Our Mission

to promote a healthy and safe community through collaboration, education, and empowerment so that Westside youth can thrive.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

 

About Westside HEY Coalition

The Westside HEY Coalition’s focus is on the community as defined by the West Seattle High School and Madison Middle School attendance zone - Elliott Bay to the West and North, Duwamish River to the East, and SW Thistle Street and SW Juneau Street to the South.

King County saw a flood, a 167% increase in fentanyl involved deaths between 2018 and 2020 with 18 of our young people dying of fatal overdoses in 2020. Last year, it hit much closer to home and took the life of a West Seattle High School student. Our high school reports higher than the state averages in many areas of substance use. In January of 2019, concerned members of our West Side community formed what would become our current coalition. We chose a name that would embody the desire we have for our youth, “Westside Healthy Empowered Youth.”

Westside HEY Area Map

 
 
 

West Seattle is a conglomeration of neighborhoods in Seattle, Washington, that includes zip codes 98106, 98116, 98126, and 98136. The community is bordered on 3 sides by water, specifically Elliot Bay the Puget Sound and the Duwamish River. With access to nature, parks, and community-centric activities, quality of life for many families in West Seattle is high. The Westside HEY Coalition’s focus in the community as defined by the West Seattle High School and Madison Middle School attendance zone - Elliot Bay to the West and North, Duwamish River to the East, and SW Thistle Street and SW Juneau Street to the South.

Program Coordinator Donna Kelly representing Westside HEY at CADCA 2023

Our Position

Today our coalition works hard to build a bridge of empowerment. By involvement in Guiding Good Choices and campaigns like Quit Now and Laced and Lethal within our schools.

Our Promise

We are building a bridge of education and prevention between Middle School and High School. We are creating a bridge of awareness to increase youth access to prosocial activities with a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. We are building a bridge of information and evidenced based programs to increase the knowledge of parents, caregivers, staff and the community at large. 

 

The Westside HEY Coalition consists of diverse community members who have agreed to work together toward a common goal of building a safe, healthy, and drug-free community. We work to promote a healthy and safe community through collaboration, education, and empowerment so that Westside youth can thrive. 

 
 
 
 

Core Team

  • Ashley Gross

    Coalition Chair // Media Sector Representative

    Ashley joined Westside HEY as the media sector representative in 2021 and became coalition chair in late 2022. She worked as a public radio reporter for many years, most recently for KNKX covering youth and education issues. She now works as a communications consultant.

     She lives in West Seattle and has one child at Madison Middle School and one at Nova High School. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys drawing, knitting, and exploring the beauty of Western Washington.

  • Sue Quigley

    Sue Quigley is a highly experienced and dedicated professional in the field of education and youth development, with an impressive career spanning over 27 years. Sue has made a significant impact as a school counselor and intervention specialist in the field of substance use intervention.

    Sue’s journey began at Madison Middle School, where she worked as a “Drop-Out Prevention Counselor” for Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS) Sue then embraced the opportunity to serve as the primary counselor in the rural community of Sultan, WA. Sue has extensive training and certifications in areas of substance abuse prevention, teen dating violence prevention, grief and loss, and developmental adolescence psychology.

    In 2019 Sue’s tireless dedication to impact the lives of youth in the West Seattle community led her to apply for the “Drug Free Communities” (DFC) grant. She was successful and received the award. In partnership with Seattle Public Schools, she worked with key community leaders from twelve different sectors to launch the Westside HEY Coalition. Through the work of the coalition Sue pursues initiatives and outcome that empower youth, creates a supportive environment, fosters overall well-being, and ensures optimal success

    Currently, Sue serves as the Lead Counselor at Madison Middle School and a valued member of the Camp Long Advisory Board.

    Sue Quigley’s extensive experience and compassionate approach, make her an invaluable asset to the Westside HEY Coalition, and the West Seattle community. With her guidance and unwavering commitment, she continues to inspire and empower the next generation, ensuring a brighter future for all. goes here

  • Gwen Fraser

    Westside HEY Coalition Mentor
    Religious/Fraternal Organization Sector Representative

    Gwen Fraser is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and community development. With over 30 years of experience as CEO and Owner of Fraser, Incorporated, a successful small business specializing in naval contracting. Gwen's passion for public service led her to work for Congressman Dave Reichert in the US House of Representatives for six years. She held multiple roles, including Office Manager, Grants Manager, and Outreach Coordinator.

    Driven by a passion for personal growth and empowerment, Gwen became a Certified Life Coach and Certified Recovery Coach. Through these certifications, she has helped individuals overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and support recovery. Gwen has actively contributed to addressing critical issues through her involvement in various coalitions and internships focused on reducing underage drinking and promoting drug-free communities.

  • Johanna Lindsey

    Parent Sector Rep
    Community Health Coordinator
    American Heart Association

    Johanna brings more than two decades of community non-profit experience, including parent/family education, evidence-based program implementation, public policy, and grassroots advocacy. In her current role at the American Heart Association, her work focuses on youth tobacco and vaping prevention, including Tobacco Free Schools policies and youth mental well-being. Her superpower is making connections that bring together our community to support our youth.

    Johanna is the parent of a West Seattle High School student and a long-time West Seattle resident, having grown up near Highland Park Elementary and lived on the West Seattle peninsula for most of the last 4 decades.

  • Jackie Jamero Berganio

    State Local/Tribal Government Sector Rep

    Jackie Jamero Berganiohas worked for King County since 1984, primarily in the substance use disorders field. She is a Project/ Program Manager III with King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Division. A primary role is to support drug prevention coalitions in King County,  including those who are part of the state-wide Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative and federal Drug-Free Communities Coalitions.

     She manages two other programs: Guided Pathways Support for Youth & Families (family support organization related to behavioral health), and Seven Challenges (a comprehensive counseling program, adolescent version). She also keeps busy spending time with family and friends, and supporting organizations such as Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together (APICAT) and the Filipino American National Historical Society.

  • Officer Matthew Roberson

    Law Enforcement Sector Rep

    Officer Matthew Roberson started working for the City of Seattle in 2007 as a teen program leader at South Park Community Center. At the end of 2012, he joined the Seattle Police Department and worked patrol in the South Precinct for 4 years before he started his current position as a Youth Outreach Officer in the Collaborative Policing Bureau. He focuses on violence prevention, intervention, and relationship building activities with young people often working in collaboration with various youth serving agencies. He leads talking and education programs, mentor’s youth, participates in community events, and organizes a wide variety of Seattle Police Activities League (SEAPAL) activities.

  • Beth Grotelueschen

    Business Sector Rep

    Managing Broker, Team Lead - Beth G Homes