Director's Note – September 2023

Did you know that September is National Recovery Month? The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors this awareness month to help people understand issues related to mental health and addiction recovery. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has some excellent resources for starting conversations about tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

Last month, Mayor Harrell said “Success will not—and cannot—be measured on how many people cycle through jail; instead, our focus is on improving connections to lifesaving treatment and expanding program options to better meet the needs of those with substance use issues.” I couldn’t agree more.

HSD is working upstream to focus on substance use, mental health, and suicide prevention. Did you know suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10‒14, the 3rd leading cause among those aged 15–24, and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.? The highest rates of suicide are among American Indian/Alaskan Natives. You will see posts on social media this month for Suicide Prevention Awareness because “It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide.”

We support prevention and upstream services by providing assistance—food, utilities, and more—as well as information and referrals (e.g., Community Living Connections for aging and disability concerns). September is also Hunger Action Month; you will see social media posts about raising awareness of hunger in the United States and taking action to combat poverty, inequity, and injustice so we can end hunger for good. Across Washington and the nation, people are faced with choosing between their next meal and other basic needs like rent and medical care. Our community partner, Food Lifeline, offers opportunities to get involved or stay informed.

One of the best ways to encourage healthy connections is through positive relationships. National Grandparents Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Generations United is encouraging everyone to #DoSomethingGrand to celebrate the intergenerational connections in their lives and honor grandparents, grand friends, and older relatives for their contributions to their families, neighborhoods, and communities. See information below on our annual local celebration sponsored by the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders and Northwest African American Museum.

Best,

Tanya Kim

Reminder: SYEP Applications Due Soon!

The Foundations and Pathways programs are back! Starting this fall, the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) will once again feature one-on-one support and weekly cohort-based sessions on pre-employment soft skills. There are two program offerings to best support the career development journey for youth and young adults. Program applications close at 3 p.m. on September 20, 2023.

How to Apply and Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, an applicant must meet all of the requirements below:

1. Be between the ages of 16–24
2. Live in Seattle or attend school in Seattle (Seattle Public Schools or Seattle Colleges—North, Central, or South)
3. Live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Program Information:

• Foundations is for participants with limited or no previous job readiness training or background and who need pre-employment training and mentorship. Youth can get paid to attend training while preparing for their first or next job and making new connections along the way.
• Pathways is for participants who have had previous job training experience but need intermediate or certified trainings, or pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship internship opportunities. Youth can participate in professional training and programs to gain skills and credentials for specific career tracks, which can lead to professional level internships.

For more information, frequently asked questions, instructions for applying online, and checklists of acceptable documentation (available in English and seven other languages), visit Seattle.gov/SYEP.

The City of Seattle released its latest performance report on how our COVID-19 response programs are helping the most impacted residents recover from the pandemic.

The City and more than 350 community partners have delivered a wide range of services to help families, businesses, and neighborhoods, including the following achievements:

• Provided services to over 3,500 small businesses and grants to over 50 business associations
• Supported over 4,600 artists and cultural workers
• Supported public events that attracted over 700,000 attendees
• Bought four buildings that will offer 445 new affordable housing units
• Funded over 300,000 meals and supported an additional 1,000,000 food bank visits
• Provided free childcare for 690 children and awarded funding to projects that will provide childcare services for an additional 311 children

Seattle is investing in performance measurement to understand the impact of City programs and how to improve them. Learn more about Seattle’s COVID-19 recovery investments by visiting the Seattle Rescue Plan web page.

The Mayor’s Council on African American Elders, Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), and community partners will celebrate Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 10, 2023 (2–4 p.m.) at the Northwest African American Museum (2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle 98144).

The 2023 program includes:

• “Aging with Grace: Embracing the Joys and Challenges of Grandparenthood,” a presentation by Joe Hailey, chair of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services.
• Spoken Word Artist Patheresa Wells
• Music by NAAM African American Cultural Ensemble

Hosted by the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders in partnership with NAAM, admission and refreshments are FREE. For more information, visit www.agingkingcounty.org/grandparentsday/.

The City of Seattle and partners are offering a FREE Youth 3x3 Basketball Tournament on September 9–10 for youth ages 8–13. Come downtown, sign up for a team, and meet some of our Northwest basketball legends. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, free food and water, and a special prize for game winners. Take public transportation or park for free in select nearby buildings. Register TODAY!

Pickleball fans, get your paddles ready! FREE Pickleball clinics and play are coming to downtown Seattle on September 16–17. Come play the fastest growing sport in the country at one of ten ADA accessible temporary courts at the intersection of 5th & Vine.  All ages, all experience levels, and all people are welcome to enjoy free coaching from Seattle Metro Pickleball Association volunteers. Join us for round robins of competitive play, open play, food trucks, music, pop-up pro shops and more.