Leadership of the nonprofit coalition Eastside Human Services Forum congratulated city governments for their investments in human services that amounted to a 14 percent increase for 2017-18.
The adopted budgets for the cities of Issaquah, Bellevue, Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish and Shoreline show that the cities collectively awarded nearly $7 million annually in human services grants to local agencies for the 2017-18 biennium.
"These funds create a healthy, thriving community," said Byron Shutz, Eastside Human Services Forum board chair and a Redmond City Council member. "In a time when many agencies face funding uncertainties, the cities' support maintains the foundation for building a community which ensures social and economic well-being for all."
Together, cities are able to effectively leverage their dollars to support more than 127 programs, such as counseling, food banks, shelter, employment assistance, healthcare and more.
"The suburban cities have demonstrated their commitment to our local communities by partnering with volunteer councils and local nonprofits to allow all East King County residents to reach their full potential," said Lauren Thomas, Hopelink CEO and an Eastside Human Services Forum board member. "The cities are flexible and responsive in their funding of human services and this funding source has become increasingly more imperative to address critical local needs."
Eastside Human Services Forum is a nonprofit coalition with representatives from local elected officials, school districts, hospitals, nonprofits and faith organizations, whose mission is to foster strong public and private partnerships to assure a stable network of health and human services for the benefit of all East King County residents.