Safety. Community. Opportunity. This was what Sharon wanted for her family. She didn’t find it in her old neighborhood, where she shared a studio apartment with her two grandchildren. Her street felt dangerous; she wouldn’t let her granddaughter walk alone to the bus stop, much less play outside.

When Sharon and her grandchildren moved to YWCA Family Village Issaquah, everything changed.

“They could go outside and play and just be kids,” Sharon said. Suddenly, the children had access to fun enrichment activities, safe play areas, and even tutors—all in their community.

In the video below, Sharon’s family and some neighbor friends share what their community means to them:

Housing Trust Fund dollars helped to create the YWCA Family Village at Issaquah. We believe this was a worthwhile investment, and we advocate for the state to continue investing in our communities through the Housing Trust Fund.

Here are some ways you can speak up for your community:

1) Contact your legislator (by phone or email) and tell them that it is important to invest in the Housing Trust Fund and our communities.

2) Register on Firesteel website (if you haven’t yet!). When you do, the website will be tailored to you and you will be matched to your legislators. We’ll then be able to send you messages specific to your voting district!

3) Spread the word about this important policy area on social media. If you tweet, use the hashtag #HTF2013. The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance has great info on how to advocate on both Twitter and Facebook HERE.

4) Talk about it! Record a video comment on our Housing Trust Fund page. Read this step-by-step guide to uploading video comments to the Firesteel website.

We look forward to sharing more information about how investing in the Housing Trust Fund helps our communities. Stay tuned!