2016 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

Budgets, vetoes, firing state agency heads, a prisoner release scandal – lots of drama occurred before the Washington State Legislature adjourned their special session on March 29th. What does it all mean for United Way? The 2016 legislative session was a mixed bag of wins, including youth homelessness and criminal and losses. Read Article

Homeless Veteran Gets His Smile Back

The Community Resources Exchange connected more than one thousand clients to essential resources all under one roof. Bill, an Army Ranger with US Special Forces in Desert Storm, was able to get a haircut, new shoes, and much needed dental work. Read Article

100,000 Opportunities Initiative Wants You! [UPDATED]

With thousands of youth in Seattle & King County out of school and not working, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative is hosting an Opportunity Fair. It will be a day of connection and empowerment, both to more than 20 leading companies, and a full suite of services, workshops, and inspiration to help break down barriers for youth. Read Article

Coach Up: The doctor’s orders for the next generation of leaders

How many people can say they have the best job in the world … and really mean it? These were the opening remarks from Dr. Ben Danielson who spoke at an intimate gathering of Emerging Leaders as part of our Speaker Series last night. Dr. Danielson has been the medical director of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic since 1999 and also works at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He serves on the boards of several organizations including United Way of King County, the King County Board of Health, the state’s health exchange board and other philanthropic organizations. Read Article

Employers see the benefits of putting Seattle’s homeless to work

Downtown Seattle’s Metropolitan Improvement District has never given a second thought to bestowing the dignified title of ambassador to Seattle’s homeless, making the employer an ideal partner to launch United Way of King County’s Jobs Connect program. The first wave of Jobs Connect participants are performing four-week temporary stints as street maintenance ambassadors for the MID. Wearing orange vests and clutching brooms and dust pans, the workers are teamed with full-time MID ambassadors, some of whom can relate personally, having once been homeless themselves. Read Article