While Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool are closed for construction of new facilities, the youth Late Night Program has found a home at South Shore K-8 School on weekends, and the partnership is now expanding to weekdays throughout the school year.
Beginning September 11, the Center and Seattle Parks’ Youth Violence Prevention Program will open the school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. for informal and formal recreation programs and services that are specifically designed for teens and their families.
City and Seattle School District staff agree it is important for our community of youth in Rainier Beach to be engaged in active education, recreation and social services.
Jeron A. Gates, Seattle Parks and Recreation Sr. Program Coordinator/Youth Violence Prevention, said, ”We remain committed to serving the Rainier Beach Community youth and their families by creating pathways for success through recreation and enrichment programs.” Parks Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams agrees. “Now that we have a solid presence at the school, we hope to bring this group of youth into the new Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool next year. I’m very pleased that this arrangement is extended through the school year.”
Programming will include boxing conditioning, hip hop dance, fashion design, and a youth empowerment project, a curriculum through World Vision that allows Youth to become agents of change in their own communities after learning about civic engagement, advocacy and policy making. Parks will add other partnerships and activities as staff develop relationships and listen carefully and compassionately to community youth on programs and services they want to see.
Seattle Parks and the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) are working together to provide enhanced services this school year in support of public safety for all under the Safe & Stable Communities: Action Plan for Youth & Families. “We are working with Parks, family centers and the community to organize and coordinate existing resources and forge new community partnerships to help vulnerable populations, especially children, youth and families, in Rainier Beach,” said HSD Director Dannette R. Smith.“I am excited about the possibilities.”
For more information on Rainier Beach Community Center Teen and Family Programs, please call Jeron A. Gates at 206-255-4051 or email him at Jeron.gates@seattle.gov.
For more information on the Safe and Stable Community Action Plan, please contact Catherine Lester at 206-386-1143 or email her at Catherine.lester@seattle.gov.
