PHOTO: Students practice minfullness exercise at a Day Camp earlier this Spring/via Tacoma Public Schools


Over the past few weeks, PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED distributed $405K to local organizations supporting summer day camps for children of essential workers and emerging technology needs in Pierce County. 

Tanya Durand Executive Director at Children's Museum of Tacoma powered by Greentrike "Due to COVID-19 conditions, there are thousands of day camp spots that won't be offered this summer. Joining forces with Boys & Girls Club, MetroParks Tacoma, and YMCA enabled all of our organizations to continue meeting our missions by sharing our superpowers. 70% of our summer day camp attendees will be youth who qualify for free and reduced-cost lunches at school. This means our partnership will be able to help working parents feel secure about their children as they provide essential services in our community."

Georgia Lomax, Executive Director Pierce County Library System " The coronavirus has brought heightened attention to challenges many of our community members face each day. Access to technology and to high speed internet is critical to functioning in today's world, and especially as the coronavirus has forced services online. Many Pierce County residents do not have a computer, tablet, or even a smart phone. Without one you cannot consult with your doctor through a telemedicine visit or apply for a job. Students don't have access to their teachers or to resources to continue their studies at home, and you can't check in with Grandma to see how things are going."

PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED is an aligned philanthropic response to COVID-19 in Pierce County.  302 individual donors and 54 regional funders have contributed over $7.3 million to the fund, with $3.5 million already being distributed back to local organizations addressing urgent and emerging needs related to COVID-19. 

PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED News

 




PHOTO: Kimberly Keith, Executive Director Hilltop Artists


Local and international protests and a surge in public discussion about systemic racism have many people asking how they can make a positive difference. Charitable giving to organizations led by people of color is one way to support racial equity.   

"A strategy starts with identifying the community issues you care deeply about.   Next consider at which point in the system you would like to make your impact - do you want to support work dismantling systems of racial inequity through advocacy or policy change or provide services to those disproportionately impacted by racial inequity?  Gaining community insight is critical to understanding who and what organizations in our community are doing that work well."  

 

PHOTO: In June Pierce County surpassed the 2010 response rate of 66.7%, despite the conditions of COVID-19


Due to the severe impacts of COVID-19 and the various increments of the stay-at-home order, many  2020 Census Community Grant cohort members were forced to adjust their organization's day-to-day operations and pivot their current 2020 Census outreach efforts.

"The census is important for representation, money, and power. We need funds in our community for infrastructure, education, and hospitals. We need an accurate count in order to serve our community, and that population is constantly changing."

As of June 2020, Pierce County surpassed its 2010 self-response rate of 66.7%, but there is still more work to be done to make sure all communities are accurately counted.

 
 
PHOTO: This logo will be displayed in the widows of local businesses participating in the Commitment for Safe Youth


COVID-19 has dramatically shifted the way we all do business. And for many families and their children, the closures of social spaces, parks, and facilitated enrichment programs throughout our city have forced many children, youth, and young adults to find alternative ways to fill their time.

This summer alone, the Foundation for Tacoma Students is estimating nearly 4,000 summer program slots will be lost.

On behalf of the children, youth, and young adults of Tacoma, WA, especially the Black and Brown youth of our community, GTCF joins with Foundation for Tacoma Students, City of Tacoma and numerous community partners in this commitment to share, engage, practice, and hold each other accountable to keep our children safe this summer.

The Community Guidance is Simple:
1. Create and Nurture a Welcoming Environment
2. Stop, Listen, and Engage with Youth
3. Check Your Emotions
4. Give Grace

Visit the Foundation for Tacoma Students website to find out how your organization or business can join the Community Commitment for Safe Youth. 

 
PHOTO: Dana Repp, President Fort Nisqually Foundation


In our latest annual book of Pierce County Partners, we share stories and insights from individuals and organizations who are making a difference in Pierce County. In their own words, they speak about the dreams and lessons that fuel their work in the community.

Dana Repp, the current President of the Fort Nisqually Foundation, got involved with the fort about ten years ago through her two daughters' interest.
 
"We need a diversity of opportunities for learning and building community.  
Not everyone is interested in the same thing. The fort has been a place where people that don't fit in somewhere else fit.  We help people find what they are good at and give them a place to learn it and then share it with others."


 


 
Upcoming Virtual Fundraisers
 

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