Preschool children from all over the world will come to the daycare, job seekers will utilize the building’s computer lab and service providers, teenagers will learn new skills in the Head Start classrooms, community members will learn English for the first time in English as a Second Language courses and children of all ages will make new friends at the Rainier Vista Center.
“Rainier Vista Center is so much more than a century-long dream come true for all of us at Neighborhood House,” said Neighborhood House Executive Director Mark Okazaki. “It’s a place to help change lives and build a community of families who support and nurture one another.”
More than 250 community members and public officials celebrated the opening of the new center, as well as the completion of the first phase of rental housing at Rainier Vista, at a celebration last month.
“The center will benefit people in this community,” said Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis at the event. “The access to the services that are in this building is what will help make this a true community.”
Built by Neighborhood House on land donated by Seattle Housing Authority, the Center is the first “home” that the organization has constructed and owned in its nearly 100-year old history.
Generous support from various community and individual donors helped fund the new construction. The 10,000 square foot building will allow the agency to expand programs for low-income children, adults, families and seniors, all under one roof.
The technology center—made possible in part by a $250,000 grant through the Seattle Housing Authority from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—will offer computer skills, vocational training, English as a Second Language classes, citizenship classes and financial literacy education.
Two large sun-filled classrooms will be home to the learning space for Head Start students, who will also enjoy a state-of-the-art outdoor play space.
Five private offices will allow multilingual family support workers and employment specialists to meet with their clients, while several social service and housing service providers, like Seattle Housing Authority’s The Job Connection and the Rainier Vista Leadership Team, will lease space in the Center.
Families who live just steps away from the new center will have access to training, education and support to help them become more self-sufficient.
“I believe this new building is geared to helping families and encouraging kids to continue their lives on a more positive note,” said Sandra Borders, Rainier Vista Leadership Team chair. “Kids in the neighborhood will be watching people getting up and going to work at the Center in their neighborhood; this sets a great example for them.”
King County Executive Ron Sims, State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, Senator Adam Kline, Neighborhood House Capital Campaign Director Shirley Wilcox, Councilmember Larry Gosset, Nancy Hutchins from Head Start, Neighborhood House Board President Barbara Larson, Neighborhood House Executive Director Mark Okazaki and Seattle Housing Executive Director Tom Tierney shared comments at the celebration.
The unveiling of Neighborhood House’s new logo and a lively Chinese dragon dance concluded the event.
“Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in creating this new community and Neighborhood House’s Rainier Vista Center,” said Tom Tierney, SHA Executive Director. “Most importantly, thank you to all Rainier Vista’s residents. Your partnership is the most important.”