NEWS GLEAMS: Help Out at T'Challaween 2021, Child Care Financial Assistance, & 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!

T'Challaween 2021 Seeks Volunteers, Sponsorships, & Candy!

This year's "T'Challaween: A Tribute to Our Heroes & Role Models" will take place on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1—4 p.m. and will feature a one-mile, socially distant, COVID-safe costume parade along the Beacon Hill Greenway from South College Street to the South Spokane Street entrance to Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill. Candy tossers will be stationed along the way to load up paraders with sweetness! (Masks will be required again this year.)

Last year, the community turned out to make our inaugural event possible and we need your help to make it happen again! We have multiple volunteer opportunities, including volunteer coordination, candy tossers, event ambassadors, floaters, set-up/tear-down crew, and there's even still room on the planning committee and plenty to do! Shoot us an email to come on board.

We also have sponsorship opportunities for small and large businesses and organizations. Get your name/logo on T'Challaween promotional materials — physical and digital — mentions in articles from the South Seattle Emerald and tags on our social media channels where we'll also link to your website. We'll do everything we can to make sure the whole world knows that we couldn't have done this without your support! Email us today to inquire about sponsoring T'Challaween 2021! Last year's partners and sponsors included Rainier Avenue Radio, The Station, Bar del Corso, Converge Media, Beacon Business Alliance, Beacon Hill Council, Urban Feed & Garden, Jump Start (organizational development services), Beacon Arts, Practically Apparent, Feed the People Plaza, Hello Bicycle, and the ACLU of Washington.

Seattle Food Equity Fund Accepting Applications

The City of Seattle announced $3 million in grants to "fund an array of unique and creative community endeavors that seek to increase equitable access and opportunities to grow, to learn about, and/or eat healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant foods."

Based on recommendations from the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board, the grants are designed increase investments in community work led by those most impacted by food and health inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, families with young children, youth, and elders.

Grant applications for up to $75,000 are due between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30; application period for the second tier of grants between $80,000 to $150,000 will open March 1, 2022.

For more information on how to apply, eligibility, and scope of projects, visit the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' Food Equity Fund website.

Chinatown-International District Neighborhood Plan Survey Seeks Community Input

From the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition (SESEC): "Several CID organizations have come together as an informal group called the CID Visioning Project Advisory Group to identify ways the community can have a stronger voice and influence. You can shape the future of the CID by reviewing the draft plan and providing your feedback. This survey contains draft strategies to address important issues facing the CID. Your survey feedback, and the comments of others, will be used to further develop a neighborhood plan."

Find links to the survey in different languages in the following CID Neighborhood Survey Google Document.

Port of Seattle 2022 Budget and Capital Investment Program Virtual Presentation

From the Port of Seattle: "Learn about the Port's proposed 2022 budget, tax levy uses, and 2022-2026 capital investment plan at one of two upcoming virtual community presentations.

"Port leaders will share how the budget and capital development program helps the region connect to an equitable and sustainable recovery.

"The Port's 2022 budget supports Port priorities to safely operate our essential gateways, equitably expand and create economic opportunity, carry out our sustainability vision, and follow through with our commitment to improve customer service. Unique and strategic investments by the Port will make our region more competitive, more economically diverse, more resilient, and better connected to markets near and far.

• Maritime and Economic Development: Wednesday, October 20, 4:00—5:00 p.m.
• Aviation: Thursday, October 21, 4:00—5:00 p.m.

"To register, visit the following Port of Seattle Connecting to Recovery: 2022 Budget and Capital Investment Program webpage. For more information, email your questions or comments to portregistration@portseattle.org."

Child Care Financial Assistance Now Available from City and County Funding

Child Care Resources is distributing two different types of financial assistance for different child care providers. The first, distributed in partnership with the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), is the Child Care Recognition Payment for home and center-based child care programs, and the second, funded by King County, is the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregiver Financial Assistance for low-income caregivers.

From the Seattle Department of Education: "Beginning Sept. 20, home and center-based child care programs can apply for a one-time Child Care Recognition Payment on behalf of eligible employees. The exact amount for the recognition payment depends on the total number of employees represented through the applications of eligible programs.

"Applications will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese on this page on Sept. 20. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 11, 2021."

For more information on the DEEL's Child Care Recognition Payment, including eligibility requirements, visit the DEEL's Child Care Recognition Payment website.

From Child Care Resources: "With funding from King County, Child Care Resources is offering one-time $1,500 financial assistance to 250 family, friend, and neighbor caregivers who live in King County, Washington. Financial assistance will be made to caregivers with low incomes who are currently taking care of at least one child, ages birth—12 years for 10 or more hours a week.

"Applications are available in different languages, and someone may assist a caregiver to apply. The deadline for applications is Oct. 25, 2021."

For more information about the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregiver Financial Assistance, including eligibility requirements, visit Child Care Resources' King County FFN Financial Assistance website. To apply, fill out the following application form.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Breast Health Equity Study Seeking Participants

Are you a Black woman over 40 who has never had a mammogram or hasn't had one in over 2 years?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is seeking participants for a new breast health equity study aimed at improving health care for Black women. Over the past 20 years, breast cancer rates have risen among African American women who also have the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any U.S. ethnic group. According to the American Cancer Society website, "[f]inding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer."

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's newly opened study focuses on breast cancer screening. Participation involves 1—3 virtual interviews. Participants will be given $75 gift cards upon completion of each interview (for a possible total of up to $225). For more information, please email BreastEquity@seattlecca.org or call 206-606-6329.