Executive Constantine announces $11.75M in participatory budgeting grants for community centers, recreation opportunities, outdoor spaces, and additional local projects in unincorporated King County

• Integrity Life Church - $1,250,000
• Description: Build a multifunctional community space open to all on Integrity Life Church property.
• Benefit: Create a multi-use community gathering space where all are welcome in the unincorporated area of East Federal Way. Space will be able to house before/after school programs, conference rooms, basketball/athletic indoor court, etc.

• Federal Way Senior Center - $210,000
• Description: Improve site and exterior/interior building.
• Benefit: Improve safety, accessibility, and comfort at the Senior Center to create a more inclusive space and allow for expanded services to enrich seniors' lives and strengthen community bonds.

• King County Roads - $56,000
• Description: Rename part of Military Road S to honor black pioneer John Conna. Install signs and add historical markers.
• Benefit: Bring cultural awareness and the historical context of black pioneer John Conna, who owned 140 acres in East Federal Way.

• King County Parks - $600,000
• Description: Design and construct a natural grass practice area for lacrosse at Maplewood Park. The practice area would be about half an acre, with a rebound wall and net. No additional parking or roadway improvements would be added for accessing the park.
• Benefit: Promote equity by creating a dedicated lacrosse practice space that will benefit more than 300 participating families, many from underserved and marginalized communities.

• King County Roads - $100,000
• Description: Provide safety and traffic control improvements, such as radar feedback sign(s), based on evaluation by Road Services engineering team and budget.
• Benefit: Increase traffic safety.

Save our Streams: Upgrade public access and amenities - awareness & educational signs

• King County Water and Land Resources Division - $54,000
• Description: Set aside funds for Cemetery Pond community education signs. Not an immediate action (subject to additional funds needed).
• Benefit: Support the future installation of interpretive signs near wetland ponds to educate the community about preserving native frog species and to highlight their historical significance. Upgrade public access and amenities.

• King County Parks - $754,000
• Description: More funding for the construction of the Petrovitsky splash pad project that was started in 2023. Complete Phase 1, which includes a pathway with misters. A full splash pad could be constructed later if and when additional funding is identified.
• Benefit: Create a fun, accessible space for families to enjoy. Promote physical activity, social interaction, and community well-being, and provide cooling during high temperatures.

• Skyway Coalition - $250,000
• Description: Provide funding to complete the Skyway Resource Center building renovations.
• Benefit: Provide safe, accessible space for community members to receive resources.

• King County Housing Repair Program - $300,000
• Description: Provide funding for housing repairs to Skyway/West Hill residents with low incomes.
• Benefit: Make resources available for home repairs within the guidelines of the King County Home Repair program.

• Lakeridge Lutheran Church - $50,000
• Description: Upgrade outdated bathrooms and improve wiring for a new 4-unit shower trailer at REACH Renton’s Center of Hope (at Lakeridge Lutheran Church).
• Benefit: Upgrade the shelter’s facilities so REACH Renton’s Center of Hope can continue to provide a safe, accessible refuge for vulnerable families and individuals, enhancing their dignity and comfort during times of crisis. Serve up to 10 families and 2 single women at a time in a safe, supportive environment.

• The Silent Task Force - $1,600,000
• Description: Provide funds for The Silent Task Force to purchase a building in the Skyway/West Hill area. Funds can also be used for property renovations.
• Benefit: Create a stable hub for vital services, promoting equity, well-being, and long-term community resilience by securing the future of the Silent Task Force-Task House. The Task House currently serves as a community center hub, providing housing support, an apprenticeship program, a food distribution site, a digital lab, a community kitchen, a holistic medicine practitioner space, and more. Ensure continued support for Skyway’s residents who are marginalized, have low incomes, and/or are seniors.

• Skyway Coalition - $840,000
• Description: Fund predevelopment work and property purchase for a community land trust for development of affordable housing in the unincorporated Skyway/West Hill area.
• Benefit: Foster local ownership and ensure that development meets the community's needs while enhancing the area's overall vitality.

• Khmer Cultural Center - $600,000
• Description: Fund this ongoing construction project.
• Benefit: The Khmer Community Center serves as a cultural hub to foster a deeper understanding of Khmer heritage and provide space for community engagement and education for all.

• Evergreen Aquatic Center - $750,000
• Description: Support building/facility renovations.
• Benefit: The aquatic center provides a much-needed recreational and educational space for an underserved community. It promotes health, wellness, and water safety for residents of all ages. Revitalizing this facility will deliver equitable access to aquatic programs, foster community engagement, and enhance overall quality of life in the community.

• Highline Public Schools - $700,000
• Description: Upgrade existing playground to support school soccer program and create outdoor space for community use.
• Benefit: Provide a safe and engaging space for local families. A new place for children to play will help build a stronger community.

• King County Roads - $700,000
• Description: Do a study to evaluate street lighting enhancement in the White Center Business District. Use remaining funds to pay for lighting upgrades, based on the study results and budget.
• Benefit: Improve visibility at night, reducing accidents and increasing safety for both pedestrians and drivers.

• Highline Public Schools - $36,000
• Description: Install a new LCD multilingual community reader board on school property.
• Benefit: Help all families to stay informed and engaged, support a more inclusive school environment, and foster stronger connections between the school and its diverse community.

• Acts on Stage - $82,000
• Description: Offer a 10-month performing arts experience for youths aged 8 to 18, featuring weekly classes in piano, acting, dancing, and vocal music taught by skilled performers. Foster creativity and teamwork throughout the academic year, culminating in community recital performances.
• Benefit: Empower youths through the arts, providing a supportive environment where students develop their talents, build confidence, and connect with their community, enriching the cultural landscape and inspiring the next generation of artists.

• Holy Temple Evangelical Church (TEC) - $100,000
• Description: Create a vibrant community hub in Skyway's Business District, providing easy access to fresh produce, meats, and essentials. Funds will be used to create a food distribution hub that can distribute food via walk-up, drive-through, and home delivery for community members, and to operate the food distribution program.
• Benefit: Promote healthier living and strengthen community connections by ensuring everyone can easily get nutritious food. Provide walk-up, drive-through, or home delivery options for food distribution.

• Aisle 4OUR - $100,000
• Description: Empower Skyway youths to explore careers in the gaming industry and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields by funding the AISLE 4OUR program (Arcade Four Youth incubator).
• Benefit: Cultivate career opportunities in gaming and STEAM for Skyway youths. Bridge the gap between technology use and impactful professional pathways. Strengthen the community's future workforce through free access to resources and mentorship.

• Fresh Family - $220,000
• Description: Launch a free job skills program to train Skyway residents with low incomes for living-wage jobs in the construction labor industry. Provide hands-on experience and skills development.
• Benefit: Create pathways to economic stability and career growth, helping residents gain valuable skills and secure living-wage jobs in the construction industry. Equip participants with the skills needed to secure stable, well-paying jobs, while also offering mentorship to develop essential life skills.

• Speak with Purpose - $96,000
• Description: Speak With Purpose (SWP) is shaping the future for students of color by addressing educational inequities at their core. As the only public speaking program directly offered in classrooms throughout King County public schools, SWP amplifies the voices of young people in underserved communities. In partnership with the Renton Innovation Zone, this program will deliver in-school sessions at Skyway Title 1 schools (grades 4-8), providing culturally responsive curriculum that builds communication, leadership skills, and community engagement throughout the school year.
• Benefit: Address educational disparities in underserved communities, where students and families of color often lack access to resources. By prioritizing public speaking and communication skills, promote educational equity, enhance career opportunities, and foster community engagement for long-term success.

• The Silent Task Force - $250,000
• Description: Fund various programs operated by The Silent Task Force.
• Benefit: Support essential programs that uplift the community, including pre-apprenticeships, job training (On My Grind), senior digital literacy, food justice, healthy relationships, and homelessness support. These initiatives empower vulnerable residents and build a stronger, more resilient Skyway.

• Dare to Be - $150,000
• Description: Fund Dare2Be to support a monthly community event offering access to health and wellness resources, locally sourced produce from farmers, artisan goods, and family fun. Also support entrepreneurial opportunities and engage the community in planning and execution to foster local ownership. Operating program from March through October 2025.
• Benefit: Empower the Skyway community by providing fresh, local produce, supporting small businesses, and creating a vibrant, inclusive space for families to connect—all while promoting health and economic growth in the neighborhood.

• Skyway Laundromat - $50,000
• Description: Support the Loads of Love program to provide free monthly laundry services at Skyway Laundromat for low-income Skyway residents.
• Benefit: Provide essential services to those in need, ensuring access to clean clothes and supporting overall well-being. Funding will help sustain the free wash program for community members with low incomes. The program will be offered monthly for up to one year.

• Dare to Be - $110,000
• Description: Fund Dare2Be to support a free, community-centered event that honors African American heritage and promotes cultural pride through connection, education, and empowerment. The event would feature a youth job fair, diverse entertainment, and resource zones, and serve the intersectional needs of more than 1,000 attendees, fostering a strong, united community.
• Benefit: Celebrate Juneteenth with a focus on community building, education, and access to resources. Strengthen the narrative of Black-centered leadership, cultural pride, and positive impact within the Skyway-West Hill community, solidifying its role as a sanctuary of diversity and resilience in Washington State.

• Flyabove Athletics - $100,000
• Description: Provide funding for free fitness classes and workshops for Skyway residents with low incomes and support program operational costs.
• Benefit: Fund fitness program at Nomad Boxing Gym. Provide vital exercise and wellness opportunities in a low-income area that does not have a community center or gym. Support healthier lifestyles and strengthen local community ties.

• Personal Touch Barbershop - $125,000
• Description: Launch a barber school designed to benefit underserved communities, equipping individuals with valuable skills and employment opportunities. Provide free or reduced-cost training for Skyway community members.
• Benefit: Provide tailored, culturally responsive education and career opportunities through obtaining a barber license while empowering individuals to overcome economic barriers and contribute to a more equitable society.

• Double Dutch Divas - $120,000
• Description: Double Dutch Divas is a community-driven initiative that combines fitness, fun, and social connection through the art of double dutch. At jump rope sessions at local parks, community spaces, and schools, they teach both youths and adults the skills of turning and jumping while fostering teamwork, leadership, and healthy living.
• Benefit: Enhance physical health, strengthen social bonds, and provide mentorship while creating a supportive environment that builds leadership skills and addresses social and emotional needs.

• Skyway Coalition - $100,000
• Description: Support a community resource hub. Direct award to the organization operating the Center to be used for operating costs.
• Benefit: The Skyway Resource Center will provide essential services and support to the community by serving as a central hub for resources, with funds ensuring the center's continued operation and accessibility for all residents.

• Nia Fest - $85,000
• Description: Nia Fest is an annual summer celebration of Black culture and heritage in the Skyway/West Hill community. Through live music, games, and cultural expression, the festival uplifts and honors the richness of the Black experience, fostering unity, joy, and community pride. Festival includes a parade through the business district and festivities at Skyway Park.
• Benefit: Celebrate Black culture and heritage in Skyway/West Hill, fostering unity and pride through live music, cultural performances, and a parade. This annual event strengthens community bonds, supports local businesses, and provides a joyful space for cultural expression, inspiring pride and resilience in future generations.

• King County Sheriff’s Office - $52,000
• Description: Provide free steering wheel locks, Blink security cameras, and Ring doorbell cameras to Skyway residents to reduce theft and property damage. Empower community members to protect their homes and vehicles while fostering a safer, more connected neighborhood.
• Benefit: Enhance security, reduce crime, and strengthen community bonds, making Skyway a safer place for everyone.

• White Center Food Bank - $200,000
• Description: Provide financial support for operating the facility and program.
• Benefit: Support growing demand (up by 40% in 2023) and provide food to community members in need.

• Eazy Duz It Car Club - $87,950
• Description: Teach kids advanced technical skills by guiding them as they build custom low rider bikes. Promotes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving through a hands-on experience that blends mechanics, art, and culture.
• Benefit: Empower youths with valuable technical skills and foster community cohesion by encouraging collaboration, creativity, and cultural appreciation—all while building custom low rider bikes that reflect the participants' unique identities.

• Acts on Stage - $180,000
• Description: After-school performing arts program offers weekly lessons for beginners aged 8-18, led by experienced local performing artists. Program runs for 12 weeks and concludes with a community recital where participants showcase their developed talents.
• Benefit: Nurture the artistic growth of young people and provide them with a supportive environment to develop their skills and confidence while contributing to the cultural vitality of the community through a recital.

• Highline Public Schools - $120,000
• Description: Give White Center students an opportunity to explore professional dance and mariachi music, enhancing their self-expression and cultural awareness. Funding supports guest performers, expands performance skills, and equips students with instruments and uniforms.
• Benefit: Enrich student access to music and dance, fostering mental well-being, celebrating cultural diversity, and building a sustainable arts pipeline that strengthens the community’s cultural fabric.

• Department of Local Services to release RFP - $200,000
• Description: Open a grant application process to fund local/annual community events.
• Benefit: Request proposals for the following types of community events: Low Rider Block Party, Holiday Extravaganza, Night Market, and Farmer's Market.

• Acts on Stage - $160,000
• Description: Create "That’s My Play Cousin", an online platform dedicated to promoting scripts, performable literature, and digital content by people of color and people of faith. Supports independent writers by providing a global marketplace for their work, along with workshops and promotional support to help them craft and share their unique narratives.
• Benefit: Empower marginalized voices by preserving and promoting their stories. Offer writers a platform to reach global audiences and ensure diverse perspectives.

• Evergreen Aquatic Center - $26,000
• Description: Amplify swim services and provide swim scholarships. Focus outreach on youths who are underserved and/or whose families have low incomes.
• Benefit: Promote water safety and skill development, ensure equitable swim education, and empower the community.

• Highly Hated - $30,000
• Description: Provide at-risk youths and young adults in White Center with free mentorship from local adults who grew up in the community. Through activities, discussions, and family-style dinners, it offers guidance, stability, and a sense of belonging to those lacking family support, helping them stay off the streets and make positive life choices.
• Benefit: Offer a critical lifeline to keep youths and young adults off the streets and engaged in positive, nurturing environments. By connecting them with local mentors and providing a stable support system, the program helps instill confidence, life skills, and a sense of family, creating a safer and more resilient community.

• YES Foundation of White Center - $80,000
• Description: Provide 101 scholarships in increments of $500-$1000 to graduating Evergreen Seniors to help them offset college and career costs. Financial aid does not start until enrollment. Pays toward dorm costs, fees, transportation, and trade school equipment.
• Benefit: Ease the financial burden of college and career expenses, empowering students to pursue higher education and vocational training without the immediate stress of covering dorm costs, fees, transportation, and trade school equipment.

• Highline Public Schools - $75,000
• Description: Through a before-school program at a low-income middle school, provide a nutritious breakfast and a safe, supportive environment for students to start their day. Ensure that children have access to healthy meals and structured activities before school, helping to reduce food insecurity and improve academic performance.
• Benefit: Offer a reliable breakfast and safe space for students before school to address critical needs in the community. Enhance both the physical and mental well-being of children. Promote better concentration and academic achievement while relieving the burden on families and fostering a stronger, healthier community.