February 2025 Newsbriefs

• Fig Tree Benefits explore need to pass on wisdom - March 8 and 12
• Faith communities give ongoing response to disasters, like California fires
• Directory is online, updating is ongoing
• End the Violence Conference planned - Feb 24-26
• VOA, Transitions host Mardi Bras - Feb 14
• North Spokane Islamic Center relocates
• Helpers Network expands to Cheney
• Palouse program trains community members - Feb 2-12
• KSPS PBS Future Day introduces kids to jobs - Feb 22
• Yom HaShoah planners set art contest - March 21-23
• Gonzaga's new president starts in July
• Health District HOPE program seeks healthy outcomes
• Habitat in Pasco ties with DNR to build new housing
• YWCA Spokane names Women of Achievement to be honored in 2025 - March 14
• WCC leader in San Jose tells of fires affecting people and churches helping

Fig Tree Benefits explore need to pass on wisdom

"Sharing Wisdom: Connecting the Generations," the theme for The Fig Tree's 2025 Benefit events emerges from articles in recent issues.

The Benefit Lunch will have 50 hosts to invite guests to hear speakers and celebrate 41 years of publishing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Hemmingson Center Ballroom at Gonzaga University. The presentations will be available on gonzaga.edu/livestream.

Those wishing to join in the Breakfast-Time Benefit from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, will have an opportunity to view a video of the lunch program.

"We filled the space at Cataldo Hall last year with guests at 30 tables and already have hosts for nearly 40 tables," said editor Mary Stamp. "We appreciate the enthusiasm to support our solutions journalism style of stories that share the faith and values of interviewees."

Four speakers will briefly discuss how The Fig Tree shares wisdom among the generations. Those speakers will be Cameron Conner, Fig Tree columnist who offers reflections in people power; Pingala Dhital, who works with refugee women at Thrive International in Spokane to help them support themselves; Kristine Hoover, chair of Gonzaga's master's in leadership studies who helped prepare a documentary on Holocaust survivor Carla Peperzak, and Kassahun Kebede, Eastern Washington University Africana studies professor who started a library in Ethiopia.

In an overview video, eight others will describe the impact of The Fig Tree on their lives, their work and the community.

To host or attend, call 535-4112, email event@thefigtree.org

Faith communities give ongoing response to disasters, like California fires

As media attention to the California wildfires that began Jan. 7 wanes, depending on future fires, people in the faith and nonprofit communities need to be reminded that the recovery will be ongoing, and their disaster relief programs are channels for ongoing financial support.

The Red Cross usually provides immediate relief, plus there are some funds specifically set up for the California fires.

Church and faith organizations can direct their funding to emergency and long-term recovery. Typically, they already have people in the communities and are ready to respond with food and other aid.

A November editorial, which is at thefigtree.org/nov24/110124editorialstamp.html, reminds that these offices provide trusted ways to support disaster relief and recovery. Their efforts are continual and not driven by news cycles.

For example, while U.S. media provided heavy coverage of the Los Angeles area fires, there was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Tibet killing 126 people, injuring 188 people and damaging 1,000 homes. That had less coverage.

Faith and nonprofit organizations and partners also respond to those needs.

In Southern California, in addition to homes and other structures, at least 15 churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other religious institutions were completely destroyed.

Frequently, those buildings are used by the Red Cross and FEMA as shelters and places where people can come to sign up for relief and recovery aid.

Faith and nonprofit groups in the communities affected by disasters usually form Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters (VOADS), that meet regularly regionally to coordinate efforts so when disasters strike, they are ready to respond for the long haul as the response does not end when the cameras turn to the next disaster.

As California wildfires continue, so does the call to care for one another.

Rachael Pryor, conference minister with the Southern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ, commented, "We know this is the future we are facing with climate change. We need to have a disaster response team in place because we know disasters will happen."

These wildfires are reshaping her priorities as she considers how churches respond to disasters.

"Disaster response is not isolated to the initial incident. There are many layers, and our response needs to be viewed through the eyes of the marginalized and vulnerable," she said.

In addition, an article in the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest newsletter pointed out that many in the region have friends and loved ones affected by the Southern California wildfires. So, along with prayers, they directed people to contact Presbyterian Disaster Assistance nationally and donate directly to the San Gabriel Presbytery.

The article listed names of people who had served at churches or at Whitworth University and who were evacuated or safe. That gives a personal sense of the connections.

The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane newsletter noted that "in the face of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, we are called to stand together in love and support." Along with prayers, they invited donations to their national Disaster Relief Fund to help provide aid and bring comfort to those in need as a way "to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering hope and restoration in this time of crisis."

Directory is online, updating is ongoing

Malcolm Haworth, who continues to receive accolades for his work compiling data and preparing The Fig Tree's annual, comprehensive Resource Directory: Guide to Congregations and Community Resources, has the latest and new data online in his ongoing work to keep up with the ever-changing information.

Congregations and nonprofits close and open. They also change the programs they offer based on community needs and funding, he said.

Malcolm is sending out emails inviting people to update the information in their listings over the next several months.

Marijke Fakasiieiki, development and editorial associate, is preparing to reach out to advertisers and community partners to invite their support, which is invaluable for making the publication possible. She works with editor Mary Stamp and administrative and volunteer coordinator Kaye Hult to make contact with those supporters.

"Given these changing times we expect there will be many cuts to agencies affecting programs, but we have more data from visits to rural and tribal communities to expand and support the needs in those communities," said Malcolm, who is exploring options for expanding geographically.

"We will keep attuned to those who are left out, based on those who lack online access," Malcolm said.

To volunteer and for information, call 216-6090, email resourcedirectory@thefigtree.org or visit thefigtree.org.

End the Violence Conference planned

The 2025 End the Violence Conference, an event to empower domestic violence professionals in the Northwest, will be held Monday to Wednesday, Feb. 24 to 26, at Spokane Community College.

It will offer cutting-edge training, resources and collaborative opportunities to help professionals prevent, interrupt and address domestic violence.

Experts will lead workshops to share the latest research, best practices and effective strategies for intervention and prevention.

There will be networking opportunities to connect with other professionals, advocates and organizations seeking to end domestic violence and foster a supportive community.

There will also be resource sharing to support survivors and promote safety.

The conference features four learning tracks geared to meet the needs of advocates, law enforcement, judicial members and youth violence prevention.

Continuing education credits will be available.

For information, call 242-3155, email info@srdvc.org or visit https://endtheviolencespokane.org/etv-conference.

VOA, Transitions host Mardi Bras

Volunteers of America (VOA) of Eastern Washington and Transitions are partnering again in 2025 to invite groups to participate in their annual "Mardi Bras" fundraiser in February and March to support women experiencing poverty and homelessness in Spokane.

Organizations and congregations host Mardi Bras parties and events through February and March to collect donations of items to provide for basic needs for women at Transitions' Women's Hearth, a drop-in center and safe space for women in downtown Spokane, and VOA's Hope House, an emergency shelter that serves more than 500 women a year.

This fundraiser focuses on basic items that are needed most—tampons and pads, travel-sized toiletries, socks, underwear and, of course, bras.  Last year, groups gathered more than 12,000 tampons and 1,500 bras.

The Drive-Thru Mardi Bras Donation Drop Off will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, March 14, at 920 W. 2nd Ave.

For information, visit voaspokane.org/locations/hope-house and help4women.org/spokane-mardi-bras.

North Spokane Islamic Center relocates

Maryam Masjid and the Islamic Community Center recently moved from meeting at Lidgerwood Elementary School to 5702 N. Market St., where the mosque will provide worship, connection, community building, spiritual growth and learning for its community.

The mosque will offer all five daily prayers and Jumu'ah prayer at 1 p.m. on Fridays, according to an announcement on its Facebook page.

Seeking a permanent home for the masjid and school in North Spokane, they are raising funds to buy land or a building.

Helpers Network expands to Cheney

Spokane Helpers Network is expanding its service area to include Cheney.

Its mission is helping neighbors cope with temporary financial setbacks by guiding them to free resources and delivering necessities, including meal kits, adults and youth hygiene kits, toilet paper, feminine pads, tampons, bus passes and referrals to the Teen and Kids Closet.

Housed clients in Cheney who are experiencing food insecurity and other setbacks may visit: SpokaneHelpersHetwork.org/get-help.

Palouse program trains community members

Alternatives To Violence of the Palouse (ATVP) will hold a Volunteer Hotline Training program aimed to equip compassionate individuals with the skills and knowledge to support community members affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking and other crimes. The training will be offered from Sunday, Feb. 2, to Wednesday, Feb. 12, on Zoom.

ATVP's mission is to empower individuals and foster a safe, equitable community through education and
prevention. Its services include 24-hour crisis intervention, emergency shelter, legal and medical advocacy, as well as individual and group support.

The Volunteer Hotline Training is a comprehensive, 40-hour program on crisis intervention techniques, understanding the dynamics of abuse and providing emotional support to those in need, said Kateisha Moreno, program manager.

This initiative not only aims to strengthen the hotline services but also to create a network of informed and compassionate community members who can contribute to the well-being of others.

For information, call 332-4357, email program.manager@atvp.org or visit atvp.org.

KSPS PBS Future Day introduces kids to jobs

KSPS PBS presents "KSPS PBS Future Day" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at On Track Academy, 4091 N. Regal St.

The free family event is part of the station's Ready to Learn Initiative, which involves hands-on play to spark curiosity in children about the world of work.

Children in kindergarten through third grade will engage in interactive challenges offered by local trades. Costumed characters of Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat will make a guest appearance.

"It's more than an event. It's a celebration of play and an opportunity for kids to get excited about their future and explore different careers," said Angie Riley, KSPS PBS education director.

For information, call 443-7700 or visit ksps.org/events.

Yom HaShoah planners set art contest

The planning committee of the Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust has announced that the theme for the Jessica Stein Memorial Art Contest for middle school and high school students is "Survival and Life After the Holocaust."

The 2025 Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust will mark 80 years since World War II ended and the death camps were liberated. It will also be 30 years since the first Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust was held.

A flier for the art contest that seeks entries related to surviving genocide and how survivors resumed their lives afterward went to art, social studies and English teachers in Spokane area public and private schools. It includes information for teachers, students and parents about the contest—background, rules, deadlines and awards. Descriptions of the project are due on Friday, March 21, and delivery is on Sunday, March 23.

The Writing Contest, which is usually held for the observance, will not be held this year, said Hershel Zellman of the committee.

"By studying the Holocaust, we anticipate that students in our region will learn important lessons that they can apply to their own lives and that stimulate them to create pieces of art that reflect what they have learned," he said.

Prizes for the contest winners will be awarded at the annual Spokane Community Observance of Holocaust at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at Temple Beth Shalom, 1322 E. 30th Ave.

For information, call 747-3304 or email neveragain-spokane@comcast.net.

Gonzaga's new president starts in July

The Gonzaga University Board of Trustees has selected Katia Passerini as the university's next president, beginning July 15, 2025. She succeeds Thayne McCulloh, who steps down in July after serving as Gonzaga's president for 16 years. 

Katia is currently provost and senior executive vice president at Seton Hall University, a Catholic university about 15 miles from New York City in South Orange, N.J.

She said she looks forward to coming to Gonzaga as "a dynamic university with a national reputation for quality, dedicated to the holistic education of students."

A native of Italy and a lifelong Catholic, she is an academic, a university administrator and a leader. Before going to Seton Hall in 2020, Katia was chair and dean of the Collins College of Professional Studies at St. John's University, where she also was professor in computer science, mathematics and science.

From 2003 to 2013, she was professor and chair of management information systems at the Martin Tuchman School of Management, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where she also served in the information systems department in the Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences. 

From 2013 to 2016, she served as the dean for the Albert Dorman Honors College at NJIT.

She holds degrees in political science from the International Free University of Social Studies and in economics from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, both in Rome, Italy. She earned a master's degree in business administration in 1996 and doctor of philosophy in 2001 from The George Washington University. She also holds a certificate in business project management from New York University.

In addition, she was a Fulbright Student Scholar and Fulbright Administrator Scholar, as well as an Italian National Research Council Fellow (CNR). Katia also served as interim president at Seton Hall University for the 2023-24 academic year. 

Her inauguration ceremony at Gonzaga is set for fall 2025.

For information, visit gonzaga.edu/27th-president.

Health District HOPE program seeks healthy outcomes

The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) and partners—SRHD Beginnings Matter Program, Akin, Launch Northwest and Eastern Washington University School of Social Work—are presenting part two of its Social Connections Learning Series to create opportunities for people from the region to meet, learn together, network and envision possibilities for creating socially connected Spokane County communities.

The program follows the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework, a strengths-based approach to providing access to positive childhood experiences for all children, youth and families.

"It is an approach to health and prevention grounded in research about the protective nature of positive experiences, based on the understanding that children who have positive childhood experiences are more likely to be healthy and have positive mental health outcomes later in life, even in the presence of adversity," said Rumyana Kudeva, early childhood specialist with the SRHD.

The HOPE program has four building blocks—relationships, environments, engagement and emotional growth.

In 2025, the series focus is from prenatal to five years. Next year, it will look into social connections for those in the K-12 population. The following year will explore adulthood and how social connections can support people's wellbeing and prevent isolation and loneliness.

The fourth year will focus on older adults and how to support their health by ensuring opportunities for social connections.

"We hope that these learning series will be ongoing and will strengthen existing work around socially connected communities in Spokane," said Rumyana.

For information, call 324-1605, email rkudeva@srhd.org or visit srhd.org.

Habitat in Pasco ties with DNR to build new housing

Habitat for Humanity in Pasco will partner with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, entering a land use agreement to build 100 affordable housing units on 16 acres of state land and using revenue from it to fund K-12 education and libraries.

The DNR has more than 3,000 acres of state land classed as "residential transition" land—empty lots, vacant plots and open lands—in and around cities across the state that do not generate revenue for DNR's trust beneficiaries because they are surrounded by other developed land.

During the 2024 legislative session, Representative April Connors developed legislation to motivate developers to build on public lands. For example, House Bill (HB) 2003 removes a 12.84 percent leasehold excise tax for developers who commit to maintaining housing for low- to moderate-income homeowners. The legislation makes constructing housing on public lands easier while providing a new revenue stream for local schools and libraries.

"Washington is the nation's fifth most unaffordable state for housing and faces having the fewest housing units per household. Addressing this crisis requires bold solutions like this Habitat for Humanity project that demonstrates the impact and scalability enabled by HB 2003. By reducing barriers to building on state lands, we can increase affordable housing options for families, keep young workers in Washington and ensure seniors have the stability they deserve," said April.

For information, call 360-584-3916 or email ryan.rodruck@dnr.wa.gov.

YWCA Spokane names Women of Achievement to be honored in 2025

YWCA Spokane will recognize nine women for 2025 Women of Achievement Award in February and March at the Women of Achievement Awards event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 14, at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

For 43 years, YWCA Spokane has honored more than 260 women for their achievements and commitment to giving back to the community.

Those receiving the 2025 Women of Achievement Awards were nominated by the public and evaluated by a committee of YWCA Spokane board members, community volunteers and staff based on their impact.

The goal is to increase community awareness and appreciation for the contributions of women leaders in Spokane.

The women selected for the 2025 Women of Achievement Awards are the following:

• Charity Bagatsing-Doyl, arts and culture award

• Julie Honekamp, business and industry award

• Dr. Ping Ping, Carl Maxey Racial and social justice award

• Kiantha Duncan, community enhancement award

• Jennifer Hansen, education award

• Marlene Feist, government and public service award

• Amy Washington, science, technology and environment award

• Athena Mangano, young woman of achievement award

• Janet Mann, lifetime achievement award

Along with honoring these women, the luncheon raises awareness to address the epidemic of domestic violence in the Spokane region and raises funds to support survivors through YWCA Spokane.

During 2023, YWCA Spokane provided life-changing services to more than 14,000 individuals, children and families through a 24-hour helpline, safe shelter, legal advocacy and mental health services designed to disrupt cycles of trauma and create pathways toward healing and independence.

With the support from event sponsors—Providence Health Care, Numerica Credit Union, Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort and Casino, MultiCare, AgWest Farm Credit, Hanna Agency and Hamilton Studio—proceeds of the luncheon benefit the YWCA's services and programs for those experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment.

"We envision a community where domestic violence is no longer tolerated," said Erica Schreiber, director of community engagement. "Working at intersections of inequality, poverty and domestic violence, we aim to disrupt societal patterns of trauma."

For information, visit ywcaspokane.org/2025-woa-honorees.

WCC leader in San Jose tells of fires affecting people and churches helping

World Council of Churches News

Amid California fires in January, "we have the certainty of the accompaniment of the love of God," said Neal Presa, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of San Jose, California and member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central and executive committees.

He reflected on how people are affected by the ongoing wildfires, how churches are helping, and how God's love serves as a comfort during times of disaster.

Neal and his family, who live in northern California, are safe, but they know many people who have had to evacuate, and many whose homes, churches and schools have burned.

"Churches in the Presbytery of the Pacific, the regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which encompasses Pacific Palisades and the surrounding communities, are providing shelter," he said. 

Churches of many denominations are providing beds, food, showers and a caring presence to help people through great trauma. 

"The ecumenical family can pray for all the affected individuals and communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the thousands of residents who have lost their homes and businesses and are dislocated, firefighters who have been working tirelessly to contain the fires, first responders who are providing aid, caregivers who are providing care to the aged and infirm, and, overall, hope and resilience in the midst of the smoldering ash, and a shared sense of community," he urged.

"We mourn the devastating and heartbreaking losses by so many in this and in every natural disaster," he added.

Neal noted that there will be many kids who will wonder where they will go to school, many families who will wonder where they will find long-term shelter as they figure out what to do next, and many pastors who already feel overwhelmed who will work with their congregations for how and where to continue worshipping and serving.