Redmond-based Hopelink and the Multi-Service Center (MSC) in Federal Way have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable the social services agencies to share information and expertise in their work helping families in crisis get back on their feet.
The strategic alliance will also open the door to the possibility of shared staffing for mutual programs.
Hopelink, which serves an 800-square mile area in north and east King County, and MSC, which provides services to more than 342 square miles in south King County, offer a number of parallel services – including food banks, housing and energy assistance, as well as education, financial management and employment programs.
The new strategic alliance will enable the agencies to collaborate on a number of issues aimed at strengthening client services and increasing efficiency, including:
• Exploring solutions to poverty on a broader community scale;
• Sharing strategic priorities to determine any potential areas of joint benefit;
• Building housing development skills and capacity;
• Engaging in joint staff training and sharing of best practices;
• Exploring potential staffing of mutual programs; and
• Building fundraising expertise and capacity;
Under the agreement, each agency will remain a separate 501(c)(3) organization and will retain its own board of directors, workforce structure and unique identity.
Hopelink President and Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Mason-Plunkett said the new alliance is a natural partnership for the two organizations.
“Our agencies share a commitment to helping move people in crisis to greater stability and ultimately to self sufficiency – both on the front lines through such services as food banks and energy assistance and housing programs and through our long-term approach and asset-building services designed to help people make lasting change in their lives,” she said. “This partnership is a natural extension of our shared goals and similar services.”
Dini Duclos, MSC’s outgoing CEO, said the partnership will strengthen each agency as both address increasing demand for services.
“Both MSC and Hopelink have a wealth of wisdom and experience drawn from serving our communities for 40 years. In addition, our missions, values and philosophies are highly complementary,” Duclos said. “Sharing that knowledge will lead both our agencies into the future, helping each of us better serve those who so desperately need help during these tough economic times.”
Hopelink and MSC began in 1971 and are both Community Action Agencies, which are local nonprofit private and public organizations that originally grew out of the 1960s War on Poverty. Numbering more than 1,000 nationwide, CAAs are dedicated to eliminating poverty and promoting self sufficiency.
