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Kohl-Welles delivers former County employees into “Working Retirement”
Summary
Organizations to benefit from donation of surplus County vans
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| Kohl-Welles meets with clients of Mary’s Place along with the organization’s Executive Director Marty Hartman around the new surplus King County Metro Vanpool van | Brian Chandler, Men’s Ministries Senior Director for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, joins Kohl-Welles and staff from the mission’s Morning Watch program next to the surplus King County Metro Vanpool van donated to the organization |
Four organizations that support children, youth, seniors, and individuals with developmental disabilities to be active in their communities are receiving assistance from “retired King County employees.” Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles has delivered surplus King County Metro Transit Vanpool vans to Mary’s Place, the Union Gospel Mission, Arc of Washington and Rite of Passage Journeys.
“It’s been heartwarming to deliver these vans to very worthwhile organizations in our communities,” said Kohl-Welles. “All are now being put to use in helping those in need and to kids who will benefit from participating in wilderness programs.”
Each of the organizations approached the Councilmember for assistance in acquiring a van to assist them in meeting the needs of their organizations:
• Mary’s Place, which aids homeless women, women in crisis, and their families, will use its donated van for a variety of purposes, from transporting clients to shelters and other services, to taking kids on field trips.
• The van received by the Union Gospel Mission will aid the Mission’s Morning Watch Program, which is designed to aid the homeless during the early morning hours. Morning Watch will provide those sleeping in doorways and in front of buildings something warm to drink and a ride to their shelter for food and services.
• Rite of Passage Journeys is designed to help young people discover their way forward in the world through distinctive “rite of passage” experiences, preparing them for their “passage” into adulthood. The van it received will be used to transport young people participating in its wilderness program that takes the young campers to locations on the Olympic Peninsula.
• ARC of Washington provides assistance to those with physical and developmental disabilities, allowing them to be active participants in their communities. Its van will be used to drive clients to programs, medical appointments, and the services they need.
The retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s Vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this age, they are considered surplus and are retired.
The Vanpool program provides mobility for a diverse array of King County residents, supports the positive work of various local organizations, and relieves traffic congestion by reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicles. Interested organizations can contact Councilmember Kohl-Welles at 206-477-1004 or jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov for more information about the 2018 Metro Vanpool Application process.
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| Kylie Loynd, Executive Director of Rite of Passage Journeys, receives the keys to the surplus King County Metro Vanpool van from Kohl-Welles | Clients of the ARC of King County join Kohl-Welles and Stacy Gillette, ARC’s Executive Director as the agency receives the keys to a surplus King County Metro Vanpool van |