Erin is a very knowledgeable and professional coach. She was with me throughout the process, from…read moreapplication to interview. She was always reliable in getting back to me and always had helpful tips. As a result of her coaching I landed a job with a salary of $100K/year, a threefold increase from my previous annual income. Give her a call!

When I think about what was most instrumental in helping me land a job, the first thing I think of…read moreis Erin's work with me: strengths assessment, resume building, cover letter templates, advising on networking, keeping my spirits up, connections to various professional badassitas in Seattle (I found out about the job I'm in through a connection Erin made for me)--in short, all the things one needs from a career coach. I highly recommend her.

Rushing to complete a move that included needing to get rid of some items that had piled up (old…read moreelectronic accessories, old iPhone, a laptop, and a PS4), a quick Google search of local recycling e-waste brought me to Friendly Earth International. Their certificate of destruction and their residential pickup services really sold it for me. I filled their online form late Saturday night, and wasn't expecting a reply until Monday (they're closed on the weekends) but to my shock one of their reps replied on Sunday and confirmed adding me to their route for a Monday pickup. They're not able to reserve a particular time slot/frame, you can request an ideal range but know if they can't arrive you'll need to go in person or reschedule to another day. If you do need to reschedule the pickup for a day with more flex, be sure to notify them right away so they can update the driver. For me, the flat fee was $75 but this could range for others (depending on items being picked up, distance, etc.). Payment was through an online portal, with a link sent in the scheduling email. I had originally requested pickup before 12pm, as timing would have it, I was delayed and was still at my apartment when the driver did arrive about 2 hours later. Everything worked out, the driver was very nice and was able to take my items (no paperwork to fill or was provided).

This e-waste business is a rip off. Will try to charge fees to the donor for donating electronics…read morethat they state are "free" to drop off and their scales are likely mis-calibrated as they charge per pound and charge for more weight than actual. They are not "Friendly" just "Greedy".

Anna & Paula did a woderful job cleaning our home. They were very thourough, efficient and…read moreamazingly quick. Our home sparkles and we could not be happier. Also they were pleasant, courteous and friendly. A pleasure to have them help us.

We hired Gilberto Perez Bonilla - and what a hard worker! We had him mixing concrete in a wheel…read morebarrel then some weeding. He worked consistently and fast - and the wild raspberry vines are gone (at our direction; the ones we wanted to save are still there). When/if we have another project, we will for sure request him. He represents Casa Latina so well. He is a huge asset.

It feels terrible to give a non-profit organization a "review," let alone a bad one. However, my…read moreone and only experience with Mary's Place was so negative that I'm hoping that this post inspires some changes. I arrived at Mary's Place five days after losing my housing, at the referral and suggestion of a social worker. I hadn't really eaten since being on the street. It was pouring rain and absolutely freezing outside. I was drenched from exposure and very much looking forward to breakfast, a hot shower, some community. When I arrived I was directed to the basement, which is where the day center and facilities are. My first impression, upon reaching the lower level, is that Mary's Place is halfway between a dungeon and a casino. It was dank, smelly, and there were no windows. I imagine that one could lose a lot of time down there, if not vigilant. Nonetheless, I was warmly received by a caseworker, who took me through a brief intake and left me a list of services and resources. Then I lined up for breakfast, which was a HORROR SHOW. To say that I'm an "adventurous" eater is an understatement. Prior to becoming homeless, I was a professional woman who traveled extensively. I've eaten more sketchy street food than Anthony Bourdain. So I've had my share of "Delhi Belly." I also ate a hamburger out of the trash once. (In my defense, I was in college and I was drunk.) Moreover, I'm generally grateful for free stuff and not a complainer. But Mary's Place is serving food below Third World standards. I was appalled when staff pulled OLD, MOLDY PANCAKES out of a cold storage bin, loosely covered in mangled foil. Then they stuck those nasty flapjacks in a toaster to "warm them up." Given that the pancakes had been sitting in the fridge in their own condensation -- you just know that Mary's Place didn't follow basic safe food handling guidelines, which requires pancakes to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container -- it's extremely hazardous to be serving them. Not to mention that it's just morally s***y to serve rotten, substandard food to vulnerable people. But stupid me, I cut away the mold and proceeded to scarf those pancakes down. I was hungry and cold and I have a stomach made of iron. I decided to take my chances. After breakfast I signed up for a shower. I was the only one in line and I soon found out why: there's absolutely no hot water. I don't mean that the water was tepid, inconsistent, or took time to warm up. I mean that I turned on the faucet and let it run for almost 30 minutes and it was still ICE COLD. I'd just spent the night getting whipped in the face by an arctic cold wind and rain, huddled in a doorway. The last thing I want to replicate is that same feeling in the shower, right after I wake up. I'd rather take my chances at one of the urban rest stops, even if it means dealing with testosterone and aggression. At least the guys have warm water! Realizing that Mary's Place had nothing to offer me, I promptly left the day center. However, the staff and social workers were trying to get me to stay and join one of their groups -- memoir writing, nail painting, crochet -- that does absolutely nothing to empower their clients economically. I was on my way to a job interview and all I needed was some decent, non-moldy food in my stomach and a shower to make myself presentable. Shortly after I left, I realized that the "breakfast" had given me food poisoning. I spent the rest of the morning puking and pooping in a Starbucks bathroom, regretting every bite of those damned pancakes. TLDR: - DO NOT DONATE OR GIVE TO AN INEFFECTIVE NPO - IT'S HORRIBLE TO SERVE ROTTEN FOOD TO THE VULNERABLE - THERE ARE BETTER ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE Organizations I'd support instead of Mary's Place: - Uplift Northwest - Recovery Cafe - Northwest Share - Urban Rest Stop Downtown - University Heights Center - Seattle Mutual Aid Coalition Response to Mary's Place Staff: I'm glad the showers work and it was a temporary snafu. However, the pancakes DID have spots of green mold on them. I think a more appropriate response, rather than minimizing a potentially dangerous food poisoning situation, might be, "Mary's Place will look into this and ensure that our staff and volunteers have a WA Food Handler's Permit if serving clients. We will also revisit safe food handling and storage procedures as a team."

Man - how you gonna give a homeless shelter a bad review?…read more Lemme tell you how - I drove for an hour to drop food off to Mary's Place on a day we were instructed to come down on. Upon arrival they turned me away without taking the goods because of a leak in their storage room. Now lemme tell you something Mary's Place - the homeless don't care to go hungry when you have a leak. I could see inside your building plenty of space to hold goods. Your lack of ingenuity drove me with my goods away to donate elsewhere and while I hate to do something as petty as yelping a homeless shelter (what sort of world is this?) - I have to give you this feedback. Do better, please. Our homeless needs resourcefulness.

If you are looking for an excellent organization to support with your work or your money, keep…read morelooking. These people may or may not return your telephone call, may or may not respond to your inquiries in a way that makes any sense... Well, you get the picture. Avoid this timewaster.

Staff is hit or miss - sometimes very mean and very cold. A couple of them are nice. Thye have very…read morestrict rules but they tend to let long termers get away with things. There are some long term residents who have a bully and hostile attitude and can make you feel very uncomfortable. Must make bed - not just make bed but in a certain way.

Great things are brewing…read more.. I recently stopped into the Goodwill flagship store and spotted something really special tucked way back in the corner, almost out of sight. I normally never even walk that direction. Fulcrum Coffee Roasters and Evergreen Goodwill are partnering on a barista training program and café space right inside the store. Honestly, it was exciting to actually see one of the training programs in action and connect the dots between donations, shopping at Goodwill, and where that support is going. Real people learning real job skills right there in front of you. This deserves to be more up front where people can see it and celebrate it.

World's largest Goodwill? Yes indeed. Huge parking lot, very organized inside, and so many…read moreemployees. There is a boutique area with name brand stuff, but the prices were still amazing. Pink tags were 1/2 off and unlike the stores in Reno, they don't take pink tags off the racks before the sale! There are fitting rooms, and it's all very clean and organized. This is a well-oiled machine here. Home goods side, with furniture, and for that alone I wish I had a UHAUL truck backed up. My cousin spent $150 and I spent about $75 and we spent about 3 hours there. Easily could have spent all day, but it was a thrifting kind of day, so we hit several stores the same day. Took away a star because they don't allow you to use their restrooms anymore. We would have spent more time and money, but they closed their bathrooms to the public (stupid).

This shop is so great. They can fix up your ride or set you up with a great used bike for a fair…read moreprice. They also have youth programs that allow kids to earn a bike! When buying a bike here they will likely present 3 price points. They need support to keep it all going, so if you can afford it, pay a price that's not the "Community " minimum price point.

A quaint little shop tucked away on Ferdinand Street that has all your cycling needs. I had to stop…read morein during my Seattle visit to pick up some bike bottles since I discovered the two I had brought were actually busted. They were reasonably priced and happened to be in my favorite color too. I had called in before just to make sure there was stock and a live person answered and not some annoying voicemail. That was much appreciated!