GET READY FOR GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS 2016!! HOLLA ABOUT HALA WITH YOUR WEST SEATTLE/WHITE CENTER NEIGHBORS AT YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER.
On Saturday, March 12th, at 9:00 am at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, VieWS (Visualizing Increased Engagement West Seattle), Southwest Youth & Family Services, and the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association will present the 2016 edition of the Gathering of Neighbors. Our theme is “Growing Pains” and will focus on the challenges facing West Seattle as we see rapid growth in populations, jobs, and housing and the benefits and drawbacks that growth brings to our neighborhoods.
This year’s event will feature opportunities to learn about the recommendations by the Mayor’s Housing Affordability & Living Agenda (HALA) Committee, recent updates proposed for the 2035 Comp Plan, plans to renew and double the Housing Levy, what a Sound Transit 3 package might look like for your vote in November, and the recent declaration of a Homeless State of Emergency by Mayor Ed Murray and County Executive Dow Constantine.
Learn from invited experts about what is happening with housing, zoning, community centers, parking, transportation, and much, much more and how all this change is both creating new opportunities for us and our loved ones while also stirring up fears of increased inequality,
ongoing historical inequities, and permanent damage to the character of our neighborhoods.
As always, we will also offer breakout sessions where you can learn more about how you can get be part of shaping the impact all of these changes will have on our community and meet local leaders and organizations already involved in these issues.
The morning’s agenda will be packed:
· 9:00 am – Social/Refreshments
· 9:30 am – OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATIONAL TABLES: What are the Challenges Facing West Seattle?
· 10:30 am – Welcoming Ceremonies
· 10:45 am – EXPERT PANEL: What is Being Done about Growth in West Seattle?
MODERATED BY BRIAN CALLANAN, SEATTLE CHANNEL
Featuring a City Staffer, Urbanist, Elected Official, West Seattle Organization Leader, and Homeless Advocate
· 11:40 am – BREAKOUT SESSIONS: How Do I Get Involved in Shaping Our Community?
• North Delridge Action Plan update – David Goldberg (OPCD) & ACT Team members
• ST3 Planning – West Seattle Transportation Coalition + Rob Johnson, Seattle City Councilmember, District 4
• Land Use/Urban Village Growth – Cindi Barker and Deb Barker
• West Seattle Chamber conversation about business development
· 12:30 pm – FACILITATED DISCUSSION: Are We In a Homelessness State of Emergency?
MODERATED BY: LISA HERBOLD, SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT 1
• Michael Maddux, 43rd District Democrats and former City Council candidate
• Hanna Brooks Olsen, Seattlish writer, Project Manager for Civic Ventures
• Mercedes Elizalde, Policy & Engagement Strategist for City Councilmember Debora Juarez
· 1:00 pm – Wrap Up
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GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS
Date: Saturday, March 12th, 2016
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW,
WHAT IS VIEWS?
Visualizing Increased Engagement West Seattle (VieWS) is a non-partisan community organization comprised of local, volunteer citizens – your neighbors – who have come together to create programming to educate, engage, and mobilize West Seattle citizens to sustain and improve the quality of life and services available across our peninsula. Visit our website – www.VieWS.community – to learn more.
WHAT IS SWYFS?
Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS) has been providing services in the West Seattle area since 1979. Our mission is to empower youth and families through culturally relevant counseling, education and family support services in White Center, South Park, Delridge, West Seattle and other neighborhoods. We connect people to high quality services, and also to each other. As a result, our communities become stronger, the changes last, and the impact can be felt wherever you are.
SWYFS is a private non-profit, 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible. We are proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for this year’s Gathering of Neighbors event. Visit our website at www.swyfs.org for more information.
WHAT IS YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER?
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center is an inclusive, contemporary multi-arts space based in the Delridge Neighborhood of Southwest Seattle that incubates and inspires new arts participants, art-makers and organizations from our multicultural, inter-generational communities in order to engage in civic dialogue and meaningful community transformation.
What is Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association?
The Youngstown Cultural Arts Center is managed by the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), a private non profit organization based in West Seattle. DNDA is dedicated to engaging the community in creating a thriving Delridge.
Since 1996, DNDA has brought together Delridge neighbors, other non-profits, the business community and local government to build community, preserve affordable housing, design and build a trail along Longfellow Creek, bring a new library to the community, and assist dozens of groups with their community projects. Much of DNDA’s work combines multiple goals such as providing affordable housing while enhancing the pedestrian environment and supporting local artists. DNDA raised $12 million to acquire and complete the historic renovation of the Youngstown building as part of their “three projects | one community” campaign, receiving tremendous financial support from throughout the community.
