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Director's Note—June 2025
June gives us time to remember, celebrate, and take action. We honor the lives lost to gun violence, celebrate the freedom and culture of Black communities during Juneteenth, and uplift our LGBTQ+ community during Pride. These moments remind us why our Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) work matters—because everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and included.
#WearOrange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 6. The color orange became a symbol for gun violence awareness in 2013, after 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was tragically killed in Chicago just a week after marching in President Obama’s inaugural parade. Her friends chose orange—the color hunters wear for visibility and safety—to honor her memory and the thousands of lives lost to gun violence in the US each year.
Today, #WearOrange is a national movement to honor the lives lost.
Juneteenth, observed on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the news of their freedom reached the last enslaved African Americans in the United States—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It is a celebration of Black freedom, strength, and cultural pride. It’s a time to reflect on the long fight for justice, honor the contributions of Black Americans, and build towards a future where everyone has equal opportunity
In Seattle, you’ll find many ways to celebrate throughout the month at events with music, art, community gatherings, and traditional foods that carry deep meaning and history. Don’t miss the City of Seattle celebration below under News You Can Use.
June is also LGBTQ Pride Month. In Seattle, the Pride Parade in Downtown celebrates and centers LGBTQ+ voices and experiences. Every year on the last Sunday in June, thousands of people fill the streets, marching for justice, community, and belonging—and HSD marches along with the Mayor’s Office and other City of Seattle departments as #OneSeattle.
See you in community and take very good care.
Best,
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Get FREE Summer Meals for Kids!
Good nutrition is essential for learning, growth, and well-being–every day, all year long. School may pause for summer, but the need for healthy meals does not.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that children and youth ages 1-18 have access to the food they need throughout the summer months.
Starting June 25, each youth can receive FREE, healthy meals and snacks to be eaten at many locations near you in Seattle, including playgrounds, community centers, and other partners.
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Civic Coffee Recap: Mental Health
On April 30, Age Friendly Seattle and Seattle Public Library collaborated with Filipino Community Village to host their monthly Civic Coffee event Dr. Juan F. Gutierrez Sanin, MD, MPH, led an insightful discussion about mental health trends, stigmas, and support.
Dr. Gutierrez Sanin has an extensive background in both mental and public health. He has worked as a physician, instructor, content creator, and thought leader working toward reducing health disparities and improving services for marginalized communities. He currently serves as a Homecare Program Manager at Highline College.
Read more about what was shared or watch the video recording posted on our YouTube playlist.
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 Employee Spotlight: Leyla Gheisar
Leyla Gheisar is an advisor in HSD's Homelessness Division, which manages funding for services designed to reduce homelessness across our region. Leyla is driven by a strong belief in the possibility of a better world, that meaningful change is possible, and that coworkers can be an incredible resource. Visit our Human Interests blog to learn more about how Leyla came to work in human services.
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 Community Corner: Farmstand Local Foods
Farmstand Local Foods connects our farming neighbors with urban eaters, from home cooks to James Beard-winning chefs to food pantries to preschools. They focus on supporting farmers who have historically been excluded from traditional wholesale markets, including BIPOC growers, immigrant and refugee farmers, and young, first-generation farmers. Visit our Human Interests blog to learn how their work strengthens the resiliency of our food system in multiple ways.
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Join the Roadshow: Explore New Data Tools with King County
King County’s Communities Count team invites you to a virtual Data Roadshow! This event will introduce new and updated data resources that help shed light on the social, economic, and health conditions across King County.
This session is open to everyone—whether you’re a data expert, a community advocate, or simply interested in local trends. Come learn about these tools, share your ideas, and help shape how these resources can be used to support community efforts and improve equity.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom Link
Have questions: Reach out to communitiescount@kingcounty.gov.
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Celebrate Juneteenth at Seward Park
This year, the City of Seattle invites everyone to join its Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Seward Park, Shelter 3 at 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118. The event promises a joyful day of community, culture, and history, with a special focus on uplifting and centering our youth.
Activities will include line dancing, live painting, chess, and music from talented young performers. It’s also a chance to meet new community members, support local artisans, and enjoy delicious food from some of Seattle’s best food vendors.
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Order Nutritious Foods Online: Washington WIC Pilot Program with Walmart
Washington state families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program can now use their benefits to order WIC-approved foods online from Walmart stores in Washington, thanks to a new pilot program.
After adding their WIC card to their free Walmart account at www.walmart.com/WIC or through the Walmart mobile app, participants can shop for WIC-approved items–called out on the site for ease–such as infant formula, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
The pilot project runs through Dec. 31, 2025, with the goal of expanding online ordering to other retailers in Washington after an evaluation period.
The WIC program improves the health and nutrition of pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under age 5 by providing access to healthy foods. WIC also offers health screenings, nutrition education, breast and chest feeding support, and referrals to other health and social services.
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Visit the Library Wherever You Go!
The Library's new Mobile app has been launched and is now available for iOS on the Apple App Store and Android on Google Play. Seattle Public Library developed this app to increase access to the Library system, enhance the online patron experience, and attract new audiences. It offers convenient, on-the-go access to a wide range of Library services and serves as a digital library card.
You can download it from your app store and find more information at www.spl.org/App.
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On AgeWise: Changes to the WA Cares Fund Expand Long-Term Care Support
On Greenspace: Seattle’s Environmental Justice Fund Marks 5 Years with $2.6 Million Invested in 43 Community Initiatives
On Human Interests: Flipping the Script: ‘We❤Aging’ Anti-Ageism Training
On Public Health Insider: Make sure your food vendor has a Public Health permit to avoid foodborne illness | Español (Spanish) | 简体中文(Chinese Simplified) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
From the King County Regional Homelessness Authority: Building a Land Bank - Request for Information (RFI)
From the Office of Mayor Bruce Harrell: Mayor Harrell Announces New Summer Safety Strategy to Enhance Security, Reduce Crime in Seattle Parks and Public Spaces
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