‘As if I’m some kind of grifter’: We Heart Seattle founder fires back at state probe as Gee and Ursula press her on accountability

We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez said she gave up a corporate career, invested $25,000 of her own money, and spent three years picking up trash for free before building a volunteer army that has removed 2.2 million pounds of debris from Seattle’s streets and encampments. So when a state investigation and public scrutiny of her nonprofit’s finances hit at the same time, she didn’t hold back.

“All of a sudden, who is We Heart Seattle? As if I’m some kind of grifter, who’s sacrificed everything to do this work,” Suarez said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “I mean, everything.”

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries opened two inspections after a complaint alleging improper handling of hypodermic needles and fentanyl paraphernalia by We Heart Seattle volunteers. Suarez called the probe hypocritical, arguing the very materials her volunteers clean up are distributed by government harm-reduction programs.

“Would you like to meet me in an open-air drug market where people are shooting methamphetamines and smoking fentanyl? Because that’s my office,” Suarez said.

Suarez said We Heart Seattle has a comprehensive bloodborne pathogen plan posted on its website and that the investigation could ultimately strengthen safety standards across the board.

Gee asks if the investigation could be a win

KIRO host Gee Scott asked Suarez whether clearing the investigation would validate her organization’s practices.

“When and if they do this investigation for what We Heart Seattle does, isn’t there a good chance that even after this is done and they see, ‘Hey, We Heart Seattle is doing everything by the book, they’re doing everything right,’ wouldn’t this be a victory for you?” Gee asked.

“Of course,” Suarez responded, adding that her organization is open to feedback.

Ursula presses Suarez on finances

The interview grew more pointed when KIRO host Ursula Reutin raised concerns she had previously voiced about We Heart Seattle’s tax filings, including questions about Suarez’s compensation.

“I make $96,000 a year, and if I stay within my budget, I get a $10,000 bonus,” Suarez said. “That’s half of what I used to make selling shipping supplies. I gave up a corporate job to start picking up trash in our parks for free for three years. I put $25,000 of my own money into it.”

Suarez argued that nonprofits funded by private donors should be treated differently than those funded by taxpayer dollars.

“I don’t take taxpayer dollar money,” she said. “I report to my donors who are private foundations, family foundations, businesses, grandmas, parents, everything in between.”

Gee confronts Suarez on transparency remarks

The exchange sharpened when Gee revealed that Suarez had privately messaged him, calling it “bold” for him to suggest nonprofits should be open to audits while also working as a fundraising auctioneer.

“Tell me why it’s bold for me to say that a nonprofit should have no problem with transparency or being audited,” Gee asked.

Suarez conceded the point but pushed back, questioning whether Gee applies the same scrutiny to the organizations he raises money for.

“Well, that was a private conversation between you and I, but that’s fine we’re talking about it,” she responded. “It’s like, ‘Hey, I’m going to be your auctioneer, and I’m on public radio saying, you should … I mean, look, I agree with you that everybody needs to be accountable and audited.

“Just that coming from somebody who makes a living, in part, to raise as much possible money as you can for an exec for organizations, which make hundreds of thousands of dollars as a CEO. Like, let’s audit them as well,” she continued.

Gee presses Suarez on filming people experiencing homelessness

Gee also asked Suarez whether she is comfortable with footage from encampment cleanups that shows people at their lowest moments, including actively using drugs.

“I always get permission, not everybody does,” Suarez said. “And if we do get pushback, it’s like these are everybody’s parks to enjoy, and people are using them to smoke fentanyl that’s taking the life of our loved ones. I think at some point, don’t use drugs in public parks if you don’t want to have a camera on you.”

Suarez used the moment to make a fundraising pitch, calling the media attention the “best gala I’ve ever had.”

“People are outraged, and yeah, we’ve raised some money,” she said. “If you’re listening, go to WeHeartSeattle.org and help us pay for gloves and pinchers and case management to help drug addicts get off the street.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.