At present, if a mentally ill person commits a crime in Spokane, the only places to send them are either the ER or jail. After three years of work, Spokane Alliance leaders secured political support for a proposal they developed -- the construction of a mental health stabilization facility to which individuals meeting certain criteria can be referred for short term treatment.

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Following almost nine weeks of pressure from Spokane Alliance members and allies, the Spokane Public Schools (SPS) school board unanimously voted to make a public statement on recent school bullying that included four key points leaders advocated for: reaffirmation of the district's commitment to respect all students; commitment to swift enforcement of harassment, intimidation and bullying; contact information for those needing to report incidents; and the context of the divisive year in politics.

Leaders testifying at the school board meeting were supported by dozens of parents and community leaders inspiring one leader to say, "It makes me want to cry to see so many people standing up together for children - as I've stood alone with parents so often with no resolution."

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After a year-long listening campaign involving 1,000 individual meetings, plus conversations with 50 local business owners and nonprofits, Spokane Alliance launched a campaign to guarantee paid sick leave for workers in Spokane. The press conference announcing the launch drew 130 leaders and allies, including Councilmember Snyder who pledged to help pass a Sick, Safe and Family Leave ordinance by the end of June.

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