Hello, my name is Bethann, I am very honored to be here with you tonight.

I moved here from the East coast on April Fool's day this year. 

I thought I'd start a brand new life after a series of unfortunate circumstances...

*divorce

*a hysterectomy

*my business flooding & losing everything

And not being able to find any kind of work anywhere.

Seattle here I come!

A New Beginning!

But my brand new beginning, didn't begin as I dreamed.

Again, I couldn't find work, which we all know is a BIG ISSUE now,

especially for women over 55, like me.

I am a very creative, self taught artist, but I lack practical skills for the job market

I also struggle with depression, which hit me really hard on arrival.

I went into a life threatening depression. I just wanted to die. I found myself googling 

"painless suicide"...it's kinda funny that I wanted to die but not hurt myself!

I found myself crying in public daily...in the line at the grocery store, on the bus, 

desperately trying to hide my tears but they just kept coming uncontrollably. It was very embarrassing. 

My sister, seeing I was having a hard time, told me about "FamilyWorks" just a few blocks away. I went and was immediately greeted by Jake Weber, who treated me with kindness, compassion  and non 'judgment. Of course, I cried, but this time because the love and support melted my heart! She gave me a list of resources for mental health, medical assistance, food stamps and the hours for the Food Bank! 

 I LOVE the Family Works Food Bank! All the volunteers are helpful and friendly. I'm especially fond of Michael Disney and Dwaine Coverson, who always check in on me on how I'm doing. It is very sweet. I feel like I am part of a family, a community that cares!

I'm also trying to eat healthy and find most of the time I can get fresh fruit and veggies and oatmeal! I am so grateful for Food Bank!

Sometimes I babysit for my sister and I'm delighted to bring her kids to The Family Works Free Play Dates!  My nieces love it and I have fun too!

Right now, I feel so supported as I get my head and health together.  I hope to start looking for work soon, in the near future...but I don't have a resume! Well! Guess what!?

Family Works is helping me write a resume on the computer! Ta Da!

So, bottom line is, I am very, very grateful for FamilyWorks, the staff, the volunteers, food bank, computer classes, children's activities, and all the resources they shared to get me on my feet and pretty much saved my life.

I volunteer face painting for them when I can, but I so look forward to the day I'll be able to donate some serious, well deserved money...because FamilyWorks...works!

Thank you kindly from the bottom of my heart, Bethann

A note from Jake:

Bethann is quite a remarkable woman and talented artist – check out her website.   www.flickr.com/theartangel/

Bethann also WROTE THIS SONG – Paycheck  Before Christmas. 

http://youtu.be/ZidRV2oBCs0