Last Capitol Hill Community Garage Sale Day post today, I promise. Oh, wait, don’t forget that URL: www.capitolhillgaragesale.com!
As part of the community day, we want to encourage people to donate a percentage of their proceeds to a local nonprofit. It’s all informal so how everybody decides to give is up to them. But we thought it would be cool to focus attention on one nonprofit and ask participating neighbors to make a donation.
So, who deserves the focus for CHGSD 2008? Please make your nominations in the comments. We pledge 25% of the proceeds from our sale (of course we’re having a sale at our house) to whatever nonprofit gets the most comments here by 5p on Friday. Then we’ll encourage everybody else to jump in, too.
Pick First Place School! This is such an awesome organization, and they do a ton of good here in Seattle. http://www.firstplaceschool.org/
From their website:
We are a service agency devoted to educating and nurturing children whose families struggle with the risk or reality of homelessness. We offer housing, culturally relevant education and support services enabling families to achieve permanent stability. First Place provides the following services to families at no cost:
* Quality Education in a safe, small classroom setting for children in grades K through 6th grade including assessment and evaluation.
* Counseling, case management and social services to empower children and their families to achieve stability.
* Basic Services such as a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack, clothing, school supplies, transportation, health screenings and referrals, and art and therapy.
* Services to facilitate student placement and transition in to the most appropriate school setting.
Awesome youth, mentors, staff and mission.
http://theserviceboard.org
“The Service Board provides Seattle area high school-age youth with life-changing experiences that build self-knowledge, skills, courage, and determination. TSB models the power of a supportive intergenerational culture and serves youth in need of its caring community.”
Smashing stereotypes, one hit at a time!
http://seattleslam.org/
What is quad rugby?
* A fast paced, full contact wheelchair sport
* It’s played indoors on a modified basketball court by individuals with some loss of function in three or four limbs.
* Also known as Murderball and Wheelchair Rugby, depending on where you are in the world.
Popularized by the Academy-Award nominated documentary, “Murderball,” and the critically acclaimed NBC drama, “Friday Night Lights.”
The Seattle Wheelchair Rugby Association funds player clinics, hosts tournaments, travels to tournaments, buys equipment, parts, and tools for the players, rents practice space, and more.
People think the players are crazy because they enjoy hard workouts, drilling and pushing their custom built wheelchairs relentlessly. They come home tired, sweaty, calloused, and with ice on their aching shoulders.
But it’s worth it!
They get to feel the exhilaration that only comes when they push themselves to the limit and they get to work with a disciplined team to face a daunting challenge. They have each met some great athletes who have helped them in many ways, on and off the court.
Fundraising keeps the program affordable for athletes who might not be able to participate otherwise.
That’s where you come in. Comment, please, in favor of the Seattle Slam and Seattle Wheelchair Rugby!
Thank you!
tSB is like family. mentoring, service, good food and snowboarding. love.
transformative and restorative community for youth and adults alike. so much care and creativity. the work they do, services they provide, culture of caring, hope, and commitment to social change they cultivate…well…it’s just life-changing stuff! http://www.theserviceboard.org Go check ’em out!
TSB has the formula. Each room they fill, community they serve, parent whose burden they ease, mountain they visit and teen smile they coax out is precious.
You take an aspiring drug dealer, awkward 4.0 student, kid who arrived in america last week and mix them with a sheepish young professional, a bartender and a member of blue scholars – add endless creativity and subtle structure and you get the tSB formula.
I am connected to that krew. And proud to be.
This is a barrier-breaking, life-affirming, mind-decolonizing, loving, inspiring program for both youth and mentors, the benefits of which extend into the community and beyond – in genuine and substantive ways. So welcoming, so supportive, so amazing.
make a huge difference in the life of a young person! all good things come to you and to tsb when you supprt us
innovative life changing transformative community service youth mentoring program
tSB baby, good stuff!
mentors youth by feeding their minds, souls and BELLAYS. Changing young lives in the community so those youth can be the ones changing the world.
I’m proud to say i’m part of the tSB family.
In an alternate universe, I’m lying in a ditch, utterly devoid of self-esteem, with no prospects and no future.
In this universe, I’m not, and the only reason I’m not is because tSB asked me to share myself with my community. I would not be the person I am today if they hadn’t fed me sweet foods, succored me with attentive affections, and called me to be a part of the world around me.
tSB, in a nutshell, kicks butt. Can I get a witness??
The 18-year old son of a friend of mine was left wheelchair bound after a car accident last year. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, he planned his life around his new “abilities” – Thank you Seattle Slam for providing recreation and a sense of normalcy for an often over looked part of our society.
You haven’t seen anything as exciting as a quad rugby game! My son started to play last November and he absolutely loves it. It’s a full contact wheelchair sport which is played on a basketball court. Players are considered “quadriplegics” hense the name “quad” rugby. There are also four players competing on each team – another reason it’s called “quad” rugby. We could definitely use funding for clinics, travel, equipment, rental facilities. We’d love to have you check out the team on Tuesday nights at the Southwest Community Center in West Seattle. Also view the website at http://www.seattleslam.org
Thank you.
Quad rugby is a “life-saving” sport. The Seattle Slam team is a group of hard working, sport-minded, devoted individuals that just happen to be disabled. BUT – you would never know it. The team is growing and with the support of the community, they can continue to grow. This sport provides quadriplegics with a venue where they can express their physical abilities and also create friendships with others in similar situations as themselves. Please support the team. They are a WONDERFUL BUNCH of HARD HITTING individuals!! GO SLAM!!!!!!!!!!
The Seattle Slam Quad Rugby has played a tremendous role in the recovery of my nephew after a car accident. Providing an opportunity for a person who, prior to his accident, maintained an extremely active sports life, the Seattle Slam Quad Rugby team gives him the means to participate in competitive sports again.
These guys are awesome! Go Seattle Slam!
Oopsy. We’ve caused a bit of a kerfuffle.
tSB family transforms lives & nurtures the soul, breeds loving connections, teaches life-skills and critical thought and hella learning together. The city’s dopest artists, activists, hip-hop deep-thinking thugs, educators, biking squirrels, culinary geniuses and snowboarding connections guru John Logic and posse all give their mad skills & gifts to our gorgeous student prophets. Founded as a community response w/T. Gold-chain, tSB continues to be the freshest shizznizz on the streets, slopes and deep in the community’s heart! Service, Snowboarding & social justice = bringing sexy back!
They are in the neighborhood and they always look busy when I’m walking by. Until(?) we have universal health care, they are doing really important work.
definitely TSB!
the Service Board – nurturing spirits, creating vision, adroitly developing community, holding space, fostering connections… what more could you ask for?
My nephew, Michael, was hurt about 18 months ago. He plays for The Seattle Slam and I know that it is very important to him. He has always been a big participant in all kinds of sports and quad-rugby has given him an alternative now that he is differently abled. His Alaska Family supports him 100% in his goal to get to the Olympics. This team has been a God send to him and the other players. I met some of the players during a trip to visit with my Washington Family and they are all so focused and enthusiastic about the team and trying to make it the best it can be. PLEASE! PLEASE, support this local team.
Wendy
A place for all those who need a family that is nurturing, accepting and loving. I love TSB!!!
Would like to put my vote in for the Seattle Slam. I know how important this team is to its members!
Life changing, ground breaking, amazing, incredible.. LOVE sharing, community making, creative, knowledge building, dreaming building… With out any doubt the most positive influence in my life, and the lives of all the insanely dope youths I get to hang out with.
Seattle Slam has an energetic and enthusiastic fan club in Canada.
WHAT A GREAT CAUSE AND WONDERFUL FOR ALL INVOLVED!!!
I love the service board! My son went through the program when he was a teen that I was not reaching. Our relationship not only flourished I am proud to say he is publicly engaged in his commumity as a result of his experience with TSB. Snowboarding and service was the vehicle that made the world of difference in his social development and our relationship
I nominate the Service Board for the amazing work they do with Seattle area teens!
My brother Michael is on the Seattle Slam quad rugby team. Support them, most definitely.
My friend’s son takes part in the Seattle Slam Quad Rugby and thouroughly enjoys it. It also gives him the confidence he needs with all the obstacles he faces from day to day. I strongly support Seattle Slam and put my vote in for them.
The joy and wonder of Seattle mentorship organizations!
A combination of community service and snowboarding. What the!?@%!
Brilliant! Transformational! Astounding!
Don’t take my word for it: click on the Service Board and roberto ascalon
http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/from-cuba-to-weezer-the-century-ballroom-and-reviews-with-gary-faigin/9329931/
tSB has changed my life. I started the year with no idea what to do about anything. since then, i’ve become much more active in the community, made SO many friends, gotten my first job, started writing and recording my own music, and realized that the world really is a lot more fun than i thought it was.
The mentors and other people I’ve met at and through tSB are pretty much the best crowd I’ve ever kicked it with, I know i’ll alway remember it, and tSB will always play some role in my life.
Its well worth everyone second you spend there, for everyone.
Providing affordable housing in our neighborhood!
I just spent all morning making nice presents for all of my beautiful friends in tsb, now Im trying to figure out how to get to the store and back on the bus with enough greens to feed seventy people.
aaahhhhh yes. The things you do for love.
xoxoxo
I’ve been involved with the sport for about 17 years when my son (then 19) broke his neck in a motorcycle accident. This kind of injury devastates both the injured and their family. Quad Rugby has provided continous support in both sport and emotions by providing a source for athletics while also providing a support group to counter the effects of depression. There is no other support group like this so please help.
We’ll tally and report back soon.
I would like to express my support for Seattle Slam. A number of kids that I have worked with at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center after a traumatic, life changing accident have joined or gone to watch games with this wheelchair rugby team. This sport offers kids an outlet who love to be athletic. Please support Seattle Slam!
As a former mentor and current board member, I say TSB is the kind of local non-profit that has changed the lives of countless Seattle teens. Thanks for doing this!
Quad rugby is a great sport that gives true athletes that have been slowed down by life’s cicumstances to continue to be outstanding athletes. It brings challange, fight and excitement and lets people grow, compete and cheer together. Go Slam!!!
My son was injured 14 months ago and is now quadriplegic. The Slam team members offered us (both my son and our entire family) the exciting sport of quad rugby, friendship, support and a place to feel normal again. Come out to watch some time. They practice Tuesday evenings at SW Community Center.. or visit their website: seattleslam.org
My friend Michael is on the Seattle Slam quad rugby team and it’s amazing being able to watch him play competitive sports again and see him excel so quickly in rugby. My vote definitely goes to the Slam.
If anyone should deserve this it would hands down be the Seattle Slam. One of their members is basically my little brother (not by blood but he’s pretty much family) and because of this team he was able to play in competitive sports again. So please help them out, its truely an amazing experiance to see this sport in action
tSB has everything one could need…love, good food, sense of community and shows you how to share your gift(s) with others.
As much as I heart tSB, I’m going to have to suggest a Capitol Hill area non-profit like Lambert House or The Lifelong AIDS Alliance.
as a part of the TSB family, i have so much love for them. TSB not only changed my life, but got me more involved with community then any other program. It combines youth and adults from different backgrounds and colors into a warm loving enviroment. real talk.
http://theserviceboard.org/
Real People, fun times, empowering seattle’s youth……and much more
Yay Seattle Slam! The Seattle Slam CAN!
My good friend’s nephew is on the Seattle Slam’s team. What an amazing way for these players to maintain physical agility and build confidence. Go Michael!!
What can I say…As someone who used to be so involved in sports, then was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 15 years ago, I totally support Quad Rugby!
My friends nephew was in a horrific accident and we prayed that he would even survive, let alone get to the point where he is able to be involved in a program such as this!
What I would give to see programs like this in my area.
Go Michael! and Thank you Seattle Slam for helping him to be a part of society once again!
**PLEASE SUPPORT SEATTLE SLAM**
This has been such a blessing for my cousin, with all of the life changes – he is still THE ATHLETE =)
Love you Michael!!
Vote for Seattle Slams! Go Seattle Slams!
My vote is for the Seattle Slam. They offer a unique program to the guys and give them an outlet. I’ve seen the wheelchairs crashing around and it’s quite a sight.
I am awed by the incredible opportunity given to the fine young athletes who compete in Wheelchair Rugby. Cudos to the Seattle Slam -a world-class team destined for great outcomes. Please support this team. They deserve it in spades!
Please support Seattle Slam….this is awesome!
Go Michael and Seattle Slam
PLEASE SUPPORT SEATLE SLAM.!!! IT’S GREAT !! THANK YOU.
Go Slam – you are awesome. Keep up the great things that you do.
I have recently learned about the Seattle Slam thru my great-nephew, Michael Lykins, who is a member of the team and greatly enjoys the freedom it provides him to compete in a fast-paced sport, with a goal of competing in the Olympics in the future. Please support this organization in order for others with like-injuries to be able to have such a great activity available to them. Pat Parrish
Go Seattle Slam! No one is better than you all!
Go Seattle Slam!
Did you all choose a non-profit? How’s this going to work?
I strongly support Seattle Slam Quad Rugby. I believe it was a key factor in my nephew’s superb recovery and is pivotal in his pursuit to participate in the Olympics. Way to go Michael!