Good news happens. Perhaps you’ve seen or heard about the outdoor and indoor murals that recently went up at United Way’s Second Avenue office. For this week’s episode, we’ll tell the story behind those murals.

We sat down with mural artists Teddy Stat Phillips and Maya Milton, Alexandra Nason of Urban Artworks, the organization that partnered with United Way on the project, and Taylor Roberson, United Way’s associate director of Marketing, who led the project.

We will also spotlight our Free Summer Meals program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.

Good news happens. As the FIFA men’s World Cup wrapped up on July 19, this week’s episode closes out our coverage of the tournament’s impact on local communities and organizations.

We spotlight El Centro de la Raza, a local United Way-supported nonprofit that sent two dozen youths from its middle and high school programs to the final World Cup match via free tickets from the City of Seattle Mayor’s office.

We chatted with El Centro youths and staff about the once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience and about how the organization, located in Seattle and Federal Way, keeps youngsters engaged in its programs year-round.

We will also spotlight our Free Summer Meals program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.

Good news happens. This episode features a conversation with Nneka Payne of CHOOSE 180, a United Way-supported, Burien-based organization that works to transform systems of injustice and support young people impacted by those systems.

CHOOSE 180 recently expanded its work into Pierce County and has plans to go statewide. We chatted with Nneka about topics including an update on CHOOSE 180’s expansion, the organization’s efforts to connect with local youths, and an upcoming CHOOSE 180 outdoor event in Pioneer Square.

We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.

Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about civic engagement with NAWDIM, the Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality.

NAWDIM is a Seattle-based, United Way-supported collective of Indigenous care providers, community members, grandmothers, and allies who provide advocacy, education, and support for Indigenous infants, mothers, and families in Washington State.

NAWDIM is currently working with the Seattle-based Native Organizers Alliance on a national research project to amplify concerns of Indigenous people before, during, and after elections.

We’ll chat with NAWDIM co-coordinators Shelley Means and Leah (LEE) Tanner about their efforts to ensure that state and local Indigenous voices are heard, particularly on the eve of this year’s August Primaries and the November General Elections.

We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.

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Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation with our new president and CEO, Blair Hamilton Taylor, who once served as chair of United Way’s Board of Directors. We will chat with Blair about topics including his decision to return to United Way, his time on the board, his vision for the organization, and the words of wisdom he lives by.

We will discuss an event celebrating the return of the annual Summer Meals Program and our Community Partnership Kit Offerings.

Thanks for tuning in!

Good news happens. The FIFA Men’s World Cup has taken our area by storm, and on July 1, six youths from the United Way-supported nonprofit 4-C Coalition will take part in the flag-bearing ceremony for the Round of 32 World Cup matchup at Seattle Stadium.

For this episode of Hourglass, we sat down for a chat with 4-C director Hazel Cameron and Toroid Ryan, Community Strategies Consultant for 4-C, who will serve as a chaperone for the youths during the Flag Bearing Ceremony. The two discussed the importance of being part of the World Cup and how it’s already had an impact on the youth who will participate in the festivities.

We also have an announcement about United Way’s new president and CEO, and we will discuss ways you can still get your taxes prepared for free by United Way.

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The FIFA World Cup men’s soccer tournament is underway, and the area’s first match will be held on Monday, June 15, at the newly renamed Seattle Stadium. But for all its excitement, the World Cup has raised local concerns, particularly regarding some of our area’s most vulnerable populations.

Hourglass recently sat down with Derrick Belgarde of the Chief Seattle Club, a United Way-funded organization that provides shelter, services, and spiritual support to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Chief Seattle Club is in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, adjacent to Seattle Stadium, where much of the foot traffic during the World Cup is expected.

We chatted with Belgarde about topics including the precautions Chief Seattle Club is taking as it continues to support populations experiencing homelessness during the World Cup and how he’d like to see the financial windfall from the tournament be used to address our homelessness crisis.

We will also discuss ways you can still get your taxes prepared for free by United Way and an upcoming summer event sponsored by our grantee, CHOOSE 180.

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Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship, which each year provides 20 local college students with $5,000 each for basic needs and other expenses.

We sat down with Emily Portillo, United Way Bridge to Finish Senior Program Manager, to discuss her work with the Nordstrom Scholarship, its impact on local students and colleges, and how students can apply now, as applications are accepted through June 30th.

We will also spotlight an upcoming United Way Happy Hour and Hellos event this month in North Seattle and a July event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180.

Thanks for tuning in.