Excellence in Advocacy Awards Presented at Alliance Lunch

On April 23, 2008, the Alliance presented its first Excellence in Advocacy Awards at Laying the Foundation: Washington Low Income Housing Alliance First Annual Recognition Luncheon.

Washington Mutual Bank was the presenting sponsor of the event, and programs, signage, and other elements were designed, created and donated by Department of Energy, a Seattle firm specializing in environments, product, and graphics.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Seattle, the event featured a keynote speech from King County Executive Ron Sims on the essential role stable housing plays in the lives of Washington residents. Executive Director Ben Gitenstein announced the new expansion of the Mobilization Program.

Awardees were:

• Excellence in Private Sector Partnership: WaMu
• Excellence in Advocacy by a Coalition Partner: SEIU 1199NW
• Excellence in Advocacy by a Housing Community Member: Mike Lowry, Washington Agricultural Families Assistance
• Excellence in Federal Advocacy: Anna Markee, Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County
• Excellence in Grassroots Advocacy: Debby Dover, YW Housing

Over 100 guests attended this years' event, raising several thousand dollars to support the advocacy work of the Alliance.