Community News! August 2024
NEWS, STORIES, AND RECENT ARTICLES FROM AND ABOUT COO PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY
Mele’s Story: The Oceania Youth Health Summit
Youth leaders and their mentors at the Summit.
We’re happy to share a guest blog post from Mele Havea, a young leader from the Pacific Islander community: "Island Roots and Global Impact." Mele (third from left) was the co-lead of the recent Oceania Youth Health Summit. In this post, she describes what happened when 300 people from the Pacific Islander community and 15 community partners came together for a day of learning and cultural celebration. Highlights included presentations on mental health issues for Oceania youth and ecological challenges to Pacific Island nations, plus dancing and musical performances from numerous Pacific Islander communities.
Read Mele’s Story and See the Event Photos
Watch the Video Highlights (3 minutes)
The story was also re-published on Public Health Insider, and Seattle's Child published an abridged version. Thank you to our partners for sharing Mele's story!
Learning Community Hosted Second Collective Prosperity Event, July 11; next event aug. 29
COO’s Learning Community hosted the second of its Collective Prosperity series, “Rebuilding and Reclaiming,” July 11 in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Community members gathered in the Chinatown International District for an inspiring discussion about the work to actively transform the material conditions of communities in King County. Videos of the event are coming soon.
L-R: Roxana moderates the discussion at the first gathering, with Jaimée and Kathei.
New: The video from the first gathering of this series, “What Is Power Building?”, is available.
Next Event: Register now for the third event, “Ecosystems of Care and Sustainability,” Aug. 29 in Burien.
Sign up for the Learning Community newsletter to hear about all these gatherings.
Series produced by La Roxay Productions in partnership with the COO Learning Community.
New Best Starts Annual Report Shares 2023 Highlights
Best Starts for Kids recently published “A Year in Review,” in English and Spanish. The report shows the impact of Best Starts funding through highlights drawn from the just-published 2023 Best Starts for Kids Annual Report.
As one of the Best Starts for Kids investment areas, the work of Communities of Opportunity is featured in both the new Year in Review and the full Annual Report. The report will be published in Spanish later this week.
Read About COO’s Work in the Best Starts Annual Report
Sign Up for COO Workforce Development Newsletter
Want to stay up to date on job fairs, trainings and other career and professional development resources? COO has launched a new newsletter to share job and workforce related resources, events, and opportunities! You’ll get news and tips every 4 weeks.
You can also check out our new Workforce Development Opportunities web page, for training and other opportunities that are open year round, with no imminent application due dates.
COO Invited to Present to Health & Human Services Committee
A team of COO representatives shared an update about our work at the King County Council Health and Human Services committee meeting earlier this month. Governance Group members Jackie Vaughn, Surge Reproductive Justice, and Michael Seiwerath, SouthEast Effective Development, joined fellow GG members Michael Brown of Seattle Foundation, COO’s co-founder, and Elsa Batres-Boni, our director, to highlight the work of our community partners and some of our 10 years of accomplishments.
Ongoing Resource for COO Partners: Capacity Building Coaching
Up to 10 hours of coaching support is available to your group or organization through COO, to strengthen the work, health, and sustainability of community-rooted organizations. Current coaching supports are offered in:
Organizational leadership & strategy
Financial planning and management
Fundraising and campaign structures, planning, and strategies
Community development projects
Coaches support organizations and organizational leaders by offering subject matter expertise, thought-partnership and resource-based knowledge.
They are not project-based consultants nor meant to take on the work appropriate to organizational staff.
They can offer connections to resources as well as dedicated advice, guidance and new or different ways for organizations and organizational leaders to think about the needs, decisions and strategies to move their projects or organizations forward.
Interested in coaching supports? Please submit a request so we can better understand your coaching need.
This opportunity is available to groups not currently funded by COO, as well as previously funded and currently funded groups.
For partners interested in support that is not listed above, who currently have a COO or BSK contract: Here's where to find and request additional capacity building consultants.
community news!
Partner Awards Grants to Address Impacts of Living Near SeaTac Airport
Fix the Harm/No Added Harm has selected 13 organizations to receive grants of up to $5,000. These groups are concerned about the environmental, health, and climate impacts of living near the 11th busiest airport in the nation, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and its planned service expansion. The grants are intended to help reach out to, educate, and help empower our people of color and immigrant and refugee neighbors in Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila.
The grants are from the SeaTac Community Airport Coalition for Justice (STACC4J), a coalition of 5 grassroots community organizations: Beacon Hill Council, El Centro De La Raza, King County International Airport Community Coalition (KCIACC), 350 Seattle Aviation, and Quiet Skies Puget Sound. They are looking to bring more airport impacted community leaders to the steering committee.
“The projects cover a wide range of outreach and education methods and mediums," said Maria Batayola, STACC4J Steering Committee Chair. “We are humbled and honored to be working with our new partners who are connected to the most overlooked airport impacted communities.”
Funded projects include a broadcast radio series, youth-produced reels, and a podcast, and "talk and tea" gatherings besides community meetings and tabling.
Watch for more information about the grant recipients soon!
Partnership Will Build 400 Homes on City-Owned Properties
More than 400 new homes will built near high-capacity transit like this light rail line.
The City of Seattle’s Office of Housing (OH) announced the selection of El Centro de la Raza and Mercy Housing Northwest as the development team for affordable housing at City-owned properties at the three Mount Baker Redevelopment Sites.
Over 400 new housing units will be built near high-capacity transit. They will be co-located with an innovative early learning hub to be operated by the University of Washington College of Education, which will provide high-quality childcare and workforce training.
Read about the sites and the project on the Office of Housing page
Photo credit: Seattle Office of Housing
New Partnership in Snoqualmie Valley Improves Health Access
A Supportive Community For All announced they have entered into contract with HealthierHere to serve as a Community Hub Case Management Partner. The HealthierHere Community Hub is a community-centered entity that centralizes referrals from across King County to connect people to health-related social needs services and benefits. The Hub’s benefits and services are free for everyone.
With this new partnership, A Supportive Community For All says they are proud to offer increasingly robust resource navigation and case management support for the Snoqualmie Valley community. It will help ensure that all people can access culturally appropriate care that they need, from people that they trust to provide that care, in places that they choose to receive care.
Learn more about the HeathierHere Community Hub and the partnerships.
New Executive Director at Southwest Youth and Family Services
Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS) has appointed Essence Russ as their new Executive Director. This follows the retirement of Steve Daschle last year after more than three decades of leadership.
Essence brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, including her recent role as Director for TAF@Saghalie. SWYFS says that Essence’s previous tenure at SWYFS as Director of the Family Resource Center from 2017 to 2020 was “marked by significant contributions to learning about different cultures, supporting families, and establishing lasting community partnerships.”
For more about Essence, read the West Seattle Blog or the White Center Blog.
Kent Chamber of Commerce CEO Chosen for Leadership Program
The Seattle Medium, July 3 reports: “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently announced that Zenovia Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, has been selected to participate in the tenth cohort of its premier business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program aims to train and equip leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address pressing education and workforce challenges.” Congratulations, Zenovia!
Zenovia was part of COO’s Commercial Affordability Pilot Project community advisory group. You can find free resources from that project on our Learning Community pages, including reports and videos from the Commercial Affordability Pilot and the fall 2023 Commercial Affordability Summit.
Empower Youth Network – Key Leaders Summit
Creating Connection in an Increasingly Digital World
Monday, August 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church in Fall City
Join the Summit and help to explore what it means to be connected as a community in an increasingly digital world. Hear perspectives from local youth and help create strategies we might employ to change our trajectory. The Key Leaders Summit is a great opportunity for Snoqualmie Valley leaders to network and engage in relevant community conversations, collaborations, and actions!
Learn More and Register
MORE NEWS from around the community
SeaTac Farmers Market Opens: The new SeaTac Farmers Market welcomes customers on the first Wednesday of every month, July to November. The market was featured in stories in the Seattle Times and City of SeaTac blog. African Community Housing & Development hosts the market.
Spice Bridge Profiled by Seattle Refined: The lifestyle show Seattle Refined featured a profile about how Tukwila's Spice Bridge Global Food Hall empowers and supports immigrant chefs.
Outdoor Asian Reflects on Memorial: Our media partner International Examiner followed the group Outdoor Asian as they visited the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on Bainbridge Island. Outdoor Asian is a community space for people from AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) heritage to recreate outdoors.
Collective Justice Featured in Podcast: The One Million Experiments podcast, which tells the stories of community-based project about what keeps us safe, recently featured Martina Kartman and Matthew Murphy Kama’aina of Collective Justice. Listen to the podcast episode and scroll down to the Community Events section for exciting news about a July 25 event in Seattle.
Local Partners Talk About Collaborative Governance: NewAmerica’s Engaging Communities for Equitable Economic Recovery featured local partners on “co-governance.” Deric Gruen of Front and Centered, Faduma Fido of People's Economy Lab, and Marcy Bowers of Statewide Poverty Action Network give their thoughts about this model for shifting power to ordinary people and rebuilding their trust in government.
Jackie Vaughn Chosen for Young American Leaders Program: Jackie Vaughn of Surge Reproductive Justice recently participated in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard University. Senior community leaders from 14 cities across the country nominate leaders from their communities for the program. We hope to share more about Jackie’s experience next month.
“Buy Back the Block” Provides Commercial Real Estate Guide: NextCity reported that Brookings Institute Fellows Lyneir Richardson and Tracy Hadden Loh have written the Playbook to Buy Back the Block. It’s a practitioner's guide to help community leaders identify and develop commercial real estate opportunities. Access the playbook here.
King County District 8 Organizations Win Grants
Every year, each County Council office is able to award funding in four distinct areas to help support the work of organizations operating in their districts. County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda recently announced the awardees for District 8. Our partners among the grantees include:
Community Service: Southwest Youth and Family Services, Alimentando al Pueblo, Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
Get Active Stay Active: Yes! Foundation of White Center
Housing Stability: Chief Seattle Club
Congratulations to these partners!
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Request Free Theater Tickets for Your Nonprofit
The 5th Avenue Theatre partners with local nonprofits to provide members of the community with tickets to their productions at no cost, while engaging them in educational programs or discussions to provide a deeper and more meaningful theater-going experience.
To see the lineup of upcoming shows like Mary Poppins, find out more, and request tickets for your organization,visit the 5th Avenue Theatre Community Engagement page.
Thank you to Aviona Rodriguez Brown at the 5th Avenue Theatre for sharing this with us.
Boards and Commissions
King County Board of Health Seeks New Community Member
Apply by Aug. 6
Applications to join the King County Board of Health are welcome from King County residents who share a commitment to public health principles and addressing racism as a public health crisis. The vacancy is for a consumer of public health alternate position. It will represent King County residents who self-identify as having faced significant health inequities and having lived experiences with public health-related programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), home visiting, or treatment services.
Visit the Board of Health website to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Health and the application process.
Read more in Public Health Insider
Homelessness Assistance Unit (HAU) Lived Experience Advisory Committee
Apply by Aug. 16, 5 p.m. Pacific Time
The HAU Lived Experience Advisory Committee (Washington State) provides insight, perspective, ideas and recommendations that make homeless crisis response systems across Washington better, stronger, and more equitable. Any person with lived experience of homelessness is welcome to apply. Applications will be prioritized based on the following criteria:
Is a current resident of Washington State
Has direct, personal experience of homelessness within the last 10 years
Provides a detailed description of how you will contribute to the committee
Represents the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of Washington State
Willing to fulfill committee member duties
Expresses a desire to work collaboratively with others to make HAU’s programs and homeless crisis response systems across the state better, stronger, and more equitable.
A Supportive Community for All: Two Leadership Bodies Seek Members
A Supportive Community For All is recruiting folks to serve on two separate leadership bodies in the Snoqualmie Valley.
A Leadership Table to provide oversight and support for ongoing and new collaborative work.
An advisory committee to oversee a time-limited microbusiness incubator feasibility study, specifically focused on the needs of local creatives.
Modest honorariums to support participation are available for both roles. If you are interested in serving on either of these groups, please contact Malia Pownall, Partnerships and Engagement Manager.
Learn More and Apply
Kent Parks and Recreation Commission Has Openings
(and Other Boards & Commissions Do Too!)
Join the City of Kent's Parks and Recreation Commission or numerous other City boards and commissions! Learn more and apply online.
Rainier Beach Action Coalition Councils Seek Members
Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC) invites applicants for the RBAC Advisory Council, as well as for the Executive Council.
The Advisory Council will encompass the action areas of A Place for Everyone, Growing Healthy Food for Healthy Industry, LifeLong Learning, and A Beautiful Safe Place. They are looking for people interested in advancing Transportation, Land Use, Environmental, Food Justice, Parks/Gardens/Farms, Education, Academics, Advocacy, Community Safety, and the Arts interests of the Rainier Beach neighborhood.
If you have a strong connection to Rainier Beach, you can fill out the RBAC Council Interest Form.
Funding Opportunities
Best Starts for Kids Capacity Building Small Grant 2024 RFA
Apply By Friday, August 16 at 2 p.m.
The Best Starts for Kids Capacity Building Small Grant 2024 Request for Applications (RFA) is now open.
*Important Note: This RFA is only open to currently-funded Best Starts providers.
To support the strength and sustainability of community-based organizations (CBOs), Best Starts Capacity Building program offers resources our partners identify they need to build organizational capacity. This RFA seeks to support the infrastructure needed to enhance CBOs’ capacity to provide services and programming. This includes systems, resources, and processes that sustain the key functions of an organization.
Visit the RFA page to view the full funding opportunity details and apply.
You can always check the Best Starts Programs and Opportunities page to keep up on other opportunities when they are shared.
Other Funding Opportunities, Non-Best Starts
Best Starts for Kids is posting a monthly blog series that highlights funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups that promote the health and well-being of our babies, children, and young people. Visit their blog to see July/August opportunities for non-Best Starts funding, as well as opportunities with rolling due dates.
Best Starts – Non-Best Starts Funding
Check out funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups that promote the health and well-being of our babies, children, and young people. Read more!
REMINDER: Pacific Hospital PDA Nimble Grant Cycle 2 Open
Applications due by Aug. 5, 2024, before 12 p.m.
Nimble Grants can provide funding for short-term health-related projects, such as research, pilot programs, capacity building, technology improvements, training, or policy and advocacy work. Grants up to $30,000 are available in this Cycle 2, the second of two in 2024.
REMINDER: Scandiuzzi Krebs Grants for Culture & Community Building Organizations
Apply By Aug. 12
Scandiuzzi Krebs announces sponsorship opportunities for general operating support to culture and community-building organizations based in Washington State that have an annual operating budget of under $250,000. Sponsorship amount ranges from $2,000 – $4,000.
REMINDER: Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative
Apply By Sept. 5, 2024
Game On-Community Places to Play is an initiative of The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC. The initiative provides funding and technical assistance to community-rooted organizations working to create and renovate multi-use youth sport spaces for youth ages 6-24 years old in under-resourced communities across the country. Special consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate how their capital projects will support youth development programming.
The goal is to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local athletic spaces for young people. Grant awards will range from $50,000-$100,000 and will require 1:1 match funding.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
A Supportive Community for All: Client Services Director
African Community Housing & Development: Executive Assistant III
Community Roots Housing: Multiple positions including Development Manager II
CSH: Director and Associate Director – apply by Aug. 12
ECOSS: Director of Programs
Enterprise Community Partners: Senior Program Officer, Pacific Northwest
Factal: Breaking News Editor
Futurewise: Director of Local Advocacy – apply by Aug. 12
Housing Development Consortium: Operations Manager
Magic Cabinet: Qualitative/Mixed Methods Researcher
Northwest Harvest: Director of Communications
OneAmerica: Electoral Pipeline Manager
Perigee Fund: Program Officer
Seattle Credit Union: Strategic Relationship Partner Advisor
Shoreline Tool Library: Tool Library Coordinator/Materials Manager
Shunpike: Development Manager and Programs Operations Manager
Transportation Choices Coalition: Policy Director – apply by Aug. 5
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Several positions including Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement and Director of Fund Development
Washington Community Alliance: Data Hub Associate
Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist
White Center CDA: White Center HUB Development and Operations Manager
University of Washington: Public Policy Director, School of Social Work (open until filled)
Washington State Department of Health: CHW Training Program Manager (HSC4) DOH8200
King County:
Assistant Medical Officer – open until filled
Behavioral Health Accountability Special Projects Manager – apply by Aug. 3
See more job listings on these sites that collect multiple opportunities:
Housing Development Consortium’s job listings from housing organizations
Philanthropy Northwest’s searchable list of positions in development, communications and more
King County, City of Seattle, State of Washington and other government jobs at www.governmentjobs.com
About This List: These job announcements were current as of July 23, 2024. Please check the employer's site for the most current information.
Find more King County, City of Seattle, State of Washington and other jobs at governmentjobs.com
If you have a job or news item to share in the August issue of COO & Partner News, please send it to us by mid-August. Thank you!