United Way drops elderly poor

Published 2:10 pm Monday, June 20, 2016

The United Way of Snohomish County (UWSC) recently announced a new round of funding for community programs. What they did not discuss was what they chose not to fund. UWSC has decided to exclude all senior centers in the coming round of grants; this breaks a four-decade long partnership between senior centers and UWSC. The UWSC’s new theme “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” was interpreted in a bizarre way as if no seniors are poor, when in fact seniors are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population nationwide. Five regional senior centers applied collaboratively for funding ($30,000 each for a total $150,000) to create a county-wide network to address poverty issues among seniors.

Poverty is a real issue for many Snohomish County seniors — adults 65 and older sustained the largest increases in poverty of any group in recent years. UWSC’s decision is both sad and outrageous. Once a respected leader in the community, United Way of Snohomish County is now saying seniors don’t matter. Whatever UWSC is becoming, it no longer has the right to call itself the “United” Way.

Farrell Fleming, Executive Director

Edmonds Senior Center

Jacob McGee, Executive Director

East County Senior Center

Danette Klemens, Executive Director

Northshore Senior Center

Bob Dvorak, Executive Director

Snohomish Senior Center

Julie Vess, Executive Director

Stanwood Senior Center

Jo Olson, Executive Director

Stilliguamish Senior Center