Sleep marks the beginning and end of each of our days. Perhaps you're like me, and how you slept last night makes the critical difference between having a good day or a foggy, half-functional hazy one. Unfortunately, those who stay or volunteer at our shelter report that their sleep here is more and more uncomfortable. The 27 guests we serve each night are given sleeping mats with severely worn out and compressed padding, which means there is very little cushion between them and the hard linoleum floor beneath.

We have found mats tested by another shelter that will last longer, offer better support, and have almost double the cushioning of our current mats. These mats have a nylon, flame retardant exterior, a lighter polyurethane core, and cost $82 each.  Will you sponsor the purchase of a sleeping mat for a homeless youth? Your donation means that every night a young ROOTS guest will get that good night's rest - setting the foundation for a better tomorrow.  In fact, ROOTS can place a name, inspiring phrase, or dedication on the mat you purchase.If you respond to this need quickly you will also help ROOTS in another way. In two weeks, a private charitable foundation will be reviewing our request for funding to renovate our space. Our goal is to better meet the demand for emergency shelter by: 

· Increasing our maximum capacity from 27 to 46

· Doubling the showers available to guests (from 2 to 4)

· Adding wheelchair access from the alley and a covered entrance 

· Providing a dedicated counseling space for private conversations 

If you say yes to funding a new mat, we can demonstrate that ROOTS

is a community response to young people in need.  Funders prefer projects that have multiple sponsors and broad public support. Because of donors and volunteers like you, we improve the lives of these wonderful young people one night at a time. Thank you for helping our guests have both a better night's sleep and a better tomorrow. 

 

Transportation Services at the University of Washington advises motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to avoid Husky Stadium on Saturday, June 11, 2011 due to the University of Washington graduation ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. 

 

With as many as 40,000 people expected to attend this year's graduation ceremony, the area around Husky Stadium will be congested the entire afternoon with both pede-strians and vehicles arriving and departing from the stadium between noon and 6:00 pm. 

 

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Seattle Police will begin to set up traffic controls which will close Montlake Boulevard between NE Pacific Street and NE 45th Street to through traffic to help move cars parked in the stadium lots away from the area after the ceremony. Traffic approaching the closure will be detoured around the area. This restriction, which is similar to traffic routing for Husky football games, will be in effect until approximately 5:30 p.m.