August 2023 Newsletter
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Empowering Communities. Changing Lives.
Thank you for staying in the loop with us! Our team of staff, partners, and volunteers work hard and are excited to share our impact and progress with you.
Below you'll find?highlights and important updates?from our work over the last 30 days, as well as the inside scoop on what's to come.
ULMS Digital Intake Application
If you are interested in our programs or are in need of direct service assistance, please complete our Support Services Intake Application. This application will help us learn more about your current economic circumstances and help us assess which programs or services will best align with your needs!
Era of Essential Service: 22nd Annual Breakfast
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle will host?it’s?22nd?Annual?Breakfast: Era of Essential Service, with special guest?–?comedian and bestselling author –?Trevor Noah!?
The Annual?Breakfast?is the Urban League’s signature event – with this year’s fundraising goal being $1 million dollars to help empower ULMS essential programming and services provided to the community.?Event sponsorship opportunities are now available.?
For more information and?additional?event details, please visit urbanleague.org or?click the ‘Learn?More’?button below!?
[EVENT]?2023 Summer Resource Festival
We're excited to announce that ULMS is hosting its second annual Summer Resource Festival! Come join us as we host alongside other vendors to provide the community access to resources! From public health and small business resources to educational and career opportunities, we'll have everything you need to help you get started on the services you may need. Shop and support Black-owned businesses, get your picture taken by Smile Patrol, enjoy a meal from local eateries, and more. Bring your friends and family to celebrate the end of summer, all are welcome!
Date:?Saturday, August 19, 2023
Time:?11:00AM – 3:00PM
Location:?Foster High School | 4242 S 144 St, Tukwila WA 98168
ULMS Guild Award at the 2023 National Urban League Conference
The ULMS chapter Guild won the Western Region Award for Fundraising during this year's National Urban League Conference in Houston, Texas! Our Executive Assistant to the VP of Housing and Financial Empowerment, Shelly Lee (pictured middle), and VP of Housing and Financial Empowerment, Linda Taylor (right), accepted the award on behalf of our CEO Michelle Merriweather and Guild President Bernetta Branch.
The ULMS Guild aims to build a mature network of members create and develop ideas, execute initiatives, and host events that impactful, intentional, and empowering for the community. If you are 41+ years of age and looking for volunteer opportunities in Seattle, we are seeking new leadership to serve our community! If you are interested, click the button below to get started.
ULMS Young Professionals Awards at the 2023 National Urban League Conference
Huge?congratulations?to our Chapter Vice President, Tiersha Cutler (pictured left), and Membership Chair, Ashley Pugh (right), for each receiving the Select Distinguished Young Professional Certificates of Distinction during this year's National Urban League Conference held at Houston, Texas! Huge thank you to our wonderful Regional Vice President, Chanelle Brown (middle), for leading the way!
Though the ULMS-YPs was revived only at the beginning of this year, it was reinvigorated with new energy, recruiting more than 100 registered members! This award is well-deserved, and these amazing ladies will continue to develop this chapter and empower young professionals in the community! If you'd like to learn more about the YP, check us out by clicking the button below.
[RECAP]?ULMS Youth Celebration Dinner
On June 24, 2023, our ULMS Education Department hosted a Youth Celebration at a private event in Downtown Seattle to congratulate and celebrate incredible students who received ULMS and BP Oil Bridge Scholarships. We are so proud of our students and the hard work they put in every day, and we look forward to what they will accomplish next.?Congratulations, graduates! And we wish you the best of luck on your next journey!
[RECAP]?ULMS Community Block Party
On July 14, ULMS hosted our first Community Block Party at the ULMS Resource Center — and it was a success! We had an awesome day spending time with our community, providing resources, and partnering amazing local organizations and companies that offered employment opportunities, healthcare, and more! Huge thank you to everyone who attended! If you'd like to view more photos, click the button below.
[RECAP]?2023 Day Party with a Purpose
On July 16, ULMS hosted its annual Day Party with a Purpose! This year, community members were able to learn about and apply for the Working Families Tax Credit, register and vote for the August election, and received some valuable health and employment resources. Special thank you to Seattle City Council candidates who came and shared their plans for the city regarding housing, safety, education, and more.
[EVENT]?Mothers of Resilience Group Session
Mothers of Resilience (MOR) is an empowering community for mothers of youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. MOR is committed to helping mothers dismantle trauma and heal their wounds by providing therapeutic pathways back to a prosocial and empowering lifestyle.
MOR will be hosting its first Intentional Group Session with the theme, "Who Am I?"
Date:?Thursday, August 10, 2023
Time:?6:00PM - 7:00PM
Location:?Resource Center | 901 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98114
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Youth Engagement Coordinator, Kennajha Bloodsaw, [email protected].
[EVENT]?'Back to School' Farm Day
Farm Day is back! Our popular farming and environmental justice event returns just in time for back to school celebrations. This year, our Back-to-School themed farm day will be hosted by Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in collaboration with Front and Centered. Youth will have the opportunity to learn more about environmental justice and urban gardening, share a free, tasty meal, and leave with free school supplies, a gift card, and beginner home gardening kits.?Spaces are limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible.
Date:?Friday, August 25, 2023
Time:?11:00AM - 2:00PM
Location:?CitySoil Farm | 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057
August 2023 ULMS Employee Spotlight!
For this month's employee of the month, we raise up to Ashley Byrd, who works as our Youth Engagement Coordinator based out of Foster High School in Tukwila.
In July she worked with class of 2023 graduates for a College Bridge program to help prepare them for college life. Students learned about identifying campus resources, budgeting, and more.?The week program was capped off with a mentor lunch in which students shared a meal with a professional from their chosen career path.
Participants dined with representatives from politics, law enforcement, real estate, and more. Ashley ended the month by taking a group of 21 students to Houston, Texas for the National Urban League’s annual Youth Leadership Summit. The group stayed at Rice University while also visiting NASA along HBCU's Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern University.
Ashley’s commitment to the youth that she serves is exhibited in her daily interactions.?She continuously goes above and beyond to create opportunities for them to grow and thrive.?Her hard work and dedication contribute to the success of the Scholars program.
Thank you, Ashley, for all that you do for ULMS, our community, and our youth!
领英推荐
Youth Maritime Career Launch Program
ULMS' Youth Maritime Career Launch program provides high school students with tools and support towards a future in the Maritime industry! Through hands-on experiential learning and 1:1 networking opportunities, participants in the program gain industry-level training and employment via 3-month paid internship.
To learn more about the program such as time commitment, stipend, application process, and eligibility, click on the button below.
If you have any immediate questions, please reach out to our Youth Engagement Coordinator, Grace Dollente, [email protected].
Career Bridge
Join the next Career Bridge cohort! The Career bridge training curriculum focuses on soft skills development, job readiness, health and wellness, computer basics and building on participant's individual strengths to prepare them for employment. Our job readiness course is a 6-week in-person training, Monday through Thursday from 10:00PM to 2:00PM! There is a $200 stipend for participants who go through the program. If you work with or know someone between the ages of 18-30 who would be interested in joining, please reach out to our Participant Navigator, Joshua Gardner, [email protected].
Construction Trades Program
The ULMS Construction Trades Program (CTP) prepares individuals to enter pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, ultimately helping give access to people who are interested in working in the construction industry. CTP also provide wraparound services such as credit counseling, digital literacy, and housing assistance.
Entrepreneurship Excellence Program
The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Entrepreneurship Excellence Program is designed to develop and expand your small business by providing technical assistance and access to a network of resources to support the growth and sustainability of your business. Interest applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
2023 Homebuyer Education Workshops
?Are you ready to begin your homeownership journey? You're in luck because our Homebuyer Education Workshops is in full swing for 2023! Join us to learn more and access available state-provided financial resources to help you get started.
Our next session is in person!?This will be a five-hour workshop to help you meet the WA State Housing Finance Commission's education requirements for down payment assistance and?to access a variety of affordable housing programs and opportunities for qualified applicants!
Our next workshop this?August:
Saturday,?August 19, 2023 @ 10:00AM – 3:30PM
To learn more and register for our next workshop, please visit our page.
2023 Credit & Budget Counseling Workshops
Is your credit preventing you from obtaining a job, making a large purchase, or securing stable housing? This Credit Counseling workshop may be for you! This is a free (virtual) two-hour workshop to help you improve and understand your credit standing.?
Our next workshop this August:
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 @ 6:00PM - 8:00PM
To learn more and register for our next workshop, please visit our page.
Black Business Directory
In an effort to promote community support and uplift our local Black-owned businesses, we’ve created an extensive list of Black businesses local to King County, WA. The list is updated frequently so be sure to come back and check for new additions!
Homeownership Hotline
Washington state's official homeownership hotline connects you to safe, free support. We can help you resolve problems with home loans, property taxes and HOA fees through: free housing counseling, low-to-no cost legal aid, payment assistance programs, and home repair help.
To learn more, click the button below. For inquiries, please contact Angela Williams, [email protected].
Vacating Records Program
Criminal histories can affect someone’s housing, employment and voting opportunities. Our very own ULMS Advocacy Team is here to help you or a loved one get the record expungement process started. Learn more by clicking the button below.
[RESOURCE HUB]?Info Tech
Our Info Tech program is designed to eliminate digital illiteracy throughout the community, shorten the gap caused by the digital divide, help community members develop digital skills for better job opportunities, and more! From digital navigation services to workshops and training programs, we've got you covered.
[RESOURCE HUB]?Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice?is?Social Justice. It's important?that all people have equal access to a healthy, safe, and sustainable environment, as well as equal protection from environmental harm. Learn about the history of environmental justice, current health disparities?in our community, and resources that can help push forward the Environmental Justice movement.
[RESOURCE HUB]?Black Health Matters
Open, transparent conversations in our communities and public information sharing with one another is key to understanding the vaccines — especially if you’re unsure whether or not getting one truly is the right choice for you. Visit the link below for a hub of ULMS resources & activities focused on vaccine education and more!
[RESOURCE HUB]?Healthy Black Minds
Healthy Black minds means healthy Black lives. The past couple of years have not been easy on anyone. Between constant disruptions from COVID-19, fight against racial injustices, and stress about climate change, and more, taking care of our mental health is one the most important priorities that we can do for ourselves. Visit the link below for a hub of critical resources and information to support mental health.
Join the Movement: We're Hiring!
If you are interested in joining ULMS and working alongside our wonderful team of staff, now is your chance! Please check out the available ULMS employment opportunities by clicking the button below.
Please note:?ULMS has implemented a vaccination mandate for all employees. These positions are subject to the City of Seattle Executive Order 2021-08: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for City Contractors.
Experienced financial services leader focused on community and economic development
1 年You go Ms Taylor.