News Release
Building Better Futures
A
consortium comprised of King County Housing Authority, Puget Sound Educational Service District,
Kent Youth and Family Services and Center for Career Alternatives
P.O. Box 1571
Kent, Washington 98035-1571
For more information contact: Rhonda Rosenberg, KCHA, Communications
Director, (206) 574-1185
December 6 , 2005
U.S. REP. DAVE REICHERT SECURES $250K FOR NEW SPRINGWOOD YOUTH CENTER IN KENT
Center to serve youth in the East Hill community
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert secures $250,000 to help build a new, 10,800 square foot youth center, located in the Springwood Apartments community on the East Hill of Kent. The Springwood Youth Center will replace the existing Community Center, a cramped, dark, structure built in the early 1970s.
“This money will help make possible the expansion of a critical community resource for three public housing communities, as well as the larger East Hill community,” said Rep. Reichert.
Rep. Reichert knows the importance of providing positive support to middle school and high school youth. During his years as King County sheriff, Reichert saw first hand how quality recreational and educational programs targeted to youth helped curtail violence, illegal drug activity and other at-risk behaviors and build academic and social skills and self-esteem.
“Keeping youth engaged in constructive activities - be they recreational, educational or artistic – offers an extremely potent remedy in reducing crime,” said Rep. Reichert. “ Programs like these actually transform vulnerable low-income housing communities into communities of economic and educational opportunity.”
KCHA Executive Director Stephen Norman said, “We are thrilled that, despite a challenging budget situation, Rep. Reichert was able to ensure that this crucial project continues to move forward. To successfully negotiate the appropriations process this year on behalf of the community takes real commitment and leadership.”
The current facility, which is managed by Kent Youth and Family Services logs more than 25,00 annual visits by the area’s youth, with more than 550 youth from public housing participating in program activities. It is bursting at its well-worn seams.
The new Springwood Youth Center will continue to serve the Springwood community, as well as neighboring complexes.
The expanded facility will allow Kent Youth and Family Services to expand its recreational, educational and positive mentoring activities at the site. The new youth center will provide a gym, education and art classrooms and a computer lab. An after-school tutoring and homework assistance program will also be offered. In the summer, sack lunches will be provided to neighborhood children.
Rep. Reichert, who grew up in Kent, feels a special commitment to the youth of the area.
“Kent is the only King County city of size without a Boys & Girls Club, YWCA or similar nonprofit organization to provide youth activities,” said Rep. Reichert. “Through the Building Better Futures partnership and the Springwood Youth Center, we can offer our children a safe and supportive place to learn and to play. “
Building Better Futures is a nonprofit consortium comprised of the King County Housing Authority, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Kent Youth and Family Services and Center for Career Alternatives. It is a unique partnership created to address the need for community facilities and programs in low-income communities in South County.
The Springwood Youth Center is the second of two facilities developed by Building Better Futures to meet the needs of low-income families living on the East Hill of Kent and in Covington. It will open in the summer of 2006. The Kent Family Center, the first of the two facilities to be constructed, houses a state-of-the art Head Start program, a health care clinic for mothers and children, and a career development center to assist residents in obtaining economic self-sufficiency. The Family Center opened in June 2003.