Real Change has released the Emerald City Resource Guide, and we could not be more proud.
This durable and comprehensive pocket-sized booklet puts 132 slim pages of essential resources at the fingertips of homeless and very low-income people. New editions of the Emerald City Resource Guide will be published at least annually to keep services reliable and accurate.
Real Change is distributing 40,000 copies of the guide this week through nearly 100 human service agencies, first responder groups and branches of the Seattle Public Library. In addition, Real Change vendors will leverage the strength of their personal networks. We know that our community learns about resources through word-of mouth, and this peer-to-peer network will get the guidebook into the hands of those who need it.
The guidebook will list services such as health care, shelters and meals — and also features special sections for help with LGBTQ resources, culturally specific services and assistance with immigration issues.
The Emerald City Resource Guide complements online service listings that already exist by making the information immediately accessible to those who lack consistent access to technology.
The Emerald City Resource Guide complements online service listings that already exist by making the information immediately accessible to those who lack consistent access to technology.
I recently heard the story of a woman at a bus stop late at night, when she was approached by a young woman looking for a place to stay that night. The young woman didn’t have a cell phone, and by that time libraries were closed and she had nowhere to turn to look up local shelters. The first woman quickly searched through her phone, and was able to point the young woman in the right direction. If she had a guidebook, she said, she would have been able to hand the young woman a copy, connecting her to more support opportunities.
This is our vision on the Emerald City Resource Guide: a pocket-sized portal to change. As someone flips through the guidebook, looking for a shelter, maybe they’ll pass an entry on drug treatment services, or a job readiness program, and inspiration will spark.
This pilot guidebook was made possible by a $20,000 Seattle Human Services Department Innovation Grant and sponsorships from a wide variety of partners. Current sponsors of the Resource Guide include: 2-1-1, YWCA, Amerigroup Washington, Muslim Association of Puget Sound, Neighborcare Health, Jewish Family Service, DESC, Solid Ground, Evergreen Treatment Services, Pike Place Market Senior Center, Recovery Café, ROOTS and Community Health Plan of WA.
Sponsors receive first priority in receiving copies of the guide for distribution to people they serve, and marketing benefits including advertising in our newspaper and on social media. If your business or agency would like to get involved, please email [email protected].
Real Change believes that online access should not be a barrier to receiving critical services. With your strong community support, The Emerald City Resource Guide gives people like our vendors one more tool to find the help they need.
Tim Harris is the Founding Director Real Change and has been active as a poor people’s organizer for more than two decades. Prior to moving to Seattle in 1994, Harris founded street newspaper Spare Change in Boston while working as Executive Director of Boston Jobs with Peace.
Wait, there's more. Check out the full April 4 - April 10 issue.