News — Page 2

For over 40 years, Catholic Community Services (CCS) has supported immigrant and refugee communities in Western Washington. Their Catholic Immigration Legal Services (CILS) offers affordable legal help, serving over 50,000 low-income individuals from more than 90 countries since 1979. In 2024, CI...

Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) is accepting applications for funding aimed at helping organizations, lenders, and tribes provide homeownership opportunities to those facing wealth disparities. The funding will support initiatives such as land acquisition loan programs, culturally...

Michael reflects on his difficult journey from a troubled childhood to homelessness and addiction. Growing up, he cherished moments with his father and grandmother, but faced challenges as his father’s alcoholism led to family turmoil. As an adult, tragedy struck when his son was murdered, pushin...

Several upcoming webinars will address important health topics in February 2026.

Recent changes in U.S. immigration enforcement are posing challenges for health care providers who serve all patients, regardless of their immigration status. A guide created by Physicians for Human Rights and the National Immigration Law Center, developed with input from health care professional...

The Washington Department of Ecology is offering the Zero Emission School Bus and Fleet Transition Grant Program for 2025-2027, providing approximately $15 million in funding. School bus owners transporting K-12 students overseen by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction can apply for...

The 2026 CISC Friendship Dinner is an annual event that celebrates community and opportunity for immigrant families. The gathering will be filled with energy and inspiration, emphasizing the importance of belonging and support. CISC stands by immigrant families by assisting seniors, caregivers, n...

The 2026 Legislative Session is entering its first round of cutoffs, which are critical deadlines for bills to progress. The initial cutoffs occurred last week, with the next significant ones scheduled for February 4, 9, and 17. During these cutoffs, bills must pass their original policy and fisc...

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has improved the speed of processing disability claims, reducing the backlog from 264,000 to 112,300 claims as of 2025, a 57% decrease. While faster decisions are crucial for veterans, accuracy in claims processing is paramount. The Disabled American Vetera...

Ben Shortreed, a Marine veteran, faced a dramatic life change after losing his left hand in a fireworks accident. Following the amputation, he sought help from the Prosthetics Service at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, where he was fitted with a prosthesis and began occupational therapy. Despite...

Linda Matthews, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a key member of the Thira Health team, specializing in mental health care for adolescents and adults with various disorders, including eating disorders and anxiety. Her Doctor of Nursing Practice education enhances her clinical leadership and ability to provide e...

VA’s Office of Research and Development released findings on cancer care, a robotic wheelchair system, and Parkinson’s disease. A study from Ann Arbor showed that the “Close to Me” program, which offers local outpatient or in-home cancer treatments, saved Veterans nearly $9,000 in travel costs ov...

Shoreline College has established a guaranteed transfer admission agreement with Western Washington University, providing students a clear pathway to obtain a bachelor’s degree. The partnership ensures that Shoreline students who complete a transfer degree are guaranteed admission to Western. To ...

Dr. Emily Knight, MD, PhD, will conduct a seminar on attention and speech perception in children with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on February 19, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Haring Center Auditorium. Dr. Knight’s research investigates how differences in atte...

Seattle has reached a significant milestone in its Clean Heat Program, with over 2,000 oil-heated homes transitioning to electric heat pumps. This shift eliminates the need for approximately 20 million gallons of heating oil, which is equivalent to the amount that would fill nearly 700 train tank...

As food insecurity rises in Washington, Northwest Harvest is addressing the growing need through food rescue initiatives. The organization partners with a statewide network of food banks to redirect surplus ready-to-eat food to individuals facing hunger. A key program, Starbucks FoodShare, divert...

This Black History Month highlights three influential leaders who advanced economic justice and improved access to essential needs for children and families in the U.S. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, advocated for poverty-stricken families during her tenure, supporti...

KCRHA is collaborating with local partners to enhance shelter availability in Seattle, including a new RV Safe Lot and Tiny House Village (THV) in South Park, District 1. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has received a $3.3 million contract to develop the site at the Washington State Depar...

Hundreds gathered at the One Circle’s annual One Heart/One Community Party With a Purpose, a fundraising event aimed at preventing hunger for children in Bellevue. The event raised over $563,497, showcasing the community’s commitment to a shared mission. One Circle Member Schanon Odell emphasized...

To effectively end Veteran homelessness, a comprehensive approach is necessary, addressing not only immediate housing needs but also the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness, such as financial difficulties, health problems, and employment challenges. The U.S. Department of Veterans A...