Hourglass: United Way of King County

Good news happens. This episode features poetry, prose, and perspective from Maven Gardner, a 2016 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate, whose writings have shed light on what it means to grow up in foster care and then experience homelessness as an adult in our region. Maven read some of their poetry during a 2022 United Way Advancing Racial Equity Series event, and they gained some stability during homel...

Good news happens. This week’s episode features a conversation with Michele Storms, the executive director of the ACLU of Washington. Since 1935, the ACLU of Washington has served as one of our state’s most formidable civil rights and civil liberties organizations. Much of its work aligns with United Way of King County’s efforts to address issues such as housing insecurity and education disparitie...

Good news happens. In this episode, we’re talking baseball with Bookie Gates of Baseball Beyond Borders, a Kent-based organization that provides baseball and softball access for communities of color.  United Way of King County is proud to support Baseball Beyond Borders and its efforts to help student-athletes of color connect their passion on the field with their academic futures off the field. W...

This week's episode is a conversation with Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown.  Hourglass met with the attorney general on Friday, just moments after the US Supreme Court ruled against an injunction that prohibited the White House from limiting birthright citizenship in the U.S.   Earlier this year, Brown led a lawsuit challenging the White House executive order to limit birthright...

Good news happens. This episode is about ParentChild+, a national organization with local affiliates that works with parents, toddlers, communities, and caregivers to support children’s early learning. We’ll chat about ParentChild+ with United Way Community Impact Manager Whitney Nakamura and Elisa Jimenez of El Centro De La Raza, a United Way-supported, Seattle-based organization that serves as a...

Good news happens. This episode features a conversation with Naomi Mulitauaopele Tagaleo’o of Education with a Purpose for Pacific Islanders, a Kent-based organization that provides education resources and support to Pacific Islander youth and their parents.  United Way of King County proudly supports Education with a Purpose for Pacific Islanders and its efforts to help students succeed in the cl...

Good news happens. This week's episode is a conversation about tackling our housing crisis.  United Way of King County recently launched its Bridging the Wealth Gap campaign, which aims to increase access to financing and capital for homeownership and small business development in communities of color across the Greater King County region. In this episode, we will chat with Kathleen Hosfeld o...

Good news happens. This episode features a conversation with Lisa Fruichantie, the executive director of Na Ah Illhee Fund, a United Way-supported, Seattle-based organization that promotes Indigenous women's leadership in communities from the Pacific Northwest to the Arctic to the Rockies.  Fruichantie will discuss how her drive and passion for her work stretch back to her childhood in the ar...

Good news happens. In this episode, we’ll discuss the statewide Free Summer Meals program. Sponsored by United Way of King County and our partners, the Free Summer Meals program provides free meals to youth under 18 while school is out for the summer. We’ll chat with United Way’s staff members about Free Summer Meals and Summer EBT, a program that helps families buy food for their school-aged chil...

Good news happens. In this episode, we'll discuss SNAP, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP is one of the nation’s most effective tools for addressing hunger and lifting families out of poverty. But federal lawmakers are currently considering nearly $300 billion in cuts to the program.  In this episode, we will chat with Sara Seelmeyer, United Way Associate Director fo...

Good news happens. This week’s episode features a conversation with Dawn Bennett, the executive director of the African American Leadership Forum, a Kent-based organization committed to revitalizing and sustaining local communities of color. We will also hear a special message from United Way president and CEO Gordon McHenry Jr., and discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!

Good news happens. This week’s episode is a conversation on youth advocacy and activism featuring FEEST, a Seattle-based organization that trains young people of color and working-class youth to organize for systemic change in their schools. United Way of King County is proud to fund FEEST and spotlight its work to build young leaders who prioritize equity and address injustice. We will also hear...

Good news happens. This week’s episode discusses corporate and nonprofit partnerships, spotlighting our work in communities with Seattle-based fashion retailer Nordstrom. We’ll also spotlight an upcoming Happy Hour and Hellos event and discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in.  

In this episode, we’ll discuss legacy giving, a way to make charitable donations through one’s estate plan. This type of giving allows people to support causes or donations even after they pass on.  We’ll discuss legacy giving with James McBain, the Senior vice president and Regional Director of Wealth Planning and Trust Advisory at U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, and Jennifer Trice, United W...

Good news happens. This week’s episode features a conversation with United Way board member Rachel Smith, President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The episode is part of an ongoing series highlighting members of United Way of King County’s board of directors. We proudly feature Rachel, who will discuss the functions of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber, an organization rep...

Good news happens. This episode is a conversation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Amelia Ransom, the retired Vice President of DE&I at Smartsheet. Amelia will be the keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony for United Way of King County’s Project LEAD, a training program that aims to increase the representation of people of color on non-profit boards and other community leadership...

It’s tax season, and United Way is doing what it can to help you regain some of your hard-earned wages via refunds and credits. In this episode, we’ll discuss United Way’s one-day, free tax preparation events and provide information about the Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. We’ve invited Leila Reynolds (left), campaign communications manager for the Washington State Budget and Policy...

It’s tax season, and in this episode, we will spotlight United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign and discuss what’s new this year when it comes to filing your income tax return. We’ll also hear a message from United Way president and CEO Gordon McHenry, Jr., about our work during these challenging times, and we’ll spotlight a local volunteer opportunity. I’m your host, Joe Burris. Thanks for tun...

Good news happens. This week’s episode features a conversation between United Way chief impact officer Regina Malveaux and Washington Women’s Foundation’s president and CEO Maria Kolby-Wolfe about the efforts of philanthropy and nonprofits to address the current political landscape. We’ll also hear a message from United Way president and CEO Gordon McHenry, Jr., about our work during these challen...

Good news happens. In this week’s episode, we’ll spotlight Glover Empower Mentoring, a Kent-based organization that mentors youth and young adults in King and Pierce counties.  United Way proudly supports Glover Empower Mentoring. In this episode, we’ll chat with its founder, Kendrick Glover, and other members of the organization's staff about the organization’s efforts to provide safe spaces...

Good news happens. In this week’s episode, we chat with Ginger Kwan of Open Doors for Multicultural Families, a Kent-based organization that supports culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilities and their families. United Way proudly supports Open Doors for Multicultural Families. In this episode, we’ll discuss how the organization supports families amid the ever-changing politic...

Good news happens. In this week’s episode, we’ll chat with United Way board member and Seattle Seahawks legend Doug Baldwin Jr. Doug discusses topics such as providing resources and opportunities for the community, working with United Way, and applying lessons he learned from the Seahawks to his current work.  We’ll also hear a message from United Way president and CEO Gordon McHenry, Jr., about o...

Good news happens. In this episode, we chat with Dow Constantine, the longest-serving executive in King County's history. United Way partners with county leaders to address issues in areas such as housing and education, and in this episode, we’ll chat with Constantine about his service to our county, our region’s progress and challenges, and partnerships with organizations like United Way.  W...

Good news happens. In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss Lobby Days at the State Capitol, an annual opportunity for individuals and groups to gather in Olympia, meet with lawmakers, and advocate for policies that may help improve the quality of life in our communities.  In this episode, we will chat with Nancy Lu, United Way Systems Change & Public Policy Coordinator, and State Representative...

Good news happens. During this week’s episode, we’ll talk journalism with United Way board member Julie Wolfe, news director for Seattle’s KING 5 Media Group.  We’ll also hear from United Way board chair Steve Hooper about why he supports our organization, and we'll discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in.