This is a story about Rotarians in Canada.  And Rotarians in Kingston.  It’s about one Akeem Stephenson, who wanted to go to jail.  He believed it was the only way he could free himself from a life of crime - a life he desperately wanted to change.  After being arrested a fourth time more than 10 years ago, for aggravated robbery, the teenager in Toronto was set to go to prison.  But the judge saw something in Stephenson that suggested that he could redeem himself.  So he gave Stephenson a choice:  participate in an 18-month youth program, or serve the six-month sentence.  For Stephenson, the choice was clear.  He decided to transform his life through the PACT Urban Peace Program.

            PACT, which stands for Participation, Acknowledgement, Commitment, and Transformation, is a Toronto-based, award-winning charity supported by Rotary clubs in Canada.  It works with at-risk young people and those who have committed crimes to change their direction in life.  Entrepreneur and Toronto Rotary member David Lockett co-founded the program more than 20 years ago.  The intensive, step-by-step program aims to break the cycle of poverty and criminal behavior.  Its goal is to determine what the participants need and develop strategies “to put them on a positive path in their life, so they can enrich not only their own lives, but their community,” says Lockett. 

            PACT works with the judicial system to identify repeat offenders ages 12-19 who may benefit from the program.  After a young adult is convicted of a crime, the judge or judicial official refers them to PACT as part of a probation order.  Central to PACT’s success is its LifePlan Coaching program, an intense intervention system that pairs a participant with a certified life coach.  The two meet each week for 12-18 months to set goals in six key areas:  education, employment, health, relationships, contributing to the community, and staying out of the criminal justice system.  Many LifePlan Coaches are Rotarians. 

            Akeem Stephenson used the PACT program to turn his life around and launch his music career.

            What, you say, does this have to do with Kingston North Kitsap Rotary?  Well, it’s a small example of what Rotary Clubs the world over are working on in their communities on a daily basis.  Often, the focus of Rotary’s leadership, lead donations, and sweat-equity is youth.  Programs to divert young lives from a path to nowhere.  As did our colleagues up north for Akeem.  Here in Kingston, one of Rotary’s goals is to assist in the establishment of the Kingston Coffee Oasis in the former community center.  It, too, is about youth.  Coffee Oasis was formed in 1997 by Dave and Cindy Fredrick in Bremerton.  It is a Kitsap-centric enterprise.  Simply put, they sell coffee in the front to help kids in the back, providing resources for street youth.  Showers.  Laundry.  Clothing.  Food.  Job training.  Case management.  Shelter.  “Changing the world for homeless youth, in one community after another through evidence-based youth programs supported by sustainable coffee business.”  That’s Coffee Oasis. 

            Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are proud to thank, in this month of Thanksgiving, all who raised their paddle for Kingston’s Coffee Oasis at June’s Swing for Rotary golf tournament dinner/auction.  A total of $15k was raised.  Welcome to Kingston Coffee Oasis.  In addition to leading with donations of money and sweat-equity to your cause, we are pleased to welcome you and your youth-saving programs to our community.

            Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are people of action.  We take the lead on programs, activities, and initiatives that make this a better place to live.  We would be pleased to invite you into our Club.  We have fun and fellowship on the way to making this a better community.  Weekly meetings, Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m., Village Green Community Center. 

There are 529 Rotary Districts worldwide.  Leading one of the geographically largest of those, District 5020 (all of Vancouver Island and western Washington), is Craig Gillis, who visited the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club October 17. Gillis is a teacher by profession.  He “educated” club members on what he called the heart and science of service.  The heart is why we do it.  The science is how, the body of practice we learn as Rotarians.  As Rotarians, he said, we are connected by invisible strands…the stories we tell each other.  This is why it is a goal to bring in more new members.  He said the future is youth.  “Whatever we can do to support youth, keep on doing it.”  Gillis left members with two homework assignments. First, “move the needle forward in whatever way you like.”  Second, take a blank note card home and write to someone who’s made a difference in your life.  A note of appreciation.  Put something in their “shoebox of life.”

North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Rick Lagrandeur spoke to Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians at their October 10 meeting.  The Chief explained the November 6 ballot measure, Proposition 1, which would increase NKFR’s revenue $1.6m annually 2019-2022.  If passed, Proposition 1 would replace a 1999 Capital bond measure, and a 2014 maintenance and operations levy.  NKFR’s Prop 1 materials state that it cannot continue to maintain current levels of service without the additional funds to pay for increasing operational costs and capital needs long deferred due to revenue limitations. 

Lagrandeur said the current district is the result of four districts combining in three mergers over the years.  Their motto is “Proud to serve in the protection of lives and property.”  There are four stations in the district, with a minimum of nine firemen on duty at all times.  All personnel are cross-trained in both fire and EMT.  Interesting statistics:  NKFR responded to 3052 calls in 2017.  Only three percent of those were for fires.  64% were for medical. Not stats were given on “cats in trees” calls.

Take a Hike!  Lace up those sneakers!  Strap on the hiking boots!  Or simply slip on the flip-flops for a hike on the new Kitsap Olympic Ale Trail.  “Everyone with a thirst and a palate are welcome on the new trail,” said Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club President Breane Martinez.  The Club announced the Trail at it’s annual Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament June 22.

It’s purpose is to connect “hikers” with  50% off deals at seventeen establishments in Kitsap County and beyond.  “The goal is to have twenty-five partner establishments - breweries and restaurants - on the Trail by the end of September,” said Martinez.  “We’re doing this for multiple good causes including for our ‘hikers,’ our partners, and the community.”

Here’s how it works.  Go online to either the Apple Store or the Google Store and download the app called “Donor Trail.”  Then click on “Kitsap Olympic Ale Trail.” From there,  select a charity to which benefits should go, and then purchase a Trail Pass for $20.  The final step is to save money and enjoy.  “Hikers” have a full year to visit all Trail sites, and they can be on more than one Trail going at a time.  All the information is located at www.kitsapolympicaletrail.com.

1. Go to our website: Kingston-nkrotary.org
2. Login.
3. Next select “Member Area” from the top bar.
4. Scroll down under “My Clubrunner” and select “View Club Documents”.
5. Scroll down to the Board Minutes you wish to read.
6. When done, be sure to log out.

Just a reminder for all Amazon shoppers – please use Amazon Smile. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2960627

For each purchase you make through Amazon.Smile – Amazon will donate .5% of eligible sales to Kingston NK Rotary.

It’s a fund raiser that does not require any of your time !