In this newsletter:
1. West Hill/Skyway Community Service Areas Town Hall Meeting
2. Melba Ayco Recognized with the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service
3. Executive Proposes ‘Safe Spaces’ as an Alternative Detention for Youth

West Hill/Skyway Community Service Areas Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, June 15, 2017
7 pm – 9 pm
Secondary Learning Center, 7800 South 132nd St. Seattle, WA

Join me at the Westhill/Skyway Community Service Areas (CSA) annual Town Hall on Thursday, June 15, 2017. Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett and Sheriff John Urquhart will also be there to listen to your concerns and answer questions. As the government entity that represents the residents of unincorporated areas, the CSA townhalls offer an expanded way for King County residents to engage with their elected officials.

Melba Ayco Recognized with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service

Melba Ayco, founder and Artistic Director of Northwest Tap Connection, was awarded District Two’s 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service for her extraordinary work with youth and young adults in the Rainier Beach area of Seattle. Every year, the King County Council presents this award to community members in each of the Council districts who represent the ideals and values of our county’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ms. Ayco was chosen for her work in providing dance and job opportunities to underserved communities and producing socially conscious artists whose works foster social change. Ms. Ayco developed Northwest Tap Connection as a race and social oriented studio. For more information on Melba Ayco.

‘Safe Spaces’ as an Alternative to Detention for Youth

Last month, King County publicized a new alternative to incarceration program developed for youth, ages 11-17. The proposal entitled “Safe Spaces,” aims to protect youth from having a criminal record imposed on them. A similar program in Portland has worked well amongst youth charged with status offenses (running away, possessing tobacco or alcohol, fighting or shoplifting). Through these strategies, King County is committed to the youth having better access to mentorship programs, short-term crisis beds, education opportunities and employment programs. The Executive and the King County Council believe that Safe Spaces will help combat the detrimental effects that the criminal justice system has on a multitude of youth. The Safe Spaces proposal will serve primarily as an extension of the Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System (CCORS), another creative program that provides 23-hour support for youth in need.

Click here to read the press release

Contact me: larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov; 206-477-1002
Visit my website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/gossett