Hourglass: United Way of King County

Hosted by Joe Burris, Director of Storytelling and Public Relations, United Way of King County

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Episodes

121

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Got time? We’ve got conversations, stories, news and announcements. Hear how we spend our time making a difference in communities.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 6824 min

#123: World Cup, Local Concerns

The FIFA World Cup men’s soccer tournament is underway, and the area’s first match will be held on Monday, June 15, at the newly renamed Seattle Stadium. But for all its excitement, the World Cup has raised local concerns, particularly regarding some of our area’s most vulnerable populations. Hourglass recently sat down with Derrick Belgarde of the Chief Seattle Club, a United Way-funded organization that provides shelter, services, and spiritual support to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Chief Seattle Club is in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, adjacent to Seattle Stadium, where much of the foot traffic during the World Cup is expected. We chatted with Belgarde about topics including the precautions Chief Seattle Club is taking as it continues to support populations experiencing homelessness during the World Cup and how he’d like to see the financial windfall from the tournament be used to address our homelessness crisis.We will also discuss ways you can still get your taxes prepared for free by United Way and an upcoming summer event sponsored by our grantee, CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.

June 8, 2026Episode 6717 min

#122: Got College Expenses? Apply for the Nordstrom Scholarship!

Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship, which each year provides 20 local college students with $5,000 each for basic needs and other expenses.We sat down with Emily Portillo, United Way Bridge to Finish Senior Program Manager, to discuss her work with the Nordstrom Scholarship, its impact on local students and colleges, and how students can apply now, as applications are accepted through June 30th.We will also spotlight an upcoming United Way Happy Hour and Hellos event this month in North Seattle and a July event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180.Thanks for tuning in.

June 1, 2026Episode 6623 min

#121: Bridging Gaps for College Students with Symetra

Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation with United Way partner Symetra Financial Corporation, a Bellevue-based diversified financial services company. Symetra has partnered with United Way for more than 15 years through programs such as Bridge to Finish, a United Way one-stop resource on local college campuses that helps students access services to complete their education.We’ll chat with Sharmila Swenson, Symetra's Vice President of Public Affairs and Social Impact, and Beth Osborne, Symetra’s Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Community Partnerships, on topics including how our Bridge to Finish program aligns with Symetra’s commitment to strengthening communities. And we’ll chat with Emily Portillo, United Way’s Bridge to Finish Program Manager, about how the support from partners like Symetra helps United Way serve local college students in areas such as financial and housing stability.We will also spotlight an upcoming United Way Happy Hour and Hellos event this month in North Seattle and a July event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180.Thanks for tuning in.

May 25, 2026Episode 6737 min

#120: Spotlighting Mary's Place

Good news happens. This week's episode is about Mary's Place, a United Way supported, Seattle-based organization that provides resources and support to King County families experiencing homelessness. We’ll chat with Mary’s Place’s prevention & stability director Miriam Clithero, and its community impact director, Alyson Moon, about the organization’s approach to addressing homelessness, its partnership with United Way and ways the organization has pivoted amid the everchanging housing crisis. We will also spotlight United Ways June Happy Hour and Hellos event in North Seatle and a July outing in Pioneer Square courtesy of United Way grantee CHOOSE 180.Thanks for tuning in.

May 18, 2026Episode 6617 min

#119: Pack the Bus, Gus!

Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about Pack the Bus, United Way’s May 20th volunteer initiative in partnership with Communities in Schools Greater King County. Pack the Bus is designed to support students and families during the summer months by providing a busload of essential items, including food, hygiene supplies, and activities.We sat down with Communities in Schools director Jamie Greene and Alexis Silva, United Way senior community and volunteer engagement manager, to discuss the importance of keeping kiddos nourished and engaged all summer long and the details of Pack the Bus. We will also discuss ways you can still file your taxes for free through United Way and spotlight a summer event in Pioneer Square sponsored by United Way grantee CHOOSE 180. Thanks for tuning in.

May 11, 2026Episode 6530 min

#118: UWKC in DC, Episode Two: Taking Your Concerns to the Pols

Good news happens. This episode is the second in a two-part series on United Way of King County staff members visiting Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state. Today’s episode looks at our visit to the recent United Way Worldwide Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day in D.C. More than 300 United Way leaders from 47 states and Puerto Rico gathered for the Advocacy Forum to share best practices, craft policy strategies, and meet with Senate and Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss issues such as strengthening food security, investing in housing programs, and creating more access to free tax preparation. Hourglass sat down with United Way of King County’s Amanda Sandoval and Connor Walsh, as well as Jim Cooper of United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, to discuss expectations before the event and reflections after speaking with lawmakers. We will also spotlight two upcoming United Way events: Pack the Bus and Happy Hour and Hellos. Thanks for tuning in.

May 4, 2026Episode 6416 min

#117: UWKC in DC, Episode One: Hunger Advocacy

Good news happens. This week's episode is the first of a two-part series on United Way of King County staff members visiting Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state.This episode looks at our visit to last week’s Food Research and Action Center National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in D.C., where we and other advocates nationwide spoke with members of Congress and the US Senate about combatting hunger and food insecurity.Hourglass sat down with Sara Seelmeyer, United Way’s director of Ending Hunger, and Madeleine Vistica, United Way Food Security Program Manager, to discuss their expectations before the event and their reflections after speaking with lawmakers. We will also spotlight our May 5 GiveBIG event and our upcoming Pack the Bus event.Thanks for tuning in.

April 27, 2026Episode 6330 min

#116: Downpayment Assistance for Black, Brown Homebuyers

Good news happens. This episode features a conversation about homeownership with Anzhane Slaughter of the Seattle-based organization Young Black Homeowners and Dawn Bennett of the Kent-based, United Way-supported organization African American Leadership Forum. Anzhane and Dawn have partnered on a program that provides six-figure down payment assistance to Black and Brown families seeking to purchase homes in our area. We'll also offer one last reminder about this year's Free Tax Preparation Campaign for those who still have time to file, and we'll discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!

April 20, 2026Episode 6227 min

#115: 2026 Public Policy Series, Episode Three: Recap and Updates

Good news happens. This episode is the third installment of a three-part series on 2026 state, county, and city policy. We'll chat with Nancy Lu, United Way public policy coordinator, and Amanda Sandoval, United Way's director of systems change and policy, on topics such as takeaways from this year's State Legislative Session, updates on city and county policies, and an upcoming United Way staff visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers from Washington state.We'll also offer one last reminder about this year's Free Tax Preparation Campaign for those who still have time to file, and we'll discuss a local volunteer opportunity. Thanks for tuning in!

April 13, 2026Episode 6127 min

#114: Talking Taxes: Free Filing, ITINs and More

Good news happens. This episode features a conversation about taxes with Ryan McFerran, United Way Senior Financial Stability Program Manager, and Ramon Ortiz, an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Washington Law School and managing director of the law school’s Federal Tax Clinic.We’ll discuss topics including United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign, which is currently in full swing, and information for ITIN filers. We’ll also provide information on one of our most popular Free Tax Prep sites, at Southcenter Mall.And we’ll also discuss a local volunteer opportunity.Thanks for tuning in!