The Spokane Tribal Elders Heating Assistance forms went out in the mail in October 2019. We have been receiving a lot of calls from people wanting to know where their form is at? We sent forms to the address that is on file. It is your responsibility to call and update your address when it changes. Failure to do so will result in lost/returned mail. Please be considerate when calling about address changes or any other change you may have, we do the best that we can with the information you provide.

Wednesday November 20, 2019 was the Elders Thanksgiving Dinner at the Senior Center. We had 113 people sign in for this event and received a lot of compliments. We would like to Thank the Spokane Indian Housing Authority, Spokane Tribe Enterprise, Domestic Violence Dept., Norma, Burress, Ramona Sanchez, Pat Austin, Toni Samuels, Kathy Etue, Roby & Daniel Grether, Charlotte Vivian, Vi Frizzell, for their donation/time given to this event. Thank You to the Senior Program Staff; Jenny Smallwood, Candee Singer, Vern Ford, Chris Johnson for getting the building set up and preparing the meal. Thank You to the Preservation Staff, VFW Staff, Health Coach, Gladys Rhoads, Deb Ramos, for your help in the kitchen and serving the food. What a Wonderful job done by all involved.

Senior Program Staff have been and will continue to work on a phone book listing local, county and state phone numbers that you may need. If you would like a copy of these numbers call the Senior Center and we will get a copy to you. 258-7129 or 1-800-789-9102. We have been receiving calls requesting a copy of this phone book that we have put together. This is an on-going project that requires monitoring and regular updating. We also received feedback asking to include some numbers from neighboring communities, so we did. This book is a living document that keeps growing and needing updated.

Nora Flett is at the Senior Center every Tuesday & Wednesday from 11am – 12pm for Elder friendly exercises. The small group is growing but there is always room for more. The Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.) exercise classes are great. There is support and a lot of laughter during this time. You are encouraged to attend and be active with peers. Incentives (very nice incentives), for those who participate regularly.

Meals are served at 12pm Tuesday thru Friday at the Senior Center unless otherwise noted. The delivery drivers leave the Senior Center between 9:30am -10:30am. If you are not going to be home, please call the Senior Center before 9am to have your meal cancelled for the day.

Thank You to everyone who calls in and/or tells the delivery driver in advance when you will not be home for your meal. This really does help with the morning prep work. Thank you again! One phone call or you letting your driver know you won’t be home does make a difference in the morning prep work. Thank You!

Are you interested in becoming involved with the Elders in our community? If so, please stop by the Senior Center and inquire about becoming a part of the Elder Advisory Committee. This committee meets once a month, every 2nd Tuesday at 10am @ the Senior Center. Unless noted otherwise.

Tuesdays are scheduled craft days but feel free to come to the Senior Center daily to work on crafts. There are sewing machines available to use and tables have been set up to lay material on so that it can lay flat without having to rearrange or get up and down from the floor. This is for our Elders use and there are people who want to learn and have asked if there is anyone willing to teach them how to make a quilt or to just sew something.

The Lifeline Program is a federal benefit that provides low-income, Tribal consumers with a monthly discount of up to $34.25 towards their phone or internet bill. Lifeline helps consumers across the United States stay connected to family, work, education, quality health care, and public safety services.

There are a few ways you may prove eligibility for this benefit. The first is through participation in a federal program. If you are in programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid you qualify for Lifeline. If you live on federally-recognized Tribal lands and take part in programs like the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations you also qualify for Lifeline. You may also prove program eligibility through your income. If your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines you qualify for Lifeline.

To apply for Lifeline, you will need a document that proves you are eligible for the benefit. You may also need an item that proves your identity such as an unexpired Driver’s License or Tribal issued ID and an item that proves your address such as a utility bill.  For more information on Lifeline eligibility, visit the program’s website. This will also give you additional information on the application process and how a Lifeline phone or internet company can help you through the process. Search for companies that serve your area by typing in your zip code or city and state in the Companies Near Me tool on Lifeline’s website.

For more information, contact Lifeline at (800) 234-9473 or visit LifelineSupport.org.