By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
The Family First Community Center, a new public facility in Renton’s Benson/Cascade neighborhood, has officially opened its doors to the community. The endeavor is the result of a partnership between former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin Jr’s Family First Community Foundation, the City of Renton, Renton School District, and HealthPoint.
The inspiration for the community center came to Baldwin when he joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 and noticed the lack of safe spaces for youth in the area. Drawing from his own experiences growing up in Florida, where he benefited greatly from his local community center, Baldwin recognized the need to provide a similar resource for the youth in Renton.
“When I first arrived here in 2011, the community embraced me as one of their own. I got to know a group of teens who did their homework at a place called Mama’s Teriyaki, and that’s when I initially envisioned the Family First Community Center,” says Baldwin. “Having grown up in Florida, my local community center added so much to my childhood, and I realized there was a need for such a resource here.”
The concept of the Family First Community Center began to take shape with the involvement of Tom Trompeter, former CEO of HealthPoint, and former Renton City Mayor Denis Law in 2015. The Renton School Board agreed to lease 17,000 square feet of land adjacent to Cascade Elementary School, and through a combination of public and private funding, including a total of over $14 million, the project was brought to fruition.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the center took place in the Benson/Cascade area of Renton in 2019. Baldwin expressed his pride in all the partners involved, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to turn a vision into reality. He hopes that the Family First Community Center will serve as a model for other cities across the state and the country.
“With my experience in sports, I realized to win a championship it takes a lot of partners,” says Baldwin. “From vision to execution, this has been a journey of seven years, and I’m so proud of all our partners for the work it took to get here. The Family First Community Center provides a space where people can feel safe, welcomed, and seen. My hope is that it provides a model for other cities, not only across the state but around the country.”
Jackie Montgomery, the Executive Director of the Family First Community Center Foundation, emphasized the importance of providing a safe space for young people who have various needs and may feel overlooked.
“I think that the space is going to have an impact on this community far beyond my lifetime. This is going to have generational change; people are craving and needing this space,” said Montgomery. “The number of people who have already tried to get in the space is amazing. We’re hoping to touch this community’s mind, body, and soul—a place for people to come together.”
The center aims to cater to all ages, focusing on recreation, education, and fostering a sense of togetherness. It boasts several amenities, including a HealthPoint Clinic, a gymnasium, fitness center, studio, STEM maker-space, and multiple community gathering spaces.
The HealthPoint Clinic within the center will offer medical, dental, behavioral, and additional health services. With two dental chairs, six exam rooms, and onsite laboratory capabilities, the clinic aims to provide comprehensive care.
The construction of the building prioritized sustainability and environmental consciousness, aiming for LEED Silver certification. Notably, the building features a living roof that aids in insulation and stormwater management.
The center will offer a wide range of activities and programs such as after-school programs, youth and adult sports, group exercise, personal training, financial literacy classes, health education, cooking, and nutrition classes. It aims to cater to the needs of individuals of all ages and backgrounds, providing a holistic approach to wellness.
“At HealthPoint, we’ve been serving the community for over 50 years, and we know that good health is about much more than health care,” said Yohalem. “That’s why we are excited to be part of a community hub that offers a variety of health and wellness services. Together, we can make Renton a healthier and more vibrant place to live.”
During the official opening of the center, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone expressed his appreciation for the collaborative effort behind the center’s creation and emphasized the positive impact it will have on individuals and families in the community.
“The opening of the Family First Community Center is a really incredible example of what can happen when agencies, local government, non-profits, and private donors come together to bring a vision to life,” said Pavone. “Opening the doors of the Family First Community Center, providing a supportive and inclusive environment, we can help individuals and families in our community to thrive and reach their full potential.”
