Member Profile: LifeWire connects survivors with resources, safety planning & pathways to heal

Bellevue Chamber  |  August 2026

The Bellevue Chamber has hundreds of members — in this member profile, we will be getting to know the domestic violence services organization, LifeWire, a bit better.

The Background

In its 45th year of service and formerly known as the Eastside Domestic Violence Center, LifeWire has grown into the largest domestic violence service provider in the state, offering support to individuals and families in devastating situations.

Since 1982, LifeWire has worked with over 176,000 domestic violence survivors. In 2025 alone, the organization helped 203 families (including 358 children) access safe housing support, and across all of their efforts, provided support and safety planning for over 800 individuals.

The advocates working with LifeWire ultimately responded to 2,654 Hotline calls from survivors in 2025, reiterating the unfortunate fact that DV is prevalent in our community.

Q&A w/ Amy FitzGerald, Communications & Dev Director

What is the most challenging part of your job? The most rewarding?

"The most challenging part of work in domestic violence services is the extent of its impact in our communities. Domestic violence is a key predictor of homicidal violence nationally. Domestic violence impacts 1 in 3 women, 1 in 7 men, and half of all LGBTQIA2S+ people during their lifetimes.

The most rewarding part of our work is to see the creative resourcefulness and resilience a survivor can develop over time as they move into a space of greater freedom and stronger social support. East King County has a long legacy of supporting survivors and their families. At LifeWire, we see the way our communities come together to care for and uplift families rebuilding their lives each day. This comes in the form of approving a rental application, offering a first job, helping to open a bank account, or befriending a child in shelter who has just enrolled in school."

LifeWire has its 45th birthday this year. How have both the stigma around domestic violence, and the actual pathways for survivors, evolved during this time?

"LifeWire began in 1982 as a volunteer-led hotline answering crisis calls from survivors and helping to arrange shelter for families fleeing violence. Today, we have comprehensive advocacy that includes mental health support, community referrals, shelter and transitional housing, hotel stays, safety planning, and public outreach.

We have opened East King County's only apartment-based shelter for survivors, and we are so deeply grateful for the public and private investment that made this resource available to families."

It seems like there are three main tenets of LifeWire's work: Survivor Advocacy Services, Homelessness & Housing Stability Services, and Community Advocacy & Prevention. Which of these occupies the most of your time? Which is the highest impact? And how can the community get involved with each?

"These elements are deeply interwoven. Many survivors access more than one of our services and programs. Because domestic violence can involve finances, parenting, physical safety, access to education and employment, we serve through a unified advocacy model. One advocate can connect a survivor with all of LifeWire's programs and resources.

Community support for LifeWire's programs can look like a diaper and pull-up collection drive, donating gift cards for gas and groceries for families in crisis, financial support for LifeWire's work, and raising awareness of healthy relationships and local resources in a school, workplace, or house of worship."

For any Chamber members that read this blog post: How can they, their businesses, or their employers help support your efforts?

"LifeWire offers DV101 trainings with an overview of our services for employers, community organizations, and nonprofits in our region. If you have interest, please reach out to us!

On October 3 we are hosting our annual Gala, Auction, and Dance Party at Meydenbauer Center here in Bellevue. If you'd like to donate a product or service, buy a ticket or a table, we would love to see you there. Sponsorships are also available to advertise your business and its commitment to healthy, safety communities on the Eastside. Join our community of supporters in ensuring that every family is safe in their home and relationship."