NEWS GLEAMS: Local Sightings Film Festival, New Grants, Jobs at KC Elections, & More!

curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don't want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

DEEL's New Youth-Led Social Justice Mini-Grant Applications Open!

From the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL): "This week, DEEL opened applications for a new Youth-Led Social Justice Mini-Grant that will invest up to $100,000 toward youth-led social justice projects to address hate and bias toward Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI); Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities. Grants of $500—$8,000 per applicant will be awarded through a non-competitive process.

"The Youth-Led Social Justice Mini-Grant was first announced in March 2021 by Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Seattle City Council in response to increased hate crimes and bias that continue to harm Seattle's AAPI community. This grant will invest in and amplify the voices of passionate youth leaders in Seattle advocating for anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and positive change.

"DEEL worked closely with the Seattle Youth Commission and other Seattle youth to advise on the application's design and outreach strategy to ensure the grant is accessible, transparent, and inclusive.

"All Seattle youth ages 12—24 are eligible to apply. Applications are open to individuals, youth-led groups such as school clubs or community-based groups, as well as community-based organizations who can demonstrate that projects will be led by youth. Applicants can choose to submit their application in either a written or video format."

Deadline to apply is Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and the application timeline, and to apply for this mini-grant, visit DEEL's Youth-Led Social Justice Mini-Grant webpage.

NWFF's 24th Annual Local Sightings Film Festival Kicks Off Today!

From the Northwest Film Forum (NWFF): "Presented by Seattle's NWFF, the 24th Annual Local Sightings Film Festival is a virtual-and-in-person showcase of creative communities from throughout the Pacific Northwest. The 2021 program, which runs from September 16—26, features a competitive selection of curated short film programs and feature films, inviting regional artists to experiment, break, and remake popular conceptions around filmmaking and film exhibition.

"Local Sightings champions emerging and established talent, supports the regional film industry, and promotes diverse media as a critical tool for public engagement."

For more information, including this year's catalog of films, presentations, and panels, and to purchase festival passes, visit NWFF's Local Sightings Film Festival 2021 webpage.

King County's Revive and Thrive Together and 4Culture's Recovery Fund Support Artists

On Sept. 9, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that the County is allocating $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to "support the reopening of the cultural sector including independently owned live music venues, independently owned movie theaters, and arts spaces." The County opened applications for this arts and culture fund, called the "Revive and Thrive Together" program, on Monday, Sept. 13. Grants are available for arts, culture, and heritage organizations; independent music venues; science organizations; and independent movie theaters with 2019 revenue over $1 million.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 18 at 11:59 p.m. (PT). For more information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit the Arts & Culture Fund webpage.

Additional support for the arts and cultural field will be distributed by 4Culture, King County's cultural service agency. 4Culture's Recovery Fund application process will open next Thursday, Sept. 23. 4Culture will also be partnering with the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture to share the application process, allowing eligible organizations to submit one application to be considered for funding by both agencies. More information will be available once applications for the Recovery Fund go live next Thursday. To keep an eye out and see what actions can be taken in the meantime, visit 4Culture's COVID-19 response page.

As organizations can only apply for either the Revive and Thrive program OR the Recovery Fund (not both), those not sure which fund they're eligible for can fill out a short questionnaire created by the fund distributors (King County Creative, 4Culture, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, etc.) to figure out which program would be the best fit.

Drivers May Be Eligible to Get Suspended Licenses Back

Following a recent court ruling, driver's licenses suspended due to failure to pay traffic tickets or failure to appear at a hearing for a related ticket may no longer be suspended as of June 16, 2021. These drivers will not be charged the $75 reissuance fee and the Department of Licensing (DOL) will reinstate their license if they are eligible. The court order relates only to suspensions for non-criminal moving violations such as speeding.

Drivers with previously suspended licenses can register at the DOL's License eXpress website and follow the step-by-step instructions to determine the status of their driver's license.

Individuals might be able to start driving again if all of the following statements are true:

• Their license was suspended within the last six years for failure to pay for or appear at hearings for non-criminal traffic tickets;
• Their driver's license has not expired within that time;
• And they have their license in their possession. If their license is no longer suspended and has not expired, it is valid.

More resources about checking license status, license renewals, testing, and other information can be found below:

• To confirm that your suspension has been lifted, call DOL's automated line (360-902-3900) or visit the DOL's driver's license status page.
• To learn about general license and renewal fees, visit the DOL's fee information page.
• To learn about testing requirements, costs, and locations, visit the DOL's testing information page.
• To learn more about how to request payment plans or community service to pay off debts, read this article on Washington Law Help.

King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Seeks Community Advisors

From the King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO): "OLEO is looking for people who want to help create a more fair and just policing and public safety system to join the Community Advisory Committee for Law Enforcement Oversight (CACLEO). OLEO is a civilian-led agency that represents the interests of the public in its efforts to hold the King County Sheriff's Office accountable for providing fair and just policing services.

"CACLEO members work together on behalf of the public to advise on equitable and fair ways to improve their policies, practices, and operations of the King County Sheriff's Office and the professionalism of its employees. CACLEO meets monthly and openings are designated for people who live in and reflect the diversity of communities served by the King County Sheriff's Office in unincorporated areas of King County and partner cities and agencies that contract with the Sheriff's Office to receive policing.

"CACLEO is an inclusive and welcoming group, and members receive an orientation and support from OLEO staff, and those with shared interests and/or lived experience are encouraged to apply.

"Those interested in applying can learn more and apply on the CACLEO 'Membership' webpage, or contact OLEO's community engagement manager Jenna Franklin at jenna.franklin@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-3789."

Bike Works' BIPOC Leadership Cohort Application Open

From Bike Works: "The BIPOC Leadership Cohort is a program for high school-aged youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color to gain leadership skills, professional recommendations, and networking opportunities through a focus on bike repair, bike riding, or both!

"Bike Works is offering two areas of focus in the BIPOC Leadership cohort for October and November of 2021: One cohort will concentrate on repair, and one cohort will concentrate on riding. The Bike Repair Cohort will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will learn the basic mechanics while gaining skills in working on bikes that could lead to future employment as a mechanic. The Bike Riding Cohort will meet on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will engage in increasingly longer rides as we explore our community and learn about future employment riding bikes. Both focus areas will engage in Leadership Conversations and Training on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"All sessions will be at Bike Works in Columbia City."

For more information and to apply for Bike Works' BIPOC Leadership Cohort, visit the "BIPOC Leadership Cohort Online Application" webpage on Bike Works' website.

King County Elections Hiring for Upcoming General Election

Want to learn more about the local elections process? Now's your chance: King County Elections is hiring for the upcoming general election!

From King County Elections: "We are hiring for a variety of positions from ballot collection van drivers to customer service to ballot processing to data entry and more. Positions pay from $19.99 to $25.98 hourly and can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the role.

"This is a great opportunity to see the elections process firsthand and serve the community as well as get some experience while you're searching for your dream job."

For more information about being a ballot van driver and to apply, visit the Ballot Van Driver (Temporary) job listing on the King County Careers website.

For more information and to apply for all other King County Elections positions, visit the Elections Worker (Temporary) job listing on the King County Careers website.

HomeSight's Tony To and Tom Jacobi Retire

On Aug. 18, HomeSight saw off two of their longtime leaders Tony To and Tom Jacobi into retirement.

From HomeSight's Marc Bartel: "Tony, who dedicated 28 years to HomeSight and leaves us as the Director Emeritus said, 'I am in awe and will be forever grateful to HomeSight for what we have accomplished together. I leave at a time when the staff, leadership, and board are most representative of those we have served so well. I wish HomeSight the very best in its next chapter of creating impact and changing lives for the better.'

"Tom, who dedicated 30 years to HomeSight and leaves us as the Chief Portfolio Officer said, '… I also want to thank my many colleagues at HomeSight and other partners I've collaborated with. Without them we could not have accomplished so much for affordable homeownership. When I take a step back from the day-to-day work, it's with great satisfaction that I look at all we do at HomeSight to provide the opportunity for wealth building for low-income home buyers, it's what really keeps me going!'

"Darryl Smith, HomeSight's executive director, spoke on the retirees at the event and ended his words with this: 'Tom Jacobi and Tony TO, who combine almost 60 years of affordable housing and development expertise, are two heroes who have built a strong foundation and rich legacy on which we, who remain at HomeSight, will continue to carry the torch.'"

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