Have you ever had a second chance? An opportunity to make up for past mistakes?
For Weld Seattle program participants, many never truly received a fair chance in the first place. The program is composed of previously incarcerated and justice-involved individuals who’ve faced extraordinary barriers early in life. For them, Weld Seattle has become a saving grace that helped them redirect course and provided their first chance at a better future.
Weld Seattle, a Seattle-based nonprofit, offers hope through secure housing, viable employment, recovery from addiction, building community, and reconnecting with family. Since 2017, this nonprofit has served over 1,000 individuals as they reenter society after experiences with incarceration, homelessness, substance dependence, or any combination of those issues. The program has helped participants develop valuable life skills, time management, accountability, and leadership.
This past summer, the City of Burien’s Human Services Division saw an opportunity to help address parks and public works maintenance challenges due to City staffing limitations. After Human Services Manager Colleen Brandt-Schluter and Coordinator Anyah Zupancic identified available American Rescue Plan Act funds prioritized by the Burien City Council to support neighborhood cleanliness, they contracted with Weld Seattle in April 2024. Workers in each month-long cohort support landscaping, maintenance, and beautification services throughout Burien for thirty hours each week and receive on-the-job training.
Initially, Brandt-Schluter had some concerns with the magnitude of work proposed but shared that the efforts of the Weld Seattle team exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of their supportive staff and the willingness of program participants to tackle each new task. She also acknowledged the stigma that is often associated with incarceration and how hard it can be for someone to reenter society.
“It’s really exciting, seeing doors open for people who might not have had the opportunity,” said Brandt-Schluter. “History follows you, challenges and all. You’ve done your time, paid your dues, turned your life around, but doors don’t open.”
Weld Seattle has made a difference in supporting people overcome addiction, homelessness, and long-term incarceration. Many participants have been able to reintegrate themselves back into the community, where they have secured gainful employment and housing. More than 60 percent of Weld Seattle participants have been placed into permanent employment, which is in sharp contrast with the statistic that states 60 percent of formerly incarcerated people remain unemployed for at least one year after their release.
“I didn’t think I could work a job like this,” said one Weld Seattle participant assigned to work in Burien. “I used to be in the streets, but now I’m making more money legally than I ever did before, and it feels good.”
The program has found great success by uplifting leaders with similar lived experiences as their participants. Crew Lead George Williams shared how his own experiences with being incarcerated and finding Weld Seattle inspired him to start down a new path.
“I was on the other side once, but now I mentor people in this program,” Williams said. “I tell them every day that if I can change, they can too. People see me as a success story. I used to be a part of the system they feared, but now I’m giving back. It’s a full-circle moment.”
Another Burien program participant shared a similar sentiment, stating “Weld has been instrumental in helping me stay on track with my goals, especially after leaving incarceration. I never thought I’d be in a position to mentor others.”
In alignment with their mission, Weld Seattle supports system-impacted individuals with access to housing, opportunities of employment, and resources to ensure their overall recovery. After each participant graduates from their month-long cohort, they can transition to a potential job placement or into a different cohort-based program.
“When I joined, I didn’t know what to expect, but the support system here has been amazing,” one recent Weld Seattle participant in Burien shared. “I’ve learned more than just job skills. It’s helped me rebuild my life.”
The partnership with Weld Seattle and the City of Burien has supported 17 workers and contributed over 1,600 hours of work for the City so far. Participants have had the opportunity to build new skills, find community, and support the revitalization of neighborhoods. Thanks to this blueprint, the nonprofit hopes to expand to other surrounding cities and counties.
2024’s partnership with City of Burien produced Weld Seattle’s first all-female work crew. The program strives to connect people to dignified, long-term employment and diversify the region’s workforce.
“The jobs we’ve taken on through this program give me purpose, something I never had before,” another program participant in Burien explained. “I used to think it was impossible to turn things around, but now I’m working, and I have my kids back in my life.”
Zupancic shared that the program was a great investment for the City of Burien and the community at large, and is a “win-win” situation overall. The contract pays workers a livable wage and is a cost-effective way to increase City staff capacity.
“This an opportunity for the City, counties, and other government agencies to connect people to employment opportunities,” Zupancic said. “When you invest in individuals it benefits everyone, and it’s a worthwhile investment for the City to make.”
