful opportunity. Going back to Colorado means moving back to my home and my family, and this position at Metro Denver Homeless Initiative means that I will still be doing the work that means so much to me.  My main role will be implementing a comprehensive homeless housing and services continuum in the 7-county metropolitan region including and surrounding Denver.</p>
<p>Because you have been such an important friend to Helping Hand House, I wanted to assure you that the board has a process in place for my departure.  We have a succession plan that the board is following to ensure that this transition is orderly and results in the hiring of an exceptional leader who can continue the great work of the organization.</p>
<p>The board is in the process of forming a search committee, updating the job description, and developing a timeline for the search to ensure that they have time to find the best candidate.  We have board members with human resources experience, and we have also contracted with Jennifer Teunon from the consulting firm, Social Market Strategies, to help support their efforts.</p>
<p><strong>My last day will be June 15<sup>th</sup>, and Linda Tevis will step in as our Interim Executive Director. </strong> Linda is currently our Deputy Director, and she has worked at Helping Hand House for 3 ½ years.  Prior to that, she spent 6 years on our board, so the organization will be fortunate to be under her capable and trusted leadership.</p>
<p><strong>Once the job announcement is in place, we would welcome your help circulating it to assist us in finding a strong candidate.</strong>  In the meantime, if you have any input you would like to give in terms of the qualities you would like to see in the next leader, please don’t hesitate to contact me at <a href="mailto:nolabr@helpinghandhouse.org">nolabr@helpinghandhouse.org</a> or our board president, Karen Thomas, at <a href="mailto:karenthomas1@usbank.com">karenthomas1@usbank.com</a> .</p>
<p>When I started 15 years ago, Helping Hand House had 2 employees, a budget of $160,000, and we helped about 25 people a year.  Now we help between 250-300 people a year with a $1.6M budget.  I am so proud of these accomplishments, and I feel privileged to have worked with the incredible staff, board and community that have helped end homelessness for so many families.  <strong> It is important to me that you know I will continue to personally support Helping Hand House through my monthly financial support, providing a sounding board for the board and hiring committee through this transition and I have even included Helping Hand House in my will.</strong> From the bottom of my heart I thank you for believing in this important work and supporting and encouraging me over these past fifteen years.</p>
<p>Best Wishes,</p>
<p>Nola Renz</p>
<p>Executive Director</p>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/DhOFVoZw7MU" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>VIDEO: House blessing and Tour for the new South Hill Rotary Unit</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/hwL8aG57sUc/video-house-blessing-and-tour-for-the-new-south-hill-rotary-unit</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-house-blessing-and-tour-for-the-new-south-hill-rotary-unit#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:53:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2954</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We video taped the house blessing at the new Rotary Duplex with our very own John Biermann – including a pretty funny (and informative) video tour by our last year’s Community Impact Award winner Lisa Heintz. Enjoy! Personal Tour with Lisa Heintz House Blessing with John Biermann]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We video taped the house blessing at the new Rotary Duplex with our very own John Biermann – including a pretty funny (and informative) video tour by our last year’s Community Impact Award winner Lisa Heintz. Enjoy!</p>
<p><strong>Personal Tour with Lisa Heintz</strong></p>
<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/AuJhcsq3Kr8?version=3&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>House Blessing with John Biermann</strong></p>
<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/8fa31TV80zs?version=3&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
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		<title>VIDEO: Businesses Making a Difference: Milgard</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/iaugiRSMyiE/video-businesses-making-a-difference-milgard</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-businesses-making-a-difference-milgard#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:26:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2897</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Helping Hand House profiles Milgard, a business who is making a difference with homeless families in the Puyallup, Tacoma, and Pierce County community. We are grateful! Do you have a business, church, or club that wants to make a difference? Please contact us at info@helpinghandhouse.org, or learn more at http://helpinghandhouse.org. Can&#8217;t see the video? Go&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Helping Hand House profiles Milgard, a business who is making a difference with homeless families in the Puyallup, Tacoma, and Pierce County community. We are grateful!</p>
<p>Do you have a business, church, or club that wants to make a difference? Please contact us at <a href="mailto:info@helpinghandhouse.org">info@helpinghandhouse.org</a>, or learn more at <a href="http://helpinghandhouse.org" target="_blank">http://helpinghandhouse.org</a>.</p>
<p><em>Can&#8217;t see the video? Go to <a href="http://youtu.be/BLZ5XhHXeRs">http://youtu.be/BLZ5XhHXeRs</a>.</em></p>
<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/BLZ5XhHXeRs?version=3&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
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		<title>Lives Changed | Summary of 2011 Program Stats and Outcomes</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/2keKDEx3mlE/2882</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/2882#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:24:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2882</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Results matter. If lives do not change, we have not done our job. We take the results of the families in our programs seriously, measuring our success in achieving our goals in the changed lives of the people we serve. The impact of the ongoing economic downturn causes us to become even more creative as&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/what-we-do/program-statistics-successes/" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-2883" title="2011 Outcomes" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2011-Outcomes-Badge1.jpg?resize=300%2C282" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Results matter. If lives do not change, we have not done our job.</strong> We take the results of the families in our programs seriously, measuring our success in achieving our goals in the changed lives of the people we serve.</p>
<p><object style="float: right;" width="350" height="208" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TClLgdC5aO0?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed style="float: right;" width="350" height="208" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TClLgdC5aO0?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" allowFullScreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" /></object><strong>The impact of the ongoing economic downturn causes us to become even more creative as we adjust and strategize so that we can continue our critical services for homeless families.</strong> As we make adjustments to our budget, form new partnerships, leverage relationships, and vigorously pursue new donors, our focus remains to respond to the growing requests from families with the same high quality programs as always.</p>
<p><strong>We have seen a broader range of family needs than ever before.</strong> We have always assisted families who grew up in poverty, clients with fairly high barriers to gaining and retaining living wage jobs and consistently providing for the needs of their families. Now we are serving many more families that are homeless for the first time, clients who never considered asking for public assistance before. They are a reflection of the depth of the economic crisis in America.</p>
<p><strong>We have worked for many years to help very low income families confront and overcome obstacles to housing and self-sufficiency and we are proud of the effectiveness of our programs.</strong> Recent challenges of greater need and far fewer job opportunities caused us to consider how we could accomplish more. In response to the employment crisis, we added a full-time employment specialist in 2011. She is assisted by a volunteer with 20+ years of human resources experience at Weyerhaeuser and Milgard for 30 hours a month. They have developed a wrap-around employment program available to each adult in our housing programs, and have seen exciting successes in the months since the program was initiated.</p>
<p><strong>Education, employment, and financial literacy are the focus for family clients at Helping Hand House in addition to stable housing, basic needs, life skills, and intensive case management.</strong> All families receive financial literacy training, even those who come to us for one-time rental assistance. Our basic class has been in place for many years. We decided to enrich it for those families in our housing programs. Those families can now enroll in our seven month class that covers basic financial literacy as well as the more in depth information about banking, asset building, investing, credit building and repair, financing options, first time home buyer, and other topics. We are also working with two banks to begin an Asset Building program and to provide financial literacy training for the children.</p>
<p><strong>All clients are encouraged to complete educations and to enroll in programs that will make it possible for them to develop a career and become upwardly mobile.</strong> In the past few years, as the competition for fewer and fewer jobs increased, we continued emphasizing the importance of education and more clients are going to school.</p>
<p><em>The following are 2011 program statistics related to the various housing and assistance programs offered at Helping Hand House.</em></p>
<h2><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Homelessness Prevention (Duration: 3 months, 2011 Statistics)</strong></span></h2>
<p><strong>Total Assisted:</strong> 143 families (198 adults and 316 children)<br />
- Rental Assistance: 109 families<br />
- Utility Assistance: 34 families<br />
- 84% successfully remained in their housing after 3 months</p>
<h2><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Emergency Housing (Duration: 3 months, 2011 Statistics)</span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>Total Assisted:</strong> 26 families (35 adults and 42 children)<br />
- 84% of graduating clients exited into permanent housing (unsubsidized or subsidized)<br />
- 64% of families served were single mothers<br />
- 30% reduction in families receiving TANF after program &#8211; a significant savings for WA taxpayers<br />
- Employment doubled for families after program (from 7 at entry to 14 at exit)<br />
- 11 adults enrolled or attended training or educational program during stay in program<br />
- 25 children were provided with school clothes and supplies (NOTE: Remaining balance of children were not of school age)<br />
- 8 children attended a summer camp<br />
- 16 children participated in after-school activities<br />
- 6 children received counseling<br />
- Every family saved more than $150 during their time in the program, including 4 who saved over $500 towards their next housing.</p>
<h2><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Transitional Housing (Duration: 24 months, 2011 Statistics)</span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>Total Assisted:</strong> 36 families (52 adults and 79 children)<br />
- 80% of graduates went into unsubsidized, market-rate housing<br />
- 61% of families served were single mothers<br />
- 74% reduction in families receiving TANF after program &#8211; a significant savings for WA taxpayers<br />
- 24% increase in employment for families after program<br />
- 19 adults enrolled or attended training or educational program during stay in program<br />
- 61 children were provided with school clothes and supplies (NOTE: Remaining balance of children were not of school age)<br />
- 4 children attended a summer camp<br />
- 23 children participated in after-school activities<br />
- 7 children received counseling<br />
- 4 children received tutoring<br />
- Families saved between $450 and $2,300 during their time in the program, including 4 who saved over $500 towards their next housing.</p>
<h2><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Rapid Re-Housing (Duration: Varied from 3-18 months, 2011 Statistics)</span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>Total Assisted:</strong> 21 families (25 adults and 43 children)<br />
- 81% of families served were single parents, most of whom were single mothers<br />
- 82% reduction in families receiving TANF after program &#8211; a significant savings for WA taxpayers<br />
- Every family saved more than $150 during their time in the program, including 8 who saved over $500 towards their next housing.</p>
<h2><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Permanent Supportive Housing (Duration: Varied, 2011 Statistics)</span></strong></h2>
<p><strong>Total Assisted:</strong> 14 families (18 adults and 24 children)<br />
- 79% of families served were single parents, most of whom were single mothers<br />
- 75% reduction in families receiving TANF after program &#8211; a significant savings for WA taxpayers<br />
- Average income increased by 22% for families after program<br />
- 10 adults enrolled or attended training or educational program during stay in program<br />
- 24 children were provided with school clothes and supplies<br />
- 6 children attended a summer camp<br />
- 22 children participated in after-school activities<br />
- 5 children received counseling<br />
- 4 children received tutoring<br />
- 5 children attended swimming lessons<br />
- Every family saved more than $150 during their time in the program, including 4 who saved over $500 towards their next housing.</p>
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		<title>VIDEO: “My Story: Nola from Helping Hand House”</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/_ZdIcycszOk/video-my-story-nola-from-helping-hand-house</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-my-story-nola-from-helping-hand-house#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:53:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2824</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ED Nola Renz shares her story of growing up homeless, and how this impacts our work with the families we serve at Helping Hand House.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>ED Nola Renz shares her story of growing up homeless, and how this impacts our work with the families we serve at Helping Hand House.</p>
<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/RSB9UPx7yIg?version=3&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
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		<title>VIDEO: Hard Times Generation (6 months later from 60 Minutes)</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/Rtnuna8b8eg/video-hard-times-generation-6-months-later-from-60-minutes</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-hard-times-generation-6-months-later-from-60-minutes#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:53:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2802</guid>
		<description />
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		<title>ARTICLE: We can expect a dramatic rise in Pierce County’s homeless population</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/rmsVccHqFck/article-we-can-expect-a-dramatic-rise-in-pierce-countys-homeless-population</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/article-we-can-expect-a-dramatic-rise-in-pierce-countys-homeless-population#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:13:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[families]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homelessness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2794</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From the Tacoma News Tribune: We can expect a dramatic rise in Pierce County’s homeless population Last updated: November 1st, 2011 12:18 AM (PDT) Imagine for a minute that a tornado hits Sumner and does extensive damage. Afterward, people will be displaced until repairs can be accomplished over a period of several years. The 2010&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>From the Tacoma News Tribune:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<h2>We can expect a dramatic rise in Pierce County’s homeless population</h2>
<div><em>Last updated: November 1st, 2011 12:18 AM (PDT)</em></div>
<div id="storyBody">
<p>Imagine for a minute that a tornado hits Sumner and does extensive damage. Afterward, people will be displaced until repairs can be accomplished over a period of several years. The 2010 Census listed Sumner’s population as 9,541 persons.</p>
<p>Now consider that in Pierce County as a whole, an estimated 9,030 persons will lose their DSHS financial assistance by the end of this year. As a result, they will lose – or be at severe risk of losing – their housing. More than 5,000 of those persons will have exhausted their Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. At least 3,300 will be children.</p>
<p>DSHS will terminate 3,930 adults from Disability Lifeline (DL) today. Some (maybe half) of those persons will be eligible for housing assistance vouchers worth an average of $200 a month for those already housed on DL and $450 a month for those unhoused.</p>
<p>The median rental price for a one-bedroom apartment in Pierce County currently is around $700 per month. Median rental for a two-bedroom apartment is around $900 per month. Neither price includes the cost of background checks and damage deposits. Given those rental costs, all former DL recipients will be at very significant risk of homelessness.</p>
<p>In addition, foreclosure filings are now averaging around 600 filings per month. We are not certain how many people will lose their housing because of foreclosure, but let’s just guess 1,000 per month or 12,000 per year. Many of those people will move to rental housing, thus driving up the rental rates, and driving down the already very limited supply of available and affordable rentals. Some will become homeless.</p>
<p>AccessPoint4Housing (AP4H) is the central place to call for housing assistance in Pierce County. AP4H reports that it received 3,403 unduplicated requests for housing assistance during July, August and September of this year. It was able to help attain or preserve housing for only 378 of those callers, because resources are so limited. Of the requests, 1,340 came from single parents with children (reflecting the end of their TANF benefits).</p>
<p>A group of people equivalent to the population of Sumner probably will be homeless in Pierce County by the end of this year. Maybe equivalent to the combined populations of Sumner and Orting.</p>
<p>We need to consider how each of us will help our neighbors, because there are not a lot of official options. Our homeless shelters are already full. Government will do what it can, as will the social services organizations. The religious communities will do what they can. But it will not be enough. Displaced people will “double up,” “couch surf” or share housing. People will live in their cars. But it will not be enough.</p>
<p>Despite our best efforts, many people will not find shelter. Even though we do not tend to think of it this way, they will become refugees. They will need both our help and understanding just to survive.</p>
<p>When things get so bad that just trying to survive is the only real choice available to displaced people, local governments will need to accept encampments and tent cities, also insisting that they maintain sanitation, safety and prohibitions on drug abuse.</p>
<p><em>Al Ratcliffe is a community psychologist who serves as the volunteer chairman of Pierce County’s HUD-mandated housing Continuum of Care Committee. The opinions expressed here are solely his own.</em></p>
</div>
<div>
Read more: <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/01/v-printerfriendly/1888087/we-can-expect-a-dramatic-rise.html#ixzz1ckmqTOm9">http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/01/v-printerfriendly/1888087/we-can-expect-a-dramatic-rise.html#ixzz1ckmqTOm9</a></div>
</blockquote>
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		<title>PRESS RELEASE  – Office Depot gives donations to Helping Hand House at grand opening</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/NfAb39oXxYw/press-release-office-depot-gives-donations-to-helping-hand-house-at-grand-opening</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/press-releases/press-release-office-depot-gives-donations-to-helping-hand-house-at-grand-opening#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:47:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2781</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[PRESS RELEASE &#8211; Office Depot gives donations to Helping Hand House at grand opening CONTACTS: Julianne Carelli                                                                       Leon Rubin Office Depot                                                                           JKG Group 561-438-1451                                                                          561-251-8075 julianne.carelli@officedepot.com                                           lrubin@jkggroup.com   OFFICE DEPOT CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF ITS New store in puyallup, waSH. WITH ribbon-cutting CEREMONY ON october 25   Event Features Office Depot Foundation Donations to Communities&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/PRESS-RELEASE-Office-Depot-gives-donations-to-Helping-Hand-House-at-grand-opening.pdf">PRESS RELEASE &#8211; Office Depot gives donations to Helping Hand House at grand opening</a></p>
<p><strong>CONTACTS:</strong></p>
<p>Julianne Carelli                                                                       Leon Rubin</p>
<p>Office Depot                                                                           JKG Group</p>
<p>561-438-1451                                                                          561-251-8075</p>
<p>julianne.carelli@officedepot.com                                           lrubin@jkggroup.com</p>
<p align="center"><strong> </strong></p>
<p align="center">OFFICE DEPOT CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING</p>
<p align="center">OF ITS New store in puyallup, waSH.</p>
<p align="center">WITH ribbon-cutting CEREMONY ON october 25</p>
<p align="center"><strong> </strong></p>
<p align="center"><em>Event Features Office Depot Foundation Donations to Communities In Schools<br />
of Puyallup, Helping Hand House and <a href="http://www.ymca.net/y-profile/?assn=6863&amp;address=98373">Mel Korum Family YMCA</a></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Puyallup, Wash., October 24, 2011 –</strong> Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/">office supplies</a> and services, today announced a celebration for the grand opening of its new store in Puyallup, Wash. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 25, at 2 p.m. The store is located at 3715 S. Meridian.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>During this ceremony, the Office Depot Foundation is donating new children’s sackpacks with essential school supplies and making check presentations to three local non-profit organizations: Communities In Schools of Puyallup, Helping Hand House and <a href="http://www.ymca.net/y-profile/?assn=6863&amp;address=98373">Mel Korum Family YMCA</a>. In addition, Shelly Schlumpf, Executive Director at the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce, is delivering welcoming remarks. City of Puyallup Mayor Kathy R. Turner; Roel van der Lugt, Director of Military Affairs, Business and Defense Programs for Congressman Adam Smith; and State Senator <a href="mailto:kastama_ja@leg.wa.gov">Jim Kastama</a> are also scheduled to attend. The event is open for the public to attend.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Michael Chlipala, Manager of the Puyallup retail store, is a 15-year Office Depot associate who resides in the area.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>According to Chlipala, the new store features a number of upgrades designed specifically with the customer in mind. Colorful and helpful signage, carpeted floors and a simple-to-navigate floor plan are just a few of the positive changes implemented at this location. “The store offers the most enjoyable shopping experience in the industry – in a format and layout that is intuitive, logical and convenient for our customers,” said Chilipala.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Additionally, products are grouped together in highly visible, strategically located “pods,” with core office supplies on one side of the store and consumer electronics on the opposite side – all designed for optimal visibility and ease of purchase. The furniture area is updated with additional product lines and assortments and is located in the back of the store to better support consultative sales.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The front end of the store was simplified in order to showcase Office Depot’s <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/promo/pages/0928_tech/">Copy &amp; Print Depot</a> and <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/promo/pages/0928_tech/">Tech Depot Services</a>, both of which are conveniently located adjacent to the cash registers.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Puyallup <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/input.do">Office Depot store</a> employs about four full- and 12 part-time associates. It houses more than 7,500 products—everything from technology, furniture and office supplies to <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/promo/pages/0928_tech/">technology</a> and <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/design-print-and-ship/">copy &amp; print services</a>— in nearly 16,000 square feet of selling space.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Store hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This location can be reached by phone at 253-445-3780.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Highlights</h3>
<p>Special guests scheduled to participate in the October 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony include:</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Non-Profit Organization Representatives:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Kim Lintott, Board Chair, and Vice President Financial Affairs and Professional Services for MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, Communities In Schools of Puyallup</li>
<li>Jan Mauk, Program Director, Communities In Schools of Puyallup</li>
<li>Jamie Anderson, Director of Development, Helping Hand House</li>
<li>Lisa Heintz, Director of Volunteer Services, Helping Hand House</li>
<li>Brian Flattum, Executive Director, Mel Korum Family YMCA</li>
<li>Stephanie Roberts, Associate Executive Director, Mel Korum Family YMCA</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Government Officials:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Mayor Kathy R. Turner, City of Puyallup</li>
<li>Roel van der Lugt, Director of Military Affairs, Business and Defense Programs, representing Congressman Adam Smith</li>
<li>State Senator <a href="mailto:kastama_ja@leg.wa.gov">Jim Kastama</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce Representative:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Shelly Schlumpf, Executive Director</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The sackpack donations are part of the Office Depot Foundation’s award-winning National Backpack Program, through which it donates new sackpacks to deserving children across North America and beyond.  The Foundation celebrated the program’s 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary in 2010.  Since the program began in 2001, Office Depot has given away more than 2.5 million backpacks and sackpacks.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/input.do">retail store location</a></span> or <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/">www.officedepot.com</a>. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/officedepot">www.facebook.com/officedepot</a>. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit <a href="http://www.twitter.com/officedepot">www.twitter.com/officedepot</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Office Depot</strong></p>
<p>Celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, Office Depot is Taking Care of Business for millions of customers around the globe. For the local corner store as well as Fortune 500 companies, Office Depot provides supplies and services to its customers through 1,641 worldwide retail stores, a dedicated sales force, top-rated catalogs and global e-commerce operations. Office Depot has annual sales of approximately $11.6 billion, and employs about 40,000 associates around the world. The Company provides more office supplies and services to more customers in more countries than any other company, and currently sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 55 countries.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Office Depot’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: <a href="http://mediarelations.officedepot.com/">http://mediarelations.officedepot.com</a> and <a href="http://socialpressofficedepot.com/">http://socialpress.officedepot.com/</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>About the Office Depot Foundation </strong></p>
<p>The Office Depot Foundation is an independent foundation (tax exempt under IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) that serves as the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot, Inc. In keeping with its mission, Listen Learn Care<sup>®</sup>, the Foundation supports a variety of programs that help children succeed in school and in life; enable civil society (non-profit) organizations to become more efficient and effective; help people and businesses prepare for disasters, then recover and rebuild afterwards; strengthen local communities through grants, product donations and volunteerism; and encourage community development through entrepreneurship and economic innovation.  For more information, visit <a href="http://www.officedepotfoundation.org/">www.officedepotfoundation.org</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Communities In Schools of Puyallup</strong></p>
<p>Incorporated in 2002, Communities In Schools of Puyallup is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves children and families residing within the boundaries of the Puyallup School District. Its mission is to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a network of parents, volunteers, businesses and community organizations working together the organization matches the resources of the community with the needs of students.  Its services and programs include after-school programs, reading, mentoring, resource sharing, school site coordination, parent nights and student community service coordination. Communities In Schools is the nation&#8217;s largest dropout prevention organization and is located in over 200 communities across 27 states.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>About Helping Hand House</strong></p>
<p>Helping Hand House is preventing and ending family homelessness in Pierce County one family at a time. Originating in 1984 in a single-family home run by volunteers in Puyallup, Helping Hand House has become a regional leader in innovative solutions to challenging problems, in partnership with others in the community. Today, with 70+ single-family residences and 16 staff members, it provides a continuum of housing and services through five programs. Helping Hand House programs distinguish themselves by a focus on financial literacy, education, employment and life skills needed for a family to escape cycles of homelessness and poverty for good. It anticipates serving 260 families (with children under 18 years) in 2011.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>About <a href="http://www.ymca.net/y-profile/?assn=6863&amp;address=98373">Mel Korum Family YMCA</a></strong></p>
<p>At the Y, strengthening community is the primary cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  With a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, the Y’s impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p align="center"><em># # #</em></p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/PRESS-RELEASE-Office-Depot-gives-donations-to-Helping-Hand-House-at-grand-opening.pdf">PRESS RELEASE &#8211; Office Depot gives donations to Helping Hand House at grand opening</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/NfAb39oXxYw" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>VIDEO: Taylor and Mike (InvisiblePeople.tv)</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/2FGDByflPnw/video-taylor-and-mike-invisiblepeople-tv</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-taylor-and-mike-invisiblepeople-tv#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:54:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2778</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From Invisible People: Mike and his 6 year-old daughter Taylor live in a homeless shelter in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike was hurt at work and without income they lost everything. I work helping homeless families in Los Angeles and it’s extremely hard to find services for single dads. Most shelters are setup for single females or&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From <a href="http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2011/10/taylor-and-mike-single-dad-homeless-tulsa/" target="_blank">Invisible People</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Mike and his 6 year-old daughter Taylor live in a homeless shelter in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike was hurt at work and without income they lost everything.</strong></p>
<p>I work helping homeless families in Los Angeles and it’s extremely hard to find services for single dads. Most shelters are setup for single females or two-parent families. When I was introduced to Mike and Taylor I was so very glad to see they were being helped.</p>
<p>Taylor is very mature for being six years-old. Before I took the camera out she was talking nonstop, even giving us all instructions on the interview. Once the camera started she became quiet except when I asked her for her three wishes.</p>
<p>Taylor only had one wish and that wish is still messing me up.</p></blockquote>
<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Hf6IsN0QfA?version=3&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/2FGDByflPnw" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Elections are coming…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/rHu9mpj5BSc/elections-are-coming</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/elections-are-coming#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:43:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advocacy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2760</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8230;and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we&#8217;re unable to suggest who you should vote for (other than imploring you to exercise that glorious right as a citizen). But we wanted to give the following tools to our thoughtful supporters, as a way to enhance their ability to advocate for vulnerable families in our communities. Cicero District&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>&#8230;and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we&#8217;re unable to suggest who you should vote for (other than imploring you to exercise that glorious right as a citizen).</strong> But we wanted to give the following tools to our thoughtful supporters, as a way to enhance their ability to advocate for vulnerable families in our communities.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.azavea.com/products/cicero/live-demo/">Cicero District Finder</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>This tool is the easiest we have seen to find the relevant legislators and contact information, using your home address.</strong> There are few things as powerful as citizen advocacy &#8211; simply picking up the phone to let your legislator know that need them to remember the most vulnerable families in this environment of budget reductions at all levels of government.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~4/rHu9mpj5BSc" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Johnson House</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/A9kw5YepbWs/johnson-house</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/johnson-house#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:13:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2650</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dear Friends, We have heard from a few of our partners with questions regarding our decision to sell one of our properties, known as the Johnson House, on the corner of 7th and 2nd in downtown Puyallup. This was a difficult decision that was made based on the age of the home and the expense&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Friends,</p>
<p>We have heard from a few of our partners with questions regarding our decision to sell one of our properties, known as the Johnson House, on the corner of 7th and 2nd in downtown Puyallup. This was a difficult decision that was made based on the age of the home and the expense of its upkeep, as well as the fact that one of the units is a very small one-bedroom unit, not really appropriate for the majority of our families. The funds from the house will go into an account that will help our organization as we develop new housing programs for homeless families in our community.</p>
<p>Thank you for your care for the families of Helping Hand House!</p>
<p>Best Wishes,<br />
Nola Renz<br />
Executive Director</p>
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		<title>VIDEO: Family Banquet</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/helpinghandhouse/~3/IG9x77KyEhw/video-family-banquet</link>
		<comments>http://helpinghandhouse.org/blog/video-family-banquet#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:52:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/?p=2631</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Learn more about the Homelessness to Hope Benefit Breakfast]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='390' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/2BXtgOEhrLU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/news-events/breakfast/" target="_blank">Learn more about the Homelessness to Hope Benefit Breakfast</a></strong></p>
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