The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), which was renewed by King County voters in 2023 with strong community support, now includes a series of new investments shaped by community voices and designed to meet community-identified need.  

One such investment is our social engagement strategy for short-term projects, or SE 9: Short-Term Engagement Projects. This investment provides small grants to convene short-term community-building events and activities that provide social engagement and connection opportunities for seniors and resilient communities in ways that are culturally relevant and inclusive. 

Research and feedback from more than 70 VSHSL community engagement events, showed that social isolation is a widespread concern and can have serious impacts on health and well-being. This program was created to help reduce isolation by connecting individuals and families to King County’s broader community. The program also aims to stimulate meaningful relationships that expand beyond the life of a single event and helps participants address inequities while building a sense of community in creative and welcoming ways.   

The VSHSL defines social engagement as an individual’s feeling that they belong. Programs funded for social engagement promote belonging where systems, biases, or cultural differences too often serve to isolate.  

The competitively selected projects are community-led, reflect the populations they serve and cultivate a sense of belonging for seniors and members of resilient communities who may otherwise be isolated. The short-term nature of these engagement projects allows for several small, time-limited projects to be procured rather than multi-year programs that rely on deep funding. 

The program accepts applications on a rolling basis with application deadlines a few times throughout 2025. The next application deadline is April 1, 2025. Learn more about the funding opportunity and how to apply. 

How SE 9: Short-Term Engagement Projects are impacting communities 

Below are three examples of Short-Term Engagement Projects that took place in late 2024.  

Cultivate South Park 
South Park Community Edible Tree Mapping Project 

Cultivate South Park launched a tree mapping project to identify latent food resources in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood for community, by community. The map identifies new and existing edible fruit and nut trees across the neighborhood including apple, grape, persimmon, and cherry plum.  

South Park’s built environment and absence of grocery stores have contributed to health disparities in the community resulting in higher rates of cardiovascular disease, asthma, obesity, and diabetes. South Park is designated as a Food Desert, meaning community members face significant barriers to accessing fresh and healthy foods, including having to travel outside of the neighborhood to find grocery stores and other reliable sources of nutritious foods. 

Community members of South Park and the Duwamish Valley came together to create the digital map for neighbors to find accessible edible trees. The project provided community members with the opportunity to unite and connect over the common goal of identifying nutritious food resources in their community. Throughout the project, community members learned about the farming history of the South Park neighborhood and opportunities to sell produce grown on their land. One South Park resident who participated in the program plans to sell the produce from his garden boxes at the local farmers market. 

“Knowing what grows in our immediate surroundings is key to reconnecting to the land and how to better take care of it. Through this project, I’ve been inspired to look at plant life, road ways, and our neighbors differently. It’s become essential that deeper inquisition and communication is necessary for us to understand what resources are available for the mutual benefit of all,” shared Daneca Tran, Arts & Education Facilitator, Cultivate South Park

View Cultivate South Park’s edible tree map.  

Eagle’s Nest Community Kitchen 
Nutrition Now WA 

Eagle’s Nest Community Kitchen hosted an event series for seniors, veterans, and their families in Kent including cooking and nutrition workshops, group discussions, and social events focused on skill-building and supporting food-insecure neighbors. The events created a healthy and welcoming environment for seniors to connect, learn together, and have opportunities to access fresh fruits and vegetables through the Eagle’s Nest Mobile Pantry.  

“The seniors were overjoyed to see me, and their happiness was truly heartwarming. Seeing their smiles and hearing their words of gratitude brought immense fulfillment, as it was clear that our presence and efforts made a meaningful impact. Their excitement and joy reaffirmed the importance of bringing these services directly to them, ensuring they feel cared for and valued in our community. The VSHSL support we received allowed us to make a tangible impact on the lives of underserved seniors, providing them with fresh, nutritious food and meaningful engagement,” shared Joy Promise, Eagle’s Nest Community Kitchen Executive Director. 

Through this project, Eagle’s Nest gained a deeper understanding of the community they serve and the unique challenges they face. They learned that many seniors in their community struggle with mobility issues, making it difficult to access traditional food resources such as food banks and to come together with community to connect. Eagle’s Nest plans to continue to tailor their programs to better address these critical needs and to ensure no member of their community is left behind. 

United Hub 
Asian Senior Holiday Gatherings 

In late 2024, United Hub hosted a series of holiday gatherings to bring together Asian seniors in East King County. The luncheon events, which took place at local restaurants in Bellevue and Redmond, brought together over 80 Asian seniors to strengthen community resilience by creating an inclusive space where seniors could enjoy cultural traditions, express their creativity, and foster meaningful connections. 

The luncheons included calligraphy demonstrations, flute performances, and traditional Asian dishes. Guests signed in using traditional calligraphy, leaving their names with brushstrokes. Several community calligraphy enthusiasts showcased their talents by composing impromptu poems inspired by the themes of Thanksgiving and community care. One senior participant penned a five-character quatrain centered on gratitude, presenting it as a gift to the organizers: 

“Grateful hearts gather here, love fills the hall. All are brothers afar and near, united we honor all,” wrote an event participant. 
 
Held within walking distance of multiple senior housing apartment buildings and a park-and-ride, the events provided an accessible and festive environment for elderly community members to connect and celebrate during the holiday season. 

The events provided seniors with an opportunity to expand their social circles. In the Chinese community, a significant number of seniors live with their children, which often limits their social interactions to their children’s networks. These events gave seniors a sense of belonging and emotional support, enabling them to feel more “at home” rather than “guests.” Several participants expressed how easy it was to make friends and share experiences, emphasizing how vital such opportunities are to their long-term happiness.  

“This luncheon made me feel the warmth of a family again. I am truly thankful for events like this,” shared an event participant. 

Recently awarded SE 9: Short-Term Engagement Projects Partners 

Below is a list of recently award partners under the second round of funding for the VSHSL SE 9: Short-Term Engagement Projects investment. The below projects will be taking place starting in April throughout the rest of 2025. 

  • Afghan Advantage: Compass Connection- Creating Community Connections through Functional Mathematical Literacy and Consumer Education Fieldtrips