A Successful VSHSL Summit! 

Last week, we held the fourth annual Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Summit, bringing together service providers, community leaders, and advocates to collaborate under the theme “The Road Ahead: Building Possibilities”. Participants learned from each other through educational workshops and discussed innovative ideas.  

For many, the summit was both inspiring and energizing. In the words of participant Francisco Vivas Jimenez, “This is my second year at the summit, and what I’m taking away is that we are all aligned on the same page about the community’s needs and are working together to create innovative solutions for those gaps.”  

First-time attendee Amy Scofield added, “I enjoyed meeting so many people who are passionate about helping others. I especially appreciated brainstorming with like-minded individuals, and I’m excited to take back the tools I learned from networking with others.”  

Participants left the summit with renewed momentum, fresh ideas, and more connected, ready to continue to serve King County families.  

Financial Stewardship Training at the VSHSL Summit

Consistent with DCHS’s commitment to strengthen our financial stewardship, we offered a training and resources to over 200 providers at last week’s summit. The training strengthened our foundation for additional provider trainings planned for 2026. By leveraging opportunities to learn, grow, and build capacity, we can ensure we’re having the greatest impact on the communities we serve.  

Last weekend, King County's Resource Access Team hosted 76 families from across King County as they attended the Community Resource Fair, where they connected with over 50 local organizations offering support with housing, health, employment, and more. The event created a welcoming space for families to learn and access vital services.  

Help us spread the word on our next Resource Fair, happening on Friday, December 5 at the Issaquah Senior Center (75 NE Creek Way, Issaquah, WA 98027) from 4–7 PM. This is a great opportunity to explore and connect with local resources.  

This month, we announced findings from King County’s Nonprofit Wage & Benefit Survey and Nonprofit Employee Engagement Survey showing how reductions in federal funding, rising cost of living, economic uncertainty, declining individual donations, volunteer shortages, and other factors are threatening the sector’s viability. 

The two surveys conducted by 501 Commons analyzed 224 nonprofit organizations in King County that employ over 20,000 individuals. The findings show how burnout, turnover, and financial pressures are impacting both the organizations and their employees: 

• One in three employees reported holding a second job to make ends meet. 

• 60% of employees reported spending more than 30% of their income on housing. 

• Voluntary turnover remains high: 18% for full-time staff and 20% for part-time staff over the past year. 

• 27% of reported turnover was attributed to high stress and burnout, 53% to losing staff to higher-paying opportunities. 

• Only 32% of organizations offer structured leadership development programs, creating gaps in succession planning and career growth for staff. 

How We’re Responding 

In response, the VSHSL is helping to bolster nonprofit service providers and workers with up to $25 million through 2026 to support with higher wages, cost-of-living subsidies, improved benefits, hiring and retention bonuses, professional development, and more. 

“It takes people to care for people,” said Kelly Rider, director of King County’s Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS). “By investing in a strong, diverse nonprofit and human services workforce, we can help more residents access the support they need to meet basic needs, improve their well-being and become more connected to community.” 

So far this year, King County has awarded $11.4 million to support workforces across 90 nonprofit organizations that deliver a range of services, including housing, senior services, gender-based violence advocacy and prevention, support for immigrants and refugees, disability support, as well as legal and veteran services.  

“The human services workforce plays a critical role in ensuring that people across King County have equitable opportunities to live healthy, happy, and connected lives,” said Michael Bailey, director of King County DCHS’ Adult Services Division that oversees the VSHSL. “Despite their historical contributions, staff turnover continues to be a challenge. It’s time we support these workers and the vital work they do every day. This investment is a step in the right direction and will have a tremendous impact not just on workers, but the communities they serve.” 

Stay Tuned for More! 

The VSHSL will release a third round of procurement for FS6 Human Services Workforce Stabilization, to open before the end of 2025. This funding opportunity will be announced through this newsletter and the DCHS blog, Cultivating Connections, so keep an eye out for the next round!  

This month we visited the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank. Located in the historic Pike Place Market, the organization receives funding through the VSHSL and provides services, activities, and support to promote healthier, more self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. 

The organization’s Senior Center welcomes people age 55 and up and strives to make each day better and safer for our members. Membership is free and there are no fees for meals, services or regular activities.  The Food Bank serves people of any age, offering free groceries, ready-to-eat food for clients experiencing homelessness, and home delivery for qualified residents of Downtown Seattle. 

In 2024, Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank served more than 58,000 free meals, provided over 6,000 people with life-changing social services, and distributed more than 81,000 bags of groceries.   

Available Food Resources Across King County 

Now more than ever, organizations like Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank are critical to supporting our communities. With SNAP disruptions expected to drive demand, here are several available resources throughout King County.  

Thank you to Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) for hosting the Purple Light Night’s event. Each October, communities across the nation light up in purple, a symbol of hope, remembrance, and action. What started locally in 2006, by Victoria Throm, has now spread across the nation and around the world. Purple lights shine to remember those lost to domestic violence, support survivors, and bring hope to those still affected. 

If you or someone you know needs support, call the DVHopeline at 206-737-0242. 

You’re not alone.   

Click to Watch Our Video on DV Awareness Month 

Veterans Day to those who served—the idea of being honored for their service — has great meaning. 

Veterans Day celebrations after WWII were to the vets a celebration of survival. They made it home. There was a great deal of pride in seeing other vets honored as well. The Korean War veterans were also happy for the other veterans that made it back. Then came Vietnam, and things changed. In many cities across the country, Veterans Day Parades ended for a while. There were few happy homecomings, so many felt abandoned. In my own city of Auburn there was no celebration for a time until a service club decided to restart it.  

Since then, there have been a few homecoming parades for veterans who fought in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places; yet the Veterans Day Parade holds a place in their hearts for them all. For far too many it was and remains the only time that they are celebrated for their service to country. 

For decades after the war in Vietnam, veterans across the country felt left out, including myself. With encouragement from my family and friends I did begin to see the torment many were still going through.  

While serving as mayor of Auburn I was on the King County Regional Policy Committee (RPC). Former mayor of Enumclaw John Wise and I saw the devastating statistics of homelessness, drug and alcohol dependency and suicide rates of our veterans. We found an old levy that had been crafted for Korean War Veterans and drafted a new levy proposition for Veterans. We presented it to the RPC, and with the addition of Human Services, it was passed out of the RPC, to the full County Council and then passed by voters in 2005 and implemented in 2006. 

[Today known as the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy], this Levy has done tremendous work for veterans since then, and there is [still] much more to do. Looking toward the future, we must focus on the Levy as a critical source of support for the health and well-being of veterans and their families and communities.