King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci

You know some folks said hardly anyone would ride this line... It is beyond gratifying to see so many people get use out of it so quickly. 🚆🌞🎉

“No civil Gideon” - At ELAP Breakfast for Justice this morning, keynote speaker KC District Court Judge Andrea Jarmon powerfully explained the critical importance of civil legal aid.

If you are charged with a crime and can’t afford a lawyer, one will be provided to you - because of the 1963 landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Gideon v. Wainright.

But if you are facing civil legal consequences so significant that they affect your rights, safety, dignity - there is no such right. “No civil Gideon.”

Navigating the legal system as a victim of crime? Seeking a protection order while fleeing domestic violence? Facing legal barriers to health care? Responding to legal issues due to financial problems, like debt collection?

For these types of legal needs, we have a network of civil legal aid organizations that are there to help people who need a lawyer, but can’t afford one.

In East King County, our civil legal aid provider is Eastside Legal Assistance Program or ELAP. If you or someone you know needs help or want to learn more, please visit https://elap.org or call 425-747-7274.

Eastside Legal Assistance Program Every year we provide free legal help and resources to thousands of people throughout King County. ELAP offers individualized legal help, free legal clinics, educational webinars, and access to legal resources.

Our trans and nonbinary neighbors are integral parts of our communities—our family, friends, colleagues. In the wake of the murder of Juniper Blessing, the trans University of Washington student who was killed last week, I have heard heartbreak and fear from trans and nonbinary community members. My heart is with them and especially with Juniper’s family and loved ones.

While we do not currently have confirmation of the exact motive for this horrifying and tragic event, there is a clear and appalling history in our society of violence against trans individuals. It comes at a time when many of our country’s political and cultural leaders are increasingly targeting the trans community with vitriol and hate, giving others license to model their abhorrent rhetoric and behavior. Recent data has shown an increase in hate and bias crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community, with GLAAD reporting a 14% increase in incidents targeting trans and gender-nonconforming people between 2023 and 2024.

There should be no place in our community for baseless, ignorant hate that leads to discrimination, harm, and violence. I stand with and for the trans community, always, unapologetically, unequivocally.

If you need support, resources are available for the LGBTQIA+ community throughout King County, including Pride Across the Bridge, Lambert House, Lavender Rights Project, and more. Please seek out the help and care you need right now and know that I am fully committed to doing everything in my power to make King County safe and welcoming for everyone.

Free hot dogs! Great company! An alliterative event name! What's not to love?

Mercer Island Youth & Family Services is hosting "Chit, Chat, Chew," a free community lunch for Island seniors as part of the Seniors Rising Initiative. Lunch and conversation will take place on Monday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MI Community and Events Center. Enjoy hot dogs, salads, chips, cookies, and other refreshments in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere while connecting with fellow Island seniors in the community.

This event also celebrates the May edition of the Seniors Rising Newsletter and is generously sponsored by the MIYFS Foundation and the Mercer Island Community Fund. We look forward to seeing you there! More info: https://www.mercerisland.gov/yfs/page/chit-chat-chew-mi-seniors-rising-community-lunch

It was a good day for the Friends. IFYKYK. 🎉