The Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition (RBCEC), with support from the City of Seattle’s Rainier Beach Central District Youth Initiative, has employed six young leaders ages 14 through 18 in a community project entitled “The Emerald City Classic”.
The students are producing several events, including a community forum sharing their ideas about environmental and social justice issues of the day and a Hip Hop and Dance competition with environmental and social justice themes.
“Imagine young leaders from two different neighborhoods combining their creativity, enthusiasm and effort to engage in classic youth culture activities – competitions and lively debate – in order to build community,” said Gregory Davis, President of RBCEC. “The use of a community forum and dance and hip hop competitions produced by these young leaders will not only inspire community but they will develop skills and abilities our neighborhoods can be proud of.”
The young leaders are receiving a total of 24 hours of instruction intended to develop event planning, community relations and social and environmental justice knowledge.
“The Rainier Beach and Central District neighborhoods ongoing revitalization will benefit from the participation and activities of young people” added Gregory.
The Social/Environmental Justice Forum is schedule for Aug. 19, at 6:15 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Library, The Hip Hop and Dance Competitions will be held at the Rainier Beach Back2School Bash on Sat., Aug. 23, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Beer Sheva park.
About RBCEC:
In April 2003, a group of Rainier Beach residents and representatives from community-based organizations gathered to discuss youth issues and concerns. After this initial gathering, community members identified the need to create a coalition that would engage all members of the neighborhood.It started with neighbors wanting to work together to build and revitalize Rainier Beach.
With a focus on youth and other important issues such as families, education, training, economic development and transportation, public safety and the environment the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition (RBCEC) was created.
Since that time, the Coalition has organized four Back2School Bashes serving 4,500 people – giving away over 2,500 back packs and five Community Action meetings engaging over 600 neighbors. We have also convened a number of forums dealing with issues from public safety to education. The Coalition has made significant progress since its creation, and we will utilize the results of the 2008 Community Action Town Hall meeting to form our agenda for 2008.
Loading ...
