Bellevue Human Services Commission Meeting - July 14, 2026

Note: The minutes and transcript indicate the meeting was held on May 18, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is July 14, 2026. This discrepancy is noted.

The commission met to approve minutes, hear public comments on funding requests, discuss convening funding recommendations, and approve guidelines for the 2027–2028 funding cycle. Over $18 million in requests were received for 193 applications.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of draft minutes from March 16, 2026, and April 20, 2026, both approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alma Gonzalez (Nisso) spoke about their community-led organization serving families with children 0–5, focusing on health, education, basic needs, and parent support. First time applying for Bellevue grant.
• Axton Burton (Pride Across the Bridge) expressed grief over the loss of a transgender teenager in Seattle, noted the suspect was a Bellevue resident, and called for city support. Requested funding for 330+ events annually serving the queer community.
• Dr. Janice Clark (Safe Homes) described their women veterans division, launched in 2009, providing housing stability, financial education, employment, and wellness for women veterans, especially black and native women. Requested partnership.
• Meredith Meyer (Imagine Housing) requested $285,000 for resident services and $55,000 for behavioral health at their Bellevue properties. Cited 99% housing stability rate, 470 community events, over 8,935 referrals, and 17,137 basic needs items distributed in 2025.
• Tara Hakam (Family La Casa) advocated for free advocacy for children in high-risk custody cases. Served 18 Bellevue residents in 2025, already 15 in first quarter 2026. Highlighted a case involving a Russian-speaking family.
• Sakira Abu (MCNA/Robocodor) spoke on behalf of the East Side Youth Mentorship and Mental Wellness application, emphasizing prevention work with immigrant and refugee youth.
• Jennifer Savage (Sophia Way) reported over 500 women served, 140+ housed in the past year, focusing on trauma-informed care and permanent housing.
• Mike Stewart (Kindring) reported serving 800+ Bellevue children, 96% retained in childcare through consultation, 88% of children in FIT program made progress. Cited growing demand due to economic and immigration stressors.
• Sharmila Ratinam (Eat Happy Now) reported rescuing over 100,000 pounds of food in 2025, serving 3,400+ food insecure members in Bellevue via app. Requested funding for technology and student advocacy.
• Tia Kennebrew (Catholic Community Services) described 24/7 shelter and day center for families, housed 41 families in the past year, only family shelter on the east side, low-barrier and trauma-informed.
• Miriam Padilla (public) shared a personal story of domestic violence, homelessness, and how For Tomorrow helped her family secure housing and stability.

Discussion Items

• Convening Funding Recommendations: Staff presented recommendations for $200,000 per year for 2027–2028. Five applicants, one ineligible (Dahlia Living). Staff recommended $80,000 each for East Side for All and East Side Pathways, and $40,000 for Hero House. Commissioners discussed: Hero House does not currently convene; East Side for All and East Side Pathways have track records. Some supported funding Leadership East Side, but others noted their convening is for professionals, not human services. After debate, a motion was made and seconded to not fund Hero House and split the $40,000 equally between East Side for All and East Side Pathways, resulting in $100,000 each per year. The motion passed with a voice vote (ayes majority).
• Funding Recommendation Guidelines: The commission reviewed draft guidelines for prioritizing funding among 193 applications totaling over $18 million. Key guidelines: prioritize 2025 Needs Update priorities (food, shelter, financial assistance), council priorities (youth, immigrant/refugee support), cultural/linguistic services, and impactful existing programs. Commissioner Hayes raised concern about the word "meaningful" in "prioritize meaningful and existing programs", suggesting it be changed to "impactful" to avoid implying some programs are not meaningful. The change was agreed upon. The guidelines were approved with that amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes from March 16 and April 20, 2026.
• Approved convening funding recommendations: $100,000 per year for East Side for All and $100,000 per year for East Side Pathways for 2027–2028. No funding for Hero House or Leadership East Side.
• Approved funding recommendation guidelines (amended to change "meaningful" to "impactful").
• Scheduled special meetings for in-depth review of applications: June 15, July 6, and July 20, 2026 (note: these dates are before the summary date of July 14, 2026, indicating a timeline discrepancy).
• Next regular meeting: June 1, 2026 (public hearing on human services).