Family and Emergency Services

Hopelink’s Family and Emergency Services Program is designed to help families avoid homelessness and become more self-sufficient.  By identifying their strengths and goals, a family can visualize a better future.  Hopelink’s six centers in Bellevue, Kirkland, Northshore, Redmond, Shoreline, and Sno-Valley serve as community resources providing emergency and long term services along with information and referrals to thousands seeking help with medical care, employment, housing, counseling and other critical needs.  The centers also provide emergency financial assistance and food services.  With the assistance of a Family Development Specialist, the family works together in a long-term partnership that empowers them to reach their goals.  The purpose is two-fold: to help families thrive in their relationships and to assist them in reaching their potential for economic independency.

PROGRAMS

Energy Assistance

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income renters and homeowners pay winter heating bills and furnace repair costs.  The Puget Sound Energy HELP program offers assistance throughout the year with energy bills to home renters and owners who use Puget Sound Energy.

Food Services

Hopelink’s six food banks offer food from every nutritional group, as well as baby items and personal care products.  Special distribution times are available for seniors and people with disabilities, and evening food bank times are available for working families.  Food deliveries can be arranged for seniors and others who are homebound. Hopelink also offers an Emergency Feeding Service, which delivers bags of food to schools, religious institutions, and community centers to provide to families in need.

Health Care

Dental Van

Through a partnership between Hopelink, Evergreen Health Care and Northwest Medical Teams, low income families and individuals can receive free dental exams from volunteer dentists and hygienists in a van that is a fully equipped dental office with two chairs.  The Dental Van travels between the Bellevue and Northshore Centers.

Flu Vaccines

Evergreen Health Care also works with Hopelink to provide free flu vaccines for Hopelink’s clients at the Kirkland, Northshore, Redmond, Shoreline and Sno-Valley Centers.

RotaCare

Each Saturday, RotaCare Free Clinic exam rooms are open at the Bellevue Center to offer basic medical care to low income families and individuals.

BenefitsCheckUp

In partnership with the National Council on Aging, Hopelink assists in determining which benefits families and individuals qualify for at a reduced price or for free using a confidential, anonymous survey.

Employment and Community Jobs

Through pre-employment classes, one-on-one coaching, and job internships Hopelink helps people with multiple barriers to employment gain skills to become more employable and find work.

Rural Connections

Rural Connections assists Snoqualmie Valley residents with job placement services such as resume and cover letter writing, access to an extensive list of area job listings, and assistance with appropriate work clothing.  The program also facilitates workshops and job fairs in partnership with Bellevue Community College, WorkSource Redmond and Lake Washington Technical College.