VIVA/Vashon Community Chest - King County's federal pass-through funding through Community Development Block Grants has been the bedrock of this program, generously supplemented by individual  and foundation donations.

VIVA has served residents of Vashon and Maury Island for over 30 years, since 1996, as part of Vashon Youth & Family Services. VIVA provides families and individuals in financial crisis with help with basic needs. Assistance may include vouchers or small grants for shelter, utilities, food, transportation, and other needs.

Services: Provides families and individuals in financial crisis with assistance in the following areas:

Rent/mortgage help in cases where individuals or families are in danger of losing their housing; VIVA staff also work closely with Fremont Public Association and the King County Housing Stability program

Utility help when essential utilities (electricity, natural gas, water, propane, heating oil) are in danger of being shut off

Weatherization vouchers through Vashon True Value Hardware for weatherization supplies

Vouchers for food, prescriptions, gasoline (for use at Williams Heating only), and ferry and Metro tickets

Other assistance may be available depending on funding and individual circumstances

VIVA staff work closely with other local charitable organizations and can offer referrals to a number of appropriate resources.

Eligibility: Serves Vashon and Maury Island residents whose household incomes do not exceed 80% of the King County median. For more information on eligibility requirements, please click on the link below to the PDF version of the VIVA brochure.

Energy Assistance: The federal Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) and Puget Sound Energy's HELP program offering energy assistance to low income residents. The Mutiservice Center (MSC) of Federal Way mails applications to Vashon and Maury Island residents. For more information or to be sent an application, please call the Multiservice Center's toll free number, 1-800-422-1384 during the heating season. Anyone who may qualify for energy assistance is encouraged to call and get an application as soon as possible. As in years past, the funding will run out before everyone can be helped, and those who wait too long may not receive any assistance.

Other social services:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) holds monthly office hours at Vashon Youth & Family Services on the 1st Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m .Please allow ample time te be served, as the worker leaves promptly at 2 p.m.. Please call DSHS at 341-7430 for more information.

DSHS has moved to their new permanent location in White Center, making it much easier for Vashon-Maury residents to take the bus. Their new address is 9650 15th Avenue SW, at the location of the old Safeway Store at SW Roxbury and 15th SW. Both Metro #54 and Sound Transit #560 southbound from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal stop very close to the new DSHS office. VIVA clients who need Metro tickets to get to a DSHS appointment in Seattle may, with prior arrangements, pick up subsidized bus tickets at Vashon Youth & Family Services. Please call 463-5511 for more information.

Helpful links (click on the link to go to the site):

For online DSHS information: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov

For online information about food stamps: https://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/onlinecso/Food_Assistance_Program.asp

To apply for DSHS benefits: https://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/onlinecso/applying.asp

To apply for unemployment benefits or to pay child support: http://access.wa.gov/

For online Division of Vocational Rehabilitation information: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/index.htm

For online Labor and Industries information: http://www.lni.wa.gov

For online Office of Support Enforcement (child support) information: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/index.shtml

For online HUD Section 8 (subsidized housing) information: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm

For online Social Security information:  http://www.ssa.gov

Vashon Youth & Family Services
PO Box 237
Vashon, WA 98070

To email information or questions to VIVA, please send to: gthompson@vyfs.org
For general information, please email VYFS at info@vyfs.org

To drop off your information in person, stop by 20110 Vashon Hwy SW (on the VHS campus)