The King County Department of Local Services has awarded $412,500 in participatory budgeting empowerment grants to fund eight community projects in East Federal Way, Skyway, and White Center. These grants will support mental health and grief support, community gardens, and youth programs, reflecting the priorities identified by residents in unincorporated King County.
The participatory budgeting program, launched in 2021 by Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council, allows community members to propose and vote on projects that address local needs. Since its inception, the initiative has allocated more than $23 million to community-led efforts, reinforcing the county’s commitment to collaborative decision-making and equitable investment.
“These empowerment grant investments are for the communities and are chosen by community members,” said Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson. “Participatory Budgeting is about listening to communities and sharing power, management, and confidence with residents in unincorporated King County who know what is needed to make the greatest impact.”
The following projects will receive empowerment grants:
Mental Health and Grief Support – White Center/North Highline
• Seeds to Garden Project – $32,500 to develop artistic and creative programming for young people and families, promoting social, emotional, and mental health. The initiative will support families affected by the school-to-prison pipeline.
Community Garden – East Federal Way
• The Lovely Garden Project – $50,000 to install fencing, vegetable beds, and greenhouses. This project will provide free fresh produce to underserved communities, including those experiencing homelessness, while offering therapeutic gardening and nutrition education to developmentally delayed youth from a local group home.
Community Garden – Skyway
• Black Panther Park – $50,000 to build a living history space honoring the Black Panther Party’s legacy in Seattle and beyond. The park will include a lending library, food pantry, herb and berry garden, and community artwork, serving as a monument for future generations.
Youth Programs – Skyway
• Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Institute’s Equitable Geospatial Ecosystem Program – $80,000 to provide GIS (graphical information system) training for youth aged 14 to 24 and host a community workshop led by program participants. This initiative aims to equip youth with high-demand technical skills while fostering community engagement.
• Guy Talk Interactive Workshops – $50,000 to support a transformative program for young men aged 12 to 24. Through weekly sessions, healing circles, and interactive workshops, the initiative will focus on violence prevention, reducing criminalization, and personal development.
• Young Ladies of Today and Tomorrow – $50,000 for a mentorship program for girls aged 8 to 18, fostering leadership, self-confidence, and life skills development through educational enrichment sessions.
• Nomad Boxing Club – $50,000 for a three-part youth boxing program, incorporating mentorship, girls’ empowerment, and after-school support. The initiative aims to promote physical and mental well-being, social-emotional growth, and self-confidence.
• Speak With Purpose – $50,000 to expand access to their public speaking and leadership training program, reaching two additional schools in the Skyway area. This initiative will empower students to express themselves confidently and develop leadership skills.
By directly involving community members in funding decisions, King County’s participatory budgeting program ensures that local investments align with the most pressing needs of residents.
