Opening Doors, Changing Lives Reception

Nonprofit Cares of Washington will host its annual Opening Doors, Changing Lives reception Saturday, May 14, 2016, in support of people with disabilities and low incomes in the Puget Sound region.

Held at the Pacific Tower in Seattle from 7 to 10 p.m., the reception will raise funds for the organization’s job training and placement services. Former University of Washington footballer Mario Bailey will keynote.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with Cares of Washington,” says Bailey, who spent years playing in the NFL and now works in youth outreach for King County. “Services provided by organizations like Cares of Washington are the only way many people in our community can get the skills they need to get out of a difficult living situation.”

There are nearly 900,000 people in Washington state living below the poverty line, many who lack enough resources to withstand a personal or economic crisis.

“A minimum wage job without benefits falls far short of what is needed to break the cycle of poverty,” says Lars Nowack, CEO of Cares of Washington. “To achieve long-term self-sufficiency for themselves and their families, individuals must secure a living wage job with a career pathway.”

Over the last five years, more than 80 percent of the people who accessed coaching, placement and retention services through Cares of Washington secured a job with an average wage of $14, nearly five dollars more than the current state minimum wage.

The Opening Doors, Changing Lives reception will feature multiple speakers, including people who have benefited from Cares of Washington services, a silent auction and live music by the Paul Sawtelle Duo.

Those that can’t attend can support Cares of Washington’s efforts by texting CARES to 243725, and can follow the event virtually with #ChangingLivesWA.

Presented by Cares of Washington.