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Sun Shine Through – Neighborhood Sign Update

Sun Shine Through – Neighborhood Sign Update

Here is the latest update on the progress of the welcome sign which will be placed on North Monroe on the boundary between the Emerson Garfield and the North Hill Neighborhoods. One side will welcome people coming from North Hill into Emerson Garfield and the other side welcome people from Emerson Garfield into the North Hill neighborhood.

One of the clouds for the sign under construction
Construction underway for the welcome sign

Hi Neighbors!
I wanted to give you all an update on the sculpture! Lisa and I are making great progress on Sun Shine Through: the clouds are all built and mortared and awaiting glass and tiles. We finished the last of our tile workshops last week, the tiles were all fired over the weekend, and we will begin the mosaic on Wednesday. We have through the end of April to complete the sculpture in our studio at The Hive and we are on track to meet that deadline!
Our grant funds have held out for our material costs, but we do need to fundraise for the cost of the installation. We have found a concrete vendor, Bacon Concrete, to do the installation, and we are in touch with urban forestry about having a few of the trees relocated. We still have some details to work out about running electrical for lighting, designing the actual neighborhood sign lettering, and landscaping, etc. but we are making progress in all directions.

They are seeking donations to help with the last few steps to make the project a reality. Here’s the GoFundMe link, they appreciate any and all donations to help with their work.

https://gofund.me/9cbe1012
GoFundMe flyer for the Sun Shine Through neighborhood sign
Please help make the sign a reality by donating if you can
STA Proposed Fare Change – Feedback Requested

STA Proposed Fare Change – Feedback Requested

Spokane Transit Authority is now taking public feedback on proposed changes to the current fare policy. First and foremost, the proposal does not include a fare increase. Rather, the draft policy intends to expand transit discount program eligibility to thousands more people throughout the region, as well as introduce a new approach to collecting fares called “fare capping.”

This short video explains fare capping, which is intended to address current fare inequities and reduces financial barriers to transit by eliminating the up-front cost of a monthly pass.

This brochure offers more information and details.

Take the survey.

American Recovery Plan Community Feedback Request

American Recovery Plan Community Feedback Request

The City of Spokane is set to receive over $80 million in funds to spearhead emergency economic relief for businesses, residents, and communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their first step is to collect community feedback on the distribution of the American Recovery plan funds. 

Using ThoughtExchange, they hope to capture and gauge community sentiment and opinion to help inform City Council on allocation decisions for our community. 

Please consider participating by visiting https://tejoin.com/scroll/961107889 or using your smartphone camera to scan the QR Code.

2021 Neighborhood Clean-Up Program

2021 Neighborhood Clean-Up Program

City of Spokane residents may request a $25 Disposal Pass to be used at the Waste to Energy Facility (2900 S Geiger). The program will last until program funding is expended or November 30, whichever occurs soonest. These Disposal Passes are designed to help residents in the City of Spokane remove extra waste.

Read important details about the Disposal Pass Program.

View the Waste Disposal Guide.

Instructions to obtain a pass

Residents with access to a computer or smartphone:

  • Create an account or login to your account at my.spokanecity.org/account via web browser
  • Once you’re logged in to your account, visit the Disposal Pass Request form page to request your pass.
  • Complete the form with your information. Only City of Spokane residents can request a dump pass (businesses, organizations, schools, etc. are not permitted to use this program). Address listed must be residential, no P.O. Box addresses will be accepted.
  • A confirmation message will be sent to the email provided with more information about redeeming the Disposal Pass. The first round of passes will be issued beginning in June and continue through November (unless programming funds are expended prior to November).
  • When your Disposal Pass request is approved, you will receive a message regarding important information about redemption that needs to be reviewed prior to visiting the Waste to Energy Facility.

Residents with no access to a computer or smartphone:

  • Spokane C.O.P.S. locations will have a limited number of paper passes available for folks without computer access, first-come, first-served. Please contact your local C.O.P.S. location to determine when pick-up of a disposal pass is available.
AmeriCorps Opportunities

AmeriCorps Opportunities

Gabby Ryan, our neighborhood staff liaison, wanted to share this opportunity for community members to serve in the Spokane County United Way’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program.

She stated in her email:

It’s often described as the domestic Peace Corps, and allows for folks to do intentional and impactful community-based work. Being an AmeriCorps VISTA was what allowed for me to begin my work in the Spokane community, as I served as the AmeriCorps VISTA in Eastern Washington University’s Office of Community Engagement for two years. This is an excellent opportunity to share with folks more interested in community-based work (whether it’s government or nonprofit focused).

If any community members have questions about AmeriCorps, there’s contact info at the bottom, but they’re also welcome to reach out to me if they’re interested in an AmeriCorps Alumna’s local experience. There is a robust and strong AmeriCorps Alumni network here in Spokane, that includes many folks y’all work with on a daily basis. Myself, Councilmember Burke and Gretchen Chomas are just a few AmeriCorps Alumni who served in Spokane and stayed in the public sector in Spokane following our service terms.

509.625.6858 | gryan@spokanecity.org

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is an AmeriCorps program designed to fight poverty through indirect, capacity-building service.

Why serve?
Enrich your life by helping others. When you serve with Spokane County United Way’s VISTA Program, you join a network of people and organizations dedicated to strengthening Spokane.

Current opportunities:

  • Summer Associates: Help prevent summer learning loss in Spokane’s youth! Serve full-time for 9 weeks at Spokane County Library District, West Central Community Center, The ZoNE, or Spokane Parks & Recreation. Apply here!
  • Affordable Housing Specialist VISTA: Build neighborhood capacity for affordable housing as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member in West Central, Spokane! Note: This is a full-time, yearlong volunteer opportunity in partnership with Whitworth University’s Dornsife Center for Community Engagement. Apply here!
  • Community Outreach VISTA: Build the capacity of community engagement programs in NE Spokane through AmeriCorps VISTA service! Note: This is a full-time, yearlong volunteer opportunity in partnership with Gonzaga University’s Center for Community Engagement. Apply here!

See all opportunities through the VISTA Program. For questions about the VISTA Program, please contact Kaela Loriz at kaelal@unitedwayspokane.org.