President Greg called to order meeting, #5407 of the Rotary Club of Everett and meeting #4 of his presidency at 12:04.

 

President Greg lead the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Will McMahan gave a Lord’s blessing for our Thought of the Day. 

 

Mark Johnson, a Lynnwood Rotarian, joined us today.

 

President Greg invited all to Friday’s board meeting, either in – person at 7003 Evergreen Way, at the southeast corner of Ttereve and Evergreen or on Zoom. 

 

There was a reminder to use the following link: https://www.everettrotary.com/page/donate to donate your happy dollars, birthday bucks and enter the raffle.    

 

Brenda Bolano-Ivory was $20 for today’s speaker.  

 

Randy Hansen provided the first bellringer in appreciation of his recent high-speed Indy car run at Indianapolis.  

 

Steve Miller matched Randy’s bellringer from his recent successful waterskiing success at the Western Championship and is going to the National Championship. 

 

Mark Valentine contributed $20 for Walt Greenwood’s recovery from COVID.   

 

Marc Baker was also happy that his wife is coming home from a recent hospital stay. 

 

Wick Temple had a unique raffle opportunity for all of our members – a visit to enjoy an experience at the Grape and Grain on Evergreen Way. 

 

The winners today were Heather Barnhart, Kari Petrasek and Mike Holcomb. 

 

Today’s program was the Director of the Second Chance Foundation, Jason Cockburn. Brenda Bolanos-Ivory introduced Jason and a video from a local news station that highlighted Jason’s background and the Second Chance Foundation. 

 

More information on the foundation is available at www.secondchancefoundationWA.org.  

 

Jason Cockburn has developed into a community leader and advocate for those in need after a challenging history. He was homeless since the age of 12 through his 30’s. He spent time in the jails and prisons. He felt like an outsider in the education system when he first started to engage in college life. 

 

In partnership with others, Jason helped start the Second Chance Foundation and have created many programs to help the homeless, those with addictions, young people, and former inmates. For inmates, the foundation provides scholarships and other support for help former inmates access education at our local community colleges.  

 

The foundation also helps with housing as well. Jason runs a recovery center on Colby with an outreach center, providing daily outreach and providing critical needs. Jason and the foundation also advocate for treatment plans.  

 

The foundation has many programs that provide scholarships, many which are endowed and with mentors. Scholarships include funds for diversity, homeless, treatment and education. 

 

After Jason’s moving presentation, there were many follow-up questions regarding Jason’s personal advocacy for the homeless, former inmates and education opportunities.

 

President Greg thanked Jason for speaking with us today. Join us for next week’s meeting and program by Louis Harris on Diversity in our Community. 

 

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NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM

Diversity in our Community, presented by Louis Harris