Nine Decades for Those in Need

The Seattle Kraken announced this week all net proceeds from the sales of its inaugural "Release the Kraken" apparel and gear line were donated to three local nonprofits working tirelessly to provide critical support to deserving young people: YouthCare, Community Passageways and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
"Whatever challenges and inconveniences we all face as a result of COVID -19 are experienced a hundred-fold by our community's more vulnerable populations," says Mari Horita, Kraken vice president of community engagement and social impact. "In particular the health and economic impacts have disproportionately affected our Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities, and as we planned our launch, we wanted to find a way to leverage that opportunity to provide some relief."
To highlight the work of the three nonprofits, we are published stories this week on each organization: Tuesday: YouthCare; Wednesday: Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle; and Thursday: Community Passageways.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this fall to mark nearly a century of supporting Blacks and people of color in underserved areas of our community. Think about that legacy: Working for the betterment of disenfranchised neighbors and residents since 1930.
"We're still here, responding to the needs of our community," says Michelle Merriweather, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. "As Seattle changes, so have we. The Urban League has historically served the city's Central District, where most of the Black community once lived. Things have changed and transpired. The Black community has dispersed throughout the city. We now go to where the need is throughout King County [and portions of Snohomish and Pierce counties."
In those 90 years, you can imagine the economic challenges of the Great Depression and World War II plus confronting racism during every single decade. The recession of 2008 created issues the ULGS pivoted to address for individuals and the community. The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated its own storm of health and financial challenges during a concurrent period of deep-rooted social unrest and demands for change from all-too-prevalent police brutality.

"It has been a tough, traumatic six months," says Merriweather, "but we're doing great work. It's not enough but we are making a difference in the community. One thing that keeps me motivated is the remarkable people [at the Urban League] on the front lines to serve people. Their love and passion for the work has come through so clearly during COVID-19. They are less worried about themselves and more focused on whether kids are getting computers and wifi or whether kids and families are getting their groceries."
Merriweather and her ULMS colleagues has been shouldering the wheel on two major fronts during the pandemic: Supporting young elementary and high school students already facing educational inequities to stay engaged in their studies is one major undertaking. The ULMS is particularly concerned about kids who are homeless or have learning disabilities or both.
The other major front goes beyond health and education challenges, what Merriweather calls "looming evictions and foreclosures" on people's homes: "We are trying to mitigate by paying back rent until the [local rent] moratorium is gone. We are working really hard to end homeless and we can't afford to have one more child on the street."
Merriweather says early support from United Way and King County intervention provided "first-wave" funds to pay March and April. She worries about what might be ahead for renters and says "we are talking to landlords now about how many people are behind."
While acknowledging the Seattleites and King County resident in the economic margins, Merriweather and the ULMS are distinctly concerned about homeowners facing foreclosures of their homes. The Urban League started nine decades ago as a source of jobs and career skills training. Its leaders learned fast that a stable home was needed for the newly trained workers to sustain the effort. Secure housing remains a pillar of Urban League to this day, along with education, health, workforce and policy and civic engagement.

Along with the major fronts of education and rent/foreclosure intervention, the Urban League has adapted to the pandemic by expanding its involvement in food insecurity by instituting a food delivery service to families ("we saw a need and do it now," says Merriweather). The ULMS also opened youth shelter during the rise of COVID-19.
"We can't all of these things alone," says Merriweather. "We do it through relationships and partnerships."
Merriweather joined the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in August 2015 as vice president, moving here from Los Angeles, where, in a twist, she worked for Starbucks in business development for a stretch. "I always figured I would move to Seattle," she says, softly laughing. "But I thought it would be because I working at Starbucks."
Joining the Urban League's local Young Professionals volunteer group in Los Angeles, Merriweather enjoyed the experience. She expanded her role as a board member ("repping Starbucks"), then was recruited by former ULMS CEO Pamela Banks to join leadership here in the Pacific Northwest ("I didn't have to think twice"). She ascended to the president and CEO role when Banks stepped down to pursue other opportunities in the public life.
"It all started with me wanting to give back," she says. "Then I fell in love with the work and organization. I have never worked harder [and cried harder, she adds later] than the last six months. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
To support the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, check out urbanleague.org to discover membership, volunteer, cash donations and other opportunities.