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Director's Note—May 2025
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults. The 2025 theme—Flip the Script on Aging—focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.
Our Aging & Disability Services (ADS) Division supports older people, adults with disabilities, and caregivers. ADS provides many important services from Care Coordination Program to Age Friendly Seattle to direct services by community-based organizations we proudly partner with. We also fund Community Living Connections (toll-free 1-844-348-5464) to connect people with help, information, and resources when they need it.
National Nurses Week (May 6-12) – The American Nurses Enterprise invites us to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide. Whether you're a nurse, a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply someone who appreciates the critical role nurses play in our lives and society, this is the perfect time to share your gratitude and celebrate nurses.
We also recognize both Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. Listen to this brief KUOW story from 2023 that, “explores the relationship between a Sephardic Jewish man and his Japanese American neighbor as they navigate the tension in Seattle on the precipice of World War II.” Communities are intertwined and we have much to learn.
Finally, our month ends with Memorial Day, a time to honor members who died while serving the U.S. military. This is an important time to reflect upon the values we hold dear, and to pay our respect to those who stood up to protect them.
Best,
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2025 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to issue its 2025 Notice of Funding Availability related to the following investments:
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation Survivor Services RFP [release date: May 30]
- Community Safety RFP [release date: July 7]
This notice provides an overview of HSD’s funding opportunities for 2025 with a brief description of the service areas for each opportunity, anticipated funding amounts, release dates, and contract start dates. Once finalized, HSD will issue detailed funding opportunities for each investment.
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 Employee Spotlight: Meredith Clark
Meredith Clark is a Victim Advocate with HSD’s Crime Survivor Services unit. She writes about supporting victims during one of the hardest moments of their lives, providing them a shoulder to lean on, an understanding of what is going on with their case, and a connection to resources. Visit our Human Interests blog to learn more about Meredith and her impact on our community.
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 Employee Spotlight: Cindy Broughton
Cindy Broughton was recently hired as the Nursing Services Program Manager with HSD’s Aging & Disability Services Care Coordination Program. She coordinates nurse consultations for high-risk older people and adults with disabilities as part of a program that helps people to remain safe and healthy and live independently in their own homes. Visit our Human Interests blog to learn more about Cindy and her impact on our community.
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 Community Corner: Kin On
For 40 years, Kin On has provided culturally and linguistically relevant care for Asian elders. From being the first not-for-profit bilingual Chinese-American skilled nursing facility in the Pacific Northwest to expanding to offer home care, assisted living apartments, community wellness activities catering to Asian seniors, and caregiver support services. Visit our Human Interests blog to learn why Kin On has been a trusted pillar for our Asian elder community and families.
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Apply Now: Senior Farmers Market Cards Valued at $80
Fewer than one-third of older adults in the United States eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which are vital to preventing and treating health problems. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) addresses this public health concern by incentivizing low-income seniors to buy fresh produce from local farmers.
The program provides an e-Benefit card valued at $80 (one-time distribution) to be used for the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers, farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs). The goal of the program is to increase access to nutritious, local foods and to aid in the expansion and development of local markets.
To apply, all of the following must be true:
- Age 60+ (age 55+ if you are American Indian or Alaska Native) by June 15
- Low-income (no more than $2,413 monthly income for one person or $3,261 for two people; for each additional person, add $848)
- King County, WA resident
Applications must be completed by May 9, 2025. They can be submitted online via a special portal (sfmnp-seattleking.org). Anyone requiring a paper application can download one from the SFMNP website and follow the instructions to return it by mail. Applicants should apply only once; duplicates will be removed. Information and applications are available in 15 languages.
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Flipping the Script: We❤Aging: Anti-Ageism Training
The World Health Organization defines Ageism as the stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or ourselves based on age.
In Seattle, Age Friendly Seattle is flipping the script on aging and combating ageism through its innovative ‘We❤Aging: Anti-Ageism Training’. The online course utilizes short videos, real-life stories, and personal reflections to provide background information and context for understanding aging and ageism.
Anti-Ageism Ambassadors
Barb Williams and Alex O’Reilly joined as ambassadors after participating in a training session with the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging and Disability Services. Since then, they have played a crucial role in facilitating meaningful post-training discussions.
Alex was inspired to become an ambassador because she believed the training’s message should reach a wider audience. “All of the effort put into developing this training needs to be shared with others,” she said, “and hopefully, it will make a difference—even if those changes are small.”
Barb emphasized the importance of raising awareness about ageism and hopes participants become more receptive to the lived experiences of older adults. “People should pause before they react,” she suggested. “This person, perhaps an older individual, might have valuable insights that I wouldn’t have considered because I am younger. This person has lived through many situations and conflicts, both internationally and locally. We should listen to each other more than we do.”
As the program grows, Age Friendly Seattle is looking for more ambassadors to help lead post-training debriefing discussions. The training prompts individuals to question their beliefs, fostering reconnections with their communities, families, and themselves. These key moments highlight the essence of flipping the script on aging.
If you are interested in becoming an ambassador to help us have these discussions among your network, or if your team or organization is interested in hosting an ‘We❤Aging: Anti-Ageism Training’ discussion facilitated by Age Friendly staff and ambassadors, please reach out to Meg Woolf, Program Coordinator for Age Friendly Seattle, who led the development of the trainings, at Meg.Woolf@seattle.gov.
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Would You Like to Provide FREE Meals to Kids?
The Summer Food Service Program provides free meals for children and teens ages 1-18 at a variety of sites across Seattle. HSD is recruiting new sites for summer 2025 to join nonprofits, playgrounds, community centers, and other locations where meals are given out.
An ideal site is a gathering place for children, teens or families, and is located near activities such as day camps, sports, summer programs, fairs, or similar programs.
Meals are delivered to the sites at no charge, and sites distribute meals to children free of charge and with no identification required. Sites choose their own hours, distribute meals and snacks, and keep track of how many meals and snacks are given out. A site can be open to the public or closed to a specific program.
You can find a site application online and visit our website for more information. You can also reach out with questions to SFSP@seattle.gov. Come join us!
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HSD’s Victim Support Team: A volunteer opportunity that makes a real difference
HSD’s Victim Support Team (VST) is now recruiting community volunteers. VST volunteers offer support to survivors in a unique time of need, and their commitment and impact make this program a vital part of the City's response to violence.
About becoming a Victim Support Team volunteer:
- VST volunteers represent diverse personal and professional backgrounds.
- No experience in social work or counseling r
- Free onboarding, training, and mentorship will be provided.
- The Victim Support Team provides short-term advocacy, safety planning, and referrals to culturally specific resources.
- VST volunteers provide advocacy in-person and over the phone each weekend.
Benefits of volunteering with VST:
- Make an important impact providing compassionate and non-judgmental support.
- Join a professional community of experts in the field of victim advocacy.
- Gain skills and knowledge in survivor advocacy and build community connections and relationships.
Please visit the VST Volunteer Opportunities webpage for more information and to apply online. Applications are open now; the deadline to submit is May 28, 2025.
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The Environmental Justice Fund is Now Accepting Applications!
አማርኛ | 中文 | español | ភាសាខ្មែរ | 한국어 | ພາສາລາວ | Oromo | Soomali | Tagalog | ትግርኛ | Tiếng Việt
The Environmental Justice (EJ) Fund was established in 2018 as part of the City of Seattle’s Equity & Environment Agenda to invest in community-led projects advancing climate justice. The EJ Fund is designed to protect and strengthen Seattle communities hit first and worst by climate change, extreme weather, and environmental inequities — including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, youth, elders, and low-income residents. The EJ Fund is funded through the Seattle Payroll Expense Tax, a local revenue source not connected to federal funding.
Submit your application by 5pm on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Tribes and tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, and community and neighborhood groups are eligible for funding. Projects must be led by and directly benefit communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues. Eligible projects can include: arts and storytelling, community education, organizational and community capacity building, climate change adaptation and resilience, community planning and visioning, and skills building and trainings related to green jobs.
Learn more and apply at seattle.gov/environment/ejfund.
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On AgeWise: From Seattle to D.C.: Standing Up for Older Adults Through Advocacy
On Greenspace: City of Seattle Upgrades Three South Seattle Community Centers to Provide Climate Resilient Spaces
On Human Interests:Shining a light on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
On Public Health Insider: Young people’s mental health and substance use in King County: What we’re learning from the data | Leer en español
From the Office of Mayor Bruce Harrell: Mayor Harrell Announces Every Child Ready Initiative and Bold Proposal to Renew Seattle’s Education Levy
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