May is Military Appreciation Month, a special time designated to honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and service of military members, veterans, their families, and lost loved ones. During the month of May, and all year long, we have the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate servicemembers across all branches of the U.S Armed Forces, both past and present.

Here in King County the King County Veterans Program (KCVP), a key component of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), honors veterans and servicemembers every day by convening regional partners and providing services to remove barriers and provide financial, housing, employment, behavioral health, wellness, and other supportive services to veterans, servicemembers, and their families. 

In 2023, KCVP, from our Northgate and Tukwila locations, served 2,700 veterans, servicemembers, or their families, and provided over 3.4 million dollars in financial assistance, of which over 60% supported housing needs. Since launching the Collaborative Case Management (CCM) program in 2021, 180 homeless veterans have been permanently housed through the CCM program, helping reduce veteran homelessness in King County by 40%.

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we are highlighting several KCVP and VSHSL-funded partners that work daily to serve King County’s veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Thank you to all our partners who tirelessly serve the military community in King County.

Valley Cities

Sarah Faison, Jay Latham, and Bob Wilson help underserved veterans and their family members in King County.

Meet Valley Cities. Bob Wilson, Sarah Faison, and Jay Latham, all veterans themselves, make up Valley Cities’ team providing pathfinding services, connecting veterans and their families to supportive services such as finding and securing housing, eviction prevention services, trauma-informed counseling, and financial assistance.

Valley Cities was recently featured in the Renton Reporter for their work supporting and empowering veterans in King County. Read the article.

“As a Veteran Housing Navigator my job includes performing the housing search process for our veteran participants to locate and secure safe, permanent housing while building and maintaining relationships with landlords and property management groups. I provide landlord outreach AND engagement when necessary and collaborate with the King County Veterans Program and its partners to ensure the best placement for our veterans,” shared Sarah Faison, Army Veteran and Valley Cities Housing Navigator.

This Valley Cities team works together to find and secure housing and supportive services to veterans across King County.

“It’s an honor to be able to serve my fellow veterans. I want the veteran community at large to know we are here for you! King County and Valley Cities are dedicated to serving our American heroes,” said Jay Latham, Army Veteran and Valley Cities Veteran and Resource Program Advisor.

The Headstrong Project

Meet Headstrong. The Headstrong Project provides mental health counseling services that are no-cost, confidential, low-barrier, and stigma free to veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Mental health counseling services are provided by community-based therapists and psychiatrists and are available either in-person or via telehealth, which has improved access to care among veterans across King County.

Unkitawa

Unkitawa holds programs, events, and ceremonies to provide opportunities to connect indigenous veterans to resources.

Meet Unkitawa. Unkitawa’s Veteran Pathfinder program provides holistic support for Indigenous veterans, addressing their unique cultural, social, and health needs through a combination of traditional healing practices, peer support, and access to resources. Unkitawa hosts monthly community and veteran outreach events to provide various opportunities to honor veterans and to connect veterans to employment supports, financial assistance, access to other supportive services, and opportunities for spiritual and cultural connection.

“At Unkitawa, we are honored to serve Indigenous veterans and their families. Our Pathfinder program embodies our commitment to healing and empowering those who have served our country, providing a pathway towards holistic wellness and cultural connection,” shared John Romero, Unkitawa Veterans Program Manager.

Northwest Justice Project

Northwest Justice Project staff at the 2023 VSHSL Summit sharing about their work to help veterans stabilize their housing and secure VA benefits.

Meet the Northwest Justice Project. Northwest Justice Project (NJP) partners with KCVP to provide a legal clinic for veterans and servicemembers specializing in housing law and veterans’ benefits. NJP attorneys meet with veterans at KCVP Northgate and Tukwila offices to help veterans stabilize their housing and secure VA benefits.

“Being able to get veteran clients the VA benefits they are entitled to is extremely rewarding,” shared Chelsea Hicks, Northwest Justice Project Managing Attorney.

NJP works with veterans and their families to provide information and education on benefits eligibility and financial literacy, assist with applications for VA benefits, appeal benefits claims, advise on legal rights, provide legal representation, and help veterans respond to evictions.

Connect with KCVP

Veterans in need of housing or other services can contact the King County Veterans Program by calling 206–263–8387, or by visiting the Tukwila or Northgate offices. Visit this link for more information.