Participate in Coalition Meetings

Whether you are a staff member at a Coalition member organization, an individual member, or interested in membership, we invite you to join the Coalition at our two monthly meetings: our Membership Meetings (3rd Thursday of each month) and the South King County Forum on Homelessness (1st Wednesday of each month). Read below for more details, including upcoming meeting dates.

South King County Forum on Homelessness

The South King County Forum on Homelessness meets every first Wednesday from 9 – 10:30 a.m. The Forum is co-chaired by Joy Scott, City of Auburn, and the Coalition on Homelessness.

Hosted online via Zoom. Due to COVID-19, the South King County Forum on Homelessness will meet online only until further notice. To receive the Zoom information, please email jason(at)homelessinfo(dot)org.

Purpose of Homelessness Forum Meetings:

to keep South King County homeless services providers in touch with one-another
to share resources with / for South King County service providers
to receive updates and announcements of new or future projects
to coordinate our efforts in ending homelessness
to help bridge the disconnect between people experiencing homelessness and services

Upcoming 2021 South King County Forum on Homelessness Meetings

Wednesday, May 5
June 2
July 7
August 4
September 1
October 6
November 3
December 1

Coalition Membership Meetings

Membership Meetings are monthly forums for new and experienced direct service providers to learn about key issues and common problems, hear from experts, talk with peers, and collaborate on practical solutions.

Membership Meetings are geared toward service providers, and are open to the public – anyone is welcome to attend. For our in-person meetings, no registration is required. For our online Membership Meetings (April 2020, until further notice), please register ahead of time to receive the call access information. At our meetings we:

Learn about topics relevant to staff working directly with clients, residents, tenants, and guests experiencing homelessness;
Discuss current homeless services and housing issues;
Speak up and take part in advocacy;
Network with colleagues and allies new and old from around King County.

Schedule: Every 3rd Thursday from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. *New shortened time as of Nov 2020! – meetings were previously hosted through 11 a.m.

Hosted online via Zoom. (registration link below with corresponding date): Due to COVID-19, our Membership Meetings will be online only until further notice. If you have issues registering or getting call information, please email sasha[at]homelessinfo[dot]org.

Physical location once back to in-person meetings: Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118 in Columbia City

Upcoming 2021 Membership Meetings

May 20 – Annual Meeting, extended meeting time from 9-11am. Register here for this meetin g .
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16

Previous Membership Meeting agendas, recordings, and resources

April 15, 2021
March 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
January 21, 2021
2020 Membership Meetings Agendas and Resources. *Note: We do not have materials posted for January or February.

Recent Meeting Spotlight: March 3 South King County Forum on Homelessness

Thank you to everyone who joined our Wednesday, March 3 meeting. On Tuesday, March 16, The Federal Way City Council will be considering a $400,000 proposal to build the first ever permanent single adult shelter in the city’s history, a historic step towards addressing the crisis of homelessness in South King County. This proposal is part of the city’s updated 2021 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, which you can read here.

Those who live and work in Federal Way have an opportunity to support crucial investments in safety and human dignity. If you want to make a general statement of support, please email your remarks to Community Service Manager Sarah Bridgeford.

To provide comment during the public hearing at the March 16 City Council meeting, you may do one of the following:

Sign up to speak during the Zoom meeting by clicking here and specify you want to talk about the “Updated 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan” as the “Agenda Item”
Email your written comment to both council@cityoffederalway.com AND ck@cityoffederalway.com and specify you want it read aloud during the Public Hearing for the “Updated 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan”

Below is a summary of all resources discussed at the meeting. View meeting presentation materials here.

South King County Mobility Commission: Part of the King County Mobility Coalition, SKCMC’s mission is to improve our region’s transportation network for people from all ages, backgrounds, incomes, and abilities. Services include a transportation resources line, offering one-on-one transportation support M-F from 9am to 4pm. Call 425-943-6760 or email mobility@hopelink.org. Other engagement opportunities, including a bi-monthly public meeting and weekly updates newsletter, can be found on their website and resource page. For more information email Bebhinn Gilbert.
Family Emergency Shelter Resources: Robin O’Grady from Fusion Federal Way shared information on their new 29 bed family shelter program, those interested in following up should email Dorsol Plants. Jeremy with Vine Maple Place encouraged providers to email him regarding openings at their stable families program. Alyson Moon with Mary’s Place reminded providers to call 206-245-1026 for family shelter intake.
Auburn Human Services Opportunity: The City of Auburn Human Services Committee, which reviews and makes recommendations on funding requests for community development projects, is looking to fill an open position. They are looking for someone who can commit to a three year term, and someone who can attend a virtual meeting on the fourth Monday of every month from 4-5pm. Check out the position here, and for more information email Kyla Wright.
ELAP Webinar Series: Eastside Legal Assistance Program is hosting a series of Thursday evening webinars, on topics ranging from Workers’ Rights to Public Benefits During COVID and Tenant Rights and the Eviction Moratorium.
Coalition Resource Update: The Coalition on Homelessness has launched its 2021 Membership Drive and hopes to count your agency as a member this year. The Coalition has a host of resources posted to our blog page, including COVID-19 vaccine information for homeless service providers and a summary of the resources discussed at our February Membership meeting.
State Legislative Advocacy Opportunities: Coalition staff have created a new State Legislative Advocacy Page, which includes an advocacy toolkit, a list of our legislative priorities and information about how you can speak up for good bills that address the intersecting crises of homelessness, COVID-19, and systemic racism. To learn more about our advocacy work, attend one of our Speak Up Pop Ups: bite-sized virtual state legislative advocacy workshops, every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Hope to see you at our next South King County Forum meeting on Wednesday, April 7 from 9 to 10:30 am. See you then, please email Jason if you have any questions.