Retired Vanpool vans will transport low-income and disabled residents to counseling, classes and recreation

North King County families facing disabilities and economic hardship have a new way to get to counseling and to enjoy the great outdoors, thanks to the King County Council’s retired Metro Vanpool van donation program.

Councilmember Bob Ferguson secured vans for three agencies and local governments in District One, including the Northshore Family Center in Bothell, Outdoors for All in Seattle, and the city of Shoreline Parks Department. The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved the donations on October 8, and Ferguson intends to personally deliver the vans in the next few months.

“These hardworking organizations provide valuable programs to North King County residents, but too many individuals cannot participate because they lack transportation,” said Councilmember Ferguson. “These vans will enable many new people to benefit from these organizations’ good work.”

“We’re tremendously excited about having a van,” said Beratta Gomillion, Executive Director of the Center for Human Services, which operates the Northshore Family Center and provides counseling and education to low-income children, adults and families in and around Bothell and Kenmore.

The van will be used to transport participants to parenting classes, field trips, substance treatment support meetings and other programs.

“One of the primary reasons that individuals cannot participate in programming is lack of transportation,” added Gomillion. “With this van, we can allow people to participate who otherwise would not be able to. It will also allow us to take youth on field trips, conduct special projects with summer camps and take people to psychiatric appointments.”

“This grant of a van is exceptional news!” echoed Ed Bronsdon, executive director of Outdoors for All, a foundation that helps people with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities enjoy outdoor recreation.

“Every year, Outdoors for All serves more than 2000 individuals with disabilities and their family members and caregivers. The van will enable us to transport participants to and from recreation programs,” he explained.

Bronsdon added, “The van will be used to support the year-round adaptive recreation programs that we offer for children and adults with disabilities. Because of the significant growth in our inclusive day camp programs for children with and without disabilities, this van will be invaluable for transporting participants to so they can exercise their abilities on various cycling, paddling, hiking, rock climbing, snow shoeing, skiing and camping trips.”