Newsletter - March 2024

Senior Resource Fair

Dear MI Community,

On March 5th, YFS and the City's Recreation Team co-hosted the first Senior Resource Fair at the MICEC. The event featured many local and regional vendors with information on a wide range of senior services. Turnout was great and it was genuinely inspiring.

YFS highlighted our own senior case management services, volunteer opportunities at the Thrift Shop, and two new senior support groups. The Recreation Team outlined all the opportunities they have available for senior activities and events.

Talking with senior attendees and vendors, I heard both appreciations as well as creative ideas for improving future events. I was struck by the strong sense of community that seemed to form organically by bringing together seniors, caregivers, adult children, and senior-focused providers in the same space.

The Senior Resource Fair intended to inform seniors of available services and activities. But more than just that, it served to reinforce efforts at YFS to continue to build senior programming and work to tap into the remarkable potential and energy of the Mercer Island Senior Community.

Derek Franklin, YFS Administrator

derek.franklin@mercerisland.gov

Volunteer of the Year

Long time YFS volunteer, Mary Duray, won the Volunteer of the Year award for the Alliance of Eastside Agencies (AEA). Mary was nominated for her remarkable efforts supporting YFS food security programming and was recognized at an AEA luncheon at the Together Center in Redmond. Islanders interested in volunteering at YFS can contact YFS Programs Coordinator, Marina Gonzales, at marina.gonzales@mercerisland.gov. Those interested in volunteering at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop can contact Megan Schoerphoerster at megan.schoerphoerster@mercerisland.gov.

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Hopelink Mobile Market

YFS is pleased to announce that Hopelink's Mobile Market will become a fixture in our food security efforts on the Island. The Mobile Market offers residents facing food insecurity a selection of fresh and shelf stable food items two times per month at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center parking lot. In addition, Islanders can go to Hopelink's Bellevue Food Bank where large families can access increased supplies. Hopelink Home Delivery is available for homebound residents--call the YFS confidential voicemail line with questions about this and all food security efforts at (206) 275-7657.

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Support YFS Food Security at 3/30 Recycle Event

On Saturday, March 30 from 9:00am to 3:00pm, at the Islander Middle School Parking Lot (7447 84th Ave SE), volunteers at the annual Mercer Island Spring Recycling Event will be accepting cash/credit donations for YFS Food Security efforts. Special thanks to the MIYFS Foundation board and volunteers for this important fund raiser and to the City's Public Works Department for hosting this important sustainability event. Food security and stable housing are a foundation of a healthy community. When you drop off allowable recyclables, please consider a donation.

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The Incredible Years Attentive Parenting Program/ 不可思议的岁月细心育儿计划

The Incredible Years (IY) program is an 8-week series for Mercer Island parents and caregivers of children ages 2-6. The group meets online via Zoom and provides parenting skills that support children's problem solving, social competence, emotional self-regulation, reading, and school readiness. IY is offered weekly in English April 4 - May 30 and in Mandarin April 15-June 3. Visit MI Health Youth Initiative to register or for more information.

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"Death Café" to Talk About End of Life Issues

YFS is partnering with Island resident and geriatric specialist Carin Mack to offer a free "Death Café" on March 28 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. This is a space for an open and compassionate conversation to increase awareness about death, dying, and related issues. It is not a therapy group--just factual information and discussion about issues few people have experience addressing directly. Death Cafés are an international phenomena but this is the first on Mercer Island.

>>Download Event Flyer

Welcome MIYFS Foundation Executive Director Amy French

The MIYFS Foundation raises funds for the Youth and Family Services Department as part of a unique partnership between the City and the private, non-profit MIYFS fundraising board. With much appreciation to outgoing Executive Director Laura Oberto, YFS would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Amy French. Amy brings great experience to the role having worked with the Committee for Children and the White Center Food Bank. Welcome to the team, Amy!

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Thrift Shop March Events

Now open on Fridays for shopping, check-out the Thrift Shop's calendar of March daily discounts. Did you know that you can shop online and all proceeds still go to support YFS Human Services on the Island? A quick peek at online offerings include designer Dr. Martens, Prada accessories, and a Sonics Ray Allen jersey along with plenty of vintage items and collectibles. Shop sustainably. Shop local. Shop Mercer Island Thrift Shop.

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YFS Staff Spotlight:

Marjorie Carlson

Marjorie Carlson, MPH, is the Senior Services Specialist at YFS and works with older adults and their adult children to provide resources and case management around issues specific to aging. Seen here at the recent Senior Resource Fair, she brings a wealth of knowledge about resources on Mercer Island and across the County. Carlson is a proud advocate for senior issues and has offered the YFS team of counselors in-services trainings on aging and disability issues. Thank you, Marjorie, for all you do for Island seniors!

How to Be a Better Ally

The idea of being an ally by taking a stand or speaking out when a marginalized individual or group is being targeted is catching on. But how to be an effective ally is not always obvious. A 2020 article in the Harvard Business Review suggests to FIRST acknowledge one's own privilege in relation to the targeted person or group and THEN work to become a collaborator by forming supportive personal relationships or publicly displaying allegiance or advocacy. Parents can also ask their teens about allyship as this generation seems to be more familiar with what it takes.