Newsletter - April 2024

Alcohol Awareness Month

Dear MI Community,

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a good reminder that alcohol continues to be the most commonly used substance by youth on Mercer Island and in the United States.

At YFS, we continue to work to address alcohol misuse among Island teens, who by the 12th grade typically use alcohol more than their peers statewide. Our efforts include staffing a drug/alcohol prevention specialist at the high school, offering outpatient addiction support and referral, and maintaining the Healthy Youth Initiative coalition to work on preventing underage alcohol use before it starts.

This month, we ask for the community's help in raising awareness about alcohol misuse. Parents, please talk early and often with your kids about the health risks of alcohol use, impaired driving, and mixing alcohol with any other intoxicant. While most Island teens do not use alcohol regularly, too many gamble with their health and futures with early and excessive alcohol use.

Derek Franklin, YFS Administrator

derek.franklin@mercerisland.gov

Supporting Islanders with Memory Loss and their Care Partners

The March 2024 Mercer Island Senior Resource Fair was a great success in part for the many providers that shared information and opportunities. A few of these resources to which YFS refers those experiencing memory loss are Momentia and Elderwise. Momentia supports activities and meaningful community connection with dementia-friendly programs and classes. Elderwise offers enrichment teachings and classes and fosters more joyful connections between adults with dementia and their families. As always, any senior or caregiver can also consider the array of activities offered by the Mercer Island Recreation Team at the Community and Events Center.

>>Link to MI Recreation

Hopelink Mobile Market

Hopelink's Mobile Market is now a key part of YFS 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 YFS food security options at (206) 275-7657.

>>Learn More

YFS Launches New Online Tool for Parents

YFS and our Healthy Youth Initiative Coalition have launched Parenting Mercer Island, a new online tool for parents and caregivers of kids and young adults of all ages. Visit parentingmercerisland.org to learn a concrete, 5-step process for connecting with your child or teen and to help them build important skills.

>>Learn More

Youth Suicide Prevention for Parents April 23

Join YFS staff April 23, 2024 at 7:00pm on Zoom to learn the evidence-based prevention strategies that you can use to help a youth in crisis stay safe and get support. Like First Aid and CPR, this is valuable knowledge for everyone to have in their toolkit. Youth suicide is preventable and learning a few key interventions could save a life.

>>Register Here

Mother's Day 5K Donates to YFS

The Mercer Trade Inc. (MTI) student group from the Mercer Island High School business class continues their supportive relationship with the MIYFS Foundation by planning to donate a portion of the proceeds from their Mother's Day 5K run. Thank you MTI! Consider checking-out their flyer for more information or register for the run here.

>>Download Event Flyer

MIYFS Foundation says "Thank You!" for Recycle Event Donations

On behalf of the MIYFS Foundation Board and their Executive Director, Amy French, a huge "Thank You" to all who donated to support YFS Food Security Programs at the City's Spring Recycling Event. Food security remains an issue for many Islanders still getting back on their feet after the Pandemic.

>>Learn More

Thrift Shop April Deals

The Mercer Island Thrift Shop is run by the City of Mercer Island and all proceeds support Youth and Family Services programs. Please check out their April Daily Discounts. Did you know that many Island youth and seniors volunteer side-by-side at the Thrift Shop to help process donations, price goods, stock shelves, and work the registers? Treasures await frequent shoppers as shelves are stocked with new items daily--don't forget the on-line shopping option where this week you might find a ukulele, Gucci sandals, or Nike running shoes for the Spring weather!

>>Learn More

YFS Staff Spotlight:

Harry Brown

Harry Brown is the long-time YFS school-based counselor at Islander Middle School. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, child mental health specialist, and a regional expert in suicide prevention. Brown routinely shares his expertise with the community by providing suicide prevention trainings. He has supported a generation of Island youth (and parents) during the turbulent middle school years with remarkable skill, compassion, and insight. Thank you Harry--you are a big part of what makes the Mercer Island community such a great place for youth and families to thrive!

Parents Are The #1 Influence

Parents are the the most powerful influence in a teen's decisions about using drugs and alcohol. Although it might not seem like it, setting firm expectations, following through on logical consequences, and modelling the behavior you expect to see has a profound, life-long impact on your teen's substance use. Knowing what to say, however, is not always obvious. Check out parentingmercerisland.com for the specifics about how to talk to your teens about alcohol and a number of difficult issues.