There are citizens among us who take action when action is most needed. Helen Leuzzi was one of those citizens. When Helen saw the need to address the growing issue of women experiencing homelessness on the Eastside, she founded The Sophia Way.

This social service nonprofit is dedicated to ending homelessness for adult women by providing shelter, life skills training and supportive permanent housing, offering a path from homelessness to stable independent living.

Helen’s passion inspired others, like myself, to take action as well and to help change and improve the lives of hundreds of women in King County.

Unfortunately, the courageous advocate for the homeless passed away last week. Bellevue may have lost a beloved humanitarian, but her legacy will continue on via the lives who she impacted and through the agency that meant so much to her.

Jared Nieuwenhuis

Bellevue