Inclusive Issaquah


Welcome! The City of Issaquah is an inclusive community that welcomes everyone. Learn more about our efforts, and how you can participate. See how equity in Issaquah is being addressed.

City Council Proclamations

  • Issaquah a Hate Free Zone
    • On April 1, 2002, the City Council adopted a proclamation urging Issaquah city officials and staff, the Issaquah School District and all citizens to work to reduce intolerance toward others of different background or beliefs.
    • On April 1, 2019, the City Council reaffirmed the Hate Free Zone proclamation and declared that the City of Issaquah unequivocally condemns hate, violence and terror, and instead embraces compassion, religious freedom and peace in response to events in the Klahanie neighborhood of Sammamish and global events in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Council also directed the Administration to return with a proposal for evaluating progress of the resolution adopted in 2002. Staff returned on July 23, 2019 with a presentation.
  • Kindness Week
    • On Nov. 5, 2007, the City Council adopted a proclamation urging residents and City employees to practice acts of kindness, not just this week, but 365 days a year, because when you do something good for someone, that person almost always wants to pass it on and do something good for someone else.
  • Stand Against Racism Day
    • On April 29, 2016, the City Council adopted a proclamation urging all residents to join in observing this day and to commit themselves going forward to fight against racism whenever and wherever it may appear.
    • This was adopted again on April 28, 2017.
  • Eastside Welcoming Week
    • The mayors of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish proclaimed Sept. 16-25, 2016 as Eastside Welcoming Week in our cities and call on all our residents to join together to build stronger communities across the Eastside.
    • This was proclaimed again annually every September since.
  • Tolerance Awareness Day
    • On Dec. 6, 2016, the City Council adopted a proclamation encouraging all citizens to be mindful, tolerant and accepting of others today and everyday throughout the year.
  • COVID-19 Anti-Bias Resolution 
    • On June 1, 2020, the City Council adopted a proclamation rejecting racially based bias, harassment and hate crimes due to COVID-19.

Local Equity and Inclusion Programs, Events and Groups

  • Issaquah Welcomes You
    • Held annually in September as part of Welcoming Week, a national project, Issaquah Welcomes You is a series of events where neighbors, immigrants and long-term residents of Issaquah come together in a spirit of unity. These events help demonstrate that people of all backgrounds can come together and create stronger communities by building meaningful connections and affirming the benefits of being welcoming to everyone.
  • Issaquah Highlands Community Groups
    • Each group works under the guidance of a volunteer board. They also engage community members in the services of the organization through volunteer committees.
  • Cultural Bridges
    • Cultural Bridges is a foundation run program that helps build relationships between families from diverse cultures and languages, their children, the Issaquah School District and the broader Issaquah community through outreach, events, mentoring, translation services and a magazine printed in 6 languages.

Volunteer Opportunities

Human Services Commission

  • This volunteer commission conducts studies and provide recommendations to the City Council on emerging issues and concerns in the area of human services.

Racial Equity Resources

Additional Resources