As we celebrate National Community Development Week, Seattle Human Services is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Denise Louie Education Center, a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, culturally appropriate childcare and preschool services at four Seattle locations. The organization serves a critical need for working parents and young students in the area, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow.
In 2021, the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) and the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) teamed up to secure the future of Denise Louie’s Beacon Hill location by awarding $430K in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. CDBG is federal funding for essential projects such as affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and social services that benefit Seattle families. HSD would like to thank our federal delegation, including U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith, for their ongoing support of CDBG funding.
Susan Yang, the dynamic Executive Director of Denise Louie, shares the inspiring journey: “Twenty years ago, the City of Seattle provided the final piece of our capital campaign funding—$220K—to complete tenant improvements on our leased Beacon Hill site, a new location for us at the time. After 15 years of operating there, Denise Louie embarked on an effort to exercise our right to purchase the building. The process took three more years. In July 2021, the City stepped in with a Block Grant award, enabling us to complete the purchase and prevent Denise Louie Beacon Hill from being displaced.”
Today, thanks to the capital funding support from Washington Community Reinvestment Association, the Washington Early Learning Loan Fund, and the City, Denise Louie Beacon Hill enrolls 95 children annually and continues to thrive. The Center’s success is a testament to the power of community partnerships and the importance of investing in programs and services that benefit local families.
Keep an eye out for more uplifting stories and opportunities as #SeattleHumanServices continues to celebrate #NationalCommunityDevelopmentWeek!