Summary

Southwest Youth and Family Services operate programs in three King County Housing Authority apartment complexes, including Windsor Heights in SeaTac and Woodridge Park and Arbor Heights in Burien.

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove delivered a seven-passenger van to Windsor Heights in SeaTac to be used by Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS).

Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS) operate programs in three King County Housing Authority apartment complexes, including Windsor Heights in SeaTac and Woodridge Park and Arbor Heights in Burien. SWYFS will use the van to transport program participants on field trips to various activities.  

“I am glad that a ‘retired’ van from King County can help Southwest Youth and Family Services get kids to and from after school activities,” said Upthegrove. “SWYFS support youth through various strategies and programs, and this van will give them reliable transportation to continue this important work.” 

Southwest Youth and Family Services is a nonprofit organization that strengthens communities throughout King County.  In partnership with families, schools and communities, SWYFS promotes healthy individual and family functioning, early childhood learning, student success, and youth development.

“We are grateful to King County for the donation of this van to support our programs,” said Steve Daschle, Executive Director for SWYFS. “Reliable transportation is critical to our mission to provide quality after school and youth violence prevention services.”  

Since 1995, the County Council has donated vans from Metro’s Vanpool to local cities and nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for low-income, elderly, youth and disabled residents. The vans are part of a fleet of county vehicles that have been ‘retired’ after accruing a certain number of miles.

Governments, agencies and organizations that receive vans must meet specific requirements, including outlining specific plans for using the van, ability to provide quality and trained drivers and assurance that the van will be available to assist persons without regard to affiliation with any particular organization.

Interested organizations can contact Councilmember Upthegrove’s office at 206-477-1005 or dave.upthegrove@kingcounty.gov.

Some future passengers join Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and representatives of Southwest Youth and Family Services—including Executive Director Steve Daschle—as the Councilmember drops off a retired County vanpool van for use by the organization.