Network Tacoma and the Bryant Neighborhood Center
Every year Abode brokers donate a portion of their commission from homes sold into the Windermere Foundation, for a total of more than $40 million dollars since 1989. The majority of the dollars raised through the Windermere Foundation go back into the local communities where our Windermere brokers serve their clients.
This year, the Abodies elected to share their funds with Network Tacoma and theBryant Neighborhood Center, as each organization provides essential support to our community. (Our 2018 funds were donated to Rebuilding Hope, and we lent our labor to Step-by-Step for our annual community service day).
We recognize that this is a challenging time for all of our social service providers, and know that they are struggling with limited resources, both financially and in terms of able-bodied volunteers. Please read on to find out more about these organizations, and consider supporting their work.
BRYANT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Trinity Presbyterian Church has been an active and thriving part of Tacoma’s Hilltop community for over 125 years. In 2017, they launched a campaign to restore their historic building, and in doing so creating the Bryant Neighborhood Center. Thanks to fundraising efforts and generous donations during their Here for Good campaign, they are able to expand their current educational and support services.
The Bryant Neighborhood Center serves an estimated 3,500 people annually. Services include meals through Tony’s Kitchen, which provides an opportunity for people to eat, but also to gather and join in conversation with one another. Pat’s Closet provides new and used clothing, household items, hygiene essentials and socks. The Trinity Neighborhood Clinic, a separate nonprofit entity, provides students & adults with services such as: wellness checks, sports physicals and diabetes assistance.
The center also serves around 300 children annually. The Bobcat Learning Center serves Jason Lee Middle School students each day after school with homework help, study skills, mentoring, and enrichment activities. The TAP program facilitates one-on-one literacy assistance with first and second graders.
By listening to community members, the church was able to speak directly with residents to find out what needs could be met, so they could better serve people in need. New programs are being adopted for when the center opens up in 2020, where adults and children can benefit like a preschool playgroup, parent coffee hour, parenting classes, homeless resources, nutrition, financial literacy, AA meetings and so much more.
If you’d like to support the Bryant Neighborhood center, please contact Rod Nash or click HERE.
NETWORK TACOMA
There were 1,500 people experiencing some sort of homelessness in Pierce County in 2019, and we are likely to see that number grow in 2020 due to the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.
Network Tacoma provides critical support to Tacomans experiencing housing insecurity. They began in 1990 helping families with children get off the street and achieve self-sufficiency, and now they operate 33 units of housing, seven which are for transitional residents, with the rest serving long-term low-income residents. They also work with their clients on other barriers such as employment and transportation, and address these issues through case management with job training, resources and emotional support.
We know that affordable housing is crucial to breaking the cycle of homelessness, and believe that safe, secure shelter is a basic human right, so we are proud to support Network Tacoma in their efforts to take care of our community.
If you would like to know more about Network Tacoma, please contact Greg Landon, or you can click HERE to make a donation. If you’re unable to give financially, but would like to share needed household items or volunteer your time, you can find out more here.
