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Jobs and Community Resources – 2/7/24

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Welcome to Resource Wire for February 7 – 14, 2024!

Have you applied for your 2023 Working Families Tax Credit yet?! It’s an annual cash refund of up to $1,255 that you can get either as a direct deposit, paper check, or as a prepaid debit card. Read on to learn how to get your refund even if you don’t have a bank account, plus find info about free swim lessons, a new emergency shelter, and upcoming hiring events. Check it out!

NEW THIS EDITION | HAPPENING THIS WEEK | UPCOMING | ONGOING RESOURCES

Resource Wire is your source for the latest news and updates about community resources and opportunities for folks living on low incomes in Seattle and King County. Want to get the latest edition emailed directly to you each week?

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~NEW THIS EDITION~

GET YOUR TAX REFUND ON A PREPAID CARD 

WHAT: You can now get your Working Families Tax Credit as a prepaid debit card, which means you don’t need a bank account to get your refund. You will also have access to your money right away and can use your card to make purchases, pay bills, or get cash. You can still get your refund as a direct deposit or a paper check as well. 

Under the Working Families Tax Credit, Washington state individuals and families may receive up to $1,255 back if they meet certain eligibility requirements. If you didn’t get your refund last year, there’s still time to apply. 

TO APPLY: Working Families Tax Credit – Prepaid debit cards

MORE INFO: Go to Working Families Tax Credit – Apply 

FREE SWIM LESSONS 

WHEN: Early registration is Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Apply now for a scholarship

WHAT: Seattle Parks and Recreation will be offering FREE beginner swim lessons to anyone who is eligible for a scholarship through the department’s scholarship program beginning Spring 2024. You must apply for a scholarship before registering for classes. 

TO APPLY: Go to Scholarships & Financial Aid. 

MORE INFO: Go to Swim Seattle 2024 Free Swim Lessons! 

NEW SHELTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN 

WHAT: Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has opened a new emergency shelter with 106 beds for women and children. New guests are provided with clothing, warm meals, and a case manager. Guests also have access to mental health services, employment assistance, a children’s program, and other classes and group sessions.   

TO FIND SHELTER: Call 206.501.4357 or email getHELP@ugm.org. 

MORE INFO: Read New shelter for women and children. 

SEATTLE HIRING FAIR 

WHEN: Thursday, February 22, 2024, 11am-3pm 

WHERE: Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 

WHAT: Face-to-face interviews and hundreds of open positions with employers like University of Washington, Costco, Albertsons, the Woodland Park Zoo, and more. Open to all potential job seekers ages 18 or older. Bring a resume and wear business attire.  

TO REGISTER: Go to SEATTLE In Person (IP) Diversity Career Fair 02/22/2024. 

MORE INFO: Go to 24th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair and Roundtables. 

~HAPPENING THIS WEEK~

LEARN ABOUT NEW VOUCHER LOTTERY 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 2pm

WHERE: Capitol Hill Library, 425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

WHAT: The Seattle Housing Voucher has re-opened applications for housing vouchers and is now using a new system for distributing them. You can learn more about the new voucher lottery at this informational sessions with SHA Housing Counselors. 

QUESTIONS? Call Seattle Housing Authority at 206.239.1728 or go to Housing Choice Vouchers. 

UNDERSTAND YOUR MEDICARE OPTIONS 

WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 9:30-11:30am

WHERE: Virtual on Zoom. Register below to receive  link.

WHAT: Learn about all the parts of Medicare so you can make an informed decision about your Medicare choices. We’ll discuss…

  • Medicare A, B, C, and D
  • Enrollment
  • Medicare benefits and options
  • Medigaps (supplemental plans) and Medicare Advantage plans
  • Help paying for Medicare
  • Medicare fraud

Hosted by North Seattle College, this Zoom event will be presented by Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program volunteer, Karla. SHIBA provides free, unbiased, and confidential assistance with Medicare health care choices.

Additional in-person workshop dates:

TO REGISTER: Go to Welcome to Medicare Webinar to learn more and register. 

QUESTIONS? Contact Sam Stones at sams@solid-ground.org or 206.694.6750. 

HOW TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO HOUSING

WHEN:  Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 3-4:45pm

WHERE: Zoom; register for link.

WHAT: This is the second of a three-part series on your housing search. We’ll focus on overcoming barriers that prevent tenants from successfully getting into rental housing. Topics include…

  • tenant credit information
  • evictions and orders of limited dissemination
  • dealing with past debt
  • criminal history on tenant records
  • landlord discrimination

A visiting attorney from the Tenant Law Center will also be on hand to help with answering questions. If you’re currently living in King County and being threatened with eviction, contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 206.267.7069 or hjpstaff@kcba.org. 

TO REGISTER: Go to Rent Smart Housing Search Part 2-Overcoming Barriers to Housing on the King County Library System website. Contact Julia Gibson at jgibson@kcls.org for help with registration.

HEALTH & RESOURCE EVENTS

WHAT: A variety of organizations are holding events this week to help connect people with basic needs and services, including things like cell phones, bus passes, vaccines, health care screenings, employment resources, legal assistance, and more! 

DSHS in Shoreline

Redmond health clinic 

Burien resource day

  • When: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 10am-2pm
  • Where: Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166
  • What: Social service providers will help connect you to resources such as healthcare, education, recovery haircuts and more! Get help with a free phone and ORCA card. Hygiene kits and free lunches available, while supplies last.

MORE  OPPORTUNITIES: For additional events hosted at King County libraries, search for “Social Services Help” on the KCLS website. 

JOB FAIRS & HIRING EVENTS

WHAT: A variety of employers are holding hiring events over the next week, with some making on-the-spot offers with no experience required.  

Highline Public Schools 

U.S. Postal Service 

Solid Ground Transportation

MORE INFO: To find additional job openings and events, go to WorkSource Workshops & Hiring Events or Port Jobs Hiring Events. 

FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS 

WHEN: Various times and locations listed below

WHAT: King County’s Mobile Medical Program provides walk-in care for people who are living homeless (or were recently homeless) only. Please try to arrive at least one hour before the scheduled end time for the clinic. On rare occasions the clinic will close earlier than the scheduled time. Call the Mobile Van nursing lines if you would like to confirm the clinic end time for a particular day.

Please note: Sites and available services are subject to change due to Mobile Medical’s involvement in the COVID-19 response. Please check King County’s Mobile Medical Care webpage for the latest information, including upcoming dates in September.

Upcoming Seattle dates:

Upcoming South King County dates:

MORE INFO: Go to King County Mobile Medical Care or call 206.330.6775 for the Seattle Medical Van or 206.549.5562 for the South King County Medical Van.

FREE & LOW-COST VETERINARY CARE

WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10am-2pm

WHERE: 17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond, WA 

WHAT: Seattle Veterinary Outreach and Washington Health Outreach provide veterinary care for free to people experiencing homelessness and at a reduced cost for people living on low incomes.

Veterinary care is provided on a first-come, first-served service. Pet owners are encouraged to arrive early to secure a place in line.

Services are reserved for those experiencing homelessness or living with a low income, which is verified at clinics. Pet owners should bring their SNAP, EBT, WIC, SSI, or TANF cards. Alternatively, a letter confirming that the pet owner is living in subsidized housing or receiving housing vouchers is also acceptable.

MORE INFO: Visit the Seattle Veterinary Outreach Clinic Calendar and Washington Health Outreach Schedule and Services.

~UPCOMING COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES~

FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION CLINIC 

WHEN: Thursday, February 15, through Sunday, February 18, 2024. Admission tickets handed out each day starting at 5:30am.

WHERE: Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 

WHAT: The Seattle/King County Clinic is a four-day event providing free medical, dental, and vision care for anyone who needs it. Patients do not need to living in Seattle or King County to get care. No ID, documentation, or insurance required.

Tickets are required to attend and are handed out each day starting at 5:30am at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle Center.

MORE INFO: Download the Seattle/King County Clinic 2024 flyer, go to seattlecenter.org/patients, email SKCClinic@seattlecenter.org, or call 206.684.7200.

FREE COLLEGE TUITION FOR SEATTLE STUDENTS 

WHEN: Applications are available now and due by Friday, February 16, 2024. 

WHAT: Seattle Promise is a college tuition and success program available to all graduating Seattle public high school students regardless of grade point average (GPA), income, ability, or country of birth.   

Under the Seattle Promise program, you may be eligible for: 

  • Free tuition at any of the Seattle Colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College or South Seattle College for up to two years, 90 college credits or a student’s first degree, whichever comes first. 
  • Equity scholarships, which provide flexible funding to students, for books, transportation, housing, etc. for those with financial need. 
  • Student support and advising beginning in the junior year of high school and lasting through completion of a degree, certificate, credential or transfer to a four-year institution. 

High school seniors planning to attend college in the fall of 2024 must apply to Seattle Promise and the college of their choice by February 16, 2024 

TO APPLY: Go to Fall 2024 Applications. 

MORE INFO: Download the Class of 2024 poster or the Get Started Bookmark. 

MAXIMIZE YOUR REFUND: FREE HELP WITH TAXES 

WHEN: Walk-in help available through Sunday, April 21, 2024. Virtual Tax Assistance available online starting Thursday, February 1, 2024. 

WHERE: Locations across King County. Check out this map of United Way In-Person Tax Sites and this list of Seattle Public Library Branches offering Free In-person Tax Help. 

WHAT: Get free help filing your taxes from the United Way of King County (UWKC) and AARP so you can get back more of your hard-earned money. Their IRS-certified volunteers can help you understand your tax situation, plus take advantage of credits like the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, and the Working Families Tax Credit to maximize your refund. 

  • UWKC: If you make less than $80,000 a year (or less than $96,000 for non-single filers), UWKC’s volunteers are ready to meet with you in person at locations across King County, including libraries, community centers, and food banks. Appointments are not required, but please aim to arrive no later than 45 minutes before closing time. Virtual Tax Assistance available starting February 1, 2024. 
  • AARP: The Seattle Public Library is collaborating with AARP to offer free tax assistance at nine branches through Tax Day, Monday, April 15, 2024. Hours vary and appointments are preferred in some locations. 

MORE INFO: Go to UWKC’s Get Free Tax Help or SPL’s Tax Help pages. 

RENT SMART/¡INQUILINOS INTELIGENTES!

WHEN: English sessions are held twice monthly (once in November and December) on Wednesday afternoons. Spanish sessions are held monthly on Thursdays, 5:30-6:45pm.

WHERE: Zoom

WHAT: Virtual Renters’ Rights Webinar Series 

Rent Smart Webinars in English

¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! Talleres Virtuales en Español

NEED MORE HELP?

  • King County residents being threatened with eviction can contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 253.234.4204 or hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Washington State residents can visit Solid Ground’s For Tenants website for self-help information, or call Solid Ground’s Tenant Services Voice Message Line, 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1, currently open for messages Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30am – 1:30pm (hours and days are subject to change).

¿NECESITA MÁS AYUDA?

  • Si actualmente vive en el Condado de King y está siendo amenazado con el desalojo, comuníquese con el Proyecto de Justicia de Vivienda para obtener asistencia legal 253.234.4204 o hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Los Residentes del Estado de Washington pueden visitar el sitio web Para Inquilinos de Solid Ground para obtener información de autoayuda, o llamar a la línea mensajes de voz de servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground, 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1, cual es abierta los lunes o jueves de 10:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m. (las horas y los días están sujetos a cambios).

Rent Smart is offered in partnership with Solid Ground’s Tenant Services and the King County Library System (KCLS). / ¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! se ofrece en asociación con los Servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground y La Sistema Biblioteca del Condado de King (KCLS).

~JOBS WITH SOLID GROUND~

NEW WAGES FOR SOLID GROUND DRIVERS!

WHEN: Job fair every Wednesday, 10am-3pm — Call ahead to confirm

WHERE: Solid Ground Transportation, 8100 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 

WHAT: Be a part of making life easier for those living with disabilities in our communities. Join our team of drivers who provide ACCESS bus services to people who can’t use Metro’s fixed-route system, helping people get to critical health and human services resources, and connecting people with their communities.  

Solid Ground Transportation offers: 

  • $22.87/hr (new rate!) with $2,000 Hiring Bonus
  • Flexible schedule
  • Part-time & full-time options
  • No CDL requirement
  • Paid training
  • Opportunities for long-term career growth beyond driving!
  • Full benefits (Paid Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401k Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, and Life Insurance)

TO APPLY NOW: Go to the Solid Ground Bus Operator job description and scroll down to How to Apply for application materials.

QUESTIONS? Call 206.694.6817 or email jobs@solid-ground.org. 

SOLID GROUND JOB BOARD

WHAT: Join the Solid Ground team and help us fight poverty and dismantle systems of oppression! We’re currently seeking candidates for these positions:

QUESTIONS? Learn more about Solid Ground and see other open positions on the Solid Ground Careers page.

~ONGOING COMMUNITY RESOURCES~

When you need help, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we put together lists of Ongoing Community Resources in King County for help with things like housing, food, childcare, transportation, employment, and more. Click on the topics below to jump to these ongoing resources posted on our Resource Wire webpage.

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