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West Seattle Helpline

History and Statement of Purpose

The West Seattle Helpline was formed in 1989 by a group of concerned West Seattle residents. Former Senator Phil Talmadge and Dick Rhodes, co-owner of the Queen Anne Thriftway, were instrumental in replicating the Queen Anne Helpline in West Seattle. Many local churches were involved from the onset. The Helpline was staffed entirely by volunteers and offered financial support for temporary emergency situations. The recipients of the services had to be residents of West Seattle. Support was offered to help with rent payments, utility bills, transportation, food, clothing and gasoline vouchers.

In 1995 the Helpline moved the office from next to the Thriftway store (presently Metropolitan Market) to the present location on California Avenue in the more centrally-located Junction shopping district. During this time the Helpline expanded its services to include a free clothing bank that is open once a week to any resident in King County. A part-time director was hired in 1994 and it remains the only paid staff position in the organization. There is a current nine-member Board of Directors, including a state legislator and an eight-member Advisory Board. Fifteen-twenty volunteers work during the ten to two weekday office hours and at the clothing bank, answering the calls and providing the needed services to clients.

Beginning in 1998 the Helpline embarked on a three-year development project to expand and improve the efficiency of the Helpline. We have set measurable goals which were accomplished in that time. They included:

-  to expand the Helpline office hours from 10am-noon to 10am – 2pm

-     to increase the volunteer to twenty by the end of 2000

-    to include a extensive network of King County service providers

-    to broaden our visibility in the community and our local funding base

-    diversify funding sources to include private foundations, corporate giving and more in-kind services

In 2002 the Helpline, having met the goals of our three-year development plan, we set our sights on further development and increased our goals to include:

-     to expand financial services to include prescription drugs, back to school supplies, holiday giving program, job training and educational assistance

-  to develop a donor data base, expand current mailing list and offer an annual report

-   to develop and maintain a web site

-   develop a quarterly newsletter to increase name recognition

-   increase Executive Director’s hours from twenty to thirty.

In 2005 after meeting our previous strategic goals we wanted to continue to build our capacity to serve our community members. Within the next three years it is our goal to:

-     build the infra-structure by having all client files on a computer data base and volunteers trained.

-    Increase our office hours and volunteer staff

-    Move office into a newly constructed community resource center

-    Continue to increase our donor data base, fundraising goals (by 20%) and name recognition

Financial support for the Helpline is from individuals, businesses, churches in West Seattle and private foundation grants.  Presently we provide services for approximately 3,000 families each year. While we provide financial assistance for only West Seattle residents, we do provide referral information and clothing to anyone who calls.

Since its inception, the West Seattle Helpline remains a strong and consistent community based resource for financial assistance and referrals. We believe that when the basic needs of our residents are met they can begin to enrich their own lives and fully contribute to the betterment of our community. The West Seattle Helpline believes that when neighbors help neighbors everyone benefits.