Our Story
Kent, once known for its cultural diversity and affordability, experienced a decline in population due to rising living costs. In response, a group of nonprofit leaders established the Kent Community Development Collaborative (KCDC) in 2019 to create a unified force in community development. KCDC’s mission is to ensure equity, inclusivity, and sustainability for Kent’s diverse community by influencing city decisions, policies, and strategies through authentic community engagement.
KCDC focuses on equitable community development so that everyone can participate in and benefit from decisions that shape our neighborhood and the greater Kent community, especially communities of color, immigrants, refugees and low-income residents.
Our Vision
KCDC focuses on equitable community development so that everyone can participate in and benefit from decisions that shape our neighborhood and the greater Kent community, especially communities of color, immigrants, refugees and low-income residents.
Our Vision is to strengthen equitable economic & health outcomes for Kent residents.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to center BIPOC, immigrants, refugee and low-income residents in shaping theeconomic and health outcomes of Kent communities.
Our key Objectives of this mission are:
- Reducing health disparities by increasing representation of diverse health practitioners and community navigators.
- Fostering a resilient and equitable economic landscape through strategic supports and resources.
- Cultivating civic participation to shape and influence policies and legislation
Creating a Shared Interest in Community
KCDC focuses on equitable community development so that everyone can participate in and benefit from decisions that shape our neighborhood and the greater Kent community, especially communities of color, immigrants, refugees and low-income residents.
The second phase of our project is centered on building the capacity of residents to advocate for changes they wish to see. Therefore, the second iteration of our work will put into operation the community leadership, advocacy and systemic and policy changes the community seeks to co-lead and implement.
We intend to deepen our advocacy work in health, housing, economic opportunity, and community connections by: improving health care services through partnerships with local collaborative groups working in health-care access; creating opportunities for community members to influence new housing policies; easing barriers to small business loans and permits; and fostering civic engagement through the development of a more action-oriented Policy Council.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Improving healthcare services through partnerships with local groups working in health-care access.
Conducting outreach and inviting stakeholders and residents to participate in reform work.
Engaging with key partners building an online healthcare platform to discover areas of support.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Creating opportunities for community members to influence new housing policies.
Tracking housing legislation happening within Washington state, King County, and other municipalities.
Host a community teach-in on legislation that could positively impact housing in Kent.
Facilitate opportunities for residents to educate local and state officials on the challenges they are facing and the kind of policy they need.
Collaborate with a legal assistance organization to hold a know-your-rights training in the era of COVID-19 for Kent tenants.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Easing barriers to small business loans and permits.
Connecting residents to educational and professional development training centers that are responsive to our target communities needs such as small business, financial development, and credit counseling workshops, through a minimum of 2 outreach events, which may take place on-line.
Facilitating opportunities for target community members to network with key stakeholders such as members of the Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership, City of Kent Committees, Rotary and Kiwanis representatives at a minimum of 2 engagement events, which may take place on-line.
Outreaching to a minimum of 2 small business training providers to discuss opportunities to support low income and residents of colors’ ability to successfully attain loans and permits.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Easing barriers to small business loans and permits.
Connecting residents to educational and professional development training centers that are responsive to our target communities needs such as small business, financial development, and credit counseling workshops, through a minimum of 2 outreach events, which may take place on-line.
Facilitating opportunities for target community members to network with key stakeholders such as members of the Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership, City of Kent Committees, Rotary and Kiwanis representatives at a minimum of 2 engagement events, which may take place on-line.
Outreaching to a minimum of 2 small business training providers to discuss opportunities to support low income and residents of colors’ ability to successfully attain loans and permits.
