Local King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles is announcing that more than $500,000 will be awarded to six organizations serving older adults across District 4, including programs in Phinney, Greenwood, Ballard, and Wallingford.
The funds are part of the initial rollout of the recently voter-renewed Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. The one-time investments will help senior centers, community centers, and organizations serving older adults expand programs to reach more local seniors, make their facilities safer and more accessible, purchase equipment and appliances, and more.
“We all benefit by being part of a community, to get support from others when needed,” said King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, represents a large portion of Seattle and Chairs the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee. “Senior centers offer such places for many of our older citizens, especially in providing opportunities for social interaction. There was a clear need for increased funding to senior centers and community organizations serving seniors across King County and I am thrilled to see their important work being supported in this new and exciting way.”
In total, all six projects across District 4 were awarded the full amounts of their request.
*Â Â Phinney Neighborhood Association/Greenwood Senior Center – $85,000 to support a new ADA-compliant door, social work, new IT systems, increased outreach, and new kitchen equipment.
*Â Â Ballard NW Senior Center – $78,000 to support increased outreach, help to maintain a social worker, fund repairs for a senior transportation vehicle, and fund new IT systems.
*Â Â Pike Market Senior Center – $27,000 for a new program development to increase attendance and inclusion and new kitchen equipment.
*Â Â Sound Generations Community Dining – $76,000 to support new volunteer training materials, outreach to Latino and ESL senior communities, new kitchen equipment, and new IT hardware.
*Â Â United Indians of All Tribes Foundation: Native Elders Program – $80,000 to support a new wheelchair lift, outreach, senior housing stability services, IT hardware, and senior transportation vehicle repair
*Â Â Wallingford Community Center – $115,000 to support restroom repairs, social worker support, IT systems, increased outreach, and staff training.
Each senior center will also receive an additional $12,500 to conduct outreach and provide applications for seniors to enroll in the property tax exemption program.
“We are so grateful for this Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy grant,” said Lee Harper, Executive Director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. “This important infusion of stabilization dollars will enable us to upgrade accessibility and ensure that our important support services are strengthened and able to expand where there has been the most need.”
By 2040, more than a quarter of King County’s population will be seniors. Healthy lifestyles and social engagement are keys to living long and living well.
