The new board of Bread & Roses has made several decisions that I would like interested members of the community to know about.

Our mission to serve and love the poor, homeless, and marginalized people in our community remains the same.

The advocacy center on 4th Avenue is now closed. This was anticipated when we lost the HUD grant that funded it, but is now official.

There will not be a street outreach program. This had been proposed to partially replace the advocacy center, using some remaining HUD funds, but unfortunately we not be able to use those funds.

The women's guest house remains open and filled. All the guests will continue to have a place to stay and will receive advocacy services.

The staff of Bread & Roses have been let go. They will be able to stay free at the staff house through April or receive a severance payment to leave earlier (their choice). (They were notified before I wrote this.)

Several other agencies are picking up all of the advocacy services for women in the guest house and as many as possible of the services formerly provided at the advocacy center. Unfortunately, there will be a reduction in services, as least temporarily.

Now, the board is working on a plan to build a solid organization, raise funds, identify the highest service priorities, and provide them more effectively. To do that, we will reach out to all our donors and community members for their input.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 360-402-5529 or matthew.olympia@gmail.com.

Also, you can visit our new website at breadandrosesolympia.com.

Matthew Green

President of the Board of Bread & Roses

Support the Olympia Free Herbal Clinic!

Enjoy live music by June Madrona and other artists over a three-course sit-down dinner featuring cob-oven pizza, locally grown produce and a variety of herbal treats, wild edibles salad, decadent desserts, wine and beverage bar, and raffle/silent auction. Vegan, meat, vegetarian, and gluten-free pizzas and more available!

Saturday, July 12, 5 to 9pm 

Fertile Ground Community Center; 311 9th Ave SE (across from Olympia Timberland Library)

$10 to $20 Donation

Contact: olyfreeherbalclinic@riseup.net

The Olympia Free Herbal Clinic is an umbrella project of Done & Done 501(c)3. We're raising funds to open a free clinic at the Bread & Roses Advocacy Center during the summer of 2008. We hope to have walk-in hours one to two days per week. We'll offer education, personalized health consultations, botanical remedies and other supplies free of charge. We serve to empower anyone and everyone, regardless of financial or other circumstances, to take charge of their own health care.