YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish

Dear YWCA supporter, Summer is here, as evidenced by the sweltering heat we are experiencing this month. Although many students are anxious to enjoy their vacation, not all youth are able to take full advantage of their summer. In the U.S., 12.8% of households are food insecure, or lack access to an affordable nutritious diet, and 17.3% of households with children experience food insecurity. Of these households, Black and Latinx families are disproportionately impacted at rates more than double that of white households. We have seen a significant increase in food insecurity the past few years as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which not only caused unemployment rates to peak at unprecedented levels but also severely disrupted the food supply chain. We are grateful for resources like Washington’s Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals to children who normally receive free or reduced price meals during the school year, and this year’s new national SUN Meals program, but more resources are needed, because no child should ever go hungry. YWCA offers various programs and resources to families in our care year-round, but the start of the school year is especially difficult for families who are already struggling to budget money for rent, food, and other necessities. By donating to our School Days drive, you can help make the new school year easier for families in our emergency housing programs and give students the boost they need to feel more confident and empowered when September arrives. In solidarity, Maria Chavez Wilcox

Thank you to longtime partner, U.S. Bank for your wonderful support of YWCA. It was great to have help from a group of 15 employees from the U.S. Bank Bellevue District sprucing up the grounds at Family Village Issaquah on July 16. 

YWCA was lucky to count a group of volunteers from Symetra Financial who helped to stock shelves and serve lunch at Angeline’s Center for Women on June 20 as part of Symetra Summer of Service. Thank you for taking the time to support this important YW program and the women it serves!

This month we celebrate Juneteenth, a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1865. This day is an opportunity to recognize the ways freedom and justice are too often delayed for African Americans, while celebrating Black joy and resilience in our community. June also marks the start of Pride month, and we want to highlight the lives and work of queer Black women whose history helped shape our future, despite their work, names, and identities being frequently erased. Women like Stormé DeLarverie, a Black lesbian famous for her call to action at Stonewall, Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman known for her fearless activism for the LGBTQIA+ movement, Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian known for her scholarly work and intersectional activism, and many more deserve to have their stories told. We honor the memory of our sisters who came before us, especially the Black, queer, and trans sisters who paved our way forward, and we will follow their example by continuing to fight for the women of today. In solidarity, Maria Chavez Wilcox

YWCA is grateful to Saja and Leila for representing us at this summit and on the Hill – and for advocating for economic equity, and inclusive, racially just, and economically empowering workforce development services! Thanks also to Marisol Tapia Hopper at the WDC for organizing the Hill day visits. You can read more about the visit here: https://bit.ly/3X2BrXe

Thank you to our volunteers and attendees for joining our Greenbridge job fair! The turnout was amazing and we are so grateful for our wonderful community. 

Join us TODAY at the 9th Annual Renton Career Fair 3 PM-6 PM! Come visit our table to find out what YWCA careers we have to offer.

Thank you for joining us yesterday to celebrate Snohomish County! It was a BLAST to have the community and our sponsors come together to show appreciation for our friends in the Snohomish area!

It’s that time of year to GiveBIG! Join YWCA and others in the community to bring basic needs and services to families! https://bit.ly/3QnL3YK

A group of YWCA executives from across the Pacific Northwest came together in Seattle last month to discuss programming, share key learnings, and strengthen our network. Pictured here at YWCA Opportunity Place, leadership from 16 local associations and YWCA USA attended the three-day conference, and we're grateful for the opportunity to spend time with our sister YWCA's of Alaska, Bellingham, Billings, Clark County, Great Falls, Greater Portland, Helena, Kitsap County, Lewiston Clarkston, North Central WA, Olympia, Pierce County, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima.