Last month, Seattle University announced plans to roll out a $1 million-a-year project to strengthen neighboring Bailey Gatzert Elementary. The school is situated in the cradle of the Central District and serves residents living inside South Dearborn Street, Alaskan Way, James Street, East Cherry Street and 23rd Avenue South. 94 percent of students at Bailey Gatzert receive free or reduced lunch.
The Youth Initiative is modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone and will feature after-school tutoring, legal aid from law students, and health care provided by the nursing school.
SU's web page for the Initiative can be accessed here. You can read glowing press from the Seattle Times here and Opinions here.
There has been criticism of the Initiative. This Spectator editorial calls the Initiative a "PR tool". This is in the same vein of concerns articulated by community members at a panel discussion on February 15th. A member of our Multiculturalism class who attended the meeting reported community members were concerned that the University neglected to thoroughly survey their needs.
It will be interesting to observe how the University responds to this criticism. $1 million dollars a year represents a big budget. Hopefully, it includes some room for reflexivity.
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