Uplift Northwest is a Seattle non-profit temporary staffing organization that provides hundreds of workers to a wide variety of commercial and residential employers in the Puget Sound Region. We serve our community by providing job training, dignified work opportunities, and support services to men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness. Our privately funded operation runs on the support and generosity of our community donors and partners.
Just like our founder Martin Johanson did in 1921, we believe a job provides hope and an opportunity to stabilize one’s life. The Puget Sound Region is home to many men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness, and we believe providing dignified jobs is an essential component to rebuilding a thriving community.
Our proven jobs first program gets people back onto the path of self-sufficiency. In 2019, 907 people became job ready through Uplift Northwest’s Temporary Staffing Agency and earned over $2.1 million in collective wages. For those experiencing homelessness and poverty, this money is the difference between starvation, eviction, and getting their families off the streets. In the last few years, hundreds of Uplift Northwest workers earned permanent job placements and housing referrals, and this has the potential to translate into tens of millions of taxpayer dollars saved in public service expenses.Subscribe and become a change-maker
Become part of the movement and help lift up our community! By providing your name and email address, you will receive inspiring worker stories, read updates on exciting mission moments, and join a legacy of community heroes in helping Seattle's most vulnerable populations through employment.
Amusements on Demand was looking for help, and we tried the usual job service sites, and it didn’t work out so well. I was referred to Uplift Northwest, and they’ve been some of the best workers we’ve ever had. They’re not just reliable; they care about growing the company. You’re hiring people who want to better their lives and want to make your company successful.”
Ari Hoffman, Owner
IPM hires workers to staff parking operations for UW Huskies games. It’s an easy and convenient way for me find good workers. Years ago, Uplift Northwest actually helped me and my family when we came to America as refugees. I am honored to be part of the mission and I look forward to a long term partnership with Uplift Northwest.”
Vladi Sevoyan, Vice President of IPM
We need to provide opportunities for people to build better lives. We want to help people who have been struggling to have steady employment and the satisfaction of a job well done, and to improve neighborhood quality of life for everyone. [King County’s partnership with Uplift Northwest in White Center clean-up] is a pilot, and I hope that it will provide lessons that can be deployed throughout unincorporated King County, and beyond.”
Dow Constantine, King County Executive
Self-esteem can’t be given; it must be found. Uplift Northwest gives people an opportunity to reclaim their self-esteem through work.”
Gene Juarez
I support Uplift Northwest because they provide a ‘hand-up’ not a ‘hand-out.’ They have a proven record of success in helping the homeless resurrect their lives through their jobs program.”
Sam Baker
Uplift Northwest has been helping people find jobs since my Father’s time. They are changing lives with their jobs first program by helping people truly help themselves.”
Michael Malone
Without Uplift Northwest, I don’t know where I’d be. Thanks to my job and new home, I’m back to living normal. As normal as you could be.”
Brian
Uplift Northwest got me a job immediately, and they helped me out with food, work clothes, a shower, and laundry. It’s the best temporary job agency I’ve ever seen.”
Jaelyn
Uplift Northwest is a lifeline, and it allows people to pull themselves up out of dire straits and put themselves on their own feet with confidence. After my experience with Uplift Northwest, I realized I could be dropped off anywhere on this planet and succeed.”