Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Assistant Event Coordinator

The White Center CDA is looking to contract for an Assistant Event Coordinator, responsible for supporting the organization and implementation of the Annual White Center Community Summit on Saturday December 5, 2009. The purpose of the summit includes:

• To promote community building and community engagement
• Alignment and ownership of a common vision
• Promote a mutual accountability: getting direction, feedback, and taking stock
• Supporting collective action and ongoing year round organizing and activities
• Celebrate the White Center Community
• Expand CDA membership base

The White Center CDA is a grassroots community development organization (www.wccda.org) interested in promoting a strong culture of results and accountability amongst our program partners and community members.

Job Functions
1. Overall event support to the Event Coordinator
2. Assignment and follow through of delegated tasks
3. Communicate and consult with the CDA Event Coordinator, staff and Community Planning Committee.
4. Implementation of Summit work plan.
5. Marketing to residents and participants to attend Summit
6. Day-of Project support and implementation
7. Reporting and evaluation of event: event protocols/lessons learned for future events
8. Reports to: CDA Community Building Director

Minimum Requirements:
1. Experience in event planning and coordinating
2. Experience working in multi-cultural communities
3. Good oral and written communication skills
4. Computer literate
5. Excellent organizational skills and follow through
6. Flexible schedule
7. Car and drivers license preferred

Compensation and Timing:
Compensation will be a rate of $15/hour not to exceed a maximum of $2,500. Work is anticipated to be part time, with heavier emphasis during 3 weeks prior to the event on December 5th and around major mile stones. You must be okay with flexible work hours. Formal scope of work, invoices and proper documentation must be filed for payment.

Start Date & Duration: As soon as possible and through December 2009. If interest, please submit cover letter, resume, examples of planning documents and professional references (3) to Virgil Domaoan, Community Building Director at virgil@wccda.org via email by 5pm, Oct 23, 2009.

HomeSight, a non-profit local mortgage broker, developer, education and counseling agency, is excited to announce its first “Train the Translator” class, on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 8:00a.m–5:00p.m at 5117 Rainier Ave So. Seattle, WA 98118 and YOU’RE INVITED!!

With a grant from Bank on Seattle-King County, an initiative of the Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaborative, HomeSight has developed a whole day seminar that will allow the translator to be familiar with:

•mortgage terminology

•the rights of the consumer with regards to mortgage lending

•the required documentation the buyer must supply

•legal closing documents

•different mortgage loan products.

After passing the test, the translator will then be certified as a “Home Financing” translator. Certificates will be mailed within two weeks of completion.

Class size is limited to 20 participants.

Please RSVP to Velma@homesightwa.org or (206) 760-4234 ASAP.

The White Center CDA is looking to contract for an Assistant Event Coordinator, responsible for supporting the organization and implementation of the Annual White Center Community Summit on Saturday December 5, 2009. The purpose of the summit includes:

• To promote community building and community engagement
• Alignment and ownership of a common vision
• Promote a mutual accountability: getting direction, feedback, and taking stock
• Supporting collective action and ongoing year round organizing and activities
• Celebrate the White Center Community
• Expand CDA membership base

The White Center CDA is a grassroots community development organization (www.wccda.org) interested in promoting a strong culture of results and accountability amongst our program partners and community members.

Job Functions

• Overall event support to the Event Coordinator
• Assignment and follow through of delegated tasks
• Communicate and consult with the CDA Event Coordinator, staff and Community Planning Committee.
• Implementation of Summit work plan.
• Marketing to residents and participants to attend Summit
• Day-of Project support and implementation
• Reporting and evaluation of event: event protocols/lessons learned for future events
• Reports to: CDA Community Building Director

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience in event planning and coordinating
• Experience working in multi-cultural communities
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Computer literate
• Excellent organizational skills and follow through
• Flexible schedule
• Car and drivers license preferred

Compensation and Timing:

Compensation will be a rate of $15/hour not to exceed a maximum of $2,500.  Work is anticipated to be part time, with heavier emphasis during 3 weeks prior to the event on December 5^th and around major mile stones.  You must be okay with flexible work hours. Formal scope of work, invoices and proper documentation must be filed for payment.

Start Date & Duration:  As soon as possible and no later than Oct 9. Contract is expected through December 2009.

If interest, please submit cover letter, resume, examples of planning documents and professional references (3) to Virgil Domaoan, Community Building Director at virgil@wccda.org via email by 5pm, Oct 1, 2009.

The White Center Early Learning Initiative (WCELI) and the White Center Community Development Association are holding a community forum to meet the candidates for the WCELI Director position. This will be an opportunity to ask the candidates questions, provide input and rate each candidate. Make an impact and let your voice be heard.

September 22 7:00-9:00pm

White Center Heights Elementary School
10015 6th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98146

Onsite child care and light refreshments will be provided.
Free books for kids!
Arabic, Cambodian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation will be available.

For more information, contact:
Ruby Linsao, rubylinsao@gmail.com
Sarah Weir, 206.694.1092 x167 sarah@wccda.org

Omar Cortez Perez on the campus of South Seattle Community College, July 22, 2009. Gary Davis photo.

By Gary Davis, KPLU Education Reporter

SEATTLE, WA (KPLU) - Summer is sizzling at the state’s community colleges. The recession and unemployment has spiked enrollment to record levels at many schools. Seattle’s campuses are no exception. While most students are there to get a college degree, some are there to first finish high school.

Omar Cortez Perez is a tall 19 year old. Soft-spoken and a little shy, he blushes when he smiles, and he smiles a lot, especially now that he’s at college. “I like it, and I think it’s perfect for me,” he says of his new status as college student. Cortez enrolled at South Seattle Community College after taking a tour during which he saw the school’s automotive center. He knew immediately the school could offer him the chance to become a mechanic.

“I like how they (cars) look, how they run. I love the smell of oil,” he tells me. But to get into automotive technology classes, he needs a high school diploma. So he signed up for a special summer program that attracts students on this premise: once you visit a college campus, you’ll want to enroll.

Amy Schwentor coordinates something called “Summer College” at South Seattle. “See,” she says pointing to students at work in the SSCC garage. “He knows this is what it’s going to be like, this is what he’s going to be doing.”

Summer College is a joint venture of Seattle schools, the Seattle Community College District and the City of Seattle. It’s free for students who narrowly failed the WASL, the state’s standard test. Cortez first heard about it this spring from a teacher at Chief Sealth High School, where he finished his senior year. “And I decided to take it, because I knew it was going to help me a lot for my future and my career,” he said.

Cortez is one of 200 students taking classes at Seattle’s three community colleges this summer. Some are high school juniors, some seniors, others are like him, out of school and in need of a credit or two for a diploma. As with Cortez, English is a second language for most of the Summer College students.

Despite the district’s best efforts, Summer College is under-enrolled. A hundred slots were unfilled. There’s always a few sign up and then don’t show up. But, the Seattle School District estimates about 600 students are eligible for the program.

As I walk with Amy Schwentor across campus, she says part of the problem to fill all the seats is the WASL. Grades from the long test come back so late in the school year, she and others who work with students have to make a mad dash to enroll the kids who failed.

“So that’s one of the biggest challenges,” Schwentor says. “I was talking to a hundred kids the last week of school, just calling them out of classes.” It’s a situation that should improve. The WASL is being revised, shortened, and grades should come back sooner next year. Schwentor hopes those changes will help the district fill all 300 seats.

Meanwhile, Cortez has to pass the writing and reading portions of the WASL. He’ll take the test in early August, after Summer College courses are completed. Is he worried? “Yeah, it is scary, but I have to do it. It’s what I want for my future, so I’m trying my best,” says the young man from White Center.

Still, he is confident enough. Cortez plans on starting his automotive technology degree in September at South Seattle. And his enthusiasm is apparently infectious. His older brother has decided to join him this fall. Gary Davis, KPLU News, Seattle.

Summer College will be open again to students next in the Summer of 2010. For information, click on the following link.

Summer College - Seattle Public Schools

Article courtesy of KPLU.org.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Neighborhood Revitalization Program Manager

Organization: The White Center Community Development Association (CDA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote a vibrant neighborhood and high quality of life for White Center residents and stakeholders through the development of authentic leadership opportunities and community-led, neighborhood initiatives. We accomplish this through our 3 lines of business: neighborhood revitalization, family development, and community building.

Basic Function: The CDA is seeking a full time, exempt employee responsible for the development, management and implementation of White Center’s vision for neighborhood business district, including, public safety, and community organizing & outreach.

Select Specific Duties:

MANAGEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT, PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMS

• Implementation of commercial revitalization plan, including elements of: business district promotion, business attraction, small business technical assistance, and physical infrastructure improvements

• Strong community outreach and organizing within the business district and key partners (business
owners, organizations, property owners, etc.)

• Management of public safety programs, including elements of: supervision and event planning for
Spring Clean, fostering law enforcement-community relationships, and committee participation.

• Support annual community summit and focus groups/surveys focused on commercial revitalization plan
and business district key issues.

Required Qualifications: Ability to communicate the organization’s mission and vision; Excellent leadership, management and interpersonal skills; Excellent communication skills and community organizing experience; Other management skills, including: contracts management, grant writing, strategic planning and program development, sound decision making, problem solving, implementation, negotiation and personal/professional ethics. Computer skills including word processing, database and presentation software; Strong ability to work
with others, develop resources and build alliances; Knowledge and experience working in and involving diverse communities. The CDA seeks candidates with knowledge normally acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree. Familiarity with White Center-Boulevard Park, community organizing, commercial district or “Main Street” programs, small business, and urban planning is preferred. However, any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required qualifications and skills set will be considered.

Pay Rate: $40-45,000 Annually DOE. Medical/dental benefits provided. Flexible scheduling and work environment negotiable.

Closing date for application: 5:00pm, Friday August 14, 2009.

Interested parties should mail or e-mail a resume and cover letter to info@wccda.org. 1615 SW Cambridge Street, Seattle, WA 98106. If you have questions or would like to see the full Job Description, please call the White Center CDA at 206-694-1082.

The White Center Community Development Association is offering Fellowships to resident leaders. These part-time Fellowship positions will
help resident leaders develop skills and capacities to be community change agents in the White Center/Boulevard Park community.

Purpose of the Fellowship Program: The Fellowship program is envisioned as a way for White Center residents to get started in community work, develop professional skills and influence the work of the White Center CDA and its 3 departments: Family Development, Community Building and Neighborhood Revitalization. Each Fellow will have individual responsibilities but will also work in a cohort to support cross-training, holistic program interventions and team building. Each Fellow will be supervised by a department representative to provide training, guidance and direction.

For more information, check out our classified ads section, or download the description here (.PDF file).

On Monday, June 22, Got Green youth and their community parters (White Center CDA included), attended Seattle City Council to advocate for living wage jobs for low-income families and youth. Got Green produced 1,000 pledge cards from the community - our White Center neighborhood included - and handed them all over to the City Council to encourage support for stimulus dollars to go straight to low-income communities.

Watch Got Green advocates on the Seattle Channel to learn more!

We Want Your Ideas! Youth Project Application

White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition’s Youth Project goals are to equip, mobilize and support youth in our community to be agents of change. The youth-led community projects must address the priorities from the March 14 BOOM! youth summit. Each youth project will be assigned to work with one Community Safety Coalition member or a responsible community member, in addition to the youth project coordinator.

Who can apply? Only youth, ages 13 – 21, who live and /or go to school within the designated White Center / South Delridge Community Safety Coalition boundaries are eligible (see 2nd PDF link below).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION AND FOR MORE INFO!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD/VIEW THE BOUNDARIES MAP

Thank you to our community partner Karen Greene, Drug Free Communities Program Coordinator at Seattle Neighborhood Group, for the information.

On Saturday, March 14, a group of youth representing White Center/Burien/Boulevard Park/West Seattle hosted the first ever Building Our Own Movement (BOOM) youth summit at the White Center Salvation Army. As a result of the summit, these youth have followed up on various projects, including these video projects put together during spring break. You’ll notice that Virgil and Ian, both of the Community Building team at White Center CDA were interviewed for this project. Enjoy both of the videos!

PART ONE:

PART TWO:

Videos courtesy of Youth Media Institute and SCAN Youth Media.