Last week Chamber Ambassador and Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Bryan LaBelle had a great visit with Alex Barth of BECU. Alex became the new Center Manager at the Covington location in January, after seven years with the company.

While Alex is new to the location, he is not new to the area as a graduate of both Kentridge High School and UW. Alex, his wife April, and their daughter Analise live in North Auburn, and make up the Barth 'A-Team.'

Alex is excited to be a part of the Covington Chamber and the community. He is passionate about improving the financial lives of our community, with a heart to help educate and prevent fraud with our seniors. Give him a warm welcome!

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​In today’s Member Spotlight is Vine Maple Place, a Christian nonprofit that transforms lives by preventing and ending homelessness. Though it is a multi-step process, they break their work down into three key areas:

- Offering safety (stable housing and temporary rent assistance, basic needs and counseling)
- Providing stability (employment and wage development, budgeting and family healing)
- Equipping clients for self-sufficiency (livable wage jobs, life skills and family bonding)

Key statistics from fiscal year 2020:

- Served 524 families and 1,603 individuals
- 91% of families were successfully housed 1 year later
- Average cost per family is $5,716 for 5 ½ months in the Stable Families Program
- They provided 12,267 meals through their Hot Meals Pilot Program.
- The nonprofit received 2,435 desperate calls for help in 2020.
- For every 1 family they can help, 4 families are turned away.
- 40 new families with 80 children enter the program every month.
- 7 out of 10 individuals have experienced or witnessed domestic violence.
- 100% live below the federal poverty level or are severely low income when they enter the program.
- 86% of parents leave the program employed and with greater financial stability.

To learn more about Vine Maple Place, which primarily serves clients in Maple Valley, Covington, Kent, Renton and Auburn, visit VineMaplePlace.org online.

Valley Vehicle Licensing opened its doors on November 15, 2005. It was the first subagent to open a new office in 20 years in King County. Prior to opening, owner Cherie Adams had worked for the Federal Way Auto License since 1993. They have been a proud member of the Covington Chamber of Commerce since opening their doors. 

Valley Vehicle Licensing serves all vehicle/ vessel titling and Licensing needs. It is their goal to make customers feel at home and comfortable with their licensing transactions. They pride themselves on timely service with a smile and love to greet customers by name. They make every effort to answer customers’ questions and concerns, and they have an app for Android and iOS. They offer a reminder service that sends a text on the date and time requested. Visit them online at ValleyVehicleLicensing.com. 

Address: 27331 172nd Ave SE Ste 116, Covington, WA 98042

Areas of expertise: 

Vehicle Registration
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Ambassador Highlights:

​“Cherie Adams suggests signing up for ‘License eXpress’ (LX) in order to control everything online. She was appointed her office in 2005 out of 91 applications! She has been in licensing since 1993 where she starting out in the neighboring Federal Way office!”
 
“Valley Vehicle licensing is their own business, not a government agency. However, they are appointed by the state. Even though they paid to start the business, for the building, employees, etc., they can’t sell it or transfer the “appointment.” Cherie truly values the Covington community she’s been serving for years. One way she gives back to our community is through her involvement at the state capital and relationships with local representatives. She is continuously looking for ways to improve and streamline the processes that affect us all.”
 
“My favorite licensing office! Valley Vehicle Licensing is the second busiest office in the entire state. Cherie and her team provide excellent customer service!”