Congressman Larsen visits future home of Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto-Wright and Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell.
Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell speaks to Olympia Edwards, founder of the Lynnwood-based Project Girl mentoring program.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen describes the process of acquiring funding for the center.
L-R: Lynnwood-based Project Girl Founder Olympia Edwards, Lynnwood City Councilmember Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and Edmonds City Councilmember Vivian Olson applaud remarks during the event.
Steve Woodard, Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember and VOAWW’s vice president of community engagement, acknowledged both volunteers and elected officials.

Elected officials, volunteers and Trinity Lutheran Church staff joined U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen Monday at the Lynnwood church to celebrate fundraising progress on the planned Lynnwood Neighborhood Center to be located next door.

Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto-Wright and Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell were there, as were councilmembers from other South Snohomish County cities — sharing their appreciation of Larsen’s efforts to secure $3 million in federal funding for the center. Larsen acknowledged the work that community members and the Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) have contributed to the project.

Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember and VOAWW’s Vice President of Community Engagement Steve Woodard acknowledged several elected officials in attendance, including retired State Rep. Ruth Kagi and former Snohomish County Councilmember Stephanie Wright. Trinity Lutheran Church, which is leasing church property to the community center for a dollar per year for the next 50 years, was represented by Pastor Hector Garfias-Toledo and other church board members. 

The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center is planned as a multigenerational, multicultural gathering space that will provide social, educational and behavioral services for families, older adults and individuals in South Snohomish County. Learn more here.

— Story and photos by Jasmine Contreras-Lewis

 

  1. Thank you Rep. Larsen for keeping our communities in mind. The fund-raising for any major project takes time and watching the EWC come to fruition is an example. So thank you for becoming a major supporter early in the process.

    This Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will key for all neighboring areas and Edmonds needs to continue to support these collaborations.

  2. I like this and I will donate a small amount to begin with to get this going. I watched the video and it looks very nice. The only thing I see maybe missing is a place for teens and young adults without parents to meet and talk and sort of air it out. A place to have a soda or cup of coffee maybe some cool exercise programs with music. This type of thing. Also, I think having Arts encouraged and offered for sales to the public would be a good idea too. I like what Black Coffee did in Shoreline. This is how they started. I think it will help unify all of our community. Some outreach workers and just volunteers to talk with or be there for this pop I mention would be a good thing. Good luck with this it is a great start for our communities.

  3. Will VOA have a 211 in person navigator on site to help people find resources? THere used to be one of these at the Verdant center but they got rid of her.

    1. Just received this information from Verdant Superintendent Lisa Edwards: Since 2018, The Verdant Health Commission has continuously funded a 211 CRA Community Resource Advocate position with Volunteers of America.
      The position is currently vacant. Here is a link to the job post: Bilingual Community Resource Advocate
      https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=94300&clientkey=FD86B4C26FC36774A8A7B421DEA7317C
      This position currently shares office space at Edmonds College, Verdant and Edmonds and Lynnwood Food Banks to serve the community.

  4. Where can people get a list of the days aNd times that the community resources advocates will be at each of these places? Wht services do they provide? The job link just says that the person will be at Edmonds Community College. Will there be one of these advocates at the new Lynnwood center?

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