Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, I was pleased to deliver a major $50,000 grant to Vine Maple Place, a non-profit organization that serves homeless parents and children, with locations in Maple Valley and Kent.

Councilmember Reagan Dunn with Vine Maple Place Executive Director Michelle Frets

Vine Maple Place is an exemplary organization whose mission is to break the generational cycle of homelessness by addressing its root causes. They work to prevent or end a homeless episode by assisting families with housing stability, workforce development, financial literacy, life skills, and behavioral health, with additional programs focused on children and youth. Vine Maple Place’s approach is highly successful, with 91% of families remaining housed 1 year after exiting their program.

I am proud to help provide Vine Maple Place with this significant funding, which will help them remodel their Maple Valley building so that they can serve more families. Due to current space constraints, Vine Maple Place can currently intake only one family out of every five who call for assistance. When the remodel is completed, Vine Maple Place will be able to serve an additional 300 families annually—a total of 930 individuals, including 600 children.

Thank you to Executive Director Michelle Frets and all the wonderful staff at Vine Maple Place for your relentless passion for helping vulnerable parents and children in south King County get back on their feet.

Sincerely,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Weekend traffic alert! Multiple closures will impact D9 residents

The weekend of August 25 - 28 will have multiple road closures, so anyone who is traveling across the region can expect to see heavy traffic! 

District 9 residents should be especially aware of the following closures: 

• The east and west on/off ramps and interchange to exit and enter SR 18 at SE 256th Street in Covington will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28. Detour routes will be marked.
• The eastbound I-90 on-ramp from SR 18 from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 will be closed through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28. Detour: Take westbound I-90 to Exit 22 in Preston to access eastbound I-90.
• The southbound I-405 off-ramp to westbound SR 520 will be closed Saturday, Aug. 26, 4 a.m.-4 p.m. 
• SR 520 will be fully closed in both directions between I-5 in Seattle and 92nd Avenue NE on the Eastside from 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, until 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28.

August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day

August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. This year’s theme “Recognizing those people who go unseen” is about honoring the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver.

The substance use crisis in America has had a devastating impact on our communities, families, and individuals. Here in King County, fatal overdoses have increased a shocking 137% since 2019. Remember, King County offers resources for people struggling with addiction. Find more information here.

Fairwood town hall coming up on September 5!

Fairwood friends and neighbors—our town hall meeting is less than two weeks away! I hope to see you on September 5th at Northwood Middle School. 

Tuesday, September 5
6 – 8 PM

Northwood Middle School
17007 SE 184th St.
Renton, WA 98058

Questions? Contact Tessa Ester at tessa.ester@kingcounty.gov.

In the News

• Courier Herald: $12,000 awarded to Enumclaw Schools substance use prevention club