Breaking Down the Racial Barriers to Housing

From left to right: Moderator Frances Carr, YWCA People of Color Executive Council; Panelists: Sheila Sebron, Veteran Service Officer with the American Legion; Michelle Allen, activist and author; Cathy Nguyen, Poet Laureate and Housing Operations Manager, YWCA.

Written by Eric Bronson On Friday May 19th at Seattle City Hall, YWCA Seattle|King|Snohomish hosted its annual Stand Against Racism event, bringing together city officials, poets, activists and community members to take […]

My First and Not My Last Advocacy Day Experience

Early in the morning on February 2nd, seven YWCA staff drove to Olympia to represent our YWCA at the annual Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day. We became part of something bigger than […]

“Streetwise Revisited”: 30 Years of Impactful Storytelling

Erin holding her Horsey, a gift from Mary Ellen Mark, at a theme park in the early 1980s. Photograph by Mary Ellen Mark.

Over three decades, Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell documented the life of Erin Blackwell. She'd left home at the age of 13 and started living on the streets of downtown Seattle. A photo exhibit and two films featuring her story can help us understand the many issues surrounding homelessness -- including the reality that it’s hard to navigate life without stable housing, a caring family, or strong social support. Firesteel volunteer Peggy Liao reflects on the "Streetwise Revisited" project, and invites you to join "Create Change," an interactive day of art, inspiration and civic engagement this Saturday.

“I’ve Always Been on Edge Because of Not Making Enough Money”

Cherie Moore has lived in the same apartment for a year and a half, but she always worries that she won't be able to pay next month's rent.

Six years ago, Cherie Moore was featured on the front page of the Seattle Times. A large photo shows Cherie in the front seat of an old Ford truck, her hand over her mouth, worry in her eyes. Her teenage son, Cody, is in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead. Everything they own is in the vehicle, their only shelter. As the story was reported, Cherie and Cody connected with resources and moved into an apartment. Their struggle with homelessness didn't end there, though.

“I Want People to Have a Voice”: Volunteers Lead Voter Registration Project

(From left) April Hill, Jackie Jasso-Martinez and Gabriela Picazo have spent much of their autumn helping community members register to vote.

Registering to vote online is the easiest way to ensure that your voice is heard in November's election. With the online registration deadline coming up on Monday (!), we wanted to remind you to not only register, but also to spread the word. Need a little inspiration? Read the story of four amazing women who are helping their communities register to vote.

Get the Firesteel Blog in Your Inbox