In partnership with Boeing, the Seattle Sounders established “Change Champions,” an initiative that highlights local organizations and the impact they have in their communities.
Prior to the June 1st match against Minnesota United, the club honored the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, an organization built to aid and empower families in the Greater Puget Sound facing economic challenges.
“Our mission is economic parity for African Americans and underserved communities,” said President & CEO of ULMS Michelle Merriweather.
Through direct services in housing, education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, public health, entrepreneurship and civic engagement, ULMS has become one of Washington's necessary economic support systems for those in need of assistance.
In the last five years, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle has benefitted 7500 families annually through its programs and services related to the organization's seven pillars of focus.
“It averages about roughly $3,000 a family, our work, and that is like getting a family or individual off the street and into permanent shelter, that's helping somebody purchase a home, connect to a job, making a livable wage, and the list goes on,” said Merriweather.
This also comes with partnering with community members, local businesses, city and county governments, and other nonprofit organizations that share its mission to advocate for the health and well-being of the Black community and other vulnerable populations in the region.
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“The city and county often partner with us in service delivery, so we contract with them on many of the things that we do to serve the community, be it supporting folks that are experiencing homelessness, mentoring our young people, making sure folks have access to jobs, and roofs over their head,” said Merriweather.
“And then certainly on policy change and impact, we're a convener,” she continued. “We list the services that we provide and create based on what the community says that we need. We don't create the program and then go find the people. We find what is happening in our community, and then create the program and get the resources.”
Merriweather described the organization as being a first responder for underserved communities.
“When you're a first responder, that means you're running into the fire, right? You're not waiting for somebody else to figure it out. So, we feel like that's our role,” she said.
What began 95 years ago has remained alive and well with the help of people like Merriweather. In the last decade alone, the program has grown tremendously.
“When I got here 10 years ago, there were about 12 of us, and now we have about 150,” said Merriweather. “We've grown our impact and the people we get to work with, be in community with, and serve. So, while I didn't start it, we certainly changed the organization and how we show up in the community.”
And with continued support from outside contributors, the second oldest civil rights organization in the state of Washington can thrive even more so.
Sounders Fans can support Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in numerous ways, including attending the organization's 95th Anniversary Gala on Aug. 15, purchasing Urban League swag on their website, volunteering, or making a donation.
“[And] if none of that works for you, I always say, a smile, a thank you, or a word of encouragement to both our team, and to the people we serve [helps],” said Merriweather. “A lot of the folks that we serve are experiencing homelessness and often feel invisible. So when you walk past them, or drive past them, a smile, a wave, just an acknowledgement that they are there and seen and a part of this community…That also helps.”
For more information on Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and how you can support its mission, click HERE.
