West Seattle Veteran Center

An outreach of American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160

Though we are a separate 501-C-3 Non-profit organization, we, the Officers and Operators, are all dedicated members of The American Legion, and dedicated to its principals and supporting its programs on a local, state, and National level.  However, our primary mission is to support the Veterans, ALL veterans, of our local community and the South West Corridor.  We desire to have the resources and personnel to provide emergency services as the emergency is occurring rather than ‘after all the paperwork is done and forwarded on to other layers’. 

This is a big task, and an ongoing process of learning, growing, and building on the successes.  We are small right now, we aren’t open all the time, we don’t have a staff of trained Mental Health Professionals or housing advocacy specialists.  What we do have is a warm, dry building with restrooms, a coffee maker, a soup pot, some cots, sleeping mats, and blankets, and a desire to help those that need help – when they need it.

At present, due to our limit resources and staff, we are following the guidelines of King County Emergency Services, and opening the doors as a Cold Weather Emergency Shelter whenever the weather forecast is for overnight temperatures below 35 degrees.  Those living outdoors can watch for the sign board on the front lawn announcing Warm Up Center Open

This is what it is really all about.  We are back in the business of Helping Veterans after being closed for a few months due to the COVID-19 Crisis.  This is why we work so hard – so we do not lose the last remaining American Legion Hall in the City of Seattle, so we – The American Legion and the West Seattle Veteran Center – will continue to have a place in West Seattle that is ours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if needed to get together and help each other in an environment that is safe and comfortable to those Veterans in need.

If you have a desire to help us help Veterans, and you have time, experience, or expertise you would like t put to good use, please contact me and lets talk about it.  If you are willing and able to donate financially, please go to the Donate link on the Home Page.

We, at the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 and West Seattle Veteran Center have great plans for the future.  A new Direction that leads to a Family Friendly, Service Oriented American Legion and full service Veteran Center is within our grasp with the help of our Community.

Thank you to all those that have offered advice, encouragement, experienced leadership, helping hands, and funds for us to continue on our Journey.

Keith Hughes
Commander
American Legion Post 160
President, West Seattle Veterans Service Center