Health Board president recognized
This item was adapted from a press release.
The King County Council on Tuesday presented the 2024 King County Recovery Champion Award to Esther Lucero (Diné), president and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board.
Lucero was recognized by the King County Council for addressing health disparities and inequities faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives. The organization developed one of the county’s first low-barrier treatment clinics offering buprenorphine and has integrated traditional Indian medicine healing practices for those struggling with substance use disorders.
The Health Board is reopening its Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon Island in 2025. The 92-bed residential treatment facility will be the largest of its kind in the state and increase the number of inpatient treatment beds in King County by 62%.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award and grateful to the King County Council for recognizing not only the importance of our treatment and recovery services but also the significance of Indigenous healing practices,” Lucero said.
Domestic Violence Awareness
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to come together, support survivors, and make a commitment to end domestic violence.
The DOVE Project, standing for Dignity, Opportunity, Voice, and Empowerment, supports survivors on Vashon Island and encourages actions, however small, that illuminate and address domestic violence, which so often occurs in silence and behind closed doors.
If you or someone you know is experiencing harm, please reach out to The DOVE Project at 206-462-0911. Your call can make a world of difference.
All month, DOVE is offering numerous events; all are free unless otherwise noted. Learn more and register for events at vashondoveproject.org/events.
• October 4: First Friday art exhibit featuring Katy Fiala
From 5-7 p.m., visit the DOVE Project at 13211 Vashon Hwy SW to see artwork by Fiala, whose art reflects the resilience and strength of survivors, offering a powerful message of hope and healing.
• October 5: Love What Hurts, with Lisha Song
In this mini-workshop from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., attendees will learn how to befriend the wounded parts of themselves with curiosity, compassion, and imaginal nurturing, so they can feel more empowered when experiencing triggers or trauma responses. Location is provided after registration.
• October 2, 9, 16 and 23: Healing Through Mindful Movement: From the Inside Out, with Lynelle Sjoberg
Each 90-minute movement class, from 10-11:30 a.m., is designed to create a safe refuge to explore and illuminate inner body wisdom with basic yoga postures, breathwork and various energy medicine techniques.
• October 12: Community Advocacy Training, with Nyn Grey and Lillian Adams
This two-hour community workshop, held from 2-4 p.m. at the Vashon Library, will highlight skill building for a safer Vashon, including bystander intervention, understanding trauma, empathic and reflective listening skills, recognizing abusive behaviors, supporting healthy relationships, and more.
• October 19: Share Hope Gala
Join DOVE from 5 – 7 p.m., at Open Space for Arts & Community, for an elegant evening of delicious food, refreshments, entertainment, and philanthropy. This event is ticketed.
• October 27: Presence: a Workshop to Honor our Ancestors and Ourselves
This workshop, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., is about ancestors, DNA, and mapping gratitude forward to this present moment. The goal of the workshop is to integrate wholeness so that we can ground and take up space in authenticity. It will incorporate breath work, stretching, mindfulness practices, massage, and easy art practices. Location will be provided after registration.
