Change Agent: Phi Mitchell

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

With the help of more than 32,000 volunteers, the AARP Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation and assistance services to millions of low- and middle-income taxpayers. It is the nation's largest pro bono, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service.

Every February through mid-April, volunteers assist people with the preparation of their tax returns in accordance with the guidelines established between the IRS and the AARP Foundation. Electronic filing and online counseling are also offered by the program. ...

Change Agent: Suzanne Gillette

By Amy Besunder | March 24, 2009

For more than 20 years, Suzanne Gillette worked with homeless women to establish health and wellbeing in their lives. "As a volunteer at the Compass Center's women's shelter, I learned about the challenges women living on the streets encounter when it comes to staying healthy," says Gillette. "It inspired me to pursue a career in nursing and to use those skills to help these women." ...

Change Agent: Ari Kohn

By Amy Besunder | March 24, 2009

Even as the United States leads the world in both the number and percentage of its citizens in detention, it offers scant help to those who, after serving their time, need to repurpose their lives. About 8,400 people are released each year from Washington state's correctional institutions; most just get $40 and a scheduled appointment with their community corrections officer. But a fortunate few have a shot at higher education. ...

Change Agents: Dorsol Plants, David Brabham, and Neal Lampi

By Amy Besunder | March 24, 2009

When counselors Dorsol Plants, David Brabham, and Neal Lampi learned that the day center at the Family & Adult Service Center was in danger of closing due to a lack of funding, they took action. "The people who come here have no other place to go," explains Plants. "We knew we couldn't let the doors just shut." ...

Change Agent: Bill Moyer

By Amy Besunder | March 9, 2009

Bill Moyer is executive director and co-founder of the Backbone Campaign, a grassroots effort to encourage citizens and elected officials to stand up for progressive values. The campaign provides creative tools, such as a 70-foot long Backbone Puppet, a Bush and Co. Chain Gang, and the iconic spine-shaped Backbone Awards, as a means to engage citizens and the media in a movement to back up leaders who put social reform on their agenda. ...

Change Agents: Mina Barahimi, Bess McKinney, Julia McLean, María Elena Ramírez, Marcia Skok, Robert Wilhite and LeeAnn Woodrum

By Amy Besunder | December 12, 2007

Each year, the ACLU of Washington’s Civil Libertarian Award is presented to individuals who make outstanding contributions to ensuring civil rights. 2007 honorees Mina Barahimi, Bess McKinney, Julia McLean, María Elena Ramírez, Marcia Skok, Robert Wilhite and LeeAnn Woodrum have helped many people navigate the complex, often bewildering process to regain their right to vote. ...

Change Agent

By Amy Besunder | October 10, 2007

Seattle University law professor Henry W. McGee, Jr. has had a rich career. He served as a county prosecutor in Chicago, a civil rights attorney in Mississippi, regional director of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity Legal Services Program, and director of the UCLA Center for Afro-American Studies. ...

Change Agent Sep 19, 2007

By Amy Besunder | September 19, 2007

Monte Twin knows what it's like to try and remain clean while homeless. "The shelters aren't a good option because many of the other clients are in the throes of addiction... too much temptation," he explains.

Twin spent his first 90 days of sobriety sleeping on the streets. Since then, Twin has dedicated his life to helping other Native people who are in recovery stabilize their lives. ...

Change Agent: Don Jensen

By Amy Besunder | July 11, 2007

“Everyone is welcome and accepted as they are,” says Don Jensen, executive director of Community Lunch, the Capitol Hill meal program that serves low-income and homeless individuals healthy and nutritious lunches twice a week. This service began over twenty years ago, when a few members of Central Lutheran Church served a hot meal to nine individuals. Today, over 360 people partake in Community Lunch each week and more than 1,000 volunteers help prepare and serve the food every year. ...