Hopelink

Hopelink proudly offers comprehensive services to our north and east King County neighbors, with full-service centers in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline and Sno-Valley (Carnation). Our transportation services reach even farther, supporting folks across both King and Snohomish counties. We provide critical social services through a variety of programs, including housing and transportation, case management, energy and food assistance, employment and financial coaching, adult education, financial assistance, and an extensive referral network. Discover more about Hopelink services that may benefit you or someone you know! https://bit.ly/3AjY3d6

Throughout October, Hopelink staff and volunteers have been tabling at our service centers and housing sites, encouraging our clients to register to vote in this fall’s election. As the deadline approaches, don’t miss your chance – register online at VoteWA.gov by Monday, October 28. If you have your ballot, make sure to fill it out and return it by Election Day on Tuesday, November 5.

Winter is right around the corner, but we’re still in awe of how our community turned out to alleviate child food insecurity through during our End Summer Hunger campaign. “This year’s campaign saw our community show up in a huge way as we more than doubled the number of drives held to end summer hunger,” shared Suzette Hart, Hopelink Development Director, Giving. Click the link below to read about the impact of End Summer Hunger! Also, stay tuned for how you can help ensure no one in our community goes without shelter, warmth, or food this winter through the Lend a Hoping Hand campaign! https://bit.ly/3NDJB2t

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at the 29th Annual Reaching Out Luncheon! Each contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in sustaining Hopelink services. It was wonderful to see all of you, both in-person and virtually.

Today, we honor White Cane Awareness Day, which celebrates the independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. At Hopelink, we are committed to prioritizing inclusion, accessibility, and equity because we understand that through this focus, we can create equitable systems and outcomes. Our commitment is demonstrated through both our programmatic and advocacy efforts, including: Inclusive tech, like our Find a Ride program, which empowers individuals who are blind or visually impaired to plan their transportation journeys with ease. Advocacy for the Nothing About Us Without Us bill ensuring that people with lived experience have a voice in the decision-making processes for policies that directly impact them. We’re proud to champion accessibility and embed it at the heart of everything we do. Let's keep building a future that works for everyone.

With the inflating costs at grocery stores, fresh and nutritious foods can be seen as a luxury item. Your participation at the 29th Annual Reaching Out Luncheon you support programs like Hopelink Harvest, which ensures fresh, local produce reaches families in need. Your engagement helps make nutritious food accessible to everyone in our community. Learn more about the Reaching Out Luncheon or attend virtually on October 21st: https://bit.ly/46umCiY

At Hopelink, we understand the connection between poverty and mental health. Economic hardship can worsen mental health challenges and make accessing support more difficult. To address this, we’ve been using trauma-informed practices across our organization, ensuring that staff are prepared to support clients, colleagues, and the broader community. Since 2018, over 300 staff members have been trained in Mental Health First Aid, and we've provided training on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to foster safe, supportive environments. As we recognize World Mental Health Day, let’s focus on breaking down barriers to mental health care and ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to thrive.

Stephanie Land always wanted to be a writer, but this dream was nearly derailed when she left a violent home and found herself in crisis. She recounts her return to this pursuit as a college student in "Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education." When you come to hear her keynote remarks at the 29th Annual Reaching Out Luncheon, you'll also be able to support students pursuing their own goals in our Adult Education program. Click here https://bit.ly/4fwsGfc to register and make an impact!

Raouf spent 30 years as an Italian-speaking tour guide in Egypt. After moving to the U.S. in 2017, he pursued his passion for food, blending Mediterranean flavors with Italian and Halal tastes into his cooking. Through Hopelink’s English for Work program, not only did he improve his English, but he also connected with his new community through his culinary skills. “I cooked for my classmates a few times, and they all loved it," Raouf shared. Learn more about our Adult Education programs and Raouf’s journey here https://bit.ly/47VbCvC!

This week, we were happy to welcome Rep. Adam Smith to our Bellevue Center & Food Market to learn more about our Food Assistance, Adult Education, and Housing programs! We’re proud to highlight the work being done in our Food Markets to ensure all in our community have access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant foods. Thank you, Congressman Smith, for your work towards ending food insecurity in our region!