Community Assist

BJ champions play equity and accessibility for all students in her current work with Renton School District athletes. She is an advocate for teaching students to care for their own mental and physical health – while supporting them to be school leaders, mentors, and community advocates.

In her current work with the Seattle Storm, Hanifah leads Seattle Storm’s efforts to champion health initiatives through sports, especially for women and girls. She and the Storm are on the forefront of play equity - leading efforts to make basketball accessible to all.

Kailyn and EarthGen are on the forefront of Protecting Our Planet, guiding and supporting youth, educators, and school communities to become leaders for a healthy environment.

Jamie partners with community organizations and local governments to champion equitable, community-driven climate solutions. Through the Environmental Justice Leadership Project, Noio Pathways has shaped the leadership of over 2000 adults and 600 young people across King County to advocate for environmental and climate justice in their own communities.

Katherine Switz has dedicated much of her life to advocacy and improvement of mental health care in King County and Washington State. She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Behavioral Health Catalyst, which promotes equitable philanthropic investment, policies, and partnerships to improve behavioral health outcomes.

Somali Health Board is a community grassroots organization, formed in 2012 by Somali health professionals and volunteers concerned about the health disparities that disproportionately affect new immigrants and refugees within King County. The board’s work on linguistically and culturally appropriate Mental Health and Addiction Services provides access and services around stigma reduction, and community-wide mental health education for over 8,000 Somali residents in King County.

Sounders FC and Robin Leong have joined forces in serving youth in our community. With collaborative Soccer Kung Fu Clinics held for Seattle Area Youth – Robin helps partner with Sounders FC’s commitment to Defending the Right for All to Play! Sounders FC looks forward to our continued commitment and partnership with Robin and Seattle Kung Fu Club

The Providence Swedish LGBTQIA+ Program increases access to clinical services for LGBTQIA+ patients including those in our transgender and gender diverse communities through direct patient care and transgender healthcare navigation patients, ensuring adolescent gender consultation availability for transgender youth, training residents and practicing clinicians on LGBTQIA+ care, providing LGBTQIA+ cultural and historical education to our employees and clinicians, and holding an annual conference on LGBTQIA+ care.

GSBA provides a supportive platform for entrepreneurs, small to medium-sized businesses, corporations, and nonprofits dedicated to workplace diversity and equality in Washington State. GSBA advocates for their members, bridging the gap between local and state governments to ensure the voices of LGBTQ+ businesses are heard. They also empower future leaders to pursue their dreams through investments in programs like The GSBA Scholarship & Education Fund which has supported almost 600 LGBTQ+ scholars in continuing their education.

Shoshanna is devoted to her students and their families at White Center Heights Elementary School as the lead STEAM teacher. She is an active parent and teacher in the White Center Heights Parent Teacher Association and advocates for after youth school sports and programs - where she coaches the soccer and basketball programs. Through her work, Shoshanna ensures resources are not a barrier to families and she works tirelessly on finding grants to fund these vital after school programs.

TOPSoccer is an outreach soccer program that enables children and adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to play the game. One of the best aspects about TOPSoccer is that the players feel they belong and are accepted on a team. TOPSoccer not only positively effects its players, but their "helpers" also known as buddies. These buddies learn about patience, how to help others, how to adapt, and how to interact with individuals with different abilities. Tom and his TOPSoccer program have had such an amazing, positive impact on the entire community for the past 10 years.

These furry superheroes and their handlers are all certified Therapy Teams with the highest "Complex" rating. These three dogs and their handlers visit patients in settings such as assisted living facilities, hospitals, and schools to bring ease, comfort, joy, and companionship.

In the fight against racism, the program stands as a beacon of inclusivity and diversity, welcoming youth from various cultural backgrounds and providing them with a safe space to learn, grow and celebrate their identities. This program defends the right to play by offering free after school and summer programming that not only enriches academic knowledge, but also prioritizes social-emotional learning and cultural exploration.

Para Los Niños de Highline works for the success of Latino students and families in South King County through four core programs: early learning and kindergarten readiness; literacy and other academic skills; access to higher education; and parent support, education, and empowerment.

El Centro de la Raza is a well-loved community organization in Seattle that's been making a big difference since 1972. They are dedicated to uplifting Latinx and immigrant communities through programs like bilingual childcare, housing assistance, education support, and civil rights advocacy. They also offer culturally and linguistically integrative services to low-income Latinos, people of color, immigrants, and refugees across South King County.

A grassroots club and RAVE Foundation program partner, Seatown FC is dedicated to providing high-quality soccer training and development opportunities to low-income youth in Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac and White Center. Founded by members of the immigrant community, Seatown focuses on inclusivity and works to break down financial cultural barriers for youth to ensure they have access to organized sports.

A career of over 30 years in pediatric therapy and speech services, with many of her patients having a neurodevelopmental disability. Shana Nielsen’s dedication to her vocation is amplified by her voluntary work in Mexico, helping children’s development in education, sports and nutrition while encouraging students to always pursue their dreams.

Recognizing our Community Assist Honoree, GSBA, and their platform for workplace diversity & equality in Washington State.

Recognizing our Community Assist Honoree, Providence Swedish's LGBTQIA+ Group, who champion for healthcare and community in the Puget Sound Region.

Recognizing our Community Assist Honoree, Katherine Switz, and her work to improve the mental health of Washington State Residents.

Recognizing our Community Assist Honoree, BJ Kuntz, and her work within Renton School District.

In partnership with Providence Swedish, Sounders FC and its charitable partner RAVE Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual community health fair for Renton School District students on August 14-15, 2024.

Alex and Cristian play golf to prioritize their mental health and to clear their minds. Hear from the brothers as they discuss the importance of taking time to unwind.

Sounders FC, RAVE Foundation and Providence organized “We Can Be Well,” a special event focused on youth mental health and catered to local middle and high schools on May 29.

Sounders FC's May 5 Youth Day Match offered a variety of engaging programming and activities for kids of all ages while also highlighting the community and mental health initiatives taking place with Renton School District, Providence and the club.

In partnership with Providence, Sounders FC and its charitable partner RAVE Foundation hosted a community health clinic for Renton School District students on August 8-9.

In partnership with Providence, Regence and Renton School District, Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation celebrate a new soccer mini-pitch in Renton on September 28.

Sounders FC and Providence teamed up as part of Mental Health Awareness Month to present a variety of matchday elements on May 27 designed to inform fans and provide actionable steps to support mental wellbeing.