My Story

Navy orders brought me to Washington and love made Arlington home. I met my husband standing watch and he was just starting his first day. It sounds corny but I knew he was the man I was going to marry that day. He is the love of my life and together we have built a life I never dreamed of and feel blessed to have.  We have lived in Arlington for almost 20 years and live in an amazing neighborhood. We have the kind of neighborhood you see on tv.  Our neighbors are more than friends, many are like family. 

Over the years, I have volunteered with various organizations to advocate to improve community safety and child welfare, improve the quality of our education system, provide scholarships for students and moms, support an annual memorial service event for the fallen, honor the Police and Fire Departments and promote Latino professional development.

 
Since my first time as a volunteer reading to kids and being a room volunteer at a local elementary while in the Navy back in 2004, I realized how fulfilling and satisfying it was to help make a difference in our community. I loved every minute of that time in the classroom. I kept volunteering and eventually made my way to Habitat for Humanity a short time later. I coordinated the volunteers for both of these opportunities for about a year at my command. I was hooked and it didn't take me long to join the PTA when our son went into Elementary school. I hit the ground running. I had no idea how much responsibility the PTA had and how much work it was to be a Board member. I attended the PTA Conference in the Spring and just knew I needed to learn more about advocacy and legislation. Over the years I have been the Treasurer, co-chair of various events and fundraisers, and a member of the Advocacy Committee. I haven't looked back since then.
 

My passion to help small businesses started back in 2009 after our small business was not able to recover and survive the downturn of 2008. I learned a lot that year and took my failures and used them to help others grow and develop. I have helped multiple businesses develop business plans, create their websites, learn more about different software applications available to help them manage their finances, social media and documentation retention. I kicked my passion up a notch in 2020 when I became a SCORE mentor. I have remained active in our community through various networking and community organizations and that interest in the community helps strengthen my resource development and community relations.
 

As a Chamber Director, I advocated for fair small business practices and plans to support a vibrant downtown. I helped to improve communications between small businesses and the City. As a member of the Arlington Planning Commission, I gained valuable experience related to developing City plans and development regulations.
 

As the Director of Local Liquid Arts, I worked with many of Snohomish County's craft beverage makers and supporters. I helped promote special events, grand openings, worked on business plans, connected owners with local resources to help grow their business and received grant money to help strengthen our community engagement. I loved being in this industry and working with the wine, beer, spirits, coffee and kombucha makers of our county. I learned a lot about how to feature these businesses to tourist, created maps and brochures to feature our craft beverage makers in magazines, on Chamber and city websites and received lots of support from local social media influencers. 

I was honored to be appointed to Arlington City Council June 2022. In the last year, I have learned a lot about how our city works from the inside. I have been involved in the Budget Retreat and was able to provide feedback and learn about the budget development for the city. 

In the March City Council Retreat I learned about the Strategic Priorities Updates for the city and I was able to ask questions and hear more about the Food Truck Court, how the ARPA funding has been used and continue to benefit our city, hear about the Police Impound building updates and so much more. As the year has continued, I have been informed and able to provide feedback on the City's Comprehensive Plan.
 

I was so excited and a little nervous to be asked to participate on the Arlington Police Department's Strategic Planning Committee. I was nervous because I wanted to make a good impression and excited because I just loved that I was asked to help support a group of folks I have a lot of respect for. I learned how they build their budget, the present state of our staff, technology and benefits. We worked on what the future state of the department could be as far as staffing, technology, communications, benefits and staff development. I'm proud to say I have contributed to the Strategic Plan for APD. 

As the year goes on I will do my best to ensure that my questions make a difference; that what I learn from the meetings, conferences and training I attend help me make an educated vote; and that I share as much information as I can with all of you to keep you all in the know.
 

With your vote I can continue to work through the challenges that face our rapidly growing city. I am committed to finding positive results that ensure Arlington is a safe and vibrant place to play, work and live. 

Keep putting my experience to work for you and vote Yvonne for Arlington City Council in November.