Longtime community activist and former
Yakima Mayor Henry Beauchamp Passes  

The city’s only black mayor, Beauchamp’s reputation as a passionate crusader against racial and economic discrimination stretched across Washington. He served nearly a quarter century on the City Council and foundedYakima’sOpportunitiesIndustrializationCenter, a nonprofit agency providing education, work and housing services.

Beauchamp, who died last Wednesday, was 79.

Born in 1933, he spent his childhood inClinton,La.His family moved toYakimawhen he was 13, After graduating fromYakimaHigh School, Beauchamp became a bricklayer. But in late 1967, he took a substantial pay cut to become director of theSoutheastYakimaCommunity Center, where he wanted to fight poverty.

He then went on to startYakima’sOpportunitiesIndustrializationCenter, known as OIC, which provides a broad range of programs promoting education and employment.

In 1977, he was elected to the Yakima City Council, where he served for 24 years, including a two-year stint as mayor.

While Beauchamp was known for turning antagonists into allies, he didn’t shy away from controversy, especially when it came to job opportunities forYakima’s minorities. In the late ’60s, he took local unions to task for discriminating against black and Hispanic workers. In 1970, he joined others in filing a complaint alleging local U.S. Census Bureau officials hadn’t actively tried to recruit minority workers as required.

Perhaps his biggest gamble came in 2002, when he convinced the state OIC board of directors to take over a financially beleagueredSeattlenursing home. The only nursing home in the state under African-American ownership, it was expected to be shut down by the state.

For several months, Beauchamp and Huey held a flurry of meetings inSeattle,OlympiaandWashington,D.C.

“We were on a train that was just going wild trying to put that thing together,” Huey said.

Beauchamp’s deep religious faith kept him going during those tough times, Huey recalls at one point they had only a few days left to get several million dollars to buy the facility. They were driving toSeattlefor a meeting when they learned their loan application had been denied.

“He said, ‘Es, I think we ought to pray.’ And he stopped the car, and prayed one of the most profound prayers I’ve ever heard,” Huey said. “I remember him saying, ‘Lord,you know these people are vulnerable. They need a home. They need you, Lord. Walk into that meeting with us.”

When they left the meeting, they had the money lined up.

The OIC board backed Beauchamp, but some members were nervous about taking on the liabilities of a nursing home, said Frank Bacon, an OIC board member at the time and friend of Beauchamp since the 1980s.

“We had our neck out a mile,” he said.

The facility, which was renamed theLeonSullivanHealthCareCenter, has become a success — and a moneymaker for OIC, he said. A serious stroke in 2009 largely ended Beauchamp’s public service.

Despite his tireless efforts, Beauchamp sometimes felt discouraged that the city still struggled with gangs, race relations and limited economic opportunities,. If things haven’t progressed as far as people might have hoped, it isn’t for lack of effort. Beauchamp did what he could do he was one of those unique personalities that comes along once in a lifetime. We lost a community icon.

Beauchamp is survived by his wife, Wilma; a son, Jon; a daughter, Korie; and numerous grandchildren.

A service is planned for May 4; details are still being worked out.

Low Income Housing Institute Competes for
$250,000 in May to House Homeless Vets

 The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) is a nonprofit housing organization that provides homes for over 400 veterans inWashingtonState. LIHI was selected by The Home Depot Foundation to enter a Facebook competition to win $250,000 in the month of May. LIHI will compete against 10 groups around the country.

“We want to help end homelessness for veterans and will use the prize money to build and renovate homes for 50 veterans. Please vote for LIHI each day in the month of May,” said Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director.  Funds will also be used to provide homeless veterans looking for housing and jobs with free hygiene services such as showers, laundry and restrooms at the Urban Rest Stop. 

How to Vote  Voting begins May 1 and runs through May 31 at The Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action Facebook page.  You can vote for free at www.LIHI.org  or  www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation. The organization with the most votes at the end of May will win the top prize of $250,000. Second prize is $150,000 and third prize is $100,000. 

“Up to 21 percent of all homeless single adults in KingCountyare U.S. Military Veterans. As many as 1,200 veterans are experiencing homelessness in King county alone.” said Alan Castle, LIHI Board President.  “We encourage everyone to go on Facebook and vote for LIHI and visit www.LIHI.org and  pledge your support. It costs nothing to vote.”

LIHI is hosting a Homes for Vets Campaign Kickoff event on May 1^st from 5pm-7pm at the Rendezvous Inn’s Grotto:  2322 Second Ave, Seattle (2^nd and Battery).  Everyone is welcome.

“During Aprons in Action, we have the privilege of working with veterans organizations to elevate awareness of the work they do and award them with funds to continue their efforts,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation.“When the May contest concludes, The Home Depot Foundation will complete its goal of donating $1 million to 44 deserving nonprofits to help them continue their service to support our country’s veterans.”

The Low Income Housing Institute is one of the most productive nonprofit affordable housing orgainzations in the state. Ernestine Anderson Place was recently opened and provides homes for 60 seniors and veterans in Seattle. Visit www.LIHI.org to learn more about our work to end homelessness and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LowIncomeHousingInstitute.  

The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to improving the homes of U.S. military veterans through financial and volunteer resources to help nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has committed $80 million to these efforts over five years. Visit www.homedepotfoundation.org