the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County hosted the Economic Security for All & Community Reinvestment Program Provider Summit. It was a morning that brought together the Washington State Department of Commerce, Employment Security Department, and dozens of community partners from across King County to do something we don't do often enough: pause and celebrate.

This Summit gave space to those who make community work happen — the intermediaries, training providers, small business owners, and community organizations — to share their lived experiences and those of the people they serve.

What happens when you give the people doing this work — the case managers, employment specialists, navigators, and vocational counselors who show up every day for job seekers rebuilding their lives — the tools, language, and community to do it even better?

The Workforce Practitioners Academy, a professional development initiative run in partnership with WorkSource Seattle–King County, celebrated this cohort’s program graduation to strengthen the skills and professional practice of frontline workforce staff across the region.

We are proud to share that the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) and Tabor 100 have been selected as our intermediary partners to help distribute more than $400,000 in grants and resources to small businesses across King County.

This investment is part of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC)’s Industry Strategies, which drives economic growth by offering employers strategies, resources, and solutions to meet today’s workforce challenges.

Throughout 2025, despite a landscape marked by uncertainty, we were able to achieve something very meaningful: hope.  Alongside our partners, we came together in King County for a shared purpose – creating opportunities for a more resilient workforce. As we look ahead to the new year, we remain dedicated to building a more community-centered and coordinated workforce system rooted in inclusion, where all people across Puget Sound can share in its prosperity.

Jumpin Jambalaya, a beloved culinary staple known for its bold Cajun Creole fusions and community spirit, received funding from the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County’s Small Business Investment Grant, through the Community Reinvestment Project. We caught up with Youpa Valentine, CEO of Jumpin Jambalaya,to learn more about her journey into small business success.