Press Release
Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Erin Murphy (Firesteel)
emurphy@ywcaworks.org
206.461.4425
Cathy MacCaul (YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish)
cmaccaul@ywcaworks.org
206.461.4434
Date: April 13, 2012
YWCA launches Firesteel, a new way to advocate for social change
Technology platform brings innovative approach to addressing homelessness in Washington state
Homelessness can be an overwhelming issue. Many care about those who live without a
permanent place to call home but often feel that they don’t have the resources to help. Firesteel
aggregates individual voices into one powerful voice to support critical programs to end
homelessness. Firesteel comes at an especially crucial time in our economy, as dwindling public
and private resources force more of our neighbors into homelessness.
Firesteel creates an online community of shared knowledge with a commitment to
advocate for social change and to end homelessness in Washington state. Firesteel will provide a
platform where users can share opinions, reach out to friends, comment on topics of interest, and
receive information on local awareness building events, all in the service of their community’s
needs. The Firesteel network integrates both Facebook and Twitter. To encourage users to return
to the site, gaming features will provide accessible ways of interacting online and allow users to
build their advocacy reputation the more they interact with Firesteel.
Developed by YWCA Seattle| King| Snohomish in partnership with the YWCAs of
Washington and funded with a $250,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
Firesteel offers interactive ways to make a difference, through collaboration, advocacy and
community.
"Firesteel will level the playing field for those who typically do not wield power in state
policy decisions but are most affected by them,” said Kollin Min, program officer for the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation. “By weaving social media into an easily accessible and dynamic
forum, Firesteel will provide an unprecedented opportunity to influence policy in Washington
state. We are excited to be a part of this pioneering advocacy network."
Firesteel, located at firesteelwa.org, provides a platform to enhance the existing advocacy
that is already taking place in the region.
“A key component of Firesteel is the incredible collaboration that will be taking place
within this platform,” said Sue Sherbrooke, CEO of YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish.
“Firesteel enhances outreach and advocacy efforts by sharing the multifaceted resources of all
our partners.”
Firesteel’s content and policy priorities will come from YWCAs across Washington state,
including YWCAs from the communities of Bellingham, Yakima, Pierce County, Walla Walla,
Wenatchee, Kitsap County, and Clark County, and will expand to include a host of other human
service agency partners.
“The Firesteel network is on the cutting edge of uniting a statewide contingent of YWCA
supporters and clients,” said Erin Black, executive director of YWCA Yakima, a Firesteel
partner. “Not only will it create an avenue for community members to be active in advocacy, it
will provide an interactive approach to getting involved.”
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About YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish: YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish opens doors to
opportunity and self-sufficiency for women and families facing poverty, violence and
discrimination. YWCA’s safety net of services includes emergency assistance, shelter, safe and
stable housing, personalized case management, counseling, employment assistance, career
coaching, domestic violence advocacy and support groups, as well as mentoring, internships and
opportunities for youth and future leaders, and access to needed health care for underserved
populations. For more information, visit ywcaworks.org.