I had the privilege of working with Kent Hay at the City of Redmond for more than three years and was amazed at the unique, creative way he tackled the challenges of serving the homeless people of that region. Kent has the ability to forge relationships with people who are lost and looking for help. He goes where they are. He finds them in parks, camps, greenbelts as well as in the City and he brings opportunity to them. Kent gains their trust by meeting them where they are. He also has the unique, intangible ability to provide compassionate care with accountability. Kent understands how to help people find the intrinsic motivation necessary to produce lasting change. Finally, Kent unites other caregivers and services so that their efforts are collective. He forged a community resource center, in partnership with a community court, that brought everyone to one place so people could take critical steps forward in the journey out of homelessness. Kent has experience and expertise, along with a one-of-a-kind skillset that makes him unique in his field.
RonH.
I worked with Kent Hay when he was the Homeless Outreach Manager in Redmond, WA. Kent is an excellent communicator and advocate. He helps people help themselves. He sets clear expectations and holds people accountable for their actions. He treats people with respect and dignity and strives to empower people to change their circumstances if that is what they want to do. Kent built the Homelessness Outreach Program in Redmond. Thanks to his early work, that program has continued and grown since his initial success. I would highly recommend working with Kent.
It is not an overstatement to note that without Kent Hay and his vision for change, the expansion of the Community Resource Center and the vital partnership with the King County District Court would not have happened.
Kent seeks out stakeholders in each community. Kent listens to concerns and shares his expertise in order to meet the complex issues faced by cities, communities, organizations and people facing the crisis of unstable housing and lack of access to basic services. Kent goes where people are; he does not wait for people and needs to come to him.
Kent Hay is a problem solver of community issues with 25 plus years experience in the social services and criminal justice field. His experience includes homelessness outreach, group home, child protective services, child and family case management, criminal justice, community and business engagement, diversion programs, and direct service engagement.
