King County Veterans Program

Most Counties in Washington State have their own programs for supporting veterans. This week we look at King County.

The King County Veterans Program serves low-income, homeless, disabled, and at-risk veterans and their families. For an appointment, call (206) 296-7656.

• Who is served: Veterans, current service members, National Guard members, Reserve members, and dependents of these military personnel may be eligible for services. 
• Limits: Length of service standards, Income guidelines, etc
• Services: 
• Emergency financial assistance 
• Housing assistance 
• Employment guidance and assistance 
• Case management 
• Life stability 
• Veterans' benefits counseling 
• Mental health referrals 
• Other supportive services
• Where/When: Ten offices throughout King County.
• Seattle: 2124 - 4th Avenue, 4th Floor
  Co-located with Public Health-Seattle & King County
  206-296-7656.
  Walk-In Hours: 8:30 to 11:30, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; Tuesday's walk-in hours are 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
• Renton: 500 SW Seventh Street, Suite 100
  206-477-7022
  Walk-In Hours: 8:30 to 11:30, Monday through Thursday.
• Other Sites Click Here.

This program is funded by King County residents through a special levy. Learn more about the program from its printable brochure and its web page. Are you in a different county? See the county-by-county map of veterans services.

February 4: Seatac - USO Grand Opening - RSVP by January 28

The Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers of the USO Northwest cordially invite you to attend the USO Ribbon Cutting and SeaTac Center Dedication Ceremony
The USO Northwest's Center at the SeaTac International Airport provides military and their families with 24/7/365 travel assistance and access to all the comforts of home. Hot food and snacks, big screen TV, bunk room, lounge, a shower, free Internet access and a family room. Each month the USONW SeaTac Center serves more than 8,000 service members and their families, reservists and retired military. The USO SeaTac Center is located outside security, above Delta Air Lines ticketing counters, on the Mezzanine Level.
When/Where: 
Wednesday, the 4th of February 2015
10:30am
USO Northwest SeaTac Center
SeaTac Airport Conference Center
R.S.V.P. by 28 January 2015 to Jennifer Kelly - events@USONW.org
Military:
UOD
Civilian: 
Casual

New Orleans Ends Homelessness Among Veterans: We Can Too!

Good News out of New Orleans - so why can't we do this here in our own city:

Press Release January 7, 2015
Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that New Orleans is the first major city in the nation to end homelessness among Veterans as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness.
Members of the New Orleans Interagency Council on Homelessness as well as Veterans, service members, military leaders, national homelessness advocates and partners from the federal government joined Landrieu at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to announce and celebrate the city’s historic milestone.
 “Six months ago on Independence Day, we came together to pay homage to our service members and Veterans who courageously serve our great nation and announced our goal to effectively end Veteran homelessness in New Orleans by the end of 2014,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “I am honored and very pleased to report that we have housed 227 Veterans, exceeding our goal of 193, thanks to the hard work of our committed partners. New Orleans is now the first major city in the nation to answer the President and First Lady’s call to end veteran homelessness – and we did so one year earlier than the federal goal. We owe our Veterans our eternal gratitude for their service and sacrifice to this nation, and making sure they have a place to call home is a small but powerful way we can show our appreciation.”
 The ambitious effort began in response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homeless, which challenged communities to end Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. To date, 312 mayors, six governors, and 71 other county or city officials from across the United States have accepted the challenge.
 According to the HUD 2014 Homeless Point in Time Survey conducted by UNITY of Greater New Orleans, 193 individuals were counted to be homeless Veterans in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. As a part of the Mayors Challenge, Mayor Landrieu put together a coalition of nonprofits, homeless service providers, U.S. service members and Veterans, and federal, state, and local agencies – a coalition that has now permanently housed 227 homeless Veterans in New Orleans.
 “Veteran homelessness is an important and challenging issue, and we are very proud of our accomplishment today in New Orleans, but the work of ending Veteran homelessness is never really done,” said Landrieu. “That’s why we have also created a new and sustainable rapid response model that combines all available local, state, and federal resources with the work of our local active duty and former military personnel – utilizing Veterans to help Veterans. I hope our model here in New Orleans can be replicated nationwide so that we can end Veteran homelessness in America once and for all.”

Here's the list of mayors that have signed up for the  challenge
Washington State: Mayor Dave Hill - Algona Mayor Nancy Backus - Auburn Mayor Kelli Linville - Bellingham Mayor Patty Lent - Bremerton Commissioner Mike Chapman - Clallam County Commissioner Howard Doherty - Clallam County Commissioner Jim McEntire - Clallam County Mayor David Baker - Kenmore County Executive Dow Constantine - King County Mayor Jennifer Gregerson - Mukilteo Mayor Denis Law - Renton Mayor Ed Murray - Seattle Mayor Candace Pratt - Sequim Mayor David A. Condon - Spokane Mayor Tim Leavitt - Vancouver

More Information On What You Can Do

January 25: Tacoma - Meet Danny Glover at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum

Buffalo Soldiers Museum

Presents

American History Tribute

Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future

An Evening with Danny Glover

January 25, 2015

7:30 PM

Ticketed Meet-and-Greet, 6:00 pm

Pantages Theatre

901 Broadway, Suite 700, Tacoma, WA  98402

(253) 591.5894       www.BroadwayCenter.org

Beloved actor Danny Glover hosts an evening tribute to the famed Buffalo Soldiers – African Heritage soldiers who served with unimpeachable distinction for a country that rarely appreciated their valor and sacrifice. Glover starred in the 1997 film Buffalo Soldiers, chronicling the regiment’s battles with Native Americans in nineteenth-century New Mexico, and the complicated racial tensions and realities that existed between the sides. Glover has been an actor for more than 25 years, earning numerous awards and accolades for roles in films like Lethal Weapon and The Color Purple. He is also a renowned activist, currently serving as a UNICEF ambassador.

Earning their name as Cavalrymen in the wilds of the American west, these regiments bravely performed their duties under General Pershing in World War I, in the Pacific Theater in World War II, and in the Korean War. The Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Tacoma serves a mission to educate, preserve and present the history and outstanding contributions of America’s Buffalo Soldiers through educational programs, historic research, youth outreach programs, and exhibits. The museum also creates and disseminates important materials about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers to include their heroic military service and key contributions.

All net proceeds will benefit Tacoma's Buffalo Soldiers Museum.

Pre-show meet-and-greet: $40; limited capacity
(Studio 2; includes desserts and savories)

Show tickets: $19, $29, $25, $49           Purchase tickets from BroadwayCenter.org

Download An Evening With Danny Glover flyer here

Computer Donations to VA Hospital from DAV Chapter 23 (West Seattle)

Chapter 23 (West Seattle) of Disabled American Veterans deserved a big thank-you! for donating four computers to the Community Living Center (CLC) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System late last year.

Computer Ready For Service
In the CLC Common Area!

The CLC is where you stay at the hospital for extended care, such as recovering from knee replacements or sometimes for hospice care. Staying connected with families that live in another part of the state, or maybe in another state, is hard. Email and the internet is one way to share photos and messages and generally stay in touch. However, the computer that was available to the patient had gotten old and didn't work well.

VAF contacted our friends at DAV 23, and they stepped up with a generous donation of two all-in-one computers, new from Costco. VA Facilities Management made sure these were installed on high-quality computer tables and secured with cables, so they will be in service for many years to come!

The other two computers were iPads for the use of bedridden patients. The staff explained to us that there are specialized utilities for iPads that help patients accomplish tasks, and these had proven their usefulness in other parts of the hospital. Security for iPads is accomplished by storing them in lockers with careful recordkeeping of checkouts. Unfortunately, these  are not in the budget. Presented with the need, once again, DAV23 stepped forward and veterans in the hospital are the beneficiaries.

Well Done!

February 7: Tulalip - Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

You are cordially invited to attend the commemoration honoring all Vietnam Veterans When/Where: Special Pinning Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans.
Sponsor: 
WA State Gold Star Mothers
Guest Speaker: 
Michael Reagan, Vietnam Veteran
Event Title:
Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
When/Where:
Saturday, February 7, 2015
11:00 A.M. - Arrive early for coffee!
Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center
6410 23rd Ave. N.E.
Tulalip, WA 98271,
From I-5: 

• take exit 199 Marine Drive NE in Marysville. 
• Go west approximately 0.5 miles.
• Turn left on 23rd Avenue NE.

www.HibulbCulturalCenter.org
360-716-2600
Contact Info:
Myra Rintamaki, 206-235-0348
Informational Flyer (PDF)

January 28+29: JBLM - Military Spouse Networking Reception and a Military Spouse Hiring Fair

Please join a free Military Spouse Networking Reception and a Military Spouse Hiring Fair at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA. These events are open to all military spouses, including Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veteran, and Gold Star Spouses.
Veterans and service members are welcome. At the Military Spouse Networking Reception, military spouses will have an opportunity to:

• Network with local HR recruiters from large & small businesses, community leaders, and senior military spouses 
• Receive resume help in advance to hiring fair 
• Gain valuable career advice from industry professionals.

The Military Spouse Hiring Fair features:

• Employers committed to hiring military spouses, including MSEP partners  
• Service organizations offering military spouse career resources and tools to help with the job search 
• Resume help.

When/Where:
Networking Reception
January 28, 2015
7-9 pm
Hiring Fair

January 29, 2015
10am-1pm

American Lake Conference Center
8085 NCO Beach Rd

Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA

More Information (PDF)