System Failure Alert! is a grass-roots project based in Seattle/King County and surrounding areas in Washington State that empowers street youth and other people by sharing our stories and experiences about “system failures”—problems we encounter with social services, medical providers, law enforcement, transit, and other systems that are supposed to help us but often fail to do so—and how we deal with these problems and take care of ourselves.

“System failures” include: verbal or physical violence, harassment, threats, rejection, discrimination (race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, source of income, housing status, etc.), judgmental attitudes, policies and procedures that are unfair, and other mistreatment by institutions and organizations that are supposed to help us. We collect and share these stories to establish patterns of systemic abuse, build power for ourselves, and hold the offending institutions accountable.

Reports are ANONYMOUS. After removing personally identifiable information, we would use part of your story in SFA! zines, online, or in educating the public so that other people can learn from your experience and make institutions treat us better.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@systemfailurealert.org or visit www.systemfailurealert.org