Published by Joe Burris, Director of Storytelling and Public Relations, United Way of King County
Got time? We’ve got conversations, stories, news and announcements. Hear how we spend our time making a difference in communities.
Listen on Apple PodcastsGood news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about our partnership with the Stolte Family Foundation. The foundation’s support for United Way and our programs, like ParentChild+, has enabled us to invest in maternal wellness, early learning, and the strengthening of parent-child relationships. For this episode, we will chat with Kim Wright, executive director of the Stolte Family Foundation and Stolte Family Organizations/Joy Sebe, United Way director of education strategies, on topics including the Stolte Family Foundation’s commitment to ParentChild+ and its partnership with United Way. We will also spotlight our Free Summer Meals program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.
Good news happens. Perhaps you’ve seen or heard about the outdoor and indoor murals that recently went up at United Way’s Second Avenue office. For this week’s episode, we’ll tell the story behind those murals. We sat down with mural artists Teddy Stat Phillips and Maya Milton, Alexandra Nason of Urban Artworks, the organization that partnered with United Way on the project, and Taylor Roberson, United Way’s associate director of Marketing, who led the project. We will also spotlight our Free Summer Meals program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.
Good news happens. As the FIFA men’s World Cup wrapped up on July 19, this week’s episode closes out our coverage of the tournament’s impact on local communities and organizations. We spotlight El Centro de la Raza, a local United Way-supported nonprofit that sent two dozen youths from its middle and high school programs to the final World Cup match via free tickets from the City of Seattle Mayor’s office. We chatted with El Centro youths and staff about the once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience and about how the organization, located in Seattle and Federal Way, keeps youngsters engaged in its programs year-round. We will also spotlight our Free Summer Meals program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.
Good news happens. This episode features a conversation with Nneka Payne of CHOOSE 180, a United Way-supported, Burien-based organization that works to transform systems of injustice and support young people impacted by those systems. CHOOSE 180 recently expanded its work into Pierce County and has plans to go statewide. We chatted with Nneka about topics including an update on CHOOSE 180’s expansion, the organization’s efforts to connect with local youths, and an upcoming CHOOSE 180 outdoor event in Pioneer Square. We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about civic engagement with NAWDIM, the Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality. NAWDIM is a Seattle-based, United Way-supported collective of Indigenous care providers, community members, grandmothers, and allies who provide advocacy, education, and support for Indigenous infants, mothers, and families in Washington State. NAWDIM is currently working with the Seattle-based Native Organizers Alliance on a national research project to amplify concerns of Indigenous people before, during, and after elections. We’ll chat with NAWDIM co-coordinators Shelley Means and Leah (LEE) Tanner about their efforts to ensure that state and local Indigenous voices are heard, particularly on the eve of this year’s August Primaries and the November General Elections. We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation with our new president and CEO, Blair Hamilton Taylor, who once served as chair of United Way’s Board of Directors. We will chat with Blair about topics including his decision to return to United Way, his time on the board, his vision for the organization, and the words of wisdom he lives by. We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. The FIFA Men’s World Cup has taken our area by storm, and on July 1, six youths from the United Way-supported nonprofit 4-C Coalition will take part in the flag-bearing ceremony for the Round of 32 World Cup matchup at Seattle Stadium. For this episode of Hourglass, we sat down for a chat with 4-C director Hazel Cameron and Toroid Ryan, Community Strategies Consultant for 4-C, who will serve as a chaperone for the youths during the Flag Bearing Ceremony. The two discussed the importance of being part of the World Cup and how it’s already had an impact on the youth who will participate in the festivities. We also have an announcement about United Way’s new president and CEO, and we will discuss ways you can still get your taxes prepared for free by United Way. Thanks for tuning in!
The FIFA World Cup men’s soccer tournament is underway, and the area’s first match will be held on Monday, June 15, at the newly renamed Seattle Stadium. But for all its excitement, the World Cup has raised local concerns, particularly regarding some of our area’s most vulnerable populations. Hourglass recently sat down with Derrick Belgarde of the Chief Seattle Club, a United Way-funded organization that provides shelter, services, and spiritual support to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Chief Seattle Club is in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, adjacent to Seattle Stadium, where much of the foot traffic during the World Cup is expected. We chatted with Belgarde about topics including the precautions Chief Seattle Club is taking as it continues to support populations experiencing homelessness during the World Cup and how he’d like to see the financial windfall from the tournament be used to address our homelessness crisis. We will also discuss ways you can still get your taxes prepared for free by United Way and an upcoming summer event sponsored by our grantee, CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship, which each year provides 20 local college students with $5,000 each for basic needs and other expenses. We sat down with Emily Portillo, United Way Bridge to Finish Senior Program Manager, to discuss her work with the Nordstrom Scholarship, its impact on local students and colleges, and how students can apply now, as applications are accepted through June 30th. We will also spotlight an upcoming United Way Happy Hour and Hellos event this month in North Seattle and a July event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation with United Way partner Symetra Financial Corporation, a Bellevue-based diversified financial services company. Symetra has partnered with United Way for more than 15 years through programs such as Bridge to Finish, a United Way one-stop resource on local college campuses that helps students access services to complete their education. We’ll chat with Sharmila Swenson, Symetra's Vice President of Public Affairs and Social Impact, and Beth Osborne, Symetra’s Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Community Partnerships, on topics including how our Bridge to Finish program aligns with Symetra’s commitment to strengthening communities. And we’ll chat with Emily Portillo, United Way’s Bridge to Finish Program Manager, about how the support from partners like Symetra helps United Way serve local college students in areas such as financial and housing stability. We will also spotlight an upcoming United Way Happy Hour and Hellos event this month in North Seattle and a July event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode is about Mary's Place, a United Way supported, Seattle-based organization that provides resources and support to King County families experiencing homelessness. We’ll chat with Mary’s Place’s prevention & stability director Miriam Clithero, and its community impact director, Alyson Moon, about the organization’s approach to addressing homelessness, its partnership with United Way and ways the organization has pivoted amid the everchanging housing crisis. We will also spotlight United Ways June Happy Hour and Hellos event in North Seatle and a July outing in Pioneer Square courtesy of United Way grantee CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about Pack the Bus, United Way’s May 20th volunteer initiative in partnership with Communities in Schools Greater King County. Pack the Bus is designed to support students and families during the summer months by providing a busload of essential items, including food, hygiene supplies, and activities. We sat down with Communities in Schools director Jamie Greene and Alexis Silva, United Way senior community and volunteer engagement manager, to discuss the importance of keeping kiddos nourished and engaged all summer long and the details of Pack the Bus. We will also discuss ways you can still file your taxes for free through United Way and spotlight a summer event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This episode is the second in a two-part series on United Way of King County staff members visiting Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state. Today’s episode looks at our visit to the recent United Way Worldwide Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day in D.C. More than 300 United Way leaders from 47 states and Puerto Rico gathered for the Advocacy Forum to share best practices, craft policy strategies, and meet with Senate and Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss issues such as strengthening food security, investing in housing programs, and creating more access to free tax preparation. Hourglass sat down with United Way of King County’s Amanda Sandoval and Connor Walsh, as well as Jim Cooper of United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, to discuss expectations before the event and reflections after speaking with lawmakers. We will also spotlight two upcoming United Way events: Pack the Bus and Happy Hour and Hellos. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode is the first of a two-part series on United Way of King County staff members visiting Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state. This episode looks at our visit to last week’s Food Research and Action Center National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in D.C., where we and other advocates nationwide spoke with members of Congress and the US Senate about combatting hunger and food insecurity. Hourglass sat down with Sara Seelmeyer, United Way’s director of Ending Hunger, and Madeleine Vistica, United Way Food Security Program Manager, to discuss their expectations before the event and their reflections after speaking with lawmakers. We will also spotlight our May 5 GiveBIG event and our upcoming Pack the Bus event. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This episode features a conversation about homeownership with Anzhane Slaughter of the Seattle-based organization Young Black Homeowners and Dawn Bennett of the Kent-based, United Way-supported organization African American Leadership Forum. Anzhane and Dawn have partnered on a program that provides six-figure down payment assistance to Black and Brown families seeking to purchase homes in our area. We'll also offer one last reminder about this year's Free Tax Preparation Campaign for those who still have time to file, and we'll discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. This episode is the third installment of a three-part series on 2026 state, county, and city policy. We'll chat with Nancy Lu, United Way public policy coordinator, and Amanda Sandoval, United Way's director of systems change and policy, on topics such as takeaways from this year's State Legislative Session, updates on city and county policies, and an upcoming United Way staff visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state. We'll also offer one last reminder about this year's Free Tax Preparation Campaign for those who still have time to file, and we'll discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. This episode features a conversation about taxes with Ryan McFerran, United Way Senior Financial Stability Program Manager, and Ramon Ortiz, an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Washington Law School and managing director of the law school’s Federal Tax Clinic. We’ll discuss topics including United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign, which is currently in full swing, and information for ITIN filers. We’ll also provide information on one of our most popular Free Tax Prep sites, at Southcenter Mall. And we’ll also discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. For this episode, we’ll talk about financial planning with James McBain, senior vice president and regional director of wealth planning and trust advisory at US Bank Private Wealth Management. Hourglass was pleased to have James on as a guest for a similar episode this time last year. For this episode, James will discuss topics like planned giving and donor-advised funds, and he’ll also offer year-round financial insight for people who qualify for United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign, which is currently in full swing. We’ll also offer more information on how you can have your taxes prepared by United Way free of charge, as well as a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about Sacred Land Collective, an Auburn-based, Black-owned, 78-acre partnership that offers programs, retreat spaces, and cultural ceremonies for people to gather, rest, and heal. United Way and its partners have held retreats at Sacred Land Collective, and for this episode, we’ll chat with Sacred Land Collective co-founder and Director Omi King and event manager Jaylon Nazario about the collective’s efforts to cultivate healing for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. We’ll also chat Mari Hirabayashi, United Way Events & Marketing Manager, on our support of businesses and resources owned by People of Color. And we’ll discuss our Free Tax Prep Campaign and a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in.
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation with Bookie Gates of Baseball Beyond Borders, a Kent-based, United Way-supported youth development organization that combines baseball and softball with mentorship and education. We’ll chat with Bookie about Baseball Beyond Borders' recent Seattle-HBCU baseball series and how he’s working to keep interest in the sport alive among local youth of color. We’ll also talk about our Free Tax Preparation Campaign and a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!