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Summary
King County is partnering with Minority Veterans of America to open the Minority Vets Community Center, a first-of-its-kind space where minority veterans can access resources, including case management and financial assistance. Funded by King County's Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, the new center is a significant investment in inclusive, safe, and culturally informed services for underrepresented veterans.
Story
Today, King County Executive Shannon Braddock joined Minority Veterans of America and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Minority Vets Community Center. The center is a first-of-its-kind space designed to meet the needs of underrepresented veterans, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, religious, and non-religious minority veterans.
The new center, funded by King County’s Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), will offer a welcoming, identity-affirming environment where veterans can find community and connect to resources like case management, financial support, workforce training and education, in addition to activities that improve mental health and wellness.
“This center will provide the unwavering support, respect, and care that veterans deserve,” said Executive Braddock. “In the face of attacks at the federal level targeting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ veterans, King County remains committed to investing in programs that ensure all veterans have access to the resources they need to thrive.”
As a multi-use hub, the Minority Vets Community Center will also facilitate trainings and community events.
“If we are to truly honor the servicemembers who have defended our freedoms, we must recognize and better serve historically underrepresented veterans who for too long have not received the support and investment they need,” said Michael Bailey, director of King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Adult Services Division. “We are proud to partner with Minority Veterans of America, whose work and dedication have had an immeasurable impact and made the communities we serve feel seen and supported.”
King County’s VSHSL will support the Minority Vets Community Center with funds that will go towards building operations and services provided by Minority Veterans of America.
"The Minority Vets Community Center is the manifestation of a dream we’ve carried for years—a space built by us and for us, where veterans who’ve been overlooked, excluded, or pushed to the margins can finally feel seen, safe, and supported,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America. “At a time when so many of our communities are being sidelined, silenced, and targeted, this center is an act of resistance. It’s a place for healing, for joy, and for building connection and community in systems that haven’t always made room for us. We are still here — and together, we’re creating the future our communities have always deserved."
Last year, King County partnered with Minority Veterans of America to fund Q’mmunity House, the first transitional housing dedicated to serving LGBTQIA+ veterans in the country. The VSHSL also supports Minority Veterans of America in providing resources and conducting outreach across King County to connect veterans, current servicemembers, and their respective families. It also provides training for the veteran-serving community to support the creation of a suite of programs for minority veterans.
For more information on King County’s work to support veterans, click here.
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