Children’s Home Society of Washington, Lake City Future First and Lake City Neighborhood Alliance have received a $100,000 Neighborhood Planning Grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The grant supports the creation of a strategy that will help improve the quality of life for children and families in Seattle’s Lake City.
The grant was announced on June 16 at a special presentation for the Lake City Neighborhood Project with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Children’s Home Society of Washington President/CEO Sharon Osborne at the Lake City Neighborhood Farmers Market in Seattle. The comprehensive revitalization plan will cover community needs ranging from affordable housing, social services, green spaces, economic development and social cohesion. The planning process will take place over the next year.
The Lake City neighborhood is one of six communities nationwide that Wells Fargo has chosen to participate in its National Neighborhood Grants Program pilot. The program, which is modeled after a regional Neighborhood Grants Program in the mid-Atlantic region hinges on increasing resident engagement in the neighborhood revitalization process and ensuring community voices are represented.
“Wells Fargo is thrilled to invest in the revitalization of Lake City through our Neighborhood Grants program,” said Patrick Yalung, Washington region president for Wells Fargo. “This program is all about igniting community change from within. We are privileged to work with Children’s Home Society of Washington and the residents of Lake City to move their community vision forward.”
“Children’s Home Society of Washington is proud to work alongside the Wells Fargo Foundation and our partners, Lake City Future First and Lake City Neighborhood Alliance, to build a thriving community for our families and children in Lake City,” said Osborne. “This grant provides the pivotal resources to build a long-term roadmap that will help advance the goals of the Lake City community.”
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to expand on the good work that has been done in Lake City and for the resources the grant provides to further connect, collaborate and build relationships in our growing community,” said Chris Leverson, director of Lake City Future First. “Through partnership and collaboration with the Children's Home Society of Washington, the Lake City Neighborhood Alliance and the broader community, Lake City Future First is honored to be a part of this effort to build community vision.”
“Lake City Neighborhood Alliance is proud and excited to partner with the Children’s Home Society of Washington and Lake City Future First,” said Sandy Motzer, board chair of Lake City Neighborhood Alliance. “As a senior partner, our extensive community network will be crucial to engaging underrepresented constituents so that our community voice is inclusive as we identify and advance goals and priorities.”