WHEREAS, Founded in 1989, the West Seattle Helpline has continued, year by year, to embody its founding principle and enduring philosophy: Neighbors helping neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The West Seattle Helpline is devoted to helping the most vulnerable families and individuals throughout the city. Quoted as often doing the "work that is left undone," the West Seattle Helpline offers a range of services with the purpose of aiding people through unforeseen hardships so that they may stand back up on their feet and regain self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, Those who are unable to power their homes, maintain running water, or in danger of ending up on the street, who have come to the West Seattle Helpline, have been helped to ease their circumstances, find hope, and see a light at the end of the tunnel; and

WHEREAS, Those who have struggled to get to the doctor, a job interview, or take their children to school, who have come to the West Seattle Helpline, have been provided with transportation to get to where they need to go, allowing them to take another step closer to independence; and

WHEREAS, Those infants, children, teens, adults, and aspiring professionals in such great need that even clothing has become a luxury, who have come to the West Seattle Helpline, have left with a shirt on their back, or a coat, or a tie, or a school uniform, etc.; and because of the West Seattle Helpline's devoted service, they have also left with more confidence in themselves and in their capacity to regain stability; and

WHEREAS, With the help of the public and several community partners, the West Seattle Helpline has spent thousands of dollars helping numerous individuals and families; doing so while consistently treating those members of the community with the utmost dignity and respect required of a good neighbor; and

WHEREAS, It's great work has not gone unnoticed, and the West Seattle Helpline recently won the 2016 Nonprofit of the Year award from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, The West Seattle Helpline will continue to be a beacon of goodwill and unity throughout Seattle and the State of Washington and will continue to inspire, amongst people, the principle of neighbors helping neighbors;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor the West Seattle Helpline and recognize all of the partners and individuals who support it.