Tag Archives: Church of Scientology Seattle

Friendship Day at the Church of Scientology Seattle Promotes Sustainability

SEATTLE, Wash. /ScoopCloud/ -- Volunteers with the Seattle chapter of The Way to Happiness Foundation and the Church of Scientology celebrated this year's International Day of Friendship with a community open house. They showcased Seattle programs and resources that bring neighbors together to enhance the beauty and sustainability of the community.

Featured guest speaker Laura Jenkins, Community Outreach Coordinator with the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, sparked enthusiasm among those attending with her dynamic presentation about the city's many environmental programs and volunteer opportunities.

Jenny Frankl, Program Manager for the Adopt-a-Street program, acknowledged the Church of Scientology and its volunteers for 32 years of dedicated service with the program.

In addition to beautification projects and street and park cleanups, these volunteers promote common-sense values that encourage sustainability by distributing The Way to Happiness. The book helps individuals strengthen their moral compass and make better choices in life.

The first moral code based wholly on common sense, The Way to Happiness, written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, was originally published in 1981. Its purpose is to help arrest society's moral decline and restore integrity and trust.

"The Church of Scientology and its volunteers are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness," said Rev. Ann Pearce, director of public affairs for the local church.

She encouraged those attending the open house to avail themselves of the booklet and a free online course in its precepts, available through the Way to Happiness Foundation website.

The Scientology Network features brief films on humanitarians of diverse cultures and creeds who use The Way to Happiness to lower crime rates, bring calm and help individuals overcome barriers to their own happiness and the happiness of others. The award-winning series Voices for Humanity is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

The Church of Scientology Seattle is an Ideal Scientology Church, dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in July 2010. The Church is configured to serve its parishioners in their ascent to spiritual freedom and to serve as a resource for the entire community.

For more information, visit the website of the Church of Scientology Seattle.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-seattle.org/

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/qTSzwI-qmsc?si=SJCIR-0c6OGfBFW2

Volunteers with the Seattle chapter of The Way to Happiness Foundation and the Church of Scientology celebrated this year's International Day of Friendship with a community open house. They showcased Seattle programs and resources that bring neighbors together to enhance the beauty and sustainability of the community.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Scientology Church in Seattle Hosts Annual Block Party Celebrating National Night Out

SEATTLE, Wash. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Church of Scientology hosted its annual block party to celebrate National Night Out. The party featured a live band, a professional balloon artist, and a face painter for the kids. Guests age 2 to 94 were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on a mobile barbecue grill in a converted classic 1924 Model-T Ford-an annual block party tradition.

Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention supports National Night Out "to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities." The annual event is designed to engage neighborhoods in local crime- and drug-abuse prevention activities.

"It's important to us to work with our police department to support anti-crime and drug prevention efforts," said Rev. Ann Pearce, Director of Public Affairs for the Seattle Church. "We are members of the city's block watch program for our area. This annual block party is also a great opportunity to renew friendships and meet new neighbors."

The Church-sponsored National Night Out was one of dozens held throughout the greater Seattle area and more than 130 throughout the state.

Despite the lighthearted tone of the community get-together, drug abuse is a critical problem in Seattle. Volunteers of the local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the Church-supported drug education and prevention initiative, set up a booth making their Truth About Drugs educational materials available free of charge to all attending.

Drug prevention is vital in light of the recent spike in overdose deaths in Seattle. Downtown Seattle Association reports: "Overdose death counts continue to rise at a startling rate in Washington state. Between September 2022 and September 2023, Washington reported a 41 percent rise in drug overdose fatalities-the steepest increase in the United States. As the most populous county in the state, King County saw the highest number of overdose deaths, a majority of them concentrated in Seattle and downtown. In 2023, overdose deaths downtown represented more than 11 percent of overdose deaths within King County."

Volunteers with the Church make these materials available broadly with seminars, conferences, at fairs, festivals and other venues across Washington state.

"Prevention and education are critical to stopping the current drug crisis," said Dave Scattergood, Seattle-based ambassador to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World who is featured in an episode of Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network. "Not only do drugs make it easier for people to commit crimes because their judgment is altered, but they have that need to make the money to get the drugs. So, the two really go hand in hand. I want to see a world where people can live in prosperity and freedom. And you can't do that when you're addicted to drugs."

According to United Nations Office on Drug Abuse and Crime,"For every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs."

Noting the role substance abuse plays in the disintegration of the social fabric, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, "Research has demonstrated that the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs."

The Church of Scientology Seattle is committed to working with the community to resolve this issue. The Church was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in July 2010. An Ideal Scientology Organization, it is configured to service Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serve as a home for the entire community-a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-seattle.org/

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/dave-scattergood.html

The Church of Scientology hosted its annual block party to celebrate National Night Out. The party featured a live band, a professional balloon artist, and a face painter for the kids. Guests age 2 to 94 were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on a mobile barbecue grill in a converted classic 1924 Model-T Ford-an annual block party tradition.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology Seattle Community Open House Looks Into the Fentanyl Crisis: Washington Has the Fastest Rising Overdose Rate in the Country

SEATTLE, Wash., and LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Public Health Seattle King County reports 1,060 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2023 - up nearly 50 percent from 2022. For World Health Day 2024, Seattle's Church of Scientology invited a representative of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to shed light on the crisis.

Marcus L. Picket, DEA Community Outreach Specialist, presented "One Pill Can Kill," a DEA campaign to raise public awareness. He presented startling statistics on the fentanyl crisis:

* In 2023, the DEA seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills.

* The DEA also seized 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder.

* The 2023 seizures equate to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

* Of the seized pills containing fentanyl, seven out of 10 of those tested contained potentially deadly quantities of the drug.

* Poisoning deaths (including poisoning by fentanyl-laced pills) are the leading killer of Americans age 18 to 45.

"We have a task ahead of us," said Dave Scattergood, Northwest representative of Foundation for a Drug-Free World whose Seattle chapter cohosted the open house. "The way we do this is by getting our free educational materials into the hands of youth and those who interact with them such as educators and counselors."

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has long designated prevention as a critical component of effective drug policy, stating "Prevention strategies based on scientific evidence working with families, schools, and communities can ensure that children and youth, especially the most marginalized and poor, grow and stay healthy and safe into adulthood and old age. For every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs." But in the throes of the fentanyl crisis, the role of prevention becomes paramount, says Drug-Free World International Executive Director Jessica Hochman.

"It's time to realize prevention is the only viable solution to the overdose crisis," says Hochman. "Fentanyl has changed the dynamic of drug abuse. The solution is to educate youth, so they don't start taking drugs in the first place. Help them gain confidence that they are doing the right thing in not taking drugs, period."

Drug-Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that looks at the crisis of drug abuse through the lens of prevention. Its drug prevention materials are designed to empower young people through information. Their goal is to help youth make their own informed decisions about drugs.

Drug-Free World is inspired by the research and writings of author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, who found that "the single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs." Scientology Churches and Scientologists support Foundation for a Drug-Free World, making it possible to provide its youth-friendly materials free of charge to schools, civic groups, governments, law enforcement, and individuals and institutions in the private sector.

To see the impact of Drug-Free World's educational materials, watch public service announcements and The Truth About Drugs-Real People, Real Stories documentary on the Scientology Network, or watch episodes of Voices for Humanity to learn how activists of diverse cultures, creeds and nationalities use this campaign to create change in their communities and nations.

The Church of Scientology Seattle is an Ideal Scientology Organization, dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010. Ideal Scientology Churches realize Mr. Hubbard's intention to provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom and serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground for cooperative efforts to uplift people of all denominations.

The Church of Scientology Seattle and its Drug-Free World chapter encourage anyone wishing to contribute to solving this crisis to visit the Church at 300 West Harrison Street or their nearest Church of Scientology, or take the free online drug education course on the Foundation for a Drug-Free World website.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology-seattle.org

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.dea.gov/onepill

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/the-truth-about-drugs.html

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/they-said-they-lied.html

Public Health Seattle King County reports 1,060 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2023 - up nearly 50 percent from 2022. For World Health Day 2024, Seattle's Church of Scientology invited a representative of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to shed light on the crisis.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Church of Scientology Seattle and its Volunteer Ministers Hold an Open House to Honor Those Who Help Through Community Service and in Times of Disaster

SEATTLE, Wash. /ScoopCloud/ -- Whether responding to disasters or caring for the needs of underserved communities, Seattle nonprofits, churches and volunteer groups provide vital services to the city. The Church of Scientology of Seattle hosted an open house in support of Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD) and local nonprofits that respond to these needs.

Volunteer Minister Jim Mahon, part of the leadership team of WAVOAD, highlighted the cooperation that enables effective, coordinated relief in times of disaster. "Over the years, our Volunteer Ministers have responded to floods and mudslides in Washington state, and we offer free training in first aid and CPR to the community," said Mahon.

The Church works with community partners to help the homeless with food and clothing drives. These services are particularly important in the winter when the weather impacts homeless individuals and families.

Throughout the pandemic, Seattle Volunteer Ministers supplied thousands of items of clothing, masks, hygiene products and food to nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army, Queen Anne Helpline, Catholic Community Services, Mary's Place and the Queen Anne Food Bank. They also distributed 20,000 booklets to help educate individuals and businesses on how to stay safe and healthy despite COVID-19.

The highlight of the open house was a screening of the new documentary Operation: Do Something About It. The film shares the untold story of how the Church of Scientology mobilized the largest humanitarian effort in its history to bring hope, help and compassion to individuals, businesses, other religions, government agencies and healthcare workers during the pandemic.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service, developed in 1973 by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, who wrote: "If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance."

Watch Operation: Do Something About It on the Scientology Network. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology-seattle.org/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

Whether responding to disasters or caring for the needs of underserved communities, Seattle nonprofits, churches and volunteer groups provide vital services to the city. The Church of Scientology of Seattle hosted an open house in support of Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD) and local nonprofits that respond to these needs.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/