Last week, we shared out some of the rad volunteer opportunities you’ve found in and around Seattle. For the latest installment of our Evergrey Giving Guide, we’re highlighting local orgs you told us are making a difference in your communities.
We’ve heard from more than 30 of you so far. Here’s eight of the places you recommended — and why they left an impression on you.
1. Tenants Union of Washington, Rainier Valley
What it does: Educates and advocates for tenants and their housing rights
Quotable: “Several years ago they helped me and my kids keep our home, and they mediate disputes with landlords every day. They are on the front lines of preventing homelessness and empowering renters, both individually and collectively.” — Rebecca Landa
2. Social Justice Fund Northwest, Downtown
What it does: Supports community-led groups working towards social change
Quotable: “For the past 5 months, I’ve been part of their unique fundraising model called a “giving project.” It’s been a transformative experience where I’ve met incredibly passionate people, confronted my biases toward race and class, and learned about amazing work happening by organizations across the PNW. Alone, I wouldn’t be able to make a big difference with my money or time to any individual organization, but through our combined efforts, my group raised $185k!” — Jamie Whalen
3. Interlake Child Care & Learning Center, Green Lake
What it does: Help get our little ones off on the right foot through culturally-relevant curriculum
Quotable: “My son is now 14 years old. This summer he told his camp counselors during a ‘values session’ what a huge impact Interlake had on him…at the age of 3! He remembers them using Skee-Lo’s song lyrics — “I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller…” — to teach the kids about consumerism and what matters in life. To the outsider, Interlake looks like a shabby little house with old plumbing and worn-out everything. But inside, it’s all magic.” — Daiga Galins
4. Street Bean Coffee Roasters, Belltown and University District
What it does: Provides youth living homeless with job training and placement
Quotable: “They’re doing great things here to influence homeless youth. … They’re also launching their Do Gooder initiative in which they’re acquiring monthly donors (at an affordable rate, with benefits!) to support their work. It’s an easy thing to support and something I think our community can get behind.” — Michelle Auster
5. Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Pioneer Square, Tacoma, and Wenatchee
What it does: Provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrants throughout Washington
Quotable: “NWIRP files impact litigation to bring about systemic change and provides community education so that immigrants in our community know their rights.” — Sara Litt, member of the org’s board
6. Compass Housing Alliance, Pioneer Square
What it does: Provides emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing for struggling locals
Quotable: “They also operate a mailroom that doubles as a bank for those in the community who don’t have an address and have a hygiene center in Pioneer Square open to all to shower, use restrooms and do laundry. Lots of different program sites for people to get involved at and volunteer!” — Jennifer Marquette, who works at the org
7. Salish Sea Expeditions, Bainbridge Island
What it does: Teach kids about the scientific process and help them lead their own research
Quotable: “We are dependent on the ecological health of Puget Sound. By getting kids excited about science, we’re building science literacy while strengthening their sense of place, and their connection to the Salish Sea as a living part of their home.” — Brenna Sowder, who works at the org
8. InvestED, Renton
What it does: Makes school and education programs more affordable for struggling families
Quotable: “Education is one of my things, and social justice is another. Between the two, the public school system here drives me crazy. So an organization that tries to help individual students get what they need from their education makes total sense to me.” — C.J. Livingston
9. Team Read, SoDo
What it does: Helps close opportunity gaps by providing struggling readers in high-poverty schools paid “near peer” teen reading coaches to tutor them, one to one.
Quotable: “If [the tutors] they save their earnings for college, Team Read provides a 50% match. Many of the tutors become interested in careers in teaching = another avenue for diversifying the teaching workforce, which in turn helps kids of color feel more comfortable and more engaged at school.” — Bellamy Pailthorp, whose sister works for the organization
10. Jet City Improv, University District
What it does: Hosts improv comedy shows and classes for the community
Quotable: “They teach improv classes at one of the youth detention centers and also throughout the community for youth who are experiencing homelessness. [They also] tour various high-needs camps and perform for free throughout the summer.” — Jennifer
11. Jewish Family Service’s Food Bank, Capitol Hill
What it does: Provides food to locals in need
Quotable: “I’m a volunteer there and I live across the street, so I see both how much work goes into what they do with what heart and many of the people who benefit from their services.” — Alex Dey
12. Valley Animal Partners, Snoqualmie Valley
What it does: Provides low-cost and free pet services to senior citizens and limited income folks.
Quotable: “This group is run entirely on an amazing group of volunteers (no one is paid) that includes event volunteers, veterinarians and vet techs, and an awesome partnerships with Pasado’s for spay/neuter services. I am blown away by the passion and love of animals that everyone exudes in this organization and I have been a happy volunteer for the past 5 years with this group.” — Katrina Akioka
13. Full Life Care, Rainier Valley
What it does: Helps adults with chronic diseases and developmental disabilities
Quotable: “They provide many services for adults with dementia or developmental delays. Their Elderfriends program connects volunteers to elders for friendly visits.” — Christy Bridges
14. Educurious, Eastlake
What it does: Helps support teachers by helping shape curriculum and connect kids with hands-on learning projects and mentorships
Quotable: “In Seattle, they’ve partnered with the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development to create a summer internship program for local students. These internships, hosted by Seattle-area businesses, give young people the opportunity to gain confidence, competencies, and the drive to thrive beyond high school.” — Jenny Resendez
15. Big-Brained Superheroes Club, First Hill
What it does: Helps tap into students’ strengths in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, a.k.a. STEAM.
Quotable: “The Big-Brained Superheroes Club is a scrappy afterschool program at Yesler Community Center working to build a kinder, nerdier, more imaginative world.” — Meredith, board member for the org