120 years of showing up
On the evening of May 7th, supporters, community members, and partners gathered at Town Hall Seattle to celebrate something rare: an organization that has never stopped showing up.
What Matters Most is Neighborhood House’s annual signature event — a night of real stories, honest conversation, and collective commitment to building a Seattle where everyone belongs. This year carried extra meaning: 2026 marks our 120th anniversary, and this evening was both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a rallying cry for the work still ahead.
From the opening notes to the final remarks, the room was electric. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, and performances alongside an evening of heartfelt speeches that reminded everyone why this work matters — especially right now.
“I am preparing my children for the world, while preparing the world for my children.”
Craig Sims, Keynote Speaker
Every ticket purchased, every dollar raised, and every new connection made that evening goes directly toward Neighborhood House’s programs: housing stability, early childhood education, employment and adult education, youth and family services, aging and disability support, and community health — all right here in King County.
About Neighborhood House
Since 1906, Neighborhood House has been a constant in Seattle — a place where families finding their footing in a new country, kids who need somewhere safe to learn, or elders navigating systems that weren’t built for them can always find a door open.
We were founded during the settlement house movement, born from the belief that neighbors help neighbors. That idea hasn’t changed. What has changed is the scale and sophistication of how we do it. Today, Neighborhood House serves thousands of King County residents each year through six interconnected program areas, meeting people where they are and walking alongside them toward stability and opportunity.
We serve immigrants and refugees from over 50 countries. We run Head Start programs preparing children for kindergarten. We connect adults with job training and English language learning. We keep seniors living independently in their homes. We provide rental assistance and housing navigation. We offer mental health support and community health outreach.
And we do all of this because we believe, as we always have, that belonging is not a privilege. It’s a right.
Speeches & Highlights
Hear It in Their Own Words
Craig Sims
“I’ve spent my career in law fighting for justice, advocating for the voiceless and working to make systems more fair. And I’ve learned one thing in all of this. That justice is not just about what the law says, it’s about what communities do. Laws can be changed. Policies can be reversed, but it’s a community that decides with conviction and commitment that it will take care of all of its members and that forms a community foundation that holds. And Neighborhood House is that very foundation”
Craig Sims
Janice Deguchi
“In moments like this, when fear is fed deliberately, when cruelty is disguised as policy, when silence becomes complicity, it matters how we respond.”
Janice Deguchi, Executive Director
Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
A Night to Remember
