Every year, Mercer Island Youth & Family Services (MIYFS) helps hundreds of children, their families, and seniors. Difficulties are resolved, children grow up, and families move on. Was there a time in your past when you appreciated having MIYFS in the Mercer Island community?

On February 13th, 2019, the MIYFS Foundation Annual Breakfast will celebrate 30 years of Foundation support to MIYFS. Each Foundation Board member and Breakfast Committee Member has his or her own personal story of why they appreciate MIYFS being in their lives. The MIYFS Foundation Board members and Annual Breakfast Committee members are reaching out to the community to gather and showcase a collection of stories from MIYFS work between 1973 – 2015. If you are interested in telling your story of appreciation for services, the Foundation would like to hear about the role MIYFS played in your life or the life of your family.

Let Us Know

• What you appreciated about MIYFS – i.e. school counselor, family therapist, Diversion services, or Geriatric specialist for a senior family member, etc.
• When – approximate dates (from 1973 up to 2015 only)
• What are you doing now and looking back, how was MIYFS useful to you?
• Whether you prefer to remain anonymous or to share and provide your name?

Example
Imagine the middle school principal calls you after school and asks if you know where your child is? You respond confidently that the child is studying with a friend, and the principal presses to make sure you know for sure – because your child has shared suicidal thoughts with a teacher. That happened to us, but the horrifying moment eventually took a turn for the better with the compassionate support and expertise MIYFS counselor, Harry Brown. He developed a strong relationship with our child and referred us to an outside provider for additional help. Over time our child learned to cope with anxiety and to respect the self again. And to love those who showed the way. We missed the signs; MIYFS did not. Our family is intact and healthy due to their watchful care. –Mercer Island parent of an 18 year old

Where to send your story
E-mail your story to [email protected], subject line: MIYFS Foundation: 30 Years 30 Stories
Or you can mail or hand deliver your story to:
YFS Foundation 30 Years-30 Stories
2040 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Our collective stories serve as a reminder that as humans we need connection and care.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this question and our best to you and yours,
–MIYFS Foundation Board of Directors and Breakfast Committee Members

Learn more about Mercer Island Youth & Family Services by visiting: www.miyfs.org