This past spring and summer we participated in several large scale events like the 49th Annual University Street Fair and Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike Everywhere Month in May, and Transportation Choices Coalition Ride Transit Month in June. We coordinated a Transit Talk public presentation with high profile speakers at the University Book Store and we helped thousands of visitors find their way around the neighborhood through our mobile wayfinding efforts during the Special Olympics Games USA! We engaged with over 3,000 members of the public and enrolled 96 people into ORCA LIFT, Metro’s Reduced Fare Transit Pass. How did we make this happen? A handful of energetic and enthusiastic staff, that’s how!

Take a moment to read about some of the individuals that helped make these past few months possible.

Brenda Nguyen 

Brenda is U District, Let’s Go’s program assistant. She helped assemble the UD Let’s Go staff and has been proactive in helping the program run smoothly. She is a recent University of Washington Graduate. She completed her degree in environmental studies. She hopes to continue her work in transportation and eventually attend graduate school for a masters in urban planning. “My favorite type of events would have to be the Coffee and a LIFT. ORCA LIFT is a huge game changer for those unable to pay for transportation, it brings me joy knowing that I could be apart of bringing transportation choices to people who need it.”

If Brenda was a mode of transportation she would be the Link Light Rail, reliable and on time.

Jedell Frigillana

Jedell is in school studying to become a medical assistant and will be graduating this August. He hopes to continue his education in the medical field by focusing on radiology. “My favorite event would have to be the Transit Talks, U Talk. Seeing the community come to together discussing the impacts of the Link Light Rail to the U District area was super interesting to hear!”

If Jedell was a mode of transportation he would have to be a food truck because he always has food on him.

Phuong-An NguyenDo

Meet Phuong-An, Phuong-An is a recent University of Washington graduate. She completed her degree in sociology. She hopes to continue her education in human centered design and engineering. Eventually working as a UX designer. “I would have to say my favorite event would be the U District Street Fair. It was a great opportunity to talk to the community and had great food!

If Phuong An was a mode of transportation she would be a bus. Not always on time but still reliable.

Emily Nguyen

Emily is a senior studying biology at the University of Washington. She hopes to attend optometry school and become an eye doctor. “My favorite event was the U District Street Fair. It was fun being outside and interacting with the community.”

If Emily was a mode of transportation, she would be a car because they’re cool.

Ellie Tran

Ellie is a recent University of Washington graduate. She completed her degree in Medical Anthropology. She’s still unsure of what she will be doing but she’s ready for her next adventure. She’s new to the program but has helped in a big way, assisting us in our Special Olympics Mobile Wayfinding. “Mobile Wayfinding was so fun talking to visitors and riding on the Limebikes!” 

If Ellie was a mode of transportation she would be a motorcycle because they’re fast and lane splitting can be fast when done safely and legally.

Thanks for getting to know us! Next time we’re out in the community, stop by and say hello!

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