Current Resources & Opportunities
The resources and programs available for people living on low incomes are always changing, which makes it hard to know where to turn for help. Fortunately, Resource Wire brings you the latest on new services, opportunities, and events every week. Find updates here most Wednesdays or sign up for the Resource Wire e-newsletter to get it sent directly to your inbox.
Part of Dolly Parton’s incredible legacy is the Imagination Library, a program that mails books to children across the world every month for FREE. But for the last year, kids in Washington State haven’t been getting their books because of funding issues. Well, good news! That program is now back in operation and accepting new children in King County as of last week. Read on to learn how to sign up, plus find upcoming job fairs, resource events, and more! FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS IN KING COUNTY WHAT: The late Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has re-opened to King County children for the first time since last summer! Kids enrolled in the program receive a free book in the mail every month from birth to age 5. The Washington chapter of the program was paused last summer due to funding issues but is now back and accepting new children. Kids who are already signed up will be automatically re-enrolled and begin receiving books in the mail. TO SIGN UP: Go to Enroll Your Child For A Free Monthly Book! MORE INFO: Read Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library returns to King County on Facebook. YOUTH JOB & RESOURCE FAIR WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 3-5pm WHERE: Greenbridge Learning Center, 9720 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 WHAT: Connect with talent recruiters and human resource associates to find your next career opportunity. Job seekers ages 16-24 are encouraged to register for the event, bring two or three copies of your resume (if you have one), and dress business casual. If you don’t have a resume, you can create one before or during the job fair in our job bank learning center and get it printed off. TO REGISTER: Complete the YWCA Job and Resource Fair 2026 Youth and Families Registration Form. MORE INFO: Go to YWCA Job & Resource Fair.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD IN YOUR APARTMENT WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 5-6:45pm WHERE: Online; register for link WHAT: Mold is a serious problem in the Pacific Northwest. It poses serious health risks to people who live in rentals with mold – and many tenants don’t know their rights or understand Washington state’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) laws on dealing with mold. Join Solid Ground tenant counselors to learn: Tenant Law Center attorneys may be available during presentations for general legal information, and we share legal aid resources during each presentation. 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. You can also sign up for additional upcoming Rent Smart Webinars on a variety of topics. TO REGISTER: Go to Rent Smart: Mold and Your Rights on the King County Library 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 cellphones, bus passes, vaccines, health care screenings, employment resources, legal assistance, and more! Renton resource days 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. Burien job and opportunity fair AAA Washington hiring event 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 Street Medicine Program provides walk-in medical care specifically for people currently or recently living homeless. In addition to the clinic dates below, check out the Street Medicine Program page for the weekly encampment outreach schedule. Upcoming dates: QUESTIONS? Call 206.963.8628 or email streetmedicine@kingcounty.gov. FREE & LOW-COST VETERINARY CARE WHEN: See various dates and times 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. Eligibility, cost, and documentation requirements are different for each agency, so be sure to check that you have what you need before you head out to a clinic. Upcoming dates: MORE INFO: Visit Seattle Veterinary Outreach Clinic Calendar, Washington Health Outreach Schedule and Services, or Doney Coe Services.
PAID JOB READINESS TRAINING FOR YOUTH WHEN: Applications due Friday, September 25, 2026. Program meets for two hours each week from October 2026 though March 2027. WHAT: The Seattle Youth Employment Program’s Foundation seriesis designed to help teenagers and young adults who are new to the workforce world and for those in need of key industry soft skills development to become competitive candidates for any position they apply for. MORE INFO: Go to Learn & Earn: Foundations. FREE JOB TRAINING WHEN: Registration held October 5-15 for classes meeting October 19-December 10, 2026. Make your registration appointment NOW. WHERE: Seattle Job Training and Education Center, 700 Dearborn Place South, Seattle, WA 98144, or Renton Goodwill, 3210 NE Sunset Blvd, Renton, WA 98056 WHAT: Evergreen Goodwill is offering a variety of FREE job-training programs – including computer basics and customer service – at locations in Seattle and Renton. You MUST make an appointment to register for classes. Evergreen Goodwill also offers walk-in workshops that do not require appointments or registration. Download the Job Ready Workshops flyer for October and November 2026 to learn more. TO MAKE A REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT: Go to King County JTEC Appointment request Session 3 (October 5 – October 15). MORE INFO: Download the King County Job Training and Education Center flyer or call 206.329.1000. WHAT TO DO DURING MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLEMENT WHEN: Friday, October 2, 2026, 2:30-4:30pm WHERE: Wallingford Community Senior Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, #140, Seattle, WA 98103 WHAT: Join us for a presentation on Medicare’s Open Enrollment. In this FREE, in-person session, we’ll discuss… Hosted by Wallingford Community Senior Center, this in-person event will be presented by Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) – Solid Ground volunteers, Larry and Connie. SHIBA provides free, unbiased, and confidential assistance with Medicare health care choices. Solid Ground is your local SHIBA sponsor. For additional upcoming dates, go to Medicare Workshops & Webinars. TO REGISTER: Call 206.461.7825 or email register@wallingfordseniors.org. WEST SEATTLE SENIOR RESOURCE FAIR WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 9am-3pm WHERE: Our Lady of Guadalupe Campus Gym, 700 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 WHAT: Come learn about resources available for seniors and listen to presentation on wellness, technology, universal design, and Medicare. MORE INFO: Download the How to Live Your Best Life flyer. FREE LEGAL CLINIC WHEN: Wednesday, October 15, 2026, 4-8pm (intake 4-6pm) WHERE: El Centro de la Raza, Historic Building, Top Floor, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 WHAT: Attorneys will be available to provide free general consultations on varied areas of the law depending on attorney availability including Immigration, Family Law, Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Workers’ Rights/Wage Claims, Criminal Law. Bilingual attorneys and interpreters available. Space is limited. Consultations are first-come, first-served in-person, and there’s no guarantee of being seen due to high demand and specific legal matters. QUESTIONS? Call 844.502.9832. MORE INFO: Go to Free Bilingual Legal Clinic. 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 often available to help answer questions. Rent Smart Webinars in English ¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! en Español See All Upcoming Tenant Webinars When you need help, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we put together these 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 see what’s available in each area.
WHEN: Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm (chat hours 10am-4pm) WHAT: 2.1.1 is the best way to connect with a range of social services and resources available in King County, including help with housing, food, utilities, health care, and transportation. CONTACT: Call 2.1.1 or 800.621.4636, text your zip code to 898.211, email kc211@incontactemail.com, or go to 2.1.1 Community Resources Online to search a database of services. WHAT: Washington Connection offers a fast and easy way for families and individuals to apply for a variety of state services and benefits, including food, cash, child care, long-term care, and Medicare savings programs. MORE INFO: Go to See If I Qualify to find out which programs you may be eligible for. CONTACT: Email waconnectioncomments@dshs.wa.gov. WHAT: Affordable Seattle is an online resource to help you find benefits you may be eligible for in the City of Seattle. In just five minutes, find out how much you could save on child care, food, transportation, and utilities. MORE INFO: Go to Affordable Seattle. WHAT: Produced by the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services, the Reduced Cost Services Guide is a collection of discounted services for people with low incomes, including internet, telephones, utilities, transportation, health care, financial institutions, and children’s activities. QUESTIONS? Contact Brice Montgomery at montgba@dshs.wa.gov.
WHAT: The Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center is a statewide call center that helps families find licensed child care providers, navigate child care financial assistance options, and find alternative forms of care. MORE INFO: Call 1.800.446.1114 or email familycenter@childcare.org for help over the phone in multiple languages.
WHAT: Washington College Grant (WA Grant) gives eligible students money for more types of education like certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college. The amount you receive depends on family size, income, and the cost of your school or program. WA Grant is available to the following people: MORE INFO: Estimate your award with the Financial Aid Calculator or determine your eligibility by going to Washington College Grant Eligibility & Awards. TO APPLY: Go to Apply for Financial Aid.
WHAT: There are more than 30 local food banks in Seattle that offer free groceries. In addition, some food banks have other items available such as clothing, diapers, and pet food, as well as community resources like housing, child care, job assistance, and personal finance. If you need to find a food bank or meal program close to you, these up-to-date maps and lists show where you can find them across Seattle. MORE INFO: Visit Find a Food Bank to and Meals Partnership Coalition to find the food bank and meals programs nearest you. WHAT: There are several organizations that serve up free meals in the Seattle area, often with vegetarian and allergy-free options. MORE INFO: Find additional sites in this list of Seattle Meals compiled by the Department of Human Services.
WHAT: You can now call, text, or chat 9.8.8 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). It’s confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Services are available in Spanish in addition to interpretation services in over 250 languages. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 7.1.1 then 1.800.273.8255. You can dial 9.8.8 if you’re having: 9.8.8 doesn’t replace any crisis call centers in Washington state – it’s an addition to the state’s network of crisis center providers. The current NSPL number, 1.800.273.TALK (8255), remains active along with 9.8.8. MORE INFO: Download the 9.8.8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline flyer. WHAT: The Washington Recovery Help Line is a free, confidential 24-hour, statewide help line for substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health. Visit Washington Recovery Help Line website for resources. We offer: 1) Free and confidential support, 2) Connection to local treatment providers, 3) Medication for opioid use referrals, and 4) DSHS benefits application assistance. Connect with the Washington Recovery Help Line via: CONTACT/MORE INFO: This is a service of WA state DSHS and Crisis Connections, located at 9725 3rd Ave NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98115. Contact them at recovery@crisisconnections.org.
Many King County housing services, including help with rent payments, can only be accessed by first calling 2.1.1 or 800.621.4636. WHEN: Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm WHAT: The King County Tenant Resource Line is available for any low-income tenant in King County with an eviction notice, an eviction summons, or subsidy termination notice, and/or tenants who require reasonable accommodations due to disability. When they call, tenants are screened and provided legal advice from attorneys on the line, self-help resources, or legal representation as available. Interpretation is provided as needed. CONTACT: Call 206.580.0762 or 1.855.485.8767 for help. WHEN: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm WHAT: Are you exiting homelessness and need help covering the cost of moving into your new place? Call 206.694.6833 to leave a message for the North Seattle Regional Access Point (RAP) Diversion Program. (RAP responds within 2 business days, except holidays.) To qualify for move-in assistance, you’ll need to have already: CONTACT: Call 206.694.6833 for help. WHAT: Solid Ground Tenant Counselors help Washington state families and individuals maintain permanent and reliable rental housing through: CONTACT: Call 206.694.6767 on Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30am-1:30pm, to leave a message for the tenant counselors. WHAT: Broadview Shelter and Transitional Housing is a safe haven at a secure location for parents and their kids experiencing domestic violence (DV) and homelessness. Broadview’s specialized children’s services help young people restore a sense of safety, normalcy, and structure so they too can heal and thrive. CONTACT: Call 206.299.2500 for Solid Ground’s confidential DV shelter services.
WHAT: Low-income households in Xfinity’s service areas may qualify for free or low-cost ($9.95/mo) internet services through the Affordable Connectivity Program and Internet Essentials. MORE INFO: Visit Xfinity’s Internet Essentials website to see if you’re eligible and find out how to apply – or call 1.855.846.8376. WHAT: You may qualify for a free smartphone and wireless service through SafeLink. You can also keep the phone and number you already have. Eligible customers get: MORE INFO: Text “HELP” to 611.611 or call 1.800.723.3546.
Nonprofit Organizations Programs (free and/or paid) MORE INFO/QUESTIONS? Visit the Communities of Opportunity (COO) website or contact Dan Bernard, Communities of Opportunity Employment Manager, at dan.bernard@kingcounty.gov. WHAT: TRAC Associates provides funding for training, help with job searches and résumé writing, work-related supplies, peer and group counseling, expungement services, and transportation. Services are available to King County residents who’ve been recently released, recently charged, or pre-released from the criminal legal system. MORE INFO: Contact Anu Waku at anu@tracassoc.com or 206.498.3522 or download the TRAC Associates flyer. WHAT: Are you currently homeless? Unemployed? African Community Housing & Development offers employment opportunities, interview prep, job training, housing assistance, and more! MORE INFO: Contact Shirwa Aden at 425.436.8134 or shirwa@achdo.org. WHAT: WorkSource hosts free virtual workshops for job seekers in multiple languages on topics such as financial capabilities, interviewing techniques, job-search strategies, perfecting applications, résumés and cover letters, skills and abilities analysis, strategies for success, and more. MORE INFO: See all upcoming free workshops for job seekers in King County on the WorkSource workshops and hiring events calendar. WHEN: Tours by appointment only WHERE: Orion Industries, 1590 A Street NE Auburn, WA 98002 WHAT: Orion Training & Employment offers skills training and assessment in their aerospace business, janitorial, office skills, and customer service programs. We support individuals to achieve their goals through our job placement and job retention services. Participants receive: MORE INFO: Go to Orion’s Training Programs webpage. QUESTIONS? Contact cindy.arnold@orionworks.org or 253.661.7805.
WHAT: The ORCA LIFT card offers a convenient, more affordable way to get around Puget Sound by bus, light rail, streetcar, water taxi, and more. To qualify, your gross household income (before taxes are taken out) must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, as established by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Those receiving Apple Health Medicaid, WIC, and Basic Food are eligible for the program. TO APPLY: Go to Apply for or renew your ORCA LIFT card or call 800.756.5437. MORE INFO: Go to King County Metro Discounted Fares. WHAT: All youth 18 and younger can ride transit services in Puget Sound for free through Move Ahead Washington’s Youth Ride Transit for Free! program. Riders aged 13 and older are encouraged to bring one of the following when they ride, if they have it: Youth ORCA Card Current High School or Middle School Student ID Youth who don’t have a Youth ORCA Card or Student ID can still ride for free on most services; just get on board! Tapping your Youth ORCA card allows transit agencies to better understand how many young people are riding transit, including where and when. Transit agencies use this information to make future improvements. MORE INFO: Go to Youth Ride Transit for Free! to get a new youth ORCA card, replace your lost one, or register your card. WHAT: The Bike Works Bikes-For-All! program provides free rebuilt bicycles and helmets to Southeast Seattle youth, adults, and families who are facing barriers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Income limits apply. MORE INFO: Go to the Bikes-For-All! page.BACK TO TOP
WHAT: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households meet their immediate home energy needs. Your family’s monthly income may qualify you for free or low-cost energy services once every 12 months. WHAT: The Utility Discount Program (UDP) helps you get and stay current on utility payments by offering a discount of up to 60% on your Seattle City Light bill and a 50% discount on your Seattle Public Utilities bill. This program is available for residential City Light and Seattle Public Utilities customers only. You may be eligible if: MORE INFO: Go to King County’s Energy Assistance webpage to find out if you’re eligible and how to apply. QUESTIONS? Contact the Access and Outreach Team or call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1.800.756.5437.
New This Edition
Welcome to Resource Wire for September 16 – 23, 2026!
Happening This Week
Upcoming Resources
Ongoing Community Resources
General Resources
KING COUNTY 2.1.1
WASHINGTON CONNECTION
AFFORDABLE SEATTLE
REDUCED COST SERVICES GUIDE
Child Care
CHILD CARE AWARE OF WASHINGTON FAMILY CENTER
Education
FREE MONEY FOR CAREER TRAINING, COLLEGE, OR APPRENTICESHIPS
Food
SEATTLE FOOD BANK & MEALS MAPS
FREE MEALS
Health/Behavioral Health Care
9.8.8 FOR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES
RECOVERY HELP LINE
Housing
EVICTION HELP HOTLINE
HELP WITH MOVE-IN COSTS
INFO ON RENTERS’ RIGHTS IN WA STATE
HOUSING FOR DV SURVIVORS
Internet & Phones
FREE & DISCOUNTED INTERNET
FREE SMARTPHONES & SERVICE
Jobs & Training
TECH JOB SKILLS TRAINING IN SEATTLE-KING CO.
JOB HELP FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM
HOUSING & EMPLOYMENT HELP
JOB SEEKERS’ VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS – MULTILINGUAL
PAID JOB TRAINING FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES & MANUFACTURING
Transportation
DISCOUNTED TRANSIT FOR ADULTS
FREE TRANSIT FOR YOUTH
FREE BIKES & HELMETS
Utilities
HELP PAYING ENERGY & WATER BILLS IN KING COUNTY
DISCOUNTS ON UTILITY BILLS
