By Henry Hall

Seattle, WA, Dec. 19, 2013 – Mount Zion Baptist Church is expecting another large turnout for its 5th Annual Christmas Day of Caring toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 21 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Last year over 1,200 individuals were served. Children and youth felt the joy of choosing a toy or gift that they would be able to open on Christmas morning.

While the economy is showing signs of improvement, many families continue to struggle just meeting basic needs. Mount Zion plans to help hundreds of families fill that gap. It’s the goal of Senior Pastor Aaron Williams and church volunteers to ensure no child leaves empty handed.

In addition to gifts, families will be invited to enjoy a nutritious meal, sing along with the Mount Zion Choir and visit the Church’s Helping House, where they can receive gently used clothing and household items at no charge.

Monetary, toy and gift donations from the community are appreciated and needed. They can be delivered to the church through 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20th.

A Seattle University official has notified faculty that the school’s administration opposes ongoing efforts to unionize non-tenured instructors and encouraged faculty to oppose joining a union.

In a letter obtained by Capitol Hill Seattle, Provost Isiaah Crawford recently told SU faculty at the 12th Ave campus that bringing in a union to represent contingent full-time and part-time faculty would negatively impact the university culture by “disrupting the direct relationship between the university and its faculty and the faculty’s governing body.”

Instructor Yancy Hughes Dominick, a full-time adjunct in the Department of Philosophy, told CHS he’s undecided on the union but wants the discussion to continue.

“I was disappointed that (the provost) would end the conversation before it really started, but I was not surprised,” he said.

Hughes Dominick said he and many other faculty members are generally happy with the administration, pay, and benefits at SU. The interest in unionizing stems from the broader issue of year-to-year contracts the school uses for adjunct professors. “It’s hard to be committed to the large project of teaching classes at a university if you don’t know if your going to be teaching or not,” Hughes Dominic said.

Here’s a statement from the faculty about their desire to unionize.

Crawford said he sent the letter when he heard faculty members were being approached by staff from Local 925 of the Service Employees International Union. SEIU is currently working on a national campaign to unionize thousands of adjunct instructors. A union representative contacted by CHS did not respond in time for this post, but we’ll update if and when they do.

In his letter, Crawford also warned that unionizing may impede the school’s religious freedoms as faculty relations would be subject to federal rules.

“SU is an institution that exists to serve its unique Jesuit-Catholic academic mission.  Because of the University’s religious character, we must consider carefully whether the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents the federal National Labor Relations Board from exercising jurisdiction over its relations with its faculty,” he writes.

SU wouldn’t be the first school to oppose unions based on religious grounds. The administration at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma is opposing ongoing organizing efforts by SEIU Local 925, partially based on religious grounds.

This post is part of a series of profiles of Central District residents, part of the “People of the Central Area” project developed and written by Madeline Crowley.

About Filli:

Filli left behind the glories and tragedies of his home, Ethiopia, determined to build a successful life for himself and his beloved family in the Central Area with his store and café, Amy’s Merkato.

Filli on our Community:

I came from Ethiopia. I have a daughter, her name is Delina. She is the center of my life and my wife’s name is Yodit. I live in Lynnwood, a long drive from here. I’m planning a lot of things for my future and the future of my family. I would like to change my work schedule from a 6-day schedule to one where I can spend more time with my daughter while she’s still at home.

Madrona is a beautiful place. There are so many friendly people nowadays. You have people of different races, different backgrounds, and different finances. It mixes people from all ways of life. Lots of interesting people here doing many types of jobs, there are more professional people now. The economy is improving so I am happy.

When I opened in 2000 there were a lot of bad things, illegal things. This area still has that reputation. There was crime in 2000 up until 2008. Since then I have seen big changes in this neighborhood. I used to be uncomfortable closing up my store alone at night and going to my car. There was street activity; I was worried locking up and leaving.

The police have been really good, now there is a much bigger police presence and the street activity has disappeared. You feel safe now especially at night. It’s much safer. I am grateful to the Seattle Police.

It looks like a bright future for this community but this depends on how the community organizes itself from things like the shootout (the murder of Justin Ferrari). If the community organizes itself to put that type of activity out, then this community will be a great place. I am glad to be here.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Over 1 mile of candle-lit paths, caroling, free hot chocolate and cookies, maybe even Santa Claus, the Judkins Park Festival of Lights returns for a second year on Friday, December 20, from 6 to 8:30 pm.

For extra fun, join the lantern parade led by a fun Klezmer band. We have some lanterns and lights to pass out, or bring your own funny hat and lanterns. Meeting at 5:45 at the Starbucks on the corner of 23rd and Jackson and walking into the park, starting at 6:00 pm.

We are still looking for volunteers to help get the bags set out and then picked up. Drop a note to [email protected] to volunteer. Set up is Friday, 3 pm, take down is at 8:30 pm.

Thanks to the Central Seattle Drug Free Communities Coalition, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation, Washington Start Department of Social and Health Services, King County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Programs, Jackson Place Community Council, Colman Neighborhood Association, Darigold and the Promenade Red Apple. Here’s a link to last year’s pictures.