Sound Transit is proud to help transform lives through new career opportunities. Recently, our System Engagement and Talent Acquisition teams partnered with the House of Matthew, a Tacoma-based community organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families at risk of homelessness. The organization's Homeward Bound program provides life skills training, housing assistance, and employment assistance to help participants reach independence. In late January, House CEO Jeannette Tweedy and 12 Homeward Bound Winter 2025 students visited Sound Transit to learn about the agency's construction and fare engagement career pathways.
Our day began in downtown Tacoma with a walking tour of the Sound Transit facilities at Tacoma Dome Station. From there, our group boarded the ST Express 590 and arrived at Union Station ahead of schedule. For some, it was their first ST Express trip ever. It was chilly outside, but the sun was shining, and the sky was blue, so we paused for some obligatory photos of the beautiful Seattle skyline! We then toured Union Station and International District/Chinatown Station, observing station operations and its larger role in the region's transit system.
After our facilities tour, we returned to Union Station, where staff members gave inspiring and informative presentations about their work at the agency. Talent Acquisition Senior Program Manager Peter Asai discussed the wide range of construction apprenticeships and jobs available as Sound Transit expands its regional network. Fare Engagement Supervisor D'Jaun Black offered insights into the critical role of fare engagement officers in customer service and creating a more equitable fare collection system. Finally, Accessibility Services Senior Program Manager Beth Hamby shared some specific accessibility design elements that Sound Transit incorporates into stations, like wayfinding bar tiles, tactile signage, and safety barriers, as well as how the vehicles can accommodate passengers with mobility challenges. These presentations gave the group an excellent opportunity to learn about careers they may not have considered before and ask questions directly to people in different teams across the agency. Our tour concluded with a goodbye at the Sounder platform at King Street Station and several more selfies!
This event was a wonderful opportunity for Sound Transit to connect with the House of Matthew participants and help expand their knowledge of career options while emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in public infrastructure. We were grateful to share our expertise and inspire these individuals as they explored new career paths and envisioned a future with greater opportunity. We look forward to working with our new friends at House of Matthew to provide additional resume-building and interview practice opportunities! By offering these educational experiences, Sound Transit can foster a greater sense of community and help people start new careers that allow for stability and professional growth.