Thursday’s EastPAC Meeting features Wyking Garrett of the UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center
Wyking Garrett of the UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center (UPC) will be our special guest at this Thursday’s, (January 26) EastPAC meeting. A multi-purpose youth-centered cultural facility in the heart of Seattle’s historic Central District, UPC facilitates innovating and engaging programming designed to give community youth a positive and productive environment. Serving between 50-100 youth per week at the center and satellite programs at Garfield Teen Life Center and Rainier Beach HS, the center has become a popular destination. UPC has pans to expand, come and see how we as a community can support their valuable efforts!
EastPAC General Meeting
Thursday, January 26, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Seattle University, Chardin Hall, Room 142
1020 East Jefferson (Enter at 11th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)
-The UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E Center featured on KOMO4 News!
A message from Wyking:
” REPORT TO COMMUNITY-Progress in the face of adversity
Thank you to everyone who has supported the work of the UmojaFest PEACE Center over the past year! Although we’ve faced adversity (like many) with tough fiscal challenges, we have continued to establish UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center as a valuable asset to our community and city!
We are grateful for the partnerships that allow us to provide valuable development opportunities to our youth. To maximize that support, we’ve completed a strategic plan to guide our work for the next three to five years. We’d like to extend our appreciation to the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development for their help on that project.
Our work continues to provide a unique blend of youth development, cultural enrichment, community building, and violence prevention/intervention and workforce development.
Community Building
Throughout 2011, the P.E.A.C.E Center partnered with the youth and community to generate over $100,000 in volunteer hours and in-kind donations! We recognize the benefit of establishing effective partnerships to expand our capacity, and want to acknowledge our broad range of partners, including (but not limited to) Seattle Parks Department, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Vera Project, Therapeutic Health Services (THS), Seattle Symphony, Garfield High School, Communities In Schools, University of Washington, Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), Seattle Office of Economic Development and a host of other community groups –with our most valuable partners being THE YOUTH!
Strategic Plan
Umoja Fest PEACE Center has recently completed a 3-5 year strategic plan. We are seeking support in order to realize the goals in our plan.
We are proud of our accomplishments and how far we have come but we know that with your support we can make a greater impact on the lives of youth and sustained positive impact on our community as a whole.
Your investment will help us achieve the following in 2012-2013:
Program Services:
- Serve 100+ youth via our various programs
- Streamline/synchronize programming curriculum to achieve key academic/college prep and workforce development goals
- Develop measurement/assessment tools and track program participant outcomes and produce annual report.
Communication & Engagement
- Develop a model for youth engagement in facilities operations and maintenance
- Strengthen our village by increasing communication and engagement between parents and adult allies of youth participating in programming
- Present 4 community engagement events
Organizational Capacity & Operations
- Stabilize program operating hours
- Secure lease for facility
- Hire staff 1.5 FTE
- Leverage 2 FTE AmeriCorps staff
- Develop Fundraising plan
- Develop transitional Board
For more information, please visit our web site www.umojafestpeacecenter.com. Please contact me directly if you have questions regarding this correspondence or if you would like more information about our programs, I can be reached directly at 206.941.2527.”
I went to this meeting. It was a pretty good one. The SPD gives a really good break down off all the crimes in the area and what they are doing to solve them.
It would be awesome to see a few more folks at the next one.
Seriously; drinks after for anyone that wants to join me.
Thank you for posting this comment!
We also had a stimulating conversation regarding ongoing drug dealing and other street level crime in some neighborhoods. This discussion led to the plan for a forum to explore what we can and need to do to reduce and prevent this type of crime, as well as to increase opportunities, resources and access to supportive programs that encourage positive choices.
By the way, please note that our new location at Seattle University is very accessible with free parking directly in front of the building…
Stay tuned!
-Stephanie
Our meeting on the bus safety was a good one too. Coming together as a community is important.