NEWS GLEAMS: Virtual Voter Registration, Mock Election, Grants for BIPOC, & 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!

SouthEast Seattle Senior Center to Host Vaccination Clinic This Saturday

The SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, at 4655 S. Holly St., Seattle, WA 98118, is holding a COVID-19 vaccination event this Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The event is not limited to seniors and includes a BBQ lunch for those who get vaccinated (whether an initial dose or a booster). No appointment necessary.

For more information call 206-722-0317.

The 2021 Student Mock Election Is Now Open for K—12 Students

The Office of the Secretary of State is calling on students and teachers across Washington to take part in the 2021 Student Mock Election.

Open now until Nov. 2, the Student Mock Election is a nonpartisan educational initiative that teaches K-12 students how elections work and how to become informed voters. Students have the opportunity to participate in a "mock" election and vote on actual races and measures — including fictional issues pertinent to their daily lives.

Ballots, posters, voters' pamphlets, and more are available for download and printing. Other resources include "I Voted" stickers and the curriculum book Teaching Elections in Washington State. The lessons meet state and common-core standards, and satisfy the civics coursework required for graduation. Classroom-based assessments are included with each lesson.

In 2019, legislation went into effect that allows 16- and 17-year-old Washington citizens to sign up as "future voters" and be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18. More information about the Future Voter program, including qualifications and how to register, is available here.

WA State Parks Seeks Black, African, and African American Community Input on Outdoor Recreation Experiences

From the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs & Washington State Parks: "The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, and the Governor's Office of Washington want to make parks more relevant to the Black community in Washington State. To achieve this, the organizations conducting a survey as a part of their effort.

"The information will be used as part of a project to improve the outdoor experience for Black, African American, and African people in Washington State. The survey responses will be included in a report to the governor and State Legislature in 2022.

"Here's how you can help now:

• Please take the survey yourself.
• Email the survey link to your community network/church and urge them to fill it out — and then ask them to send the link to others in the community.
• Include the link in your organization/church newsletter.

"You can find the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/waparkssurvey."

City of Seattle Office and Sound Transit Finalize No-Cost Land Transfer for Affordable Housing Development in Rainier Valley

On Monday, Oct. 11, the City of Seattle and Sound Transit finalized the transfer of 10 sites in the Rainier Valley from the transit authority to the Seattle Office of Housing, at no cost to the City, for the development of permanently affordable for-sale homes.

The 10 sites, originally purchased for Sound Transit construction purposes, are located in an area at high risk of displacement along Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, spanning from the Mount Baker Link light rail station to the Rainier Beach Link light rail station.

The Office of Housing will publish a series of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) over the next several years to identify developers for each of the 10 sites, with RFPs for the first three sites to be released early next year. The City of Seattle has committed approximately $10 million to the Rainier Valley Homeownership Initiative, which will support the development of at least 100 new permanently affordable for-sale homes on the properties. Future homeownership opportunities developed on these sites will range in housing type and serve homebuyers earning at or below 80% area median income, or less than $92,560 for a household of four.

More information about the Office of Housing's Rainier Valley Homeownership Initiative can be viewed here.

BUILD Hosting a Virtual Voter Registration Event

From Brothers United in Leadership Development (BUILD): "Join us on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. PST for our Vibe 'n' Vote Virtual Party.

"The entire community is invited to tap in, listen to some hits, and register to vote online from the comfort of their home. DJ Mr. Nyice Guy will be on the 1's and 2's. This is an event you WON'T want to miss!"

To register for BUILD's Vibe 'n' Vote Virtual Party, fill out the following Zoom registration form.

Seattle Girls' School Hosting Virtual Open Houses

The Seattle Girls' School (SGS), an all-girls school providing "innovative curriculum designed to empower girls to think critically and creatively within a stimulating educational environment" and "inspiring and developing courageous leaders who think independently, work collaboratively, learn joyfully, and champion change," is hosting a two virtual open houses: one on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. and another on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 7:45 p.m.

From SGS: "A Seattle Girls' School Open House is an opportunity to learn about SGS and hear how leadership starts in the middle years. Prospective parents/guardians and students will have the chance to meet faculty, staff, students, and current parents/guardians."

For more information and to RSVP to one of SGS's virtual open houses, please visit seattlegirlsschool.org/visitsgs.

Voter Education Fund's 9th Annual A&PI Candidate Forum on Oct. 21

From the Voter Education Fund: "Come join us for the Ninth Annual A&PI Candidate Forum on Oct. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to hear from the candidates for King County executive, Seattle mayor, and Seattle City Council."

To register for this virtual candidate forum, please visit tinyurl.com/apigenforum.

Last Day to Apply for $10,000 Directed at BIPOC Businesses

Eligible businesses have until the end of the day Thursday, Oct. 14, to apply for Comcast RISE monetary grants, and/or marketing and technology services at www.ComcastRISE.com. Winners will be notified in November.

Local small businesses seeking more information about the $10,000 grants may learn more about the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, eligibility requirements, and how to apply by watching this video.

The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multiyear, multifaceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses owned by People of Color . The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with 1—25 employees.

Mary's Place Seeking Halloween Costumes and More!

From Mary's Place: "Spooky season is here! Can you help us get ready for Halloween festivities? We still need Halloween decorations and a variety of costumes for our kids and adults of all genders and sizes (no weapons, please!). You can drop off or ship donations to us by Oct. 27."

Mary's Place is accepting donations at their Donation Center in SoDo at 9 S. Nevada St., Seattle, WA 98134, Monday—Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Regrade Family Center at 720 Blanchard St., Seattle, WA 98121.

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