This year, YWCA staff advocated with program participants and other community members in Olympia for equal housing. Our day was made more special because we invited program participants to advocate for themselves.
YWCA Staff advocating
YWCA staff advocating

In early February, YWCA invited program participants to advocate for themselves at Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day (HHAD) in Olympia. Program participants were brought from both King and Snohomish Counties to join in HHAD and appeal to their legislators for equal housing laws.

We were thrilled to hear that most of our program participants had actually advocated before, like Esmeralda, representing the 43rd District, who was on her third year at HHAD and was passionate about housing. She felt issues like funding for recovery and certified peer counseling needed to be addressed so that program participants “feel that they are being listened to from a place of understanding.” 

Anthony and YWCA staff
Anthony (right) & YWCA staff

And Anthony, representing the 32nd District, who advocated many times for equal housing in numerous states, but for whom this was his first Advocacy Day in Washington. I asked Anthony why he was advocating and what he hoped would come of his time in the Capitol. He responded, “I have no expectations, but I do have requirements: I require them to replenish the Veterans Association Bill.” 

New comer Joanne, representing the 43rd District, moved to Seattle a few months ago and has been on the housing waitlist for one year. She hopes that “we can come up with solutions for issues as a way of bridging the gap.” 

Larsell and Khmara
YWCA program participant Larsell & son Khmara at our Firesteel Photobooth

Hosted by the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, "YWCA had been fighting for at least three housing-related bills since the beginning of 2018, all of which passed in both houses of the legislature as of last week!"

“We attended to give support to our coalition partners and advance the housing bills,” said YWCA’s Digital Advocacy & Engagement Manager Eric Bronson. “Participant-centered advocacy” was the new approach that Bronson and YWCA Political Strategist Heidi Park implemented. Who better to speak about homelessness issues if not our program participants who have and/or are currently experiencing homelessness? YWCA’s Firesteel program amplified program participant voices through social media, and by using our new Call to Action tool that advocates via text to legislators. You can read more about YWCA’s Firesteel program in action at HHAD on our blog.

Advocating on the steps
Advocating on the steps

As I looked out at the sea of people advocating on the steps of the Capitol and saw a number of program participants holding signs up and advocating, I wondered what the experience was like from their perspective. On the bus ride home I asked what the day had meant and what their takeaway was. 

Lindsey felt “grateful to YWCA because they offer so much more than housing, but I needed to find housing first.” Queen said, “She would return any day with YWCA, because housing should be a top priority in every county.” Joanne was touched by the speech from Senator Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) because she felt effective action was being taken by the assurance that people would not being unlawfully evicted.
 

Issue Area
Tags
Advocacy
Housing
Homelessness
Salma Siddick

Salma Siddick is the Social Media & Content Manager at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish. An immigrant from Zimbabwe, Salma has lived, worked, and attended school on three continents.

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We share the stories of our program participants, programs, and staff, as well as news about the agency and what’s happening in our King and Snohomish community.

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Wed, 03/14/2018 - 09:30
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