Posted On June 25, 2024

A non-profit company formed to provide “community ambassadors” to provide “non-violent de-escalation” along Seattle’s troubled 3rd Ave says it needs $640,000 to continue its work through the end of the year and another $2.6 million for 2025.

We Deliver Care is asking the Seattle City Council to consider the funding as it says its work with “people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or criminal activity” is working on the challenged downtown street.

The ambassadors “reverse opioid overdoses, reduce loitering, help get unhoused people indoors, and provide non-emergency responses to public safety concerns,” a city council brief on the program reads.

The decision on funding for the program comes as the city has struck a new deal with its police unionthat includes major increases in pay and provisions allowing more police work to be transitioned to civilian programs and organizations like We Deliver Care.

A Capitol Hill business group, meanwhile, is also pushing for expanding the city’s community ambassador programs to include areas of Pike/Pine and Cal Anderson most impacted by drugs and street disorder.

We Deliver Care is scheduled to present (PDF) on its efforts Wednesday at the council’s Housing and Human Services Committee.

Original Article: As Capitol Hill business group eyes ‘ambassadors,’ We Deliver Care says it needs $2.6M for 3rd Ave in 2025