MI Weekly 9/27/17 | Telephone Town Hall | Youth Volunteering | MIYFS Open House | Route 630 Expands

In July the City began a public engagement process to share information about the City's financial challenges with the community and to seek public input on how best to balance the budget.

As part of its outreach, the City is piloting a new technology that allows interested residents to join a moderated, community meeting by telephone or computer, providing a new option for those who are unable to attend in-person. Participants may ask questions in real-time, and a recording of the event will be available afterwards. This interactive meeting is known as a "Telephone Town Hall" and you can join in, or just listen, from any telephone. A random cross-section of residents will be called that evening to participate, but if you already know you'd like to join the conversation, please register in advance here.

The City has also just published the first round of FAQs about the financial challenges, answering many of the early questions that have been received. Read the FAQ here or download as a pdf.

City Expands VOICE and SVP Programs

Click for details on the VOICE and SVP programs

The City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) has expanded its VOICE (Volunteer Outreach In Communities Everywhere) and SVP (Summer Volunteer Program) programs from summer-only operations by adding some limited year-round opportunities for Mercer Island youth to volunteer in the community.

It's one step short of how the City would like to expand VOICE and SVP: "We also used to offer intensive, week-long volunteer opportunities during students' mid-winter and spring breaks, and they were very popular," notes Tambi Cork, Youth Development Coordinator for YFS. But the Great Recession forced program cutbacks that are still in place today. "We would like to talk to our community about returning to that higher level of programming, but at this point City revenues simply can't support it," Cork says.

VOICE is one of the City's most beloved and longest-running programs for kids. "Our experienced staff and deep relationships with local nonprofits are what allowed us to reinstate mid-year programming for relatively little additional cost," says Derek Franklin, YFS Community Based Services and Administrative Manager. An efficient online scheduling system also helps keeps costs down.

Started in 1994, VOICE is now celebrating its 24th year. This past summer, approximately 250 students volunteered at more than 50 nonprofit organizations throughout King County, providing approximately 10,000 hours of community service.

"The beauty of VOICE is that it helps Island kids connect with higher needs communities and gives them real-life understanding behind the principles of social justice and equity," says Cork.

MIYFS Luther Burbank Open House, October 1


	Click for more event information

The City of Mercer Island and Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Foundation invite the entire community into the halls of the historic Luther Burbank Administration Building (2040 84th Avenue SE) this Sunday, October 1, from 1:00-4:00pm, for the third annual Open House.

Bring your family on a tour of the MIYFS Administrative Offices (the "Red Brick Building" in Luther Burbank Park), and be the first to purchase from this season's glass pumpkin collection! Come and enjoy festive treats, family activities, prizes, and more. And this year, we invite all attendees to help "Fill the Wagon" by bringing a non-perishable donation for our City Food Pantry.

To learn more about the Foundation or the event, contact MIYFS Development Officer, Sari Weiss by phone at (206) 275-7756, or Email, or visit the Foundation website.

Mercer Island Goes Green

Route 630 Shuttle Expands Service to South End


	Click for the updated Route 630 schedule

Earlier this summer the City helped King County Metro host a community meeting for riders of the popular Route 630 commuter shuttle that runs from Mercer Island direct to/from downtown Seattle.

Great news! With the recent change in bus schedules last week, Route 630 has now implemented some of the most common rider requests: it extends an extra 20 blocks south, all the way to the south end's Mercer Village Shopping Center Park and Ride, which has 17 vehicle stalls.

In addition, some schedule chokepoints around Town Center have been eliminated, and the on-demand, flexible service area has expanded. New vehicles are also expected to replace current shuttles in the fall.

Learn more about Route 630.

Learn about other commuter options.

Save The Date: Medicine Take-Back Day, October 28

Click here to learn what is accepted

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Mercer Island are once again coordinating on a nationwide drug "take-back" day on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Mercer Island City Hall (9611 SE 36th Street). Please take drop-offs to the west side of the building, in the loading dock area.

This one-day event provides residents with a no-cost, anonymous collection of unwanted and expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines. Click here for details -- clean out your medicine cabinet!

Protect our kids, families and environment by properly disposing of your unwanted and expired medicines. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning, and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting waterways. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high: over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without anyone's knowledge. Call the Youth and Family Services Department at (206) 275-7755 with questions.

For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Sustainability & Communications Manager Ross Freeman at

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.