Summary

“I am honored to secure a retired King County van for each of these recipients, to help support their work with youth and folks with disabilities.”

Story

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski announced that four local organizations will receive retired Metro Transit Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to low-income, elderly or young people, or people with disabilities.

“There are so many organizations doing amazing work in our community,” said Dembowski. “I am honored to secure a retired King County van for each of these recipients, to help support their work with youth and folks with disabilities. The mobility that a van brings will help increase their capacity to continue serving those in need, by providing access to enriching educational, social, and recreational experiences.”

The organizations nominated by Councilmember Dembowski to receive vans this year are:

• Friendship Adventures
• Northwest School for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
• Pioneer Human Services
• The Urban League

“We are incredibly grateful for all Councilmember Dembowski does to champion the needs of deaf/hard-of-hearing children, invest in our school’s educational programs and strengthen the quality of education throughout our local community,” said Kabian Rendel, Head of School at Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children. “Thanks to King County, and the transfer of this van, we can provide our students daily interaction with hearing peers in general education settings and hands-on, educational field trips throughout the year.”

Rod delivers a van to the Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children

“A lot of participants are without transportation and cannot make it to many of our wonderful events,” said Maureen Browning, Director of Friendship Adventures, a local non-profit dedicated to enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities. “The van will provide more opportunities for our participants to join their peers to socialize and make new friends and promote community inclusion, which is the cornerstone of our organization. We really appreciate the County’s acknowledgment of the need for resources like this and its generosity in providing them to local charities.”

Delivery to current grant cycle recipients is anticipated in mid-2019. Interested organizations can contact Councilmember Dembowski for more information on applying for a vehicle in future grant cycles.