Content from this article was adapted from the King County Alliance for Human Services press release after the publication of the King County Wage Survey. The hourly wage that one adult, one preschooler, and one school age child in King County needs to survive in 2020 was $38.85/hour, and adjusted for inflation, that amount is …
I recently got a new job at a government agency and this job puts me at the top of the organization. As such, I have been reflecting a lot on the meaning of leadership and leadership power. Often, when we hear that a person “comes into power”, what is means is the person got a …
Too often, many of the stories discussed during Black History Month are tragic. One does not have to look too hard to uncover the many times in US history that humanity was not extended to those from the African diaspora. On top of that, many stories of Black excellence are undercut by tragic ends of …
Neighborhood House has been engaged in a multi-year effort to identify key racial equity goals and actions to move the organization towards becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multi-cultural organization in a transformed society. As a part of this effort, we committed to implementing an organizational assessment to establish a baseline understanding of the current state …
Neighborhood House recognizes that we are on Indigenous lands, specifically the lands of Coast-Salish people. We offer acknowledgement to our Coast-Salish relatives and cultures including the Duwamish, the Muckleshoot, the Snoqualmie, the Suquamish, and many other Lushootseed-speaking communities and people. We recognize that we serve communities on lands governed by the 1855 Treaty of Point …
November 2nd, tomorrow, voters in Washington state will have an opportunity to have their voices heard. We are lucky that in Washington, voting is easy. Our ballots are 100% mail-in, with plentiful drop boxes, free postage for mailing the ballots, and several weeks from the time ballots are received in the mail to when they …
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week when California Congressman George E. Brown first introduced it in June of 1968. In 1987, U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed expanding the observance to cover its current 31-day period that goes from September 15 to October 15 to properly observe and coordinate events and …
“Those who access and need our government services expect and deserve usability,” said Kendrick Stewart, Washington Department of Commerce’s deputy director. In a public performance review meeting on July 28, 2021, the deputy director went on to say that according to agencies that provide direct services to the public, those who are most likely to …
COVID has changed how young people have had to learn and care for themselves over this past year and a half. They’ve been away from friends and family, impacted by financial hardship, illness or loss of loved ones due to COVID. Going to school has meant logging on to Zoom, trying to focus on class …
The following is an excerpt from Erin Okuno, (former NH board member and Executive Director of Southeast Education Coalition) published on her Fakequity blog. I thought this article was timely as we live our values (one of our core values is relationships), and do the important work of building community and increase access to housing, …
E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one) is America’s motto found on coins, dollar bills, on the seal of the US Senate and House, and represents the idea that many – states and diverse people – are stronger together, and that together, we make one great nation. With the exception of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, …
“A riot is the language of the unheard.” – Martin Luther King Jr. The month of June has come to be known as Gay Pride Month. This has not always been the case. There was a time when being LGBTQ was not celebrated in such a public way, not only by those in the community …
Fifty-four years ago is not long at all. For many of us here at Neighborhood House, our parents had already taken their first steps on this planet’s soil. By 1967, satellite television had sent signals to separate continents, bubble wrap became a bored child’s favorite toy, and you could turn your tongue blue with a …
The Neighborhood House Celebrating Asian Diversity Affinity Group centers on the lives and experiences of Asian and Asian American staff. We envision an organization where Asians and Asian Americans thrive. We will build a community that empowers, elevates, and celebrates our diverse social identities and cultures. The month of May is Asian American and Pacific …
When events like the recent murder of six Asian American women in Atlanta occur, it’s not unusual to have an emotional response. We may feel grief, fear, confusion, anxiety, hopelessness, anger, and more – and sometimes all at once. We grapple with difficult questions, asking ourselves, “How could this happen, and what can I do …
COVID-19 has revealed the huge economic and health disparities perpetuated by racism and inequitable systems. At Neighborhood House, we see these disparities firsthand. Critical information and access provided only in English and maybe Spanish, access available only online, and major donors of health care systems “cutting the line” to get the vaccine before their phase …
“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin At Neighborhood House one of our most important core values is: Equity: We believe equity is determined by the community and those who live in it. We share power, work to repair past inequity, and …
This month, Governor Jay Inslee announced his equity policy package that would include $365 million for equity related initiatives. The package proposes a wide variety of investments like capital investments for Africatown Land Trust and Rainier Valley Food Bank, outdoor recreation equity, and equity for foster and homeless students. Some policy proposals that you may …
Last month’s Equity IRL talked about white supremacy culture and if you read further, the accompanying article also offered some antidotes. Several years ago, Neighborhood House adopted Gracious Space, which is based on Gracious Space: A Practical Guide for Working Better Together written by Pat Hughes and published by the Center for Ethical Leadership. Gracious Space, when done …
When you think of white supremacy, many people think of people wearing white hoods, burning crosses, and terrorizing Black people, Jews, LGBTQ people and other people of color. But, white supremacy is also white supremacy culture – an invisible force that keeps people of color and those without power silent and powerless. Living and working …
Neighborhood House
1225 South Weller Street, Suite 510
Seattle, WA 98144