State cuts reduce HERO House NW funding by 30 percent

The Washington State Health Care Authority reduced funding for HERO House NW by approximately 30 percent in July. Kailey Fiedler Gohlke, the organization's CEO, stated that the financial reduction limits the group's ability to broaden its employment and housing initiatives. HERO House NW manages four clubhouses across the state. The Everett location, situated at 1901 Wetmore Ave., serves adults living with mental illness.

The clubhouse operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Membership is free and available to individuals over 18 with a history of mental illness. Members participate in daily operations by handling cashiering, checking emails, and preparing meals. The facility's employment program assists members by connecting them with temporary jobs or developing workplace skills for those already employed.

Fiedler Gohlke explained that the model relies on staff and members working side by side within a community-based framework. She noted that the organization helps individuals combat isolation. The cuts have made it difficult to maintain this collaborative structure in the Everett location.

Meg McClure and her husband Harold opened the Everett Clubhouse in 2019. They established the location after learning about the Bellevue branch. Meg McClure stated that their son lives with mental illness, which helped them recognize the need for daily community support. She observed that while clinical solutions have a place, members also require environments where they can make their own decisions and build confidence.

The organization is currently focusing on community partnerships to offset the budget constraints. Fiedler Gohlke criticized the perception of the clubhouse as a hidden resource. She argued that the service should be widely known within the community. She also noted that securing funding in Snohomish County is more difficult than in King County.

In King County, a 0.1 percent sales tax contributes to HERO House operations. In Snohomish County, the organization must negotiate with each of the state's five Medicaid plans separately. In contrast, King County negotiates through a single organization. This administrative difference adds complexity to the Everett location's funding strategy.

Julia Smith, an employment specialist at HERO House Everett, said the clubhouse expects an increase in attendance when new Medicaid work requirements take effect in January. Despite the funding challenges, more than 40 percent of current members have jobs or attend school. Smith stated that if the primary goal is to return people to work, programs like the clubhouse should have ample financial resources. She added that many members express a strong desire to work.

The organization held an open house on Thursday to display recent renovations and raise awareness of its services. Members shared personal accounts of their experiences at the facility. Justin Grimett read a letter describing his transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a stable life in 2023. He credited the clubhouse with helping him secure and maintain employment. Jeannee Carr shared that it took her about a year and a half to feel comfortable at the clubhouse. She described how building friendships there restored her motivation and will to live.