When Operation Nightwatch began in 1967, they were here.  Rev. Bud Palmberg and his wife Donna, along with Rev. Norm Riggins and his wife Bonnie have received Hero capes, as the Founders of Operation Nightwatch.  Over 400 people joined us to honor them and bear witness to their legacy.

Hero of the Homeless Luncheon

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Noon to 1:00pm

The Great Hall at Union Station

401 S Jackson Street

Seattle, WA 98104

It was more than a power lunch; it was a powerful lunch. 

To sponsor the 2013 Hero of the Homeless luncheon, please call (206) 323 4359 or email: hero@seattlenightwatch.org.

As founder of the Mental Health Chaplaincy Program, Rev. Craig Rennebohm has been a community asset for decades. He gently and persistently seeks to develop friendships with mentally ill people, both on the street, and in various care settings in Seattle. His gentle, companion-oriented approach is holistic and therapeutic.

One of the great things about Craig’s work is the way he invites others to join him in creating loving relationships with mentally ill people.  Craig teaches faith communities of all types, helping others to walk alongside those who are suffering mental distress.  

As Mental Health Chaplain, Craig has been an advocate for community mental health systems. His teaching and influence has reached beyond Seattle, to state, national, and international settings.

Craig Rennebohm’s acclaimed book, Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, was written with David Paul, and published in 2008.

Thank you, Craig Rennebohm, for being a worthy “Hero of the Homeless.”

Well known for her persistence and determination in meeting the needs of homeless people, Rev. Jean Kim served for seven years as the founding pastor of the Church of Mary Magdalene. This church especially welcomes and supports homeless women.  Out of this has come the work of “Mary’s Place,” a daytime drop-in program for single women and women with children.

At Christmas, 1996, Rev. Kim decided there shouldn’t be any woman homeless for the holiday.  She convinced motel owners to give her free rooms to house homeless women.  That year, homeless women had a place of their own for Christmas.

It is tough to say “no”  to Jean Kim. For her relentless persistence in serving homeless people, Rev. Jean Kim is worthy to be called a “Hero of the Homeless.”

Joe found his life's calling at the Pike Market Medical Clinic, where he works to help needy people who line up outside his door. He's able to work through all manor of obstacles, from helping to find housing, to locating food sources, to aiding with the paperwork maze required to get government support and well beyond.

He has been active with the Seattle Displacement Coalition, Operation Homestead, Mental Health Task Force of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. In 2004, the Low Income Housing Institute honored Joe by naming their 41-unit transitional housing program in Georgetown "Martin Court."

Tony has been a voice for the poor and homeless as Advocacy Director for the Fremont Public Association, Legislative Director of the Washington Association of Churches and research associate for the Justice & Peace Center of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Sharon is the Executive Director of the Low Income Housing Institue (LIHI), which has developed over 3,000 units of low-income housing.  LIHI also operates the Urban Rest Stop, which provides showers, restrooms and laundry facilities to homeless individuals.

A dynamic team together and two powerful voices individually, Tony and Sharon are indeed Heroes of the Homeless.

Synergy -- the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

It was a new millennium.  Ken Alhadeff and Dick Patterson got together for the first time, to talk about Operation Nightwatch, and figure out a way to get things happening.

Their ideas melded, changed, combined, grew.  Out of that came the “Hero of the Homeless” luncheon.

Ken Alhadeff has served as event host, emcee, and "pitchman."   He has been a passionate supporter, not only of Operation Nightwatch, but many other homeless service providers.  His company hosts a women’s shelter (Hammond House), and he and his wife Marleen have provided support and leadership to countless programs serving the poorest of the poor in the community.

Dick Patterson got involved with Operation Nightwatch when the current building was purchased in 1999.  He led the way through the confusing days of demolition and construction of the Operation Nightwatch shelter dispatch center.  His stamp on our organization is seen in the quality of the space used to serve homeless people.  His “big picture” and drive led to the launch and early success of the “Hero of the Homeless” program.