Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It was great to gather with you on August 27th at Cloud City Coffee to organically talk about the issues effecting folks in our community. Hearing from constituents with experience facing our toughest problems is how we get closer to solving systemic challenges. Thank you for sharing your stories and ideas!
If you weren’t able to make it to this event, please regularly check my website and Facebook for upcoming events near you! With only 60-days to conduct our work next session, your perspectives on issues and legislation can help improve our community. Please consider filling out a 1-minute survey about what issues you care the most about!
Out In The Community
This summer, I’ve been spending time learning about the housing, recreation opportunities, and services available for the Magnuson Park community. Thanks to the City of Seattle and Seattle Parks and Recreation for helping me learn the landscape and gaps in services. Thank you also to Representative Chopp for his vision and leadership in creating housing in Magnuson for folks exiting homelessness, low-income people, and workforce housing.
Historically, it’s been nearly impossible to get housed without a state identification card (ID). This is a daily struggle for many folks exiting the carceral system into homelessness. Often, it can restart the cycle of crisis, force crimes of poverty, and ultimately lead folks back into the system. By simply providing more opportunities for workforce housing and human services, we can expand opportunities in Magnuson and increase economic stability in our community.
Last month, I also had the privilege of visiting human service providers in Lake City such as Literacy Source, North Helpline, and Hunger Intervention Program to see the tangible impact that human services can have on poverty reduction, accessing behavioral health resources, and slowing down the vicious cycle of poverty.
Rehabilitation First
Late last month, I also had the privilege of touring the Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil with many of my legislative colleagues. SCC has worked hard to increase effective treatment programming and specifically support those with higher acuity in moving to transitional facilities.
Transitional facilities can promote rehabilitation as a more effective and humane approach to crime reduction than commitment. People can change their behavior, and it is in our community’s best interest to help them do so. I am very grateful to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for working with the Office of Public Defense to find a balance between protecting community safety and rehabilitating individuals.
Stay In Touch
As we enter autumn, our lives continue to get busier with school, work, and the holidays. I encourage you to remain engaged civically in your community, advocate for the issues that matter most to you, and work with legislators such as myself to create meaningful change for the future of our state.
For a brief review of the work we’ve accomplished in 2023, you can view my end-of-session mailer here and all the legislation I’ve supported in 2023. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to share your thoughts and perspectives. Thank you for all you do!
In service,
Rep. Darya Farivar