We Heart Seattle

From October 2020 to March 2021, WHS organized trash cleanup events at Denny Park, as well as other parks around the city.{{cite news|url=https://www.myballard.com/2021/02/03/we-heart-seattle-to-host-carkeek-park-cleanup-on-saturday/ |date= 3 February 2021 |access-date=29 November 2021 |title=My Ballard: We Heart Seattle to host Carkeek Park cleanup on Saturday}}{{cite news |last1=Rantz |first1=Jason |title=Andrea Suarez (I Heart Downtown Seattle) discusses how city leaders need to step up and clean the parks so the residents can use them again. - the Jason Rantz Show|url=https://omny.fm/shows/the-jason-rantz-show/andrea-suarez-i-heart-downtown-seattle-discusses-h |access-date=25 February 2024 |work=KTTH |date=5 January 2021}} In March 2021 the city of Seattle subsequently "swept" the park, removing all homeless persons and their belongings from the premises.{{cite news |last1=Kostanich |first1=Kara |title=Community groups question city's response to clean up Denny Park as crime, chaos spike |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/community-groups-question-citys-response-to-clean-up-denny-park-as-crime-chaos-spike |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=KOMO News |date=March 2, 2021}} In May, one former Denny Park resident credited WHS with helping her and her partner get into an apartment, but others who returned to the park said nobody had offered them housing assistance.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Casey |title=People living outside struggle to get on housing list |url=https://apnews.com/article/seattle-coronavirus-pandemic-23e1622fb066a93100844ef71695b529 |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=Associated Press |date=April 10, 2021}}

We Heart Seattle began offering assistance to people camping in parks, and in late April 2021, WHS announced an intention to provide support, services, and housing options to residents of an encampment near Broadview-Thomson K-8 School in Seattle's Bitter Lake neighborhood. Suarez described WHS's model as "daily intensive outreach".{{cite news |last1=Kostanich |first1=Kara |title=Parents worry as homeless camp keeps growing behind Seattle school |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/parents-worry-as-homeless-camp-keeps-growing-behind-seattle-school |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=KOMO News |date=April 26, 2021}} Erica C. Barnett reported that Suarez's actions at the encampment included photography and videography of the conditions and offers to take residents to facilities such as Bybee Lakes Hope Center, a homeless shelter in Portland, Oregon.{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica |title=Hysteria Over North Seattle Encampment Ignores Larger Issue: The City Has No Plan for Most Unsheltered People |url=https://publicola.com/2021/05/22/hysteria-over-north-seattle-encampment-ignores-larger-issue-the-city-has-no-plan-for-most-unsheltered-people/ |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=PubliCola |date=May 22, 2021}} Real Change interviewed a resident of the camp who described Suarez's typical routine as walking around for roughly 30 minutes, taking photos or videos, offering to pick up trash, and giving interviews to news reporters about the state of encampments.{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Samira |title=Making Bitter Lake home |url=https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2021/06/02/making-bitter-lake-home |access-date=5 June 2021 |work=Real Change |issue=June 2–8, 2021 |date=June 2, 2021}}

In May 2021, the South Seattle Emerald reported that Suarez had personally driven at least one homeless resident from a Seattle park to Bybee Lakes. The facility’s director at that time, Jeff Woodward, was also a member of We Heart Seattle’s board of directors.{{cite web| title=Who We Are: We Heart Seattle| url=https://weheartseattle.org/about/ |access-date=29 November 2021}}{{cite news | title=Portland's Bybee Lakes Hope Center: A jail no more |url=https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portlands-bybee-lakes-hope-center-a-jail-no-more/ |access-date=29 November 2021 |work=KOIN |date=Apr 28, 2021}}

In November 2021, WHS made news for its outreach to Charles Woodward, a homeless man in Ballard nicknamed the "Lawnmower Man" for his collection of equipment.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-22|title=LISTEN: Andrea Suarez & Tracy Belaire from We Heart Seattle|url=http://kvi.com/podcast/the-ari-hoffman-show/listen-andrea-suarez-tracy-belaire-from-we-heart-seattle|access-date=2021-11-30|website=KVI}} WHS had helped Woodward, who was at odds with the community for about a year, to leave the neighborhood when the city services were unable to assist.{{Cite web|last=Choe|first=Jonathan|date=2021-11-29|title=Man at odds with Ballard neighbors leaves neighborhood with help from non-profit|url=https://komonews.com/news/project-seattle/man-at-odds-with-ballard-neighbors-leaves-neighborhood-with-help-from-non-profit|access-date=2021-11-30|website=KOMO}} In February 2022, Woodward was back living on another street in the same neighborhood. Suarez said that there were problems with the housing they got him and that Woodward was now working for We Heart Seattle, driving a truck and making $22 an hour. Councilmember Strauss stated publicly "When people are moved around the neighborhood without addressing their housing needs, their behaviors remain the same, just in a new place. The outcome … is what I worried might happen."{{cite news |last1=Choe |first1=Jonathan |title=Ballard neighbors say 'lawnmower man' is back and causing more problems |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/ballard-neighbors-say-lawnmower-man-is-back-and-causing-more-problems |access-date=February 23, 2022 |work=KOMO |date=February 23, 2022}} {{as of|October 2022}}, Suarez reported that Woodward had chosen to move to family in Arizona.{{cite news |title=Dori: Update to 'Lawn Mower' man, who terrorized Ballard neighbors |url=https://mynorthwest.com/3677521/update-lawn-mower-man-terrorized-ballard-neighbors-makeshift-camp/ |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=MyNorthwest.com |date=October 19, 2022 |language=en}}

In October 2022, We Heart Seattle volunteers stopped an attack in a tent near a cleanup site and assisted the victim by driving her to a tiny house village.{{cite web |last1=Coughlin-Bogue |first1=Tobias |title=I could have very well died': Johanna Paul speaks about being saved from violence in her own tent |url=https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2022/10/19/i-could-have-very-well-died-johanna-paul-speaks-about-being-saved-violence-her-own-tent |website=Real Change |access-date=16 December 2022 |ref=26}}

In November 2021, Suarez reported that in a conference call with City Councilmember Dan Strauss and "at least 10 other city leaders", she was told that WHS and its efforts were "disruptive and confusing" to homeless outreach efforts by the city and they were asked to stop their activities in parks.{{cite news |last1=Choe |first1=Jonathan |title='We Heart Seattle' volunteers criticized for trash-picking efforts at homeless camps |url=https://komonews.com/news/project-seattle/we-heart-seattle-volunteers-criticized-for-trash-picking-efforts-at-homeless-camps |access-date=November 7, 2021 |work=KOMO |date=November 5, 2021}} On the Dori Monson Show, Suarez said that the group had permission from homeless camps to remove trash, and characterized WHS's work as "a form of protest for a more beautiful and clean Seattle". She criticized city policies that prevent immediate destruction of all possessions in a park and suggested that city safety policies and union work rules are preventing any progress in cleaning up city streets.{{cite news|last1=Monson|first1=Dori|date=November 5, 2021|title=Dori: City of Seattle tells volunteer group to stop helping the homeless|work=MyNorthwest.com|url=https://mynorthwest.com/3220905/seattle-volunteer-stop-helping-homeless/|access-date=November 5, 2021}} With support from some local businesses, WHS volunteers continued collecting and disposing of trash in Ballard.{{cite news |last1=Sun |first1=Deedee |title=Volunteer group keeps helping homeless people, despite the city's ask to stop |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/volunteer-group-keeps-helping-homeless-people-despite-citys-ask-stop/ZSPP62CX6ZF3DG5RRD37QFMVY4/ |access-date=November 7, 2021 |work=KIRO 7 News Seattle |date=November 5, 2021 |language=en}}

In April 2022, WHS applied to participate in Seattle mayor Bruce Harrell's inaugural One Seattle Day of Service but were not approved. They did participate in 2023{{cite news |url=https://mynorthwest.com/3956694/in-plain-sight-nonprofit-we-heart-seattle/ |work=My Northwest |date=8 April 2024 |first1=Sam |last1=Campbell |title=In Plain Sight: Criticisms, questions raised about controversial nonprofit We Heart Seattle}} and 2024.{{cite web |url=https://weheartseattle.org/key-communications/ |access-date=9 July 2024 |title=Key Communications |work=We Heart Seattle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705070835/https://weheartseattle.org/key-communications/ |archive-date=5 July 2024}}

Jason Rantz, writing nationally for Fox News, praised WHS for doing "more to address the problems at Denny Park than the city has done in years.".{{cite news|last1=Rantz|first1=Jason|date=March 22, 2021|title=Jason Rantz: Seattle reaching homeless breaking point – here's how city residents are taking action|work=Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/seattle-homeless-breaking-point-jason-rantz|access-date=1 May 2021}}

A Seattle Times opinion columnist praised We Heart Seattle for taking responsibility and being active in cleaning up the city in November 2021,

and in December 2021, Suarez was included in a Seattle Times editorial praising "people who have contributed to making our region a better place in 2021."{{Cite web|date=2021-12-23|title=The gifts of our region|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-gifts-of-our-region/|access-date=2021-12-24|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}

Mutual aid groups have criticized We Heart Seattle and Suarez for actions that they say are harmful to the homeless communities in parks where We Heart Seattle holds cleanup events. At a cleanup in January 2021, a park resident observed Suarez recommending that people pick up a bag of garbage in exchange for food although the community kitchen cooking at the event had no such requirement. They also observed Suarez comparing campers to "rats and dogs." Suarez later acknowledged the negative impact of her statements and apologized for early missteps.{{cite news |last1=Archibald |first1=Ashley |title=Volunteer Group That Removes Trash From Homeless Encampments Draws Criticism |url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/03/23/volunteer-group-that-removes-trash-from-homeless-encampments-draws-criticism/ |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=South Seattle Emerald |date=March 23, 2021}} At another cleanup event, people observed a WHS volunteer entering a tent that had belonged to a homeless person. Suarez disavowed the actions of the volunteer, who apologized on social media. Seattle City Council members Tammy Morales and Andrew Lewis publicly distanced themselves from WHS; Lewis, who had previously met with WHS, told KOMO News that he does not condone private groups conducting trash cleanups.

WHS clashed with activists and advocate over ideological differences.{{cite news |last1=Choe |first1=Jonathan |title=Homeless advocates in Seattle feud over approach in their outreach efforts |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/homeless-advocates-in-seattle-feud-over-approach-in-their-outreach-efforts |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=KOMO News |date=March 11, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Hemmingsen |first1=Jennifer |title=Big hearts: There's room for all the citizen-led responses to Seattle's homelessness crisis |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/big-hearts-theres-room-for-all-the-citizen-led-responses-to-seattles-homelessness-crisis/ |access-date=7 August 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=6 August 2021}}

{{Primary sources section|date=June 2024}}

As of August 2021 the group had collected more than 150,000 pounds of trash and housed dozens of unsheltered people.

As of May 2022, WHS claimed to have transported three Seattle residents and 13 Portland residents to Bybee Lakes.{{cite news |last1=Peel |first1=Sophie |title=An Embattled Seattle Trash Pickup Nonprofit Parachutes Into the Pearl District |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/05/25/an-embattled-seattle-trash-pickup-nonprofit-parachutes-into-the-pearl-district/ |access-date=May 26, 2022 |work=Willamette Week |date=May 25, 2022 |language=en}} By August 30, 2022, the offshoot group We Heart Portland had helped 150 homeless people find resources and housing.{{cite news |last1=Best |first1=Blair |title=Formerly homeless Portlanders volunteer with organization to help others get off the streets |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/we-heart-portland-works-pick-up-trash-get-homeless-residents-housing/283-31f4a002-5cb0-4ccf-b1c7-5502031b17d4 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=KGW |date=August 30, 2022}}

Kevin Dahlgren, a homelessness services worker in Gresham and social media personality was named president of We Heart Seattle in April 2022 and was also chapter leader of the Portland branch.{{cite news |last1=Peel |first1=Sophie |title=An Embattled Seattle Trash Pickup Nonprofit Parachutes Into the Pearl District |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/05/25/an-embattled-seattle-trash-pickup-nonprofit-parachutes-into-the-pearl-district |access-date=7 July 2024| date=25 May 2022 |language=en}} He resigned his presidency in early 2023 to focus on his work in Gresham. Dahlgren was indicted on October 31, 2023, on charges of theft, identity theft, and official misconduct for multiple incidents in 2020 and 2021.{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=Megan |title=Former Gresham homeless outreach worker, internet famous for homeless stories, indicted on theft charges |url=https://katu.com/news/local/former-gresham-homeless-outreach-worker-kevin-dahlgren-internet-famous-for-homeless-stories-indicted-on-theft-charges-portland-oregon-houseless-community |access-date=November 2, 2023 |work=KATU |date=October 31, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/10/homelessness-pundit-kevin-dahlgren-accused-of-theft-official-misconduct-at-city-of-gresham.html |work=The Oregonian |first1=Zane |last1=Sparling |access-date=8 July 2024 |date=November 2023 |title=Homelessness pundit Kevin Dahlgren accused of theft, official misconduct at city of Gresham }} Dahlgren pleaded guilty to those charges in January 2025. Dahlgren purchased personal items with city procurement card under the guise of supplies purchased to be given to people and filled out receipt with fabricated identities with intent to deceive.{{Cite web |last=Sparling |first=Zane |date=2025-01-29 |title=Kevin Dahlgren, prominent critic of Portland area homeless services, admits to stealing from them |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/01/kevin-dahlgren-prominent-critic-of-portland-homeless-services-admits-to-stealing-from-them.html?outputType=amp |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=oregonlive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kirsch |first=Jeff |date=2025-01-29 |title=Homeless advocate Kevin Dalhgren jailed after pleading guilty to three charges |url=https://katu.com/news/local/homeless-advocate-kevin-dalhgren-jailed-after-pleading-guilty-to-three-charges |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=KATU |language=en}} We Heart Seattle's president as of November 2023, Andrea Suarez, said that neither she nor We Heart Seattle's board had any direct knowledge of the facts related to the charges against Dahlgren.{{cite news |title=Former president of Seattle-based homeless outreach group indicted for identity theft |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/president-seattle-based-homeless-outreach-group-indicted-identity-theft/TVASVXKBLNE4NNPUQY4RB62VN4/ |access-date=November 21, 2023 |work=KIRO 7 News Seattle |date=November 20, 2023 |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://weheartseattle.org/}}

Category:Homelessness in Washington (state)

Category:Organizations based in Seattle

Category:Homelessness organizations in the United States