A nonprofit under state investigation for unsafe needle handling will host an encampment cleanup at Seattle's official volunteer day on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods approved We Heart Seattle as an event host for Show Up, Seattle!, the city's annual day of service.
The approval came while the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has two open inspections into the group's handling of hypodermic needles and fentanyl paraphernalia, PubliCola first reported Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The group's co-founder, Kevin Dahlgren, pleaded guilty on Jan. 28, 2025, to first-degree theft, aggravated identity theft and first-degree official misconduct. He admitted to stealing from the city of Gresham, Oregon, while working as a homeless services specialist and agreed to repay $16,000, The Oregonian reported.
A Department of Neighborhoods spokesperson did not respond to PubliCola's question about why the city included We Heart Seattle in the event, according to PubliCola's report. As of Wednesday, Sept. 9, just four people had signed up for the group's cleanup through the Show Up, Seattle! dashboard.
State investigation still open
L&I opened the two inspections after a complaint alleged We Heart Seattle volunteers improperly handled needles and drug paraphernalia during encampment cleanups, KOMO News reported in August. Investigators requested the organization's written safety program, bloodborne pathogen procedures, training materials, safety meeting records and hepatitis B vaccination forms for volunteers.
Founder Andrea Suarez is We Heart Seattle's only paid employee. She told KOMO News the nonprofit has not provided hepatitis vaccinations to its volunteers. The investigation could result in fines.
"I could see maybe somebody filing a complaint, honestly, to thwart our good work," Suarez told KOMO News on Aug. 17. "It feels like an attack when we're just trying to fill the gaps where the government needs some help."
On KIRO Newsradio's "The Gee and Ursula Show" on Aug. 20, Suarez pushed back on the scrutiny and used the media attention to fundraise for the organization. PubliCola reported she has portrayed herself as a victim of state overreach.
Rejected in 2022, approved since
Former Mayor Bruce Harrell's office rejected We Heart Seattle's application to participate in the day of service in 2022, according to PubliCola. The group has been approved every year since.
The Department of Neighborhoods, led by Director Quynh Pham, launched volunteer registration on Sept. 2 for the fifth annual event. Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Parks and Recreation and community partners co-organized the day. The event includes projects across Seattle neighborhoods.
The L&I investigation remains open. No findings or fines have been announced.
