Community Engagement 1/8/2025

Hello and welcome to 2025. It’s time to recap the great work being done in our community.

Hope Creek Charitable Foundation and the Mill Creek Food Bank had a great holiday season distributing lots of hams, chickens, turkeys and produce to families. As it is for every holiday, the Food Bank will be open on Martin Luther King Day. The staff are always happy to welcome new volunteers.There’s a way for everyone to help, no matter your age, skill, or availability. If you’re interested in making a food donation, packaged foods like ‘Cambell’s Ready Meals’ allow students who don’t have the tools to cook a balanced meal for themselves to still eat nourishing food.

Everett Public Schools operates two Family Resource Centers, connecting families in transition to resources. Families can select clothing, food, and basic supplies from the Center.  The greatest need is for hygiene and household supplies because families often must choose between food and other basics. Gift cards to stores that sell both groceries and necessities are appreciated. See the attached list for a detailed description of most useful items; contact Conchita Chinchilla ([email protected]) to drop off a donation.

Planning is underway for Everett Public Schools’ Annual Resource Fair at the school district’s administrative building on May 14^th from 4-7pm. In the past, the fair has included an immunization clinic, with the police department and fire trucks on site to create an interactive event for children. Any organizations interested in tabling at this event, or willing to contribute giveaways should contact Abby Mayers ([email protected]).  

Everett Community College has an array of grants available to support students who need assistance with tuition and materials. Take a campus tour, get help applying for financial aid or attend a workshop to walk through the enrollment steps.  

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride along in a police cruiser? Anyone living in the greater Mill Creek area, including Bothell and South Everett is invited to register for the next Police Citizens Academy. This 5-week program begins on April 15^th, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8:30pm at City Hall North.

Are leaves clogging up storm drains along your street? As surface water runoff is not treated, do your part to keep the gutters clean, and remember “only rain goes down the drain”.  Read more about Mill Creek’s Surface Water Topics including the Stormwater Management Plan. Report contaminants to the Spill Hotline at 425-582-6000.

If you have a teen looking for volunteer hours, consider organizing a group of friends to Adopt-a-Street in your neighborhood. The city provides the tools and retrieves the collected trash. Volunteer litter crews are assigned sections of streets to clean up litter at least once a month. Volunteers aged 12-17 years old may participate but must have at least one adult per 3 youths.  

Join the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count and Make a Difference Housing Hope is proud to support the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, happening on Thursday, January 23, 2025. This important initiative plays a vital role in securing Federal and State funding for our community to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. What is the PIT Count? The PIT Count is a one-day nationwide effort to gather data on individuals experiencing homelessness (www.housinghope.org).

Three cheers for the South County Fire Foundation. Employee contributions to their annual fund drive generated $15,000 in donations to support local food banks and Kids in Transition. Plans are underway to create a regular presence for community health workers at the Mariner Library with the goal of assisting unhoused individuals into addiction treatment and temporary housing. Stay tuned for more details.