information from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

There has been growing discussion throughout broader Delridge about a need for more collaboration and communication between organizations, and an aspiration to highlight the diverse cultural groups working and living in SW Seattle. According to the 2010 census, Delridge had some of the highest per capita percentages of diverse ethnic groups represented in Seattle, and the highest percentage of youth ages 0-17 in the city. As the demographic of Delridge is rapidly changing, it is important that all residents are encouraged to invest in their community and support organizations doing significant service, cultural and artistic work here in the neighborhood.

It is with this vision that the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) seeks to convene the Cultural Events Series to not only advance the mission of the organization but also to activate growth in a manner that will build, strengthen and empower all of the communities within the Delridge Corridor.

Partnerships will encompass the diverse group of organizations housed at DNDA’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and other local organizations including Nature Consortium, Totem Star, Reel Grrls, Arts Corps, Southwest Youth & Family Services, Vietnamese Cultural Center, Delridge Community Center and others. Significant funding for the project comes from Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods.

By fostering local partnerships and incorporating the city’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), the Cultural Events Series will increase awareness around the history, culture and needs of Delridge. The series will activate a support network to encourage residents and families who have long called Delridge home to stay rooted, empowered and engaged while deepening the perspectives of what is possible in our neighborhood. ‪Interested community members can check out www.dnda.org to learn more about the Cultural Events Series, including dates, times and locations of events.

About the Cultural Events Series

With the help of local partners, DNDA is bringing ten cultural events to the Delridge community in 2016. These events will be held at DNDA’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and other venues in the neighborhood to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Delridge. By bringing together a variety of people and organizations for the planning of events, this series will serve to strengthen neighborhood bonds that will help to cultivate an engaged, safe, and caring Delridge for many years to come. Events will include showcases of performing arts groups, youth poetry slams, skate park events, cultural food events, other youth performances and more. The cultural events series will kick off with a World Dance Party on April 29th from 6pm-9pm. Other notable events this year include our Summer Kickoff and Children’s Moonlight Festival, and the series will conclude in December with the Youth Speaks Slam. For more information about each event visit: http://dnda.org/culturalseries/events/

About Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association

Since 1996, DNDA has brought together Delridge neighbors, other non-profits, the business community and local government to build a thriving community, with an emphasis on social, racial, and environmental justice. Our mission is to activate growth in the Delridge corridor by providing access to vital resources for all our neighbors. These resources include: Affordable housing, green space, healthy food, education, and arts and culture. www.dnda.org

About Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

The Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (Youngstown), operated by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA), is an innovative and dynamic arts hub. It hosts and houses groundbreaking arts programming and is a widely recognized model for comprehensive and integrated community engagement. Youngstown is a multi-purpose venue dedicated to arts, education, and to the provision of space for members of the community to create, converse, and perform.

Located in the historic Frank B. Cooper Elementary School in the Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle, Youngstown is included in the national register of historic spaces, hosting over 30,000 participants annually, and growing. www.youngstownarts.org