While they originally planned to make a decision by Thanksgiving, the Wallingford Senior Center is still on the fence about whether or not they’ll remain open. Surprising gains in community support over the past few weeks have given the Center new hope and the potential to keep their doors open after all.
Due to the unexpected outpouring of community backing from the online auction and the soup-line fundraiser two weeks ago, the WCSC Board and Wallingford Community Council believe that the community will play a far larger role than they initially imagined and the public is now being figured into the decision-making process. Kathleen Cromp of the Senior Center reports that she’s still negotiating funding with prospective major donors and the City–a cause that is largely helped by the community’s demonstrated commitment to the Center.
While a final decision will most likely not be reached by the week’s end, crucial discussions will take place over the next few days with a WCSC Board meeting Thursday evening and an open-door meeting tonight, in which the Wallingford Community Council has specifically invited the community to participate.
WCC President, Mary Heim’s message to the community:
This community has stepped up with an outstanding show of support for the Wallingford Community Senior Center. (WCSC). The Brother Can You Spare a Dime – Soup Line Fundraiser was a blow out success and demonstrates that neighbors of all ages feel they have a stake in the WCSC having a future. This seems like a significant shift that is heartening, remarkably strong, and worthy of paying attention.
We would like to invite you to participate in a community conversation at the Wallingford Community Council meeting tonight (Wednesday 12/2 at 7 pm) to explore what this means and help us take steps to engage the community in new ways with regard to WCSC’s future. It seems that the community-at-large may now to be a stakeholder in the outcome in a different way than even a month ago. The WCSC Board clearly needs broader community involvement in any go-forward plan.
A decision about rebuild / go forward vs. close / end needs to be made soon. Yet, the way in which the decision is made, with the right stakeholders as part of the process is as important as the decision itself. There is a lot of commitment and talent in this community and we are hoping to tap into that energy to help the WCSC move forward. Please join us for this important meeting.
Wallingford Community Council meeting
December 2, 7:00-9:00 PM
Good Shepherd Center, Room 202
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N
Agenda:
7:00-8:00 – Community conversation and engagement regarding the Wallingford Community Senior Center
8:00-8:50 – Sherry Carr, Seattle School Board Director
8:50 – New business and announcements
9:00 – Adjourn