There are only a small number of organizations that celebrate 100+ year anniversaries. YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish celebrated our 125th in 2019 and reflected on the ways we have been a leader in bringing communities together to provide the resources ALL women deserve and continue to fight for change ALL women can benefit from.
We are proud to share that our longstanding corporate partner, HomeStreet Bank, turns 100 on August 18. As they commemorate this incredible milestone, they are proud that their mission today remains the same as when their founders first opened their doors—to always strive to meet the needs of the people and communities they serve.
HomeStreet Bank's story is intertwined with the ideals of growth, prosperity, and community. Since opening their doors in 1921 as a mortgage finance company in Seattle, HomeStreet Bank has prioritized ensuring that all families have safe, affordable housing. For those 100 years, they have strived to be good corporate citizens. As partners with YWCA, HomeStreet Bank has continued to be gracious and generous stewards in our shared community as well.
CREATING POSITIVE IMPACT
As we know, BIPOC women and families were hit hardest by the pandemic and, with the eviction moratorium coming to an end in the near future, the housing crisis facing families in our community is deepening greatly. YWCA’s emergency housing locations like Pathways for Women and Angeline’s Day Center are bracing for the wave of residents who may need emergency housing, while our transitional and permanent affordable housing units are nearly at capacity.
In this current economic climate, the community YWCA serves continues to face challenges like food insecurity and housing instability, and we are grateful to have partners like HomeStreet Bank who share in our values and support those in our community who need it most. “That’s why we continue to support the YWCA’s housing programs – from emergency shelters to transitional and permanent housing. HomeStreet believes everyone should have a place to call home,” says Vicki Foege, YWCA Board Member and HomeStreet Bank Community Relations Director.
Another key area that HomeStreet Bank supports is YWCA’s economic advancement work, especially our BankWork$ program. BankWork$ is an 8-week, banking industry training program that equips young adults from low-income and marginalized communities with the skills needed for lasting careers in the financial services industry. Free to all, this program provides training, job placement assistance, and career coaching to succeed in the workplace. HomeStreet Bank is committed to hiring and promoting our graduates, advancing diversity and pay equity in their own workplaces, and continuing to invest in programs like BankWork$.
We know that when women lead and there’s access to opportunity for all, real change is possible. Making a more equitable community will take all of us. HomeStreet Bank supports YWCA’s BankWork$ program not only because it teaches the skills necessary to succeed in banking, but also because YWCA’s focus on serving marginalized communities helps address the historical inequities in the financial industry.
A LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORT
HomeStreet Bank, like YWCA, is a critical part of our community’s history and our future. Not only has they supported YWCA’s housing and economic advancement programs, but HomeStreet Bank also provides ample ongoing support.
As early as 1999, HomeStreet Bank started sponsoring YWCA’s Inspire Luncheons, our annual fundraiser that supports women and families in YW’s programs. This relationship grew stronger through HomeStreet Bank’s ongoing commitments like hosting a toiletry drive for women in YWCA programs; donating school supplies for students in need; volunteering with Angeline’s Day Center for Women, Opportunity Place, and Hope and Power program participants; and serving on YWCA leadership committees. “Supporting the Luncheon and volunteering help provide resources YWCA needs the most to ensure the flexibility to respond to immediate needs of their program participants,” says Vicki Foege.
HomeStreet is committed to continuing to be an active member in the communities they serve and believes that community is an integral part of who they are. HomeStreet CEO Mark Mason says, "We've been here for our customers through wars, depressions, recessions, and pandemics, and we will be here for them during the good times, too."
As they celebrate their 100th anniversary milestone, we are grateful for their continued support of our mission!
Stand with YWCA and HomeStreet Bank on our shared mission to support those in the community who need it most. Join us for our upcoming YWCA Inspire Luncheon on September 14 to show your support!
We share the stories of our program participants, programs, and staff, as well as news about the agency and what’s happening in our King and Snohomish community.
