New Community Center Aims To Serve And Empower Underrepresented Veterans

On Monday, King County Executive Shannon Braddock joined leaders from the Minority Veterans of America (MVA) and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Minority Vets Community Center—a first-of-its-kind space created specifically for underrepresented veterans, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, religious, and non-religious minority veterans.

According to officials, the new center will provide a welcoming, identity-affirming environment where minority veterans can build community and access critical resources. These include case management, financial assistance, workforce training, education opportunities, and wellness activities that support mental health. The center also plans to serve as a hub for trainings and community events designed to foster connection and belonging among veterans often overlooked by traditional services.

“This center will provide the unwavering support, respect, and care that veterans deserve,” said Executive Braddock. “In the face of attacks at the federal level targeting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ veterans, King County remains committed to investing in programs that ensure all veterans have access to the resources they need to thrive.”

The Minority Vets Community Center is funded by King County’s Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), which has supported a range of initiatives dedicated to creating inclusive, culturally informed services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. County officials say the center represents a significant step forward in addressing gaps in services for communities historically marginalized within the military.

“If we are to truly honor the servicemembers who have defended our freedoms, we must recognize and better serve historically underrepresented veterans who for too long have not received the support and investment they need,” said Michael Bailey, director of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services Adult Services Division. “We are proud to partner with Minority Veterans of America, whose work and dedication have had an immeasurable impact and made the communities we serve feel seen and supported.”

The VSHSL will continue to fund the Minority Vets Community Center’s operations and the services provided by MVA, which advocates for equitable support and representation of minority veterans across the country.

Lindsay Church, executive director of Minority Veterans of America, called the center a dream realized for a community long pushed to the margins.

“The Minority Vets Community Center is the manifestation of a dream we’ve carried for years—a space built by us and for us, where veterans who’ve been overlooked, excluded, or pushed to the margins can finally feel seen, safe, and supported,” Church said. “At a time when so many of our communities are being sidelined, silenced, and targeted, this center is an act of resistance. It’s a place for healing, for joy, and for building connection and community in systems that haven’t always made room for us. We are still here — and together, we’re creating the future our communities have always deserved.”

The opening of the Minority Vets Community Center follows King County’s previous collaboration with MVA to launch Q’mmunity House—the first transitional housing project in the nation dedicated exclusively to LGBTQIA+ veterans. The VSHSL also supports MVA’s outreach across King County, helping connect veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families with vital resources. In addition, the levy funds training initiatives designed to strengthen the capacity of veteran-serving organizations to provide effective support for minority veterans.

As a multi-use hub, the Minority Vets Community Center will offer a suite of services tailored to the needs of minority veterans. These include access to case management, financial assistance programs, workforce development, and educational resources—all within an affirming environment designed to foster belonging and community.

The center is intended not only as a resource hub but also as a space for cultural expression, empowerment, and advocacy—an intentional gathering place for minority veterans to connect and heal.