Seattle Human Services

Commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking stop here.

Large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup can intensify existing vulnerabilities. As the tournament gets underway, the City of Seattle is sharing information to help people understand the issue, recognize possible concerns, and know where to turn for help.

Help is available for people experiencing exploitation or trafficking. Visit our resources web page for a list of local organizations providing confidential, survivor-centered support: https://www.seattle.gov/fifa/cse-resources

Great to see Seattle's Youth Safety Ambassadors in the spotlight! Thanks, The Seattle Medium! https://seattlemedium.com/youth-safety-ambassadors-program/

Pictured here are Youth Safety Ambassadors with City leaders and representatives of the Seattle Seahawks at a recent Hawk Walk event.

The Youth Safety Ambassador program is now recruiting for the 2026-27 school year!

Open to students at Rainier Beach, Chief Sealth, Ingraham, Garfield and Franklin high schools, this program is led by youth who share info about mental health and safety with their friends and classmates.

Participants earn a $200 monthly stiped while receiving free training in leadership, public speaking, and mental health support.

Applications are due June 26, 2026. Apply at forms.office.com/g/A3Ecfhk8Ym or email [email protected] with questions.

🏳️‍🌈 It's Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

Seattle Human Services is honored to lift up LGBTQ+ voices and stand in solidarity with partner organizations, including GenPride, United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - WA, Lambert House, and the feature of this month’s Community Corner, Seattle's LGBTQ Center!

Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center is a cultural and wellness hub serving LGBTQ+ communities through HIV/STI testing, arts programming, health resources, and community-building. Learn how this organization and the HSD-funded Resource and Referral Line work connect people to housing, gender affirming medical care, mental healthcare, employment, and more.

Read all about it at HSD’s Human Interests blog: https://humaninterests.seattle.gov/2026/06/01/community-corner-seattle-lgbtq-center/

Seattle Human Services is ready to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices and experiences for Pride Month! Join us and the Seattle LGBTQ Commission at the Pride Flag Raising at City Hall on Monday, June 1 at noon.

And while you're at it, mark your calendars:

Saturday, June 6 — Pride in the Park at Volunteer Park, organized by the nonprofit Seattle Pride, "where thousands of us come together to celebrate, dance, eat, shop, connect, and just be." seattlepride.org/events/pride-in-the-park

Saturday, June 27 — Capitol Hill’s largest event, Seattle PrideFest, will transform five blocks of North Broadway, Denny and Cal Anderson Park into a free festival with live performances, food and more. seattlepridefest.org

Sunday, June 28 — Seattle Pride will cap off Pride Month with the Seattle Pride Parade, featuring floats, marching bands and over 250 contingents that draws thousands to downtown Seattle each year. seattlepride.org/events/parade

Immediately following the parade, Seattle Center hosts one of the nation's largest free Pride festivals—three stages, multiple beverage gardens, and hundreds of artists and exhibitors celebrating love, equality, and community. www.seattlecenter.com/events/event-calendar/pridefest-2026

There will be many other events all month throughout the city. Learn more at seattlepride.org/events

In our latest Employee Spotlight, Keara Ryan writes about the importance of providing free, nutritious meals after the school year ends. Keara coordinates HSD's Summer Food Service Program, offering meals and snacks for kids 1-18 from June 24 through August 21 at nearly 50 sites across Seattle.

"One of the things I value most about SFSP is that there is no stigma,” Keara writes. “Kids don’t need to provide identifying information. They simply walk up and receive a meal, no questions asked."

Read more about Keara and the SFSP at our Human Interests blog: https://humaninterests.seattle.gov/2026/05/26/hsd-employee-spotlight-keara-ryan/

"Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well." — Jennifer Granholm

Today is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military. City offices are closed to observe the holiday.

Seattle Human Services is proud to partner with the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning on Youth Safety Ambassadors, a youth-led peer outreach program whose participants attended this first Hawk Walk. This is an important effort to connect City and youth leaders to discuss community safety and other issues. It all starts with a conversation!

The application deadline for the 2026 volunteer cohort of the Victim Support Team is fast approaching! The VST provides compassionate and non-judgmental support to survivors of violence during a critical time of need — showing up with empathy, resources, and care when it matters most.

The final information session for prospective volunteers is Friday, May 22 and the deadline to apply is May 29. Get details, register for the info session, and apply at https://www.seattle.gov/victim-support-team-volunteer.

No prior experience is required — just compassion, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Volunteers must be 21+ and complete a background check. Selected applicants will participate in 50 hours of training this fall before supporting survivors.