Welcome to Resource Wire for January 8 – 15, 2025!
New year, new minimum wage! If you work in Seattle, you should be making AT LEAST $20.76 per hour starting this month – no matter the size of your employer or the benefits you receive. Read on to learn more, plus find info about free tutoring, social security, job training opportunities, health fairs, and more!
NEW THIS EDITION | HAPPENING THIS WEEK | UPCOMING | ONGOING RESOURCES
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~NEW THIS EDITION~
NEW MINIMUM WAGE IN SEATTLE
WHEN: January 1, 2025
WHAT: Starting in 2025, all employers in Seattle, regardless of size, will be required to pay the same minimum wage to employees: $20.76 per hour.
Small employers will no longer be able to count tips and/or payments toward an employee’s medical benefit plan toward an employee’s minimum compensation requirements under Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance. If your employer is paying you less than the minimum wage, submit an Office of Labor Standards Worker Inquiry.
MORE INFO: Watch the Seattle Office of Labor Standards’ video, Upcoming Changes to the Minimum Wage (2025).
FREE TUTORING IN NORTH SEATTLE
WHEN: Wednesdays, 3-5pm, starting January 15, 2025
WHERE: Akin/North Seattle Family Resource Center, 12360 Lake City Way NE, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98125
WHAT: Registration is now open for Akin’s free Youth weekly Tutoring Program starting Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the North Seattle Family Resource Center. Tutoring in Math and English, K-12, is provided one-on-one by college students and graduates, some of the multilingual. Meals provided.
TO REGISTER: Complete The House of Wisdom Tutoring Registration Form.
MORE INFO: Email mbp372@uw.edu or call 206.475.9913.
HELP UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL SECURITY
WHEN: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 2-4pm
WHERE: Online or in person at 2024 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
WHAT: Social Security 101 is a free workshop giving an overview of Social Security benefits, including basic information about applying for SSI and SSDI, tips and best practices, and what to expect from the process. There will be a Q&A session. In- person attendees will have a computer lab and legal navigators to assist with printing correct forms and additional resources for follow up. Those receiving TANF may be eligible for further legal navigation services.
MORE INFO: Download the Social Security 101 flyer or email legalnav@ywcaworks.org.
TO REGISTER: Go to Social Security 101 Workshop (in person) or Social Security 101 Workshop (online).
MLK OPPORTUNITY FAIR
WHEN: Monday, January 20, 2025, 8:30-11:30am
WHERE: Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA
WHAT: Check out more than two dozen resources for employment and training, as well as opportunities to explore career pathways and connect with support services.
REGISTER: Go to 2025 MLK Opportunity Fair.
QUESTIONS? Email mmonterrozo@worksourceskc.org.
PAID BARISTA TRAINING
WHEN: Nine-week course starts Monday, January 27, 2025. Training is 20+ hours a week, Monday-Friday.
WHAT: FareStart’s upcoming Barista & Customer Service Program is a paid job-training opportunity specially designed for young people, 18-24, in King County who are living on low incomes and facing barriers to employment. Participants also get:
- Nine weeks of free barista training in both classroom and cafe settings
- Case management and support with basic needs including mental health and transportation
- Computer and financial literacy training with a laptop provided
- Job readiness training, including resume-building, job search and interview practice
- Support with obtaining a job
- Weekly $225 cash stipend
TO APPLY: Go to Barista and Customer Service Job Training Program.
WEST SEATTLE HEALTH INSURANCE & RESOURCE FAIR
WHEN: Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10am-2pm
WHERE: Highland Park Elementary, 1012 SW Trenton, St, Seattle, WA 98106
WHAT: Join us for a free food truck and a variety of resources and services, including help with driver’s licenses, mammogram and dental services (call 1.800.756.5437 for appointment), vaccines, food, childcare, car seats, transportation, and more.
QUESTIONS? Call 1.800.756.5437 or call chap@kingcounty.gov.
MORE INFO: Download the Health Insurance & Resource Event flyer.
~HAPPENING THIS WEEK~
LEARN YOUR RIGHTS AS A RENTER
WHEN: Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 3-4:45pm
WHERE: Online. Register for link.
WHAT: Join Solid Ground tenant counselors as they discuss tenants’ rights and procedures under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of Washington state. You’ll learn:
- How to make a formal repair request
- When you can break your lease
- How to formally move out of your unit
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: Learning the Basics on the King County Library System website.
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!
Skyway community resource fair
- When: , 2025,
- Where: Skyway Library, 12601 76th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98178
- What: Social service providers will help connect you to resources such as healthcare, education, free phones, mental health resources and more!
- More info: Go to Community Resource Fair.
Auburn resource fair
- When: , 2025,
- Where: Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002
- What: Help with free cell phones, transit passes, health and dental information, employment, utility resources, legal help, etc.
- More info: Go to Community Resource Fair.
Burien resource days
- When: , 2025,
- Where: Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd St, 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 info: Go to Resources Day at the Burien Library.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES: For additional events hosted at King County libraries, search for “Social Services Help” on the KCLS website.
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 dates:
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 2-6pm, Salvation Army SoDo, 1039 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 10am-2pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 2415 S 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
MORE INFO: Go to King County Mobile Medical Care.
FREE & LOW-COST VETERINARY CARE
WHEN: Various dates and times. See below.
WHAT: Seattle Veterinary Outreach, Washington Health Outreach, and Doney Coe Pet Clinic provide veterinary care for free or at a reduced cost to the pets of people experiencing homelessness and or living on low incomes.
Veterinary care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 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.
Upcoming dates:
- Thursday, January 9, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm, Doney Coe Services, 1101 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98321
- Sunday, January 12, 2025, 11am, Renton Library, 100 Mill Ave S, Renton, WA 98057 (Washington Health Outreach Schedule and Services)
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm, Doney Coe Services, 1101 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98321
MORE INFO: Visit Seattle Veterinary Outreach Clinic Calendar, Washington Health Outreach Schedule and Services, or Doney Coe Services.
~UPCOMING COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES~
FEDERAL STUDENT AID APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED
WHEN: Applications due June 30, 2025.
WHAT: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for all students and families applying for the 2025–2026 school year. While the final FAFSA deadline isn’t until June 30, 2025, students should apply as early as possible because some kinds of financial support are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing the FAFSA takes about an hour.
MORE INFO: Go to Filling Out the FAFSA Form or check out resources available through the Washington Student Achievement Council.
HELP FOR MIGRANTS & ASYLUM-SEEKERS
WHEN: Services available through June 30, 2025
WHAT: The newly launched Washington Migrant and Asylum-Seekers Support project is designed to meet the basic needs of people who have recently arrived in the United States and Washington state but are ineligible for federal refugee services. Participants may be eligible for housing support, immigration-related legal services, and culturally responsive case management. Participants are also connected to medical, education, and job-training resources that are available in the community.
TO APPLY: Complete and submit the Client Request for Eligibility Screening.
MORE INFO: Read Washington state launches Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Project.
RENT SMART/¡INQUILINOS INTELIGENTES!
WHEN: English sessions are held several times a month, various days and times. Spanish sessions are held monthly on Thursdays, 5:30-6:45pm.
WHERE: Zoom
WHAT: Virtual Renters’ Rights Webinar Series presented by Solid Ground Tenant Counselors, with Tenant Law Center attorneys available to help answer questions.
Rent Smart Webinars in English
- W, 1/8/25, 3-4:45pm: Learning the Basics
- W, 1/22/25, 5-6:45pm: Looking for Housing – The Basics
- T, 2/4/25, 1-2:45pm: Housing Search Basics
- W, 2/12/25, 3-4:45pm: Overcoming Barriers to Housing
- W, 2/26/25, 5-6:45pm: Renting with An Eviction on Your Record
- T, 3/4/25, 1-2:45pm: Repair Issues & Landlord Duties
- W, 3/12/25, 3-4:45pm: Information for Survivors of Domestic Violence
- W, 3/26/25, 5-6:45pm: Breaking a Lease
See All Upcoming Tenant Webinars
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).
- Rent Smart is offered in partnership with Solid Ground’s Tenant Services, the King County Library System (KCLS), and Seattle Public Library (SPL).
¿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).
- ¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! se ofrece en asociación con los Servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground y La Sistema Biblioteca del Condado de King.
~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:
- $23.56 (new rate!)
- 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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