City Honors Departing AmeriCorps VISTA Employee Jennie Marker

Jennifer Marker, an AmeriCorps VISTA  employee whose contract is up at the end of the month, has been honored by the City Council for her work helping build and coordinate Kirkland’s emergency preparedness program.

AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at nonprofit organizations or local governments, and work to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses and strengthen community groups.

Deputy Fire Chief Helen Ahrens-Byington said Marker helped establish the city’s fledgling volunteer Fire Corps program and worked with its Amateur Radio Emergency Services and Map Your Neighborhood volunteers. Marker helped “create the infrastructure for emergency preparedness,” Ahrens-Byington said.

Marker was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Mayor Joan McBride at Tuesday's Kirkland City Council meeting. “This position was amazing,” Marker said. “I learned skills I never would have here...and I greatly appreciate it.”