Bellevue Human Services Commission Meeting – September 21, 2026

Note: The meeting date is provided as September 21, 2026, though the official meeting minutes and transcript list September 14, 2026. This summary follows the given date.

The Bellevue Human Services Commission met to continue deliberations on the 2027–2028 human services funding cycle. The meeting included public comments, approval of minutes, discussion of funding allocations across multiple categories, and votes on several proposals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the draft minutes from the July 20, 2026 meeting unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Axton Burton (Executive Director, Pride Across the Bridge) – Expressed full support for funding LGBTQ+ programs, highlighting 355 community gatherings planned for 2026 and the need for resources to support transgender and queer residents facing safety and belonging concerns. Requested increased funding after a prior small ask was denied.
• Erica Washington (Director of Early Learning, Bright Spark Early Learning Services) – Requested continued funding for childcare subsidies, noting that in 2026 they supported 187 vouchers across five Bellevue zip codes, with an average of $4,975 per child. Stated that child care is linked to housing stability and employment.
• Paul Charbonneau (Senior Director of Government Relations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue) – Requested funding closer to the previous $275,000, noting expansion to 24 K-5 programs and 19 preschool programs, serving 18,000 youth (68% BIPOC). Stated that every $1 invested returns $7.20 in economic benefits.
• Teresa Anderson (Executive Director, LifeWire) – Requested continued funding for domestic violence services, reported that in 2025, 68% of households exiting shelter moved to permanent housing, and 91% reported increased safety. Noted that LifeWire was found ineligible for the housing stability grant due to a new $20,000 minimum request, urging clearer processes.
• Hala Numa (Vice President and COO, Friends of Youth) – Requested funding for youth shelter and case management, citing a 13% increase in shelter bed use and a 27% increase in drop-in visits between 2024 and 2025. Emphasized early intervention.
• Morgan Curry (Development Manager, Old Friends Club) – Requested $40,000 to launch two new dementia respite clubs in Bellevue, noting that dementia affects approximately 2,300 Bellevue residents and that their service costs $20/hour compared to $12,000/month for memory care.
• Elba Moreira (Director of Programs, DAWN) – Requested continued funding for domestic violence advocacy, noting that over 5% of DAWN clients are from Bellevue, and that advocates are on-site at Bellevue College two days per week.
• Rahima Somji (Programs Director, Bellevue LifeSpring) – Expressed concern over a recommended reduction of $102,000 for eviction prevention, stating it would put 40+ families at risk. Reported that the program has supported 372 families with 724 children so far in 2026, with 60% single-parent households and 23% having eviction notices.
• Anaya Mansuri (Youth Leader, Immigrant Women's Community Center – IWCC) – Read a statement requesting an increase from the recommended $25,000 to $75,000, noting that Bellevue residents served grew from 23 to 360 in 12 months after a food drive. Shared a client success story.
• Adam Diba (Founder and Executive Director, Africans on the East Side) – Requested sustainable, flexible funding for immigrant and refugee services, emphasizing the need for regional coordination. Noted that youth are left behind when families self-deport.

Additional public comments were heard after the meeting was extended (see Key Outcomes). Speakers included:

• Garin Maldonado (Consejo Counseling) – Requested support for behavioral health services for domestic violence survivors.
• G DeCastro (Deputy Director, Asian Counseling and Referral Service – ACRS) – Requested restoration of funding, citing increased demand and a successful suicide intervention.
• Kate Garvey (CEO, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center – KSARC) – Requested restoration of $21,744, noting they served 147 Bellevue residents in 2026 (four times the contract target), 72% from low-income households.
• Gary Sampson (Family Law CASA of King County) – Requested continued funding, highlighting that volunteer advocates spend 100–150 hours per case to represent children's best interests in court.
• Christina Mendieta (Kindering) – Requested partial funding for the child care consultation program, noting 96% of children were retained in child care settings through the program.
• Bolivar Choi (Chinese Information Service Center – CISC) – Requested increased funding for senior and family resource programs, citing 733 service units to 350 Bellevue residents in the first half of 2026.
• Alex Himmerman – Criticized city leadership and funding priorities, stating that only a small fraction of Bellevue's GDP goes to human services. The commission noted they do not condone hateful speech but respect First Amendment rights.
• Faye Chen (Kinon Healthcare Center) – Requested continued funding for the