SEATTLE – This Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, United Way of King County, in partnership with Starbucks, Mary’s Place and Wellspring Family Services, will host a Family Resource Exchange in Renton to help families who are experiencing homelessness, which disproportionally affects African Americans and other people of color because of structural and institutional discrimination.  

Direct service providers at the event will connect guests to housing resources, legal services and employment opportunities. A food bank, winter clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, resources to public benefits programs, kids’ activities and child care will also be available. 

WHAT: Family Resource Exchange
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Lindbergh High School
16426 128th Ave. SE
Renton, WA 98058

As we reflect on the ideals of equality and justice that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. espoused, we must remember the hard work that lies ahead. The homelessness crisis in our region—with nearly 11,200 people staying in shelters and others living in tents and cars—demonstrates the racial disparities that exist in our community. For example, the latest Count Us In survey revealed that 24% of people experiencing homelessness are African American or Black, despite representing only 6% of the King County population. Similarly, 15% are Native American or Alaskan Natives, but they only make up 1% of the general population.  

Previous Family Resource Exchange events have served more than 1,700 households, or nearly 5,100 people in our community, and helped over 650 households obtain housing or prevented them from falling into homelessness. This work will continue at this upcoming Exchange with the help of dozens of volunteers, many of them from Microsoft, which will match volunteer hours with dollars.