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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1359RESOLUTION NO. /351 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, in support of Project Lighthouse and a Kent Youth Center. WHEREAS, in addition to the services provided for the City's youth through the ~ent Parks and Recreation Department, the City's youth also need ·a place of their own where they can obtain prevention and intervention services, alternative educational activities, and encouragement recreational activities; and and direction, as well as WHEREAS, 27% of the City's population is age 19 and under (1990 census), and 16% of the families living in the City are low income; and WHEREAS, a task force committee has been established to investigate all feasible alternatives available to establish a youth center in the City and to investigate possible funding sources for a youth center establishment; and WHEREAS, various funding sources, including the establishment of a levy or bond measure, may be available to fund such a facility; and WHEREAS, Kent School District, Kent Youth and Family Services, and numerous other community agencies have collaborated to respond to the immediate needs of this community's youth by establishing a collaborative community program known as "Project Lighthouse"; and WHEREAS, Kent School District has made available the former O'Brien Elementary School building and site as an immediate facility to house the Project Lighthouse programs and activities; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The youth of the City of Kent deserve and are in vital need of a youth center facility where children and teenagers can go for counseling, alternative educational activities, and encouragement and direction, as well as for recreational activities. Section 2. The City Council hereby supports and endorses the mission statement of Project Lighthouse. Mission Statement: "Project Lighthouse" is an organized and collaborative effort among youth and adult leaders in the community to provide comprehensive and integrated activities, services and resources to the adolescent youth of the Kent area, with particular focus on youth at risk. These services will be provided in a safe and accessible setting, coordinated around the developmental needs of youth and will be provided predominately free of charge. The purpose of this project is to provide adolescents with opportunities for growth, the attainment of self- sufficiency, and a sense of belonging to the community_. 2 Section 3. The City Council will work collaboratively with the Kent School District, King County, the State of Washington, and all other agencies toward the achievement of the mission statement. Section 4. The City Council, for the short term, will use its best efforts to utilize City resources to support the initial opening of the O'Brien site as a teen center for the summer and fall of 1993. Section 5. To enhance this collaborative effort, the City will strive to actively participate in the King County Anti- Gang Strategy. Section 6. The City Council shares a vision with Project Lighthouse to develop a comprehensive plan in order to address the long range need for a community youth center. Section 7. Following the successful study and review of the architectural plan, the City Council will pursue the placement of a levy or bond measure to fund the building and operational costs of a permanent community youth center facility to be built within the next two to eight years. Passed at a regular m;e;;ng of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington this day of ~ , 1993. r of the City of Kent, this 11 ~~~d in by the ----~~~~~---' 1993. day of KELLEHER, MAYOR 3 ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Resolution No. Kent, Washington, the yuthctr2.res BRENDA JACO 4 of of