Cascade People's Center, one of Cascade's last bastions of community identity, is at risk of closing due to a lack of funding.
The Center says it needs $75,000 to make it into 2009, but the City is unwilling to cut the check (or provide long-term funding). The $75K would buy the Center time—allowing them to continue serving the community while planning the dinner and auction fundraisers that would keep the Center afloat.
CPC Program Manager Myla Becker told
SLOG “the capacity [for fundraising] is there,” Becker says. “We really just need the time.”
Here is the message posted on
Cascade People's Center website:
Cascade People’s Center will close December 31st as a result of the City of Seattle’s decision to cut funding for the community-run, nonprofit family support center. These funds supported the Center’s core funding, without which it will be unable to continue operating. This will bring devastation to literally thousands of individuals who participate in support services offered through the Center each year.
Located at 309 Pontius Avenue, Cascade People’s Center is an essential community resource in the Cascade community, providing free programs and space for over 6,000 local residents each year. All the services are provided at a SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS to the City of Seattle and free of barriers to the community.
More than ten years ago, community members rallied to save the Center’s building from being torn down in order to create a community center focused on family support and environmental sustainability. Today, volunteers do over 60% of the Center’s work and the bulk of the Center’s activities are made possible by in-kind support from local businesses, organizations and residents. Numerous local businesses and grassroots community groups also partner with Cascade People’s Center to offer a wide variety of programs.
The Center is one of six family support centers operated in King and Snohomish Counties by Lutheran Community Services Northwest. As the only public facility for the community in this neighborhood, families and community members will be significantly impacted by the Center’s closure.
All Center programs are community-driven, free and open to the public, including: school readiness and after-school enrichment, parenting classes, support groups, skill building classes and resource and referral.
The closure of the Cascade People’s Center will be a huge loss not only for thousands of low-income families, children and community members but also for the entire Cascade neighborhood and the city of Seattle.
For more information:
cascadepeoplescenter@lcsnw.org
(206) 587-0320
www.cascadepeoplescenter.org
www.lcsnw.org
It would truly be a shame to see the Center go.
Contact CPC if you'd like to help, and
tell your City Council to do the right thing.
