Iraqi Community Center of Washington gets the keys to surplus van

Published 1:30 pm Friday, September 8, 2017

King County Council member Dave Upthegrove presented to the staff of Kent’s Iraqi Community Center of Washington (IRCCW) the keys to a retired Metro Transit Vanpool van the center will be using to transport seniors and youth to events throughout the region.

The IRCCW is dedicated to ensuring the economic success and effective integration of Iraqi community members through advocacy, culturally competent services, leadership development and civic engagement.

IRCCW will use the van to take high school students to visit colleges, community colleges, and various industry/job sectors.

“This van is going to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve,” said Yahya Algarib, executive director of the IRCCW. “We’re grateful for Council member Upthegrove’s interest in helping us add capacity, and we can’t wait to put the van to use.”

“It is often difficult for high school students to visualize the academic and professional opportunities available to them after graduation,” Upthegrove said. “I am thrilled to play a role in donating this van to the IRCCW, which will encourage more students to reach their potential.”

Added Jasim Al Ghuraibawi: “I honestly do appreciate this gesture from the King County government. They keep a good relationship with the American-Iraqi community and take care of its needs.”

The vanpool 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.

“We choose organizations who do a lot (for the community with so little,” Upthegrove said. “They will make good use of (the vanpool van).”

Three other organizations in Council District 5 will be receiving surplus vans:

• The Kent HOPE Program, which provides services to the homeless.

• Global to Local, a program that focuses on collective culture of health equity.

• And ANEW, which is working to increase the number of women in the construction trades by providing pre-apprenticeship programs and training.

Interested organizations can contact Upthegrove for more information on applying for a vehicle next year.