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Seattle Human Services news and events

HSD Employee Spotlight—Natalie Thomson

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Photo of Natalie with her husband and daughter
Jocelyn (Jocie), Scott, and Natalie Thomson

What is your role at Seattle Human Services?

As a Planning Manager in the Youth and Family Empowerment Division of Seattle Human Services, I’m responsible for the investment of millions of dollars in food banks, meals, child nutrition, farm to table-nutrition education, Fresh Bucks To Go, community connectors, and the innovation fund.  My priorities are deeply rooted in food justice. I envision a city where all people have equitable, self-determined access to fresh and nutritious food.

How has your job changed in recent years?

Though it seems like forever, I have been at HSD a total of 14 years in two separate stints. Fun fact: I have had 12 positions within HSD. This makes me laugh. I started out as a temporary Administrative Support Assistant, and have worked my way up in grants and contracts before moving over into planning.

The pandemic changed the way we interact with each other. We now do much more virtually. With that, we have the opportunity to be much more intentional in all our interactions, virtual and in-person.

What do you love about your job?

I love the people at HSD. As a community, we are passionate and believe in the vision that ALL communities thrive. I’ve made many friends here, and I believe them to be lifelong friendships. I love the work. My mother taught me that it is an honor and a deep responsibility to be a public steward. I treat that with reverence.

How do you contribute to HSD’s overarching goals related to racial equity?

Natalie poses with former HSD Director Jason Johnson and her 2019 HSD MAX Award for Racial Equity
Natalie received a 2019 MAX Award from her HSD colleagues honoring her racial equity work.

I believe that racial equity and undoing institutional racism start with love and trust. You must consciously and continuously build relationships based on love and trust with those you are organizing alongside. Then, you remember we are all human and that we will make mistakes when we do hard things. So, when I do inevitably make mistakes, I hope I own up, minimize harm, and move on. That’s how I believe we keep the humanity in Race and Social Justice.

What motivates you or keeps you going?

I see the new generation of leaders and I am so hopeful! They motivate me. Our community who shows up again and again motivates me. And there is much to do. That motivates me, too.

What’s one piece of advice for HSD newcomers or recent graduates in your field?

Build relationships. Invest time and energy into people. Learn about them. I try to mentor, train, and support individuals in the planning unit whenever I can. I encourage them to develop critical thinking and organizational skills, and offer my knowledge and experience where it might help move our work forward. This allows you to exercise that muscle that builds compassion and courage and take right action. This will motivate you to build skills, too.

Smiling group photo
At a recent employee baby shower for Pamela and Raj Maskara. Front (l-r): Raj Maskara, Angela Miyamoto, Pamela Maskara, Natalie Thomson. Back (l-r): Ann-Margaret Webb, Tan Mei Teo, Stephen Song

HSD Employee Spotlight—Karen Winston

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Karen Winston smiles for the camera

What is your role at Seattle Human Services?

As a senior planner in the Aging and Disability Services division of Seattle Human Services, I’m responsible for coordinating development of the Area Plan—our roadmap as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County—as required by the federal Older Americans Act. We look at demographic trends, solicit public input, and outline major goals and objectives to be achieved over the course of four years. There are biennial updates and annual report cards.

I liaise with Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie Tribes regarding elder programs—specifically what we call “7.01 Implementation” plans outlining DSHS service programs supporting tribal elders.

In addition, I staff the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders and coordinate three large events each year—Memory Sunday in June, which disseminates information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias among faith communities serving people of African descent; Grandparents Day in September, in collaboration with the Northwest African American Museum; and Legacy of Love, the African American Caregivers Forum, in November, which focuses on caregiver support and memory care, drawing family caregivers from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What made you want to work in human services?

A photo of Karen Winston from the 1990s

Community service has always been important to me. I began my career in city government in 1985, working as a Legislative Assistant to Sam Smith, the first African American to serve on the Seattle City Council. Although the position was fast paced and demanding, it also allowed me the opportunity to learn about City government overall, from human services to public utilities. It was a good introduction!

I joined HSD in 1992 because I wanted to make a difference for the older people who are at the heart of our community. In 1997, I co-founded the African American Elders Program, which is now sponsored by Catholic Community Services. We also advised Mayor Norman B. Rice in creating the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders. Both entities address the needs of frail and vulnerable older Black adults throughout King County. About 10 years ago, I produced a digital story about this work—Hope for the Heart of Our Community—that you can find at vimeo.com/36796869.

A lot of what I do today focuses on brain health, particularly among people of African descent, who are at greater risk for dementia diagnosis. I’m involved with the state Dementia Action Collaborative, partner with the UW Medicine’s Memory & Brain Wellness Center, and volunteer on the Frye Art Museum Creative Aging Advisory Committee. I helped to coordinate numerous conferences that build cultural competence in this arena.

In the past year, I co-facilitated the launch of SHARP Seattle at the Central Area Senior Center. SHARP stands for Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery. This culturally celebratory walking and reminiscing program aims to improve the cognitive, social, and physical health among older African Americans with ties to Seattle’s Central District.

What do you love about your job?

Karen smiles and waves at the camera during an employee appreciation event

I love results. As a planner, I love to see plans brought to fruition and see how lives are improved. I love seeing improvements in cultural competency. I love working at Aging and Disability Services because my colleagues are supportive and really care about older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, and strive to improve and stay connected to communities.

What motivates you or keeps you going?

I continue to be motivated by my determination to make a difference. Layer on the encouragement and respect I receive from my colleagues, and I know that it’s a pretty great place to work!