12 May Message from the ED

Dear Friends,

It is amazing to think that we are halfway through May! There is a lot happening in our community that has an impact for those experiencing homelessness.

This month marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Vice President Kamala Harris stated, “The American dream belongs to all of us”, and we celebrate the contributions of all people in our community. We support the #StopAsianHate movement, #BlackLivesMatter and all movements that disrupt systemic racism in our society. We are committed to speaking up and taking action to fight inequity, discrimination, and injustice. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that equitably supports women of all ethnicities, races, and colors.

Tomorrow ends Affordable Housing Week (May 9-15). On Monday, I joined a panel of professionals to discuss Housing is Healthcare: Solving Homelessness with Permanent Supportive Housing. I shared that The Sophia Way understands that home can mean different things to different people. We believe that one-third of the women we serve on the Eastside would benefit tremendously from supportive housing. And, a big part of that includes mental health services. When we are looking at the funding for the Health Through Housing initiative from King County and the State, it is essential that there are funds allocated for behavioral health.

There is hope as we move forward. We are working with Plymouth Housing on their Eastgate Permanent Supportive Housing project that will have units for people from the Eastside. And, King County Executive Dow Constantine, in his 2021 State of the County to the King County Council, announced the first Health Through Housing purchase of a hotel in Seattle that will house those experiencing chronic homelessness. He also spoke of plans to purchase properties in more cities, “bringing safe, supportive housing to 1,600 of our unhoused neighbors this year and next.”

And finally, May got off to an exciting start with GiveBIG! The community gave over $72,225 including matching gifts from Hayes Family Fund and Emerald Heights, to further our mission to provide many more women a place of hope and change. Special thanks to everyone who participated in our most successful spring fundraiser!

We are grateful that you have chosen to be our champions and that you stand by our side to help women find a place to call home.

In Gratitude,

Alisa Chatinsky
Chief Executive Officer