City invests in Eastside youth, culture

Tacoma is making a significant investment of $800,000 to enhance youth and cultural programming in District 4, a decision rooted in the participatory budgeting process where over 12,000 residents voiced their preferences. The funding will be allocated equally to support five to eight organizations involved in cultural events and another five to eight focused on out-of-school youth programming, particularly for ages 4-18. The Foundation for Tacoma Students will act as a technical and administrative partner, streamlining the grant process to ensure it meets community needs effectively. Local community groups will help select proposals, reinforcing the initiative's alignment with the district's vision for youth engagement and cultural diversity. A virtual information session is scheduled for February 28, offering potential applicants insights on proposal submission, which is due by April 1.

The funding recipients will be announced on April 30, marking a proactive step towards enriching the lives of Tacoma's youth. Council Member Sandesh Sadalge highlighted the importance of this investment, acknowledging the late Council Member Catherine Ushka's contributions to advancing such initiatives. This program not only supports local organizations but also strengthens Tacoma's cultural fabric and commitment to its youth.