Advocacy Archives - Neighborhood House

A Federal Rule Change Could Reshape Neighborhood House’s Head Start, Housing, Prevention, and Case Management Programs: Here’s What’s Happening

July 9, 2026

For over a century, Neighborhood House has operated numerous programs and services that help people live heathier lives, exit poverty, and prosper. Our work depends on federal grant funding, and a new federal proposal could change the rules governing that funding in ways that matter directly to our program and the families we serve. On May 29, 2026, the federal Office of Management and Budget …

Two Neighbors, One Big Idea: How Roselle and Sharon Took Action for Housing Stability

June 8, 2026

Right now, more people in our region are one missed paycheck away from losing their housing. Federal cuts to social programs are making an already fragile situation worse, and for many families, the safety net is getting thinner by the day. That’s the backdrop for what inspired two community members. They looked at what was happening around them, thought about what they …

Your Voice Can Keep Families Housed and Together

April 7, 2026

by Victoria Lo At Neighborhood House, we see every day how housing is not just about shelter. It is the foundation that allows families to access early learning, manage chronic health conditions, maintain employment, and remain connected to their communities. When that foundation is disrupted, the effects ripple across every part of a family’s life. A newly …

Advocacy in Action

November 29, 2025

Our advocacy work doesn’t always make headlines, but it has a powerful impact on our clients and community. From early learning to immigrant rights to human services funding, these updates show how coordinated advocacy can create meaningful change. This November, Seattle voters renewed the Families and Education Preschool to Promise (FEPP) Levy for a total …

From Inspiration to Action: My Takeaways from HousingWA2005

October 29, 2025

Big ideas, real conversations, and moments that hit home. Written by: Rose M. – Housing Advocate I had the amazing opportunity to attend HousingWA2025 in Bellevue, WA, and it was unforgettable! From inspiring speakers to real, emotional conversations about housing legislation, every moment made me stop and reflect. I even teared up, thinking about my …

Investing in the Future: How the FEPP Levy Helps Neighborhood House Families Succeed

October 16, 2025

At Neighborhood House, we see every day how investments in education create opportunities for young people and families. The City of Seattle’s Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy makes those investments possible — supporting children and teens through programs we operate, like ParentChild+, and through opportunities across the city. Now, with the renewal of …

Celebrating Disability Pride Month

June 30, 2025

Emma Riahi July is Disability Pride Month — a time to honor the history, achievements, and contributions of people with disabilities, while also recognizing the ongoing work toward inclusion and accessibility. It’s a celebration of identity and visibility, and a reminder that disability is a natural part of human diversity. At Neighborhood House, we’re proud …

Oral Health Justice is Health Justice

June 30, 2025

Janice Deguchi Last month, I was invited to speak on a panel for the Arcora Foundation, whose mission is to bend the arc of oral health towards equity. I was honored to share the stage with Arcora Foundation Vice President, Sunshine Monastrial, and my co-panelist, author and activist, Ron Chew to talk about our deep …

Medicaid: A Lifeline for Our Communities

April 24, 2025

At Neighborhood House, we witness every day the transformative power of Medicaid or Apple Health as it’s known in Washington. This program is not just about healthcare—it is about dignity, safety, and stability for our most vulnerable neighbors. Aging and Disability Resource Center – is a single point of entry for information, assistance, and referrals related …

Save Head Start

April 24, 2025

This month, we’re excited to celebrate 60 years of Head Start! Sixty years of making a difference in the lives of 39 million children, while empowering their families and serving their communities. Yet despite this track record, the future of Head Start is in doubt. Neighborhood House’s Head Start and Early Head Start program serves …

Equity IRL: Medicaid

March 26, 2025

This post is adapted from an article written by Statewide Poverty Action Network (SPAN), an anti-poverty advocacy organization located in Seattle, Washington. Read original article here. Massive Cuts to Medicaid Are on the Table. Here’s What You Need to Know. Proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP are working their way through Congress and have passed …

Washington State Budget Cuts: How $12 Billion in Cuts Will Impact Health Care, Education & Families

February 28, 2025

The outline of an all-cuts budget released by the Washington State House Democrats, illustrates how difficult the task to balance the budget is. If passed, this budget will have a serious negative impact on Washingtonians with $12 billion in cuts to health care, long-term care, child care, higher education, and more. What’s at Risk? Cuts to Health …

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Fight for Economic Justice: Lessons for Today

February 3, 2025

People protesting and someone holding a sign that says "enough"

Martin Luther King Jr. is best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice. However, towards the end of his life, King expanded his vision to include economic justice. He understood that addressing racial discrimination without tackling economic inequality would leave many of the problems facing marginalized communities …

2025 Advocacy Goals

January 31, 2025

Neighborhood House staff standing in front of Hello Future banner at our summer health fair in Greenbridge.

Happy year of the snake! Washington is one of only a handful of states that recognize Lunar New Year as a state holiday. We live in a wonderfully diverse state that has made meaningful investments in early learning, innovative and cost-effective approaches to serving low income Medicaid consumers, and new and sustainable community facilities. Just …

Immigration Basics – Part 2

December 31, 2024

As we get closer and closer to the inauguration, it’s important that we all understand who may be impacted by changes to immigration policies. We’re adding to last month’s Immigration Basics article here. Please subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay up to date on how Neighborhood House is responding to our new administration’s policies while …

The election is over. Now what?

December 2, 2024

staff in front of the WA capitol building

“Disrupt systems that keep people in poverty.” This is the first goal of our newly minted 2025-2029 strategic plan – aligning almost perfectly with the new administration’s tenure. Voters sent a clear message by electing a disrupter to the White House, against the status quo. The system as it currently exists isn’t working for most …

Immigration Basics

December 2, 2024

The President-elect has threatened to expand deportations of immigrants on“day one,” potentially by deploying state and local law enforcement for immigration enforcement. While he has softened his rhetoric to target “criminals,” according to the ACLU’s analysis, the President-elect has repeatedly sought to rationalize his plans for mass deportation, blending military and national security rhetoric with …

Immigrants and Immigration Benefit Us All

September 30, 2024

Staff and clients, including children, together at an event enjoying food and beverages.

Janice Deguchi, Executive Director In Springfield, OH, many Haitians are afraid to send their children to school or even go to church in the wake of a false anti-Haitian story. Here in Seattle, a new study by the Asian American Foundation found that nearly 2 in 5 AANHPI Seattle residents have been the victim of …

NO on I-2124 Means YES to Affordable Long-term Care

September 30, 2024

Janice Deguchi, Executive Director Neighborhood House joins Solid Ground, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Casa Latina, Children’s Alliance, Jewish Family Service, Real Change, El Centro de la Raza, and hundreds of other organizations, businesses, and individuals in opposing Initiative I-2124. The initiative seeks to eliminate Washington’s long-term care insurance program WA CARES, affecting 3.9 million …

Gone too soon.

July 31, 2024

Last month, we lost a young man and former participant of our Burndale afterschool program to gun violence, on the eve of his 18th birthday. His sister describes Noah as… a big ball of bright energy that lit up every room he walked into. He was a huge leader and advocate for the kids in …