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Seattle Storm Legend Sue Bird named as 2025 ‘Beyond the Build’ Luncheon Speaker

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Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties is pleased to announce Seattle Storm Legend Sue Bird as the 2025 ‘Beyond the Build” Luncheon Speaker. Our largest fundraiser of the year will take place on Thursday, June 5 at the Seattle Convention Center – Summit Building. To secure a table or become a luncheon sponsor please visit: Beyond the Build Luncheon 2025 – Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties

After a championed career spanning three decades and regarded as the world’s premier point guard, Sue Bird has left her mark on the WNBA and the world of women’s sports. The league’s All-Time Leader in Assists retired in September 2022 and has since tapped into her progressive entrepreneurial spirit.

Bird dominated at every level in basketball. She is one of only seven women to win: an Olympic Gold Medal (she’s won five), a World Championship Gold Medal (she’s won four), an NCAA Championship (she’s won two), and a WNBA Championship (she’s won four – the last just weeks before her 40th birthday). Sue is also a five-time EuroLeague Champion, a thirteen-time WNBA All-Star, 2021 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, and was voted by the fans as one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time. Following Sue’s retirement in 2022, her jersey was retired by the Seattle Storm, making her only the second player in franchise history to have received that honor and in 2024, she officially joined the Seattle Storm ownership group. 

In 2021, Bird co-founded Togethxr – a woman-centered media group – alongside Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel and Chloe Kim, to further the progress, culture, representation, and coverage of all women and girls in sport. Through Togethxr, Sue produced Power of the Dream, a documentary from director Dawn Porter on the WNBA and their fight for social justice which had a major impact on US politics in 2020; and the successful six-part podcast series, “Summer of Gold,” about the American female athletes who dominated in the 1996 Atlanta games, which will be adapted into a television limited series with Bird as one of the executive producers on the project.

Sue hosted “Sue’s Places,” a take on Peyton Manning’s signature ESPN+ Original series, where she explores the history and traditions of college basketball; over the past several years, she and best friend Diana Taurasi have hosted their popular ‘alterna-cast’ “The Bird & Taurasi Show” with their coverage of the Women’s Final Four; and Sue Bird: In the Clutch, a documentary on her historic career premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently available on Netflix. 

At the end of 2022, Sue and her fiancé and soccer legend, Megan Rapinoe, launched A Touch More, a production company focused on promoting narratives around revolutionaries who move culture forward. The company will amplify stories focused on identity, activism, and underrepresented groups. Their first TV scripted series, “Playing the Field,” (based off the best-selling novel, Cleat Cute) is currently in development.

Sue has quickly established herself as a true trailblazer as a former athlete segueing into the mainstream media business with an unparalleled perspective. Her vocal stance on racial, gender, and LGBTQIA+ equity has made her a cornerstone in athletic representation and allyship. She is an outspoken and visible activist advocating for Black Lives, equality, health and wellness and expanding opportunities for girls and all marginalized people.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 5 and please join us at this exciting event! Beyond the Build Luncheon 2025 – Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties

Remembering President Jimmy Carter

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It is with heavy hearts and deep gratitude that we remember former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away yesterday at the age of 100. Together with his wife, Rosalynn, President Carter led by example, working alongside volunteers to build homes and strengthen communities through the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. His unwavering dedication and advocacy transformed the lives of thousands.

“We join with others around the world in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter. The legacy he leaves behind in the Habitat homes he and Mrs. Carter built, and in the progress achieved in the fight for affordable housing and home ownership, will endure for generations to come. May President Carter’s life of service and his spirit of generosity continue to be an example to us all.” —Brett D’Antonio, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties

After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then until 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.

“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with the rest of the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia, soon bringing worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy will live on in every family we serve around the world.”

“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired, and wept.”

Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.  

In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat SKKC will commemorate President Carter’s life of service with local observances. Details will be shared shortly. 

Habitat SKKC Fall Advocacy Update

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Change doesn’t happen all at once – it’s built slowly, through the dedication of people and rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. 

In Washington, recent breakthroughs like passing Middle Housing (HB 1110), ADU legalization (HB 1337), and renewing the Seattle Housing Levy reflect the power of this commitment. As pandemic era funding continues to sunset in 2025, the challenge now is clear: local and state leaders must double down to sustain progress, scale proven programs, and address persistent development barriers.

This fall, Habitat for Humanity SKKC’s advocacy efforts made meaningful headway on several fronts:

  • In King County, we championed support for a revolving construction loan program as part of the County Council’s Workforce Housing Initiative. This initiative has now advanced to the County Executive, marking a big step toward faster, more efficient housing development.
  • In Seattle, our coalition played a critical role in shaping the Comprehensive Plan update to build on statewide reforms. While the updates reflect significant progress, we’re pushing to expand density bonuses beyond Neighborhood Residential zones and refining design standards to keep housing production on track. At the same time, we’re advocating for Payroll Expense Tax funds to directly address housing needs.
  • On the Eastside, our partnerships with the Bellevue Roundtable and Eastside Affordable Housing Coalition spurred important changes. Updates to Bellevue’s Wilburton neighborhood plan will unlock new housing opportunities, and the creation of a dedicated Office of Housing—secured in the latest budget—will streamline and expedite future construction projects.

Looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, we’re laser-focused on four priorities: expanding investment in proven programs like the Housing Trust Fund and CHIP, implementing solutions to close the racial homeownership gap, establishing dedicated funding tools like revolving construction loan funds, and removing regulatory barriers that slow affordable housing development. With over 300 units in our pipeline, we’re working with legislators to create lasting solutions for affordable homeownership across Washington state.

These achievements – and the work still ahead – represent more than legislative wins; they are tangible steps toward ensuring everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

Please join us in our efforts by signing up for Habitat SKKC’s Advocacy Alerts here.

Bundle Up and Volunteer: Join Our Habitat Winter Warriors

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Habitat’s building schedules don’t pause in the winter, and many projects must stay on track to meet deadlines. Volunteers are critical to ensuring that construction continues, regardless of the season, so families can move into their homes as planned. Habitat SKKC’s Winter Warriors are dedicated volunteers who brave the winter chill to help at our Construction Sites and Habitat Stores from December to March and we are always looking for more! 

The need for safe, warm, and affordable housing is especially urgent during colder months. Completing homes or making progress on construction during winter helps ensure families aren’t left waiting longer than necessary, especially as harsh weather highlights the challenges of inadequate housing. By participating in Winter Warriors, you can make a meaningful impact in the community by building safe, affordable homes. 

As a bonus, you also have the chance to win exciting prizes along the way. For example, the top 10 individual volunteers by hours will receive a custom Winter Warriors beanie and all volunteers who join us will receive handwarmers, Winter Warriors stickers, along with a sense of pride! 

Winter Warrior $5K Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Not only does a sponsorship help your team bond and enjoy the winter season—it also provides vital construction materials and support for building homes for families in need. 

Winter Warriors selflessly work in challenging winter conditions to improve lives, and as a sponsor, you play a crucial role in making that happen. Your team will participate in three (3) volunteer days December through March with team sizes ranging from 5-15 people. Habitat will keep your team warm and energized with hot chocolate and donuts served at your volunteer day! Each team member present at the volunteer day will receive a custom Winter Warriors beanie hat.

For more information and to register as an individual, visit www.habitatskc.org/winter-warriors. For general questions about volunteering with Habitat, contact Caroline Keck at caroline.keck@habitatskc.org.  

As a company sponsor, contact Alex Wyatt, Director of Corporate and Community Programs, at (206) 866-6783 or alex.wyatt@habitatskc.org.

Habitat Repairs Are Keeping Colleen Stern at Home

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“They came out in the freezing cold to work on my house,” says Colleen Stern of the Habitat repairs crew. “And most of them were women!” 

Colleen, who is a wood carver herself, was delighted to hear young people outside her door wielding power saws and sledgehammers as they tore down and rebuilt her back steps.  “They made it possible for me to stay in my home,” she says with tearful gratitude in her voice.   

Colleen spent 35 years working as a caregiver for hundreds of clients. “I worked with people in hospice, too,” she adds with pride. During that 35-year career, Colleen raised a son with mental health challenges and created an animal sanctuary in the back yard of her Federal Way manufactured home.  But several spinal injuries she sustained in her work ultimately left her with severe pain and unable to walk without a walker or one of her personally carved walking sticks. She couldn’t return to work, and, in fact, found herself in need of her own caregiver.  

Procore

With very little income and living on her own, the natural deterioration on her 1966 vintage home got serious. After one emergency fall, paramedics had to break down the back door to reach Colleen and it remained broken. The back steps she’d built herself long ago were decaying and weren’t level with the door making them dangerous for her to navigate.  The front porch was rotted through, and her back yard wildlife refuge had become overgrown prohibiting her from tending to her beloved squirrels, raccoons, birds, and rabbits.  She simply could not afford the repairs on her fixed income. 

Shortly after she applied for Habitat help, the repairs crew swooped in “like a pile of carpenter ants,” and “did a fantastic job on all the work.” Colleen has always been a hard worker, and she knew how to make all the repairs, but she was no longer physically able to do them herself.  “So, I cooked for the crew,” she says noting with pride that her sourdough pizzas and vegan enchiladas were a big hit. 

With partial funding from a $10,000 AARP grant, the Habitat crew not only fixed Colleen’s stairs in the front and back of her home, but they also cleared a pathway to her animal sanctuary and added grab bars in the bathroom along with a new higher toilet to accommodate her changing needs. And they added fencing around the stairs for safety. 

Colleen’s was one of two Habitat homes that qualified for help from the AARP grant which focused on home modification and assistance to enhance safety for adult homeowners over age 50, allowing them to age in place.  “So now I can walk right up to the door without tripping over,” says Colleen.  “They fixed the door and gave me a lever style handle so I can open the door without falling off the porch.  I couldn’t do that before. They were just so kind.”

If you know anyone in need of critical home repairs, please reach out to us here: Home Repairs – Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties