Hopelink celebrated a “major milestone” — the grand opening of a new flagship facility in Redmond — last week, and opened the center to clients on Aug. 6.
Representatives from Hopelink’s partners on the project, including Abbott Construction, OAC, Third Place Design and Columbia Bank, spoke at the grand opening, along with Hopelink CEO Lauren Thomas and several elected officials. Many helped cut the ribbon on a rainy morning on Aug. 3.
Thomas said Redmond Mayor John Marchione told her that the weather was fitting, because “Hopelink helps people who are having rainy days.”
“Hopelink ensures the fabric of our entire community remains strong,” Marchione said in his remarks. “The city was a proud partner to make this facility a reality and be part of the solution.”
Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib thanked Marchione, and his mother Doreen — who was a former president and CEO of Hopelink as well a former Redmond mayor and City Council member. Habib said the city of Redmond is maintaining its identity as a place that is “elegant and inclusive.”
Hopelink “has been proud to call Redmond home for more than 25 years,” Thomas said.
She said that as Hopelink was looking to build a new facility, funded through its multi-year Campaign for Lasting Change, it wanted to stay in the city. But Hopelink “hit a few roadblocks” while looking at sites and was at risk of being priced out of the market.
“That’s when the city of Redmond stepped in. The mayor and City Council offered Hopelink a 75-year land lease,” she said. “Today, we have in the center what we hope for all those we serve: stability, community support, a plan of action for the future and doors that open to endless possibility.”
The 28,000-square-foot, $14.2 million facility will house Hopelink’s administrative team and Redmond client services staff and a larger, more efficient food bank.
“Hopelink is one of King County’s strongest partners in the effort to help families experiencing homelessness,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Right now 268 families enter homelessness in this county every week.”
Hopelink has been serving north and east King County since 1971, helping people gain stability and the tools and skills needed to exit poverty.
“We are in an area where people see prosperity every day and yet that prosperity has left many behind,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-1). “It’s so important that we continue to work together to make sure that we serve everyone in our community…To have that right here in Redmond in this beautiful new building is an incredible opportunity for all of us.”
See hopelink.org for more.
King County Executive Dow Constantine speaks about the impact Hopelink has in the region, by helping people gain the tools to exit poverty and homelessness. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Attendees at Hopelink Redmond’s grand opening on Aug. 3 wear rain jackets and hold umbrellas while listening to the featured speakers at the event. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Hopelink’s new center at 8990 154th Ave. NE aims to make services more accessible and welcoming. Katie Metzger/staff photo
The new Hopelink facility in Redmond features a large and more efficient food bank. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Hopelink volunteers host a cooking demonstration in the Redmond food bank on Aug. 3. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Hopelink CEO Lauren Thomas smiles with project partners and elected officials at the grand opening of the nonprofit’s new flagship facility in Redmond. Katie Metzger/staff photo
