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Director's Note—April 2026
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an opportunity to honor the resilience of survivors while continuing to push for an end to sexual violence. At the Seattle Human Services Department, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) team strategically invests in community partners who provide culturally responsive, evidence-based supports to survivors of sexual violence, and work tirelessly to prevent further harm. Please join City staff in wearing denim on April 29, to bring attention to sexual violence prevention and education.
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 HSD staff on Denim Day 2025.
HSD’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors includes our work to bring more unsheltered people indoors. In March, Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced her plan to open 1,000 new units of emergency shelter in 2026. City Council took up the proposal and introduced two bills that would expand emergency shelter by increasing funding and empowering the City to directly sign lease agreements with property owners. I am greatly encouraged by the urgency with which Mayor Wilson and Council are addressing our most pressing challenges, and look forward to partnering on this important work in the weeks and months ahead.
To share some more positive news, HSD recently joined the Office of Sustainability & Environment in releasing a 2024 progress report on the City’s Food Action Plan. With $31 million budgeted for 2026, HSD remains one of the City’s strongest investors in food security. The progress report includes many wins worth celebrating, while also highlighting the action steps needed to bring about a more sustainable, fair, and strong local food system.
HSD provides contracts and direct services for the most vulnerable in our community, from offering services for victims of sexual assault to our emergency feeding and rental assistance investments. With the many current threats to our social safety net, we want to thank our partnering agencies for all they do.
In community,
Tanya Kim
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The 2025 cohort of Victim Support Team volunteers.
Save the date: Recruitment for Victim Support Team begins April 15
The Seattle Human Services Department's Victim Support Team (VST) is a group of volunteers who provide compassionate support to survivors of violence and their loved ones during a critical time of need. VST celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and will begin recruiting its next cohort of volunteers on April 15.
VST volunteers can come from anywhere in the community—they do not need to have a background in social work or counseling. Those selected to participate will undergo 50 hours of training before beginning to meet with survivors.
Learn more about the program on the VST webpage. You can also sign up to receive an email notification when applications open on April 15. Applications will close May 29, 2026.
Applications are open for 2026 SYEP Internships
The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) launched its 2026 Internship Program last month and is accepting applications now through May 4 at 5 p.m. These paid summer internships are an exciting opportunity for youth and young adults to get valuable career development skills and professional growth opportunities.
SYEP interns will be paid $21.30 per hour to work with City departments, participating non-profit organizations, and local businesses. The internships are scheduled to begin July 6 and end August 18.
For more information about eligibility or to apply, visit seattle.gov/SYEP.
Community Forums on Age- and Dementia-Friendly Washington
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The State of Washington is taking meaningful steps to become more age- and dementia-friendly — and your help is needed to ensure every voice is heard. The Washington State Department of Health is gathering input at five Community Forums to plan for more inclusive, supportive communities where people of all ages can thrive.
Attendees will learn about the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Washington framework, hear stats and data about aging and dementia in our state, and share their thoughts and ideas. Please select the forum that best suits your needs/schedule and register here to attend:
Thursday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to noon -- This session is for people living with memory loss or dementia.
Thursday, April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. -- ASL/CART services will be provided
Tuesday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to noon -- This session will be conducted in Spanish.
Thursday, April 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. -- This session is for Tribal community members.
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 Employee Spotlight
In her unique role at Seattle Human Services, Rebecca Kuhn gets to work with caring, passionate, and committed staff across the department to ensure HSD services are accessible to all.
Our latest Employee Spotlight features Rebecca describing her Race and Social Justice work at the City. In her role as Information and Access Strategic Advisor, Rebecca oversees HSD’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, supports language access, processes public disclosure requests, and manages community engagement and events.
Check it out at our Human Interests blog.
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 Community Corner
April 6-10 is National Community Development Week, and we are spotlighting one of the programs that receives federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through HSD. The Minor Home Repair program helps seniors and disabled homeowners with low incomes maintain their homes so they can safely age in place.
"By fixing small issues with plumbing, electrical, carpentry and safety accommodations before they grow to endanger the home or the homeowner, our minor repairs allow elders to maintain their independence and safety," says Logan Edwards of Sound Generations, which administers the program.
Read all about it, including how to access this resource, in our latest Community Corner feature at HSD’s Human Interests blog.
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Following are some important dates and events HSD is supporting this month.
April 1 – WA Cares Fund accounts open – As of April 1, people 18 and older who have contributed to the WA Cares Fund are able to create accounts to access long-term care benefits starting July 1. Learn more about the fund and how to create your account.
April 6-12 — National Public Health Week – This week we recognize how public health has improved our daily lives and strengthened our communities, to honor the public health workers who show up for us every day, and to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all. Visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County website to learn about the services and resources they provide to promote health and equitable access to health care.
Wednesday, April 15 — Tax Day! – United Way of King County (UWKC) will provide free tax preparation – both in-person and remote — to those making less than $80,000 a year (or less than $96,000 for non-single filers). The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program also provides tax preparation help to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over age 50 and have low to moderate incomes.
Friday, April 17 — Civic Coffee on Forecasting Our A.I. Future – Join Age Friendly Seattle on Friday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to noon, as they host their monthly Civic Coffee to learn about the current state of A.I. capabilities and the forecast for the next 36 months. It will be in-person at Chinese Information and Service Center, 611 S. Lane St., with live Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation. You can also Join us virtually online or by phone.
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 April 23-26 — Seattle/King County Clinic – This volunteer-driven free health clinic occurs for four days each year at Seattle Center and welcomes anyone in the region who struggles to access and/or afford health care. Patients do not need ID or proof of income, insurance, or immigration status to receive care. Patients do not need to be residents of Seattle or King County. Interpreters are available. No appointments or advance registration; first come, first served. If you need immediate care, please do not wait for the Clinic. Find free and affordable resources near you.
Wednesday, April 29 — Denim Day – This sexual violence prevention and education campaign asks all to wear jeans on Denim Day to support survivors and renew our commitment to addressing sexual violence. Find out more about why denim symbolizes a protest against the misconceptions that continue to surround sexual violence.
Thursday, April 30 — Summer Food Service Program host sites – April 30 is the last day to apply to host a site for the 2026 Summer Food Service Program. HSD's Summer Food Service Program provides no-cost breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for children and youth ages 1 through 18. Site hosts are typically community providers and nonprofit organizations— learn more and apply today. Email SFSP@seattle.gov with any questions.
Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s blog — “Neighbor by Neighbor:” Mayor announces legislation to rapidly expand shelter and calls on whole city to be part of the solution
Greenspace (Office of Sustainability & Environment) — Seattle Food Summit brings more than 300 community partners together to build a healthy, strong, and fair regional food system
From Public Health Insider (Public Health-Seattle & King County) — Stretch your food dollars with programs that can help
Front Porch (Seattle Department of Neighborhoods) — The Future is Bright: Updates from the Seattle Youth Commission
From AgeWise King County (Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services) — The Healing Power of the Arts
Welcoming Seattle (Office of Immigrants and Refugee Affairs) — OIRA announces innovative new funding opportunity for small community grants
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