On Friday, September 3, Southwest Youth and Family Services and South Pacific Youth Connections are hosting a public celebration in honor of the youth in our community who participated in their South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program.  Through dance, poetry, and song, “Fia Fia” will showcase the talents and hard work of the youth who made the program such a notable success this year.

Young people of South Pacific ancestry in our community face daunting challenges as they navigate their way to adulthood.  They tend to experience higher than average failure rates in school and excessive referrals into the juvenile court system.  The South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program was designed to help youth meet these challenges “through building self-confidence and cultural pride,” according to SYFS’s Joseph Seia.  The summer program offered participants “Pacific Islander-centric social studies and history courses, a fitness program, Pacific dance workshops, and anti-racist organizing.”

By all accounts, the South Pacific Youth Connections program is succeeding in its mission.  In an August 27 press release, Seia highlighted some of the students’ accomplishments.

•    Washington Strongest School Competition: South Pacific Youth Connections students took second place this year in the first annual competition that focused on fitness and strength.
•    Pacific Dance: South Pacific Youth Connections students performed cultural dance at 20 different venues this year.
•    Pacific Islander Social Studies Class: South Pacific Youth Connections students completed a social studies class for high school credit.
•    Community Forum: South Pacific Youth Connections students helped organize a successful forum to address the recent injustices with the police and the youth community.

“Fia Fia” is used in Pacific Island cultures such as Samoa and Tonga to mean “celebration,” “get-together,” or “happy.”  The event of that name this Friday promises to be all three, not to mention a great opportunity for our community to celebrate these young people’s hard work, while enjoying what promises to be an exciting display of their talent.

WHAT: “Fia Fia,” a celebration of the South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program. Featuring dance, song, poetry, and more.

WHEN: Friday, September 3, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

WHERE: South Seattle Community College, JMB A, 6000 16 Avenue S.W., Seattle, 98106.

INFO: See flier below or contact Joseph Seia at 206.937.7680 ext. 210 or JSeia@swyfs.org for more information.

Coming up this Saturday, June 12, White Center coffeehouse Dub Sea will host an open mic/art show fundraiser put on by the Seattle Youth Alliance (Sea YA).  Sea YA is raising funds to send a delegation of young Seattle community activists to the upcoming U.S. Social Forum, which is being held at the end of this month in Detroit, Michigan.

Dub Sea is keeping their doors open late for the event, which will take place from 6 to 9 pm.  Admission at the door is $7 for adults and $4 for youth, and an assortment of art will be for sale for $15.00 to $50.00  Attendees can peruse the art, sip some coffee, and enjoy the creative talents of those participating in the open-mic night, while supporting a worthy cause.  Those in the community who’d like to take their turn at the mic can sign up at 6:30 pm, and performances will begin at 7.

According to their website, the U.S. Social Forum is dedicated to “providing a space to build relationships, learn from each other’s experiences, and share analysis of the problems our communities face. It will help develop leadership, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.”  Sea YA explains that their “youth delegation is going to ensure that young people’s voices and their empowerment [are] part of this movement building process.”   By coming out to support this event, White Center residents can do their part to help empower these dedicated young activists, and ensure that voices from our community are represented at the upcoming U.S. Social Forum.

WHAT: Seattle Youth Alliance Open Mic/Art Show Fundraiser at Dub Sea Coffee.

WHEN: Saturday, June 12, from 6 pm to 9 pm.

WHERE: Dub Sea Coffee, 9910 8th Ave SW Seattle, 98106.

INFO: Admission is $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for youth. Open mic sign-up starts at 6:30 pm, performances start at 7 pm.

The future of New Futures, a local non-profit educational center for low-income children, youth and family, is now in the hands of Mario Paredes (pictured, left), its new Executive Director, who will start June 1st.

New Futures has a facility in Arbor Heights, so Paredes will likely be working with local White Center families.

“I greatly look forward to working together with New Futures’ families and with schools, along with New Futures’ many other community partners, to reduce educational disparities and ensure that all children and youth are able to thrive,” Paredes said in a statement.

Paredes is a “longtime, highly respected community leader in Washington State,” according to a press release, and currently serves as the executive director of Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, an agency that provides culturally competent services to underserved Latino communities, especially families with children. Under Mario’s leadership over the past 12 years, Consejo has grown from a local agency with a $2.2 million annual budget to a statewide agency with a $6 million annual budget. In addition, Mario has led two successful multi-million-dollar capital campaigns during his tenure there. As a result, Consejo has been able to greatly expand its programming and extend its reach to better serve hundreds of low-income, immigrant families in our region.

Paredes will have his coming out party at New Futures’ Get Inspired! Benefit Breakfast on Wednesday, May 5, at the Washington State Convention Center (see poster below). For tickets, or for more information, click here.

According to their website:

New Futures’ mission is to partner with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County, providing on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for nearly 1,600 people, and positively impacting all of the approximately 4,000 people who live in these communities.

New Futures’ sites include:

• Arbor Heights in White Center
• The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien
• Windsor Heights in SeaTac
• Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park

More info on New Futures is available at their website.

Here’s the press release in its entirety:

It is with great pleasure that the New Futures Board of Directors announces that Mario Paredes will join New Futures as our new executive director on June 1, 2010.

A longtime, highly respected community leader in Washington State, Mario is currently the executive director of Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, an award-winning agency that provides culturally competent services to underserved Latino communities, especially families with children. Under Mario’s leadership over the past 12 years, Consejo has grown from a local agency with a $2.2 million annual budget to a statewide agency with a $6 million annual budget. In addition, Mario has led two successful multi-million-dollar capital campaigns during his tenure there. As a result, Consejo has been able to greatly expand its programming and extend its reach to better serve hundreds of low-income, immigrant families in our region.

Mario brings to New Futures a proven track record of successful management, effective advocacy, and strategic coalition building. In recognition of his leadership, both Mario and Consejo have received numerous honors. Mario currently serves on the boards of the Minority Executive Directors Coalition, Washington Community Action Network, and the Casa de Esperanza National Advisory Board, and is a former board president of the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. He earned a masters degree in Non-Profit Management from Seattle University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. As an immigrant to the United States from El Salvador, Mario brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing the children, youth and families in New Futures’ programs.

We are thrilled to welcome Mario to New Futures, and he is excited to join our team as well.

“I greatly look forward to working together with New Futures’ families and with schools, along with New Futures’ many other community partners, to reduce educational disparities and ensure that all children and youth are able to thrive.”

You will have an opportunity to meet Mario at New Futures’ Get Inspired! Benefit Breakfast on Wednesday, May 5, at the Washington State Convention Center. If you haven’t already made your breakfast reservation, please do join us that day in welcoming Mario to New Futures. And if you have made your reservation, please forward this great news to others and encourage them to join us on May 5 to welcome Mario.

The inaugural “Be a PAL” Luncheon, which will serve as a fundraiser for King County’s Police Activities League (PAL) boxing facility in White Center, will be Tuesday, June 1st at The Golf Club at Newcastle from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The featured keynote speaker will be Senator Patty Murray.

Other guests scheduled include Congressman Dave Reichert, Attorney General Rob McKenna and Tina Hendrix of The Hendrix Music Academy (yes, that Hendrix family!).

Here are the details:

WHAT: White Center Police Activities League (PAL) Fundraiser Luncheon

WHEN: Tuesday, June 1st from 11:30am – 1pm

WHERE: The Golf Club at Newcastle, located at 15500 Six Penny Lane in Newcastle.

INFO: Mimi Jung of King 5 News and King County Sheriff Sue Rahr will co-emcee the luncheon as they welcome everyone to this exciting event, including former defensive end and linebacker Joe Tafoya, other current and former Seattle Seahawks and a few surprise guests.

“PAL programs provide positive intervention in the lives of young people who are at risk,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “Police officers want to do all they can to help kids before they get in trouble and PAL assists them in this goal.”

Visit the Be a PAL Luncheon page here for more details, or for information about the event, sponsorship, underwriting and advertising opportunities, contact Laurie Perkins at (206) 922-2069 or via email at laurie@kingcountypal.com.

We recently reported that four Seattle Seahawks spent last Saturday night at White Center’s Police Activities League Boxing Ring, and now we’ve discovered that Hawks cornerback Josh Wilson recently worked out there with trainer Tony Rago.

The video is posted on the Hawks website here, and it includes a voiceover from our old KING-TV Pal Tony Ventrella. In the video, Wilson talks about how doing a boxing workout is different than a traditional football one.

“This is a different kind of workout,” Wilson said in the video. “Training for a three-minute round is work, man…I came out of my shirt…I’m sweating…I’m tired, I don’t think I could lift anything right now…”

According to their website, PAL’s mission is:

“To build partnerships among youth, police, and the community through athletic, educational and recreational activities designed to encourage and develop good citizenship and reduce juvenile delinquency.”

• To provide our youth with enriching experiences that fosters personal and professional development.
• To guide our youth in making responsible life choices that promote positive growth and healthy relationships.
• To encourage our youth to be good citizens and strong leaders in our community.
• To be a save environment where our youth can channel their energy into positive outcomes.
• To cultivate better communication, understanding, and mutual respect among youth, the community, and law enforcement.
• To build and maintain strong community partnerships to provide a network of support for our youth.
• To reduce juvenile crime, substance abuse, and gang involvement in our community.

Check the video out here (running time is 3:19).

A group of local middle and high school students from Camp Fire USA have received a $1,000 grant from UnitedHealth HEROES for a new service-learning project focusing on Latino obesity called “Estamos Bien de Salud.”

The grant will give this 15+ member youth group the opportunity to learn about important local Latino health issues by meeting with nutrition experts, physical education instructors and public health officials. From there, the youth will be tasked with creating effective programs as well as developing bilingual educational materials to address important health issues that directly affect their communities, including White Center.

The students will kick-off their campaign at this Saturday’s Grand Opening of the Educare Center in White Center (625 SW 100th St. Seattle, WA 98146), and their project will be implemented during spring semester.

Here’s a press release:

SEATTLE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES GRANT TO HELP PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

UnitedHealth HEROES grants supports innovative Washington program to help children get and stay healthy

Washington grant part of national effort to help fund schools and community organizations

HEROES program is a community-based, service-learning initiative in collaboration with Youth Service America

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has awarded a $1,000 grant to a Seattle nonprofit seeking to develop a creative program aimed at preventing childhood obesity in the state. Camp Fire USA, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit youth development organizations, received a $1,000 grant for its “Estamos Bien de Salud” program in the Seattle area.

The program will work with more than a dozen Seattle-area Latino middle and high school to create an interactive program that raises awareness about obesity and eating disorders among Spanish-speaking family members and classmates. The participating students will first assess the health of the local Latino community, meeting with nutrition experts, physical education instructors and public health officials. The students will then create an interactive presentation and perform it for their families and their peers in Seattle and South King County on April 23, which is Global Youth Service Day.

The HEROES program is especially important in Washington, where approximately 30 percent of Washington children ages 10‐17 years are considered overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“With UnitedHealthcare HEROES, young people in Washington have the wonderful opportunity to not only improve their overall health and quality of life, but the health of their peers as well,” said David Hansen, CEO for UnitedHealthcare’s Northwest Region. “This program gives youth in our community the opportunity to learn about important health issues and create effective, engaging programs that address these issues.”

The HEROES service-learning projects are implemented during the spring semester and will culminate on YSA’s 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 23-25, 2010. GYSD provides an opportunity for students to include their projects in a larger, global youth service movement that seeks to improve communities in all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

UnitedHealth Group collaborated with Youth Service America (YSA) to develop the UnitedHealth HEROES program. To date, UnitedHealth Group and YSA have awarded more than $250,000 in grants. A list of all the 2009-2010 grant winners will be available online at www.ysa.org.

Obesity is a critical problem in America. According to the 2009 America’s Health Rankings™, if left unchecked or untreated, obesity will affect 43 percent of adults by 2018 and will add nearly $344 billion in that year alone to the nation’s annual direct health care costs, accounting for more than 21 percent of health care spending. America’s Health Rankings is an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state analysis. It is published jointly by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.

More information about the UnitedHealth HEROES program and service-learning is available at www.ysa.org.

About Youth Service America
Youth Service America seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations and governments. For more information: www.ysa.org.

About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.

South Seattle’s Youth Summit planning is underway, with the next meeting set for Monday, March 8th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, located at 4408 Delridge Way SW in West Seattle.

According to a post on the White Center Community Development Association website:

Attention youth and students!

This year’s Youth Summit planning is underway, so if you’d like to get involved and/or if you’re looking for service learning hours, please contact estevan@youthmediaseattle.org.

Youth Media Institute and other youth organizations at Youngstown have been longtime partners and supporters of White Center CDA.

Last year, the youth summit was held in White Center, and this year it will include all of our South Seattle communities, so expect a larger event and even more fun!

“Got Green?,” a program of the White Center Community Development Association, is hosting its first open house from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, March 17th at the Columbia City South Side Commons Building, located at 3518 S. Edmunds Street.

According to the WCCDA:

Expect food, entertainment, multimedia presentations and the chance to network with Got Green and their community partners on how to support Green jobs, Green initiatives, youth, low-income communities of color and more.

Child care is available – this event is open and free to the public.

Please see flier below for more information, or visit the Got Green website:

The White Center Community Development Association’s blog reports that the White Center Teen Program’s Aztec Soccer team will be playing in the U15 championship game this Saturday (Feb. 27th) at 1pm at Starfire Sports Complex, located at Interurban Ave S. and Fort Dent Way in Tukwila.

Here’s the post:

This was sent to us from Darlene Sellers, White Center Teen Program Recreation Coordinator at King County Parks:

“Thank you all for your continued support of the White Center Teen Program Aztec Soccer Team! The program is continuing to grow with over thirty committed players and two competitive teams. We are pleased to share that the younger team is playing in the U15 championship game this Saturday at 1:00 at Starfire sports complex (Interurban Ave S & Fort Dent Way, Tukwila). If by chance you happen to be in the Tukwila neighborhood this weekend – we’d love to see you there. The game runs for a total of 45 minutes and will be played indoors on field 2. Admission is free but Starfire will most likely be collecting $5 for parking. Thanks again for your support and please have a great weekend”

Go Aztecs! Here’s the video:

The Aztecs from Heath Ward on Vimeo.

The White Center Teen Program is part of King County Parks and Recreation, which founded the team in 2007 to provide alternative afterschool activities for “at risk” youth.

This short doc focuses on the strong personalities, the importance of the program and the activities of a season in the life of The Aztecs.

For more information contact heathward@hotmail.com.

The Salvation Army has a youth basketball league called “HYPE,” and tryouts for 4th through 8th graders will begin Tuesday, March 9th at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

This is a competitive basketball league, and is meant to provide kids with an athletic outlet to develop both teamwork and leadership in a competitive, healthy environment.

Here are details on the tryouts:

WHAT: Salvation Army HYPE Basketball League.

WHEN: Open tryouts will be:

4th, 5th, and 6th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Thursday March 11th – 5:30 to 7:00pm

7th and 8th Grade:

• Tuesday March 9th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
• Thursday March 11th – 7:00pm to 8:30pm

WHERE: Tryouts will be held at the Salvation Army Community Center, which is located at 9020 16th Ave SW in White Center.

INFO: For more information, contact Sean or Charles (206) 767-3150 ext 113.

The Highline school board announced Thursday (July 16th) that it has voted to adopt a “Pay for Play” system, which will charge students a fee for participation in middle school and high school athletics.

While some school board members expressed concern that the fees will discourage students from participating in sports, Superintendent John Welch told the board staff that he is working with the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence to establish a scholarship program.

“We will work hard to see that no student is turned away from playing a sport,” said Welch.

Welch said the fees are necessary to support the rising costs of athletic programs.

“In order to continue to offer both middle and high school sports, we must implement a pay-for-play fee structure,” said Welch. “If we don’t charge a fee, we will have to cut some sports.”

Welch noted that Highline’s athletic offerings now include middle school soccer in response to high demand and strong community support for adding that program.

The fee structure will be in place for the 2009-10 school year.

For high school sports, the fees will be:

• $50 per sport ($25 per sport for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch)
• Fees will be charged for up to two sports per student per year; there is no charge for a third season.
• Maximum $175 per family per year ($85 for families qualifying for free or reduced lunch)

Fees for middle school sports will be:

• $30 per sport ($15 for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch)

Fees will be chared for up to two sports per student per year; there is no charge for a third season. Maximum costs will be $105 per family per year ($50 for families qualifying for free or reduced lunch).

We here at The B-Town Blog would love to know what you think of this idea – please vote in our Poll and/or leave a Comment below…

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Grace Church is offering up a free “Kickin’ It Soccer Camp VBS” from Monday July 27th to Friday July 31st, from 5:30pm-8:00pm at their campus at 10323 28th Ave SW.

This Soccer Camp is intended for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade, and here’s a blurb from the church:

Come on over and bring your friends for soccer, food, crafts and all sorts of FREE fun!

We will start each night out with dinner from 5:30-6:00 then off the kids go for an action packed evening (parents are welcome to stay and watch, or they can go and have a relaxing child-free evening).

To register online, click here to download a PDF registration form, which you should then print, fill out and mail it in to:

Grace Church
10323 28th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98146

If you have any questions call 206-937-8400.

by Bart Bryan

King County Police Activities League (PAL) at White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park is sending a boxing team to a tournament in Vacaville CA this weekend.

The team is coached by Tony Ragu, and Assistant Coach Lori Graham; Coach Ragu’s wife, Pam, will serve as chaperone on the trip.

The team includes:

• David Imoesiri (pictured at right)
  
• Rafik Iskandarian
• Duyly Lam
• Carolos Reyes
• Rod Diezel
• Charlie Nguye

David Imoesiri recently competed in the national Golden Gloves competition and beat the top ranked heavyweight in the nation.

Everyone here at The White Center Blog wishes David and the the team and the coaches best of luck in their upcoming competition!

This just in from the White Center Blog Inbox – the Southwest Boys & Girls Clubs (located at 9800 8th Ave SW in the Dub-C) are seeking basketball coaches for their Winter Youth Basketball League:

We are currently looking for youth basketball coaches for our Winter Youth Basketball League.

The League is made up of K-2nd grade division and 3rd-4th/5th-6th grade division.

• FUN & EXCITING volunteer opportunity
• Great experience for former players, college students, high school seniors who need to complete their community service projects or people who just love to work with children
• Teams start practicing December 1st, 2008 and games begin play the week of January 5th, 2009 until March 7th, 2009
• All appliants should attend NOVEMBER 19th, 2008 coaches meeting
• We offer a scholarship to parents who coach their children

If you are interested in coaching a youth basketball team, please reply to this email or call the number below (please leave a message if no answer).

You can also stop by the address below to apply in person.

Southwest Boys & Girls Club
9800 8th Ave. S.W. Sutie 105
Seattle, Wa 98106
Main 206-436-1910
Athletics 206-436-1916

Please feel free to call with any questions

Their website is here, and a Street View map is below:

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On Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled a $9 million program to target troubled young people in the city’s hardest-hit areas, including White Center.

In this area, the Southwest Youth and Family Services (located at 4555 Delridge Way SW, with a Latino Family Center at 12808 Ambaum Blvd SW) will work directly with targeted area youths who have either been consistently disciplined in school, frequently arrested or repeatedly held in juvenile detention.

According to officials, the goal is to slash youth violence by 50 percent within one year of the program’s kickoff in May 2009.

One of the more controversial parts of the proposed program will be employing likely former gang members with “street credentials” as on-street ambassadors to prevent retaliatory street attacks before they occur.

The full news release can be read here, and a PDF of the proposal can be downloaded here.

Another interesting video from Seattle Pacific University that focuses on White Center’s Union Gospel Mission branch, with a good commentary by Katie Russell around 3:04 in:

“SPU students and youth in White Center learn from exposure to diverse cultures and life experiences. Union Gospel Mission White Center Director Katie Russell and 2007-2008 SPU student team leader Corbin Sheffels explain.”

The Dub-C branch of the Union Gospel Mission is located at Mount View Presbyterian Church, which is at 10806 12th Ave SW:

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