WHEREAS, James Blanchard has dutifully served South King and North Pierce counties as executive director of Auburn Youth Resources for over 14 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim received his bachelor's degree in social sciences from Wheaton College and his MBA from Seattle University; and

WHEREAS, Jim worked for Weyerhaeuser for over a decade as director of human resources, labor relations manager, and employee relations supervisor; and

WHEREAS, Jim was driven to take action watching children, young people, and families struggling to navigate complex social issues; and

WHEREAS, Auburn Youth Resources is a private nonprofit agency focusing on serving low to moderate income children, youth, and families; and

WHEREAS, The agency operates four major community-based programs that provide substance abuse treatment, intervention and prevention services, mental health counseling, children's residential services, child care and head start, tutoring, and homeless and runaway youth outreach services; and

WHEREAS, Jim and Auburn Youth Resources embrace the diversity of the populations they serve; and

WHEREAS, The agency has doubled, both in budget and number of employees, under Jim's tenure; and

WHEREAS, Jim oversaw the inclusion of childcare and early learning for low-income families, as well as the acquisition of three new buildings and a multiplex at Auburn Youth Resources; and

WHEREAS, Jim acquired ACAP Child and Family Services and integrated it within Auburn Youth Resources in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Jim is an active member in the community, having served as president of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra, treasurer at the Face, Heart, and Mind Foundation, member of the Kiwanis Club of Auburn, and board member at the Auburn Valley Human Services Campus Association; and

WHEREAS, Uniquely Auburn recognized Jim for Exemplifying the Spirit of Auburn in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Jim's outstanding leadership will be missed in his retirement by those he worked with and served;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize James Blanchard for his passionate commitment to help those in need throughout South King and North Pierce counties.

I, Hunter G. Goodman, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8688,

adopted by the Senate

June 28, 2015

HUNTER G. GOODMAN

Secretary of the Senate