Mayor Greg Nickels delivered his eighth State of the City speech Feb. 17, in which job creation and volunteerism were emphasized

Nickels said his “Seattle Jobs Forward” package will move up the schedule for public works projects, putting 1,500 people to work in the
next two years.  The package includes $315 million in projects from local levies and the city’s capital improvement program that will
be prioritized, including transportation, infrastructure and community spaces projects.

In difficult economic times, he said city government and community must come together to help the growing number of people who
are struggling.  

“Despite their worries, people - especially young people - want to help," said Nickels. "They want to be asked. They want to know what they can do for
their city, their country, their planet. It is up to us to capture this spirit. Neighbor by neighbor, business by business, we must lend each other a helping hand. That is how we will emerge stronger.”

The city is planning to partner with the United Way of King County to offer volunteer opportunities.

Nickels also asked community leaders and others to join in preventing youth violence. Nickels announced the city signed an agreement with the Urban
League of Metropolitan Seattle to put outreach workers in communities as part of the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

Nickels delivered the speech at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club.