Ferguson Delivers Van to Bothell’s Northshore Family Center

Retired Vanpool van will transport low-income residents to destinations throughout the community

The Northshore Family Center now holds the keys to a retired Metro Vanpool van, which was delivered by King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson. Ferguson had the opportunity to secure the van through the King County Council’s retired Metro Vanpool van donation program.

“This van will help provide families and individuals facing economic hardship with a new way to get to appointments or out to special events,” said Ferguson, who represents District One on the County Council. “The Northshore Family Center provides valuable services to the residents of North King County, and now even more people will benefit from the good work of this agency.”

“One of the primary reasons individuals cannot participate in programming is lack of transportation,” 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. “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.”

Since 1995, the County Council has donated more than 250 retired vans from Metro Transit’s Vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for residents who are disabled or on a low-income, young adults, and senior citizens. The program provides mobility for a diverse array of King County residents, supports the positive work of various local organizations, and relieves traffic congestion by reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicles.