Nearly 24 years ago in Seattle, a nonprofit was born in response to the increased obstacles faced by one of the most vulnerable populations in society: children, particularly youth of color. Today, Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO) continues their proud tradition of inspiring local youth to achieve their dreams.
We talked with EYFO’s Assistant Director Charissa Bass about the recent opening of Flourish on Rainier, 182 new affordable apartments with a childcare center on site.
Tell us about this project and your development partner.
In September, Bellwether Housing and EYFO opened Flourish on Rainier, which includes family-friendly affordable housing with an outdoor garden and play space, on-site affordable childcare, and offices for Muslim Housing Services. This new childcare center, coupled with the residential component, is uniquely positioned to address some of the most pressing needs within the community.
Rainier Valley is one of the city’s most ethnically diverse and underserved areas. It is situated near several schools categorized as Title 1, based upon the high percentage of students from households with low-income. Because of encroaching gentrification, many residents and families are being pushed out of the city into the surrounding suburbs due to increasing rent prices and property values.
We are pleased to bring our culturally informed and responsive care to community youth and residents of Flourish on Rainier. These place-based services will decrease the need to transport youth across the city to varying locations and allow us to develop a localized infrastructure that ensures quality control and efficiency of the care we provide.
How has grant funding helped turn your vision into reality for this location?
Without the $300,000 Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) grant from Enterprise, our vision would have remained a dream. But with this funding, we have been able to create a thriving, supportive environment for families to grow, learn, and succeed.
Since EYFO’s inception in 2001, there has been a singular goal – to create a lifelong impact in the lives of youth through multifaceted programs that help create resilient leaders. Programming has grown, evolved, and adapted over time to adjust to the needs of our community.
Prior to receiving the Enterprise PSTAA grant, programming was restricted to one activity at a time due to capacity limitations of the building space, which allowed a maximum of 20 participants. To accommodate the space limitations, EYFO implemented a staggered schedule which had high school and preschool programs on Saturday, middle school programs during weekday evenings, and elementary-aged programs occurring on weekday afternoons.
The new facility will expand not only to the ability to host various programming types but a space for all programs to run simultaneously. The increase in space permitted space for the revival of our Creative Minds Preschool, which includes two preschool and one infant classroom that will serve infants up to five-years-old.
What type of programming is offered?
The facility will provide diverse out-of-school programs for youth and children, including educational, preschool, elementary, middle, and high school. Programming will serve in a variety of connection pathways including one-on-one coaching for post-secondary access, after-school tutoring, mentoring programs, entrepreneurial training, leadership development, job readiness programs, financial literacy workshops, and experiential STEM learning. To explore nutrition and wellness education, EYFO built a state-of the art, commercial kitchen and partnerships with local chefs with a farm-to-table curriculum.
Extended care allows us to provide summer programming for 13 hours daily. Programming will also be offered during early release days and other school breaks, including spring break, winter break, and mid-winter break for school aged children. This site will also offer programming during non-traditional hours of care including weekend activities such as Kaleidoscope Play and Learn sessions. EFYO also offers an eight-week Summer Literacy Enrichment Program, which integrates academic and social-emotional learning in a full-day program.
How many new early learning classrooms and slots were created?
EYFO has dedicated 60% of enrollment slots in each of the six classrooms for children of families with low incomes. We will be able to utilize Early Childhood Education and Assistance Programs (ECEAP), Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and other local subsidies to increase access to high quality care. EYFO has anticipated a total of 130 spaces available, for children aged six weeks to six years. Fourteen of these slots will be allocated to infant care.
How does the new space impact local children, youth, families and community?
The impact will go beyond solely providing a safe and nurturing environment for children. It will ripple through families, the workforce, and the broader social fabric, contributing to economic, educational, and societal well-being.
This space significantly increases access and allows us to serve up to 10% of all Rainier Beach youth residents, including some of the most vulnerable and those most removed from educational justice. It is projected that 350 youth will be residing in the Flourish on Rainier. The youth enrichment center will fill a critical childcare gap for some of our most vulnerable youth by increasing their access to safe, positive, culturally rich, accessible, and affordable care.
What is some advice you would give to other organizations looking to open and operate their own co-located early learning facilities?
Opening and operating a co-located early learning facility — one that shares space with other services, such as apartment complexes — can be an excellent way to create a comprehensive support system for children and families. However, the process can be complex, requiring careful planning, collaboration, and a strong understanding of the needs of the community.
Some advice would include:
Collaborate with local schools, healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations. A co-located facility thrives when there is strong coordination and communication between service providers. Build relationships early to ensure alignment on goals and to create a seamless experience for families.
Gather input from families, caregivers, and local leaders to ensure that the services you plan to offer are relevant and accessible. Their feedback can help inform your program design, service hours, and the physical layout of the space.
Ensure that your facility complies with all local regulations regarding safety, accessibility, and licensing. This includes everything from childproofing the environment to making sure it meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and health standards. Co-located facilities may face additional complexities, so work with architects and contractors familiar with both childcare and community service spaces.
Enterprise’s Pacific Northwest office awarded EYFO/Bellwether project an initial predevelopment grant at the start of planning and the most recent construction award of $300,000 to complete the build out of the early learning spaces. Enterprise is proud to partner with and support such a powerful impact on the community and children of King County.