The Alliance of Eastside Agencies (Alliance), a professional membership organization of 40 Eastside human service agencies, held their 14 Annual Eastside Human Services Awards Luncheon at Daniel’s Broiler on June 5.

The event honored outstanding contributions of human services in East King County. This year’s speaker featured Dr. Scott W. Allard, the Daniel J. Evans Endowed Professor of Social Policy at the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Drawing upon his expertise in poverty and inequality, social welfare policy, and urban policy, Allard spoke about the unique, and often overlooked, presence of poverty in the suburbs.

The winners of the awards were chosen from those nominated by Eastside human service providers that are members of the Alliance. The winners for this year’s awards are as follows:

• Outstanding Business: Brown and Sterling, Attorneys at Law: provided free services, sponsorship and held a position on the board of directors of one of Encompass and has a huge heart for the mission.
• Outstanding Faith Organization: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church: provides a shelter and Day Center for women experiencing homelessness, and sharing their site with a new supportive housing development.
• Outstanding Elected Official: State Representative Joan McBride, 48th District: bold “catalyst for change” to better the understanding of, and support for, human services. A leader in Kirkland, and at the state level for many years, we salute this year’s winner as she retires from public service.
• Outstanding Not-for-Profit Staff: Kira Avery: Sno-Valley’s Senior Center- found ways to help her organization thrive with new programs and involve community partners.
• Outstanding Volunteer: Craig Staats: Hopelink’s Sno Valley Food Bank – a volunteer always ready to help, generous with his gifts of time, and a special talent for preparing meals at the food bank.
• Outstanding Youth Volunteer: Justin Dorgan: Eastside Baby Corner Bike and Stroller Shop- a wonderful job on the bikes and he has also learned how to fix strollers and trailers

“AEA is pleased to honor members of the community who have played a significant role in supporting human services in East King County. This event highlights the work of those in the community who make the Eastside a better place for all of us to live and work,” said Alliance co-chairs Rochelle Clayton Strunk and Helen Banks Routon on behalf of the Alliance membership in a press release.