County Councilmembers Partner with Doug Baldwin, Renton to support Family First Community Center

September 12, 2017

Summary

Encouraging education and health

Story

Councilmembers Dunn and Upthegrove are joined by Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin and Renton Mayor Denis Law. (l-r) Councilmember Dunn, Mayor Law, Doug Baldwin, Renton School District Superintendent Dr. Damien Pattenaude and Councilmember Upthegrove

Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Dave Upthegrove met with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin and Renton Mayor Denis Law to present $75,000 to the Family First Community Center, a recreational facility that will support education, fitness, and overall health for families and youth in the community.

The funds presented to Baldwin and Law today by Dunn and Upthegrove, who both represent Renton on the County Council, were made available as part of the adopted 2017-2018 King County Budget.

“Community centers provide valuable programs and services to families,” said Dunn. “I am glad to have helped secure funding to support the vision of the Family First Community Center facility and its role in the Greater Renton Community.”

“The Family First Center represents amazing community partnerships and has a mission dedicated to supporting youth and families in Renton,” said Upthegrove. “Our county contribution will help bring wrap around services to the Benson Hill neighborhood of my district. I’m so excited to be a part of this project.”

The Doug Baldwin Foundation, City of Renton, and Renton School District have come together to build the Family First Community Center in the Cascade/Benson Hill area. The area is home to nearly a quarter of Renton’s population with 12 percent living below the property line with over 20 percent 14 years or younger. This center will provide a variety of programs including youth sports, art and music classes, group exercise, English as a second language classes, and much more. Healthpoint, a non-profit health center, will also provide services in the facility.

“It is great that supporters throughout the region are stepping forward to help with this important effort, and we are delighted to receive this check from King County,” said Mayor Law. “My personal thanks to King County Councilmembers Dave Upthegrove and Reagan Dunn for their help to champion this effort and recognize the benefits that Family First Community Center can provide for the children and youth in our community.”

The City of Renton is currently looking to build a 25,000-26,000 square foot facility including a gymnasium, fitness gym, classrooms, and multipurpose rooms next to Cascade Elementary School.