The call came many years ago, when my eldest son, now a father himself, was in elementary school. It was from an acquaintance I’d met through PTA.
She called to ask for my help.
Her husband, the wage earner for the family, had lost his job. The electric bill was unpaid, the mortgage in arrears, and the kids were hungry. She was desperate, and she didn’t know what to do.
I was shocked by her call. This was the cheerful volunteer that I saw working a shift at Metrathon, or shelving books in the school library — and I had absolutely no idea that her family was struggling, or that her children were headed to school each day tired, scared and hungry.
What I did know was that she needed much more than the few dollars our family might be able to spare to ‘tide them over’ for a week.
I referred her to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS), telling her that I thought they might be able to help with the electric bill, food, maybe referrals to other resources? I hung up, worried for her family, and hoping I had been right, that MIYFS really could help. You see, all I knew for sure about MIYFS back then was that they provided the counselor at our school.
It turned out that my hopes were well founded. She called me back in tears to tell me that MIYFS could help. She was relieved and grateful, and she thanked me again and again. I deflected her gratitude, embarrassed by her thanks — I’d just made a referral, MIYFS had done the rest.
As I hung up I found that I, too, was deeply grateful. The kids would be fed, the lights would stay on, and a knowledgeable professional would be there as the family recovered its footing. MIYFS, my community organization, had done what I could never have done as an individual — help a family in difficult circumstances take care of their kids and each other.
That day I became a whole hearted supporter of our MIYFS programs.
Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services was founded in 1973. Recognizing that families need help raising healthy kids, King County made funding available to school district communities to launch Youth Service Bureaus.
Mercer Island pulled together a one month study to consider the idea, appointing community leaders and experts on youth issues to make a recommendation to the City Council. This year’s breakfast co-chair, Dean Quigley, served on this committee. They recommended the immediate adoption of a ‘youth service bureau’, the council agreed and in March, 1973 MIYFS was launched.
What an important day and decision for Island families!
Over the decades, the needs of our youth and families have changed, and MIYFS has responded. Today, MIYFS provides support for youth, families, and elders, ensuring that the human needs of our community are met professionally, compassionately, and comprehensively.
MIYFS makes it possible for every individual in our community to work together to support each other through life’s journey, particularly when the road is rough.
We’ll be celebrating this wonderful organization and its work at a community breakfast on Feb. 11. We’ll also be remembering our responsibility to ensuring it has the resources it needs to do this important work by making our individual donations.
Together, we can accomplish what none of us can do alone — ensuring that our community’s youth and families and seniors have the support they need to thrive.
Come have breakfast with Dean and I — the food is good, the location convenient and the cause the very best — supporting our neighbors. We hope to see you there!
Dean Quigley served on the 1973 task force recommending the creation of a Youth Service Bureau on Mercer Island. I, Terry Pottmeyer, have served on the board of the MIYFS Foundation, helping to launch the first ‘Giving from the Heart’ breakfast event. We both have seats available at our tables and would love to share breakfast with you on Feb. 11.
To find out more about the programs and the resources available from the City of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, visit miyfs.org. Registration is available online at miyfs.org or by calling 206-275-7611.
