Welcome to Resource Wire for January 22 – 29, 2025!
With the start of a new administration in Washington, D.C., we’ve entered into an anxious and uncertain period for many of us – especially those of us with an unresolved immigration status. Fortunately, the Northwest Immigrants Right Project is hosting trainings on immigration rights so you’ll know exactly what to do if Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes to your workplace or home. Read on to learn about an upcoming training, plus find info about changes to restraining orders, free IT training, and more.
NEW THIS EDITION | HAPPENING THIS WEEK | UPCOMING | ONGOING RESOURCES
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~NEW THIS EDITION~
KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9-11am
WHERE: Online
WHAT: Join the Northwest Immigrants Right Project and the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness for a training on what to do if Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes to your home or workplace. This training will cover:
- Basic Overview of the Immigration System
- What we know about the new Administration’s policies
- Know Your Rights
- Safety Planning
- Referrals and Questions
Make sure to register even if you can’t attend – we will share a recording after the training.
TO REGISTER: Go to 2025 NW Immigrants Right Project – ICE Training.
QUESTIONS? Call 206.204.8350.
NEW TOOL FOR RESTRAINING ORDERS
WHEN: Starting January 1, 2025
WHAT: Domestic violence survivors, stalking victims, and others who have received a restraining order from Washington courts can now apply for a wallet-sized Hope Card instead of carrying around a printed protection order that can be as long as 20 pages. These FREE cards are a simpler way to inform police, employers, schools, or landlords about your protection order.
TO APPLY: Complete and submit the Hope Card Request Form. This is an application for a Hope Card only – NOT a protection order, which must be obtained separately.
MORE INFO: Read WA’s new ‘Hope Cards’ offer alternative to carrying thick protection orders in the Washington State Standard.
LEARN YOUR MEDICARE OPTIONS
WHEN: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 5-8pm
WHERE: Virtual on Zoom. Register below for link.
WHAT: In this presentation, you’ll learn about all 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 Solid Ground, this Zoom event will be presented by Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) volunteer Larry. SHIBA provides free, unbiased, and confidential assistance with Medicare health care choices.
TO REGISTER: Go to Welcome to Medicare Webinar February 5th.
QUESTIONS? Contact Sam Stones, SHIBA Program Lead, at sams@solid-ground.org or 206.694.6750.
FREE IT CAREER TRAINING
WHEN: Applications due Thursday, March 20, 2025. 13-week course starts Thursday, April 3, 2025.
WHERE: In-person at 2101 4th Ave, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98121.
WHAT: Per Scholas is now accepting applications for its next free IT Support Training course, which includes professional coaching and job placement assistance. No tech experience required.
TO APPLY: Complete the Initial Screening.
MORE INFO: Find additional courses and topics at Seattle Courses.
~HAPPENING THIS WEEK~
HOW TO FIND AN APARTMENT THAT WORKS FOR YOU
WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 5-6:45pm
WHERE: Online. Register for link.
WHAT: In this webinar, Solid Ground tenant counselors will focus on:
- Where to search for housing
- Tenant screening
- Best tips for finding a rental
- Tax credit housing
- Holding deposits when applying for a rental
- Overcoming rental barriers such as criminal history and evictions on your record
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: Looking for Housing-The Basics on the King County Library System 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:
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 11am-3pm, Transform Burien, 156th & Des Moines Mem Dr, Burien
- Thursday, January 23, 2025, 10am-2pm, Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, Auburn
- Friday, January 24, 2025, 10am-2pm, Rainier Valley Food Bank, 9021 Rainier Ave S, Seattle
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 3-7pm, Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave S, Kent
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 2-6pm, Bridge Shelter, 551 Elliott Ave W, Seattle
- Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 10am-2pm, Salvation Army SoDo, 1039 6th Ave S, Seattle
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 23, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm, Doney Coe Services, 1101 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98321
- Friday, January 24, 2025, 10am-2pm, January 31, 2025, El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle (Seattle Veterinary Outreach)
- Wednesday, January 29, 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~
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.
GET YOUR WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT
WHEN: Saturday, February 1, 2025
WHAT: Washington state families can apply for the 2024 Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) starting February 1, 2025. The WFTC is a refund of the sales taxes you pay all year and is available to low-income Washington families regardless of whether they pay incomes taxes. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, use the WFTC eligibility checker.
It’s also not too late to apply for tax years 2022 and 2023. So far, more than 177,000 applicants have received a 2023 WFTC payments, which averaged around $751 per applicant.
TO APPLY: Go to Working Families Tax Credit – Apply.
FREE HELP WITH FAMILY LAW
WHEN: Monday, February 10, 9am-12pm
WHERE: On line or in person at the King County Courthouse Law Library, 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
WHAT: This free workshop is for anyone navigating common family law cases
(Divorce, Parenting Plans, Modifications, Contempt) without an attorney.Topics covered include:
- Initial paperwork
- Fee waivers
- Filing and e-filing
- Process Service
- Scheduling hearings
- Temporary and Emergency Orders
- Finalization, Enforcement, Appeals
TO REGISTER: Go to Family Law Basics – Online or Family Law Basics – In Person.
MORE INFO: Download the Family Law 101 Workshop or email legalnav@ywcaworks.org.
FREE LEGAL CLINIC
WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2024, 4-8pm (intake 4-6pm)
WHERE: El Centro de la Raza, Historic Building, Top Floor, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
WHAT: Volunteer attorneys from the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW) and the community, along with volunteer interpreters, provide free 30-minute consultations on topics such as immigration, personal injury, worker’s rights, family law, and more. Availability depends on attorney expertise at each clinic.
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.
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, 1/22/25, 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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