Seattle University’s mission statement and core values speak to its service to society and commitment to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.  Beginning in 2010, the University will draw upon its mission and Jesuit Catholic inspiration to implement the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI). This innovative Initiative will unite Seattle University and the wider community to create a pipeline of support for low-income and vulnerable youth and families living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood while significantly enhancing the University’s educational programs.

Children and families living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood face significant challenges. For example, the percentage of neighborhood children living in poverty and the rates of youth violence and juvenile incarceration are among the highest in Seattle. In addition, many neighborhood youth encounter major academic challenges throughout their k-12 experience, barriers to graduating from high school, and lack of access to higher education. (more about neighborhood)

With a desire to address these challenges while further pursuing its educational mission, the University recently concluded a comprehensive multi-year Youth Initiative planning process. In developing the SUYI Action Plan the University drew upon exemplary practices of community engagement from other colleges and universities as well as nationally recognized models of neighborhood development such as the Harlem Children’s Zone. In addition, with the goal of promoting a shared vision and collective ownership of the Initiative, during the 2009-2010 academic year, the University engaged over 1,200 campus and community members in forums and others events, including a day-long conference that brought together over 300 people to offer specific ideas and suggestions for the Initiative. (more about planning process)

As a result of this outreach effort, the University created a detailed and inclusive action plan that will focus its local community engagement agenda for years to come. The plan draws upon the University’s solid history of success in mobilizing thousands of its students, faculty, staff and alumni to serve the community through partnerships with dozens of community organizations.  

Perhaps the hallmark feature of the Youth Initiative is how the University will creatively engage community partners by drawing upon its resources in service-learning, community-based research, clinical and internship experiences, facilities, scholarships, and staff, faculty and alumni expertise. In this way, the Initiative offers the University a powerful tool to exemplify its Jesuit Catholic values, enhance student learning, become a national model for community engagement, and, most importantly, make a significant positive impact in the lives of local youth.

We would like to offer a special thank you to all of the individuals and groups who participated in the SUYI planning process.  What follows is a presentation of a plan that symbolizes the work of hundreds of community leaders, youth, parents, funders, policy makers, school officials, college students, University faculty, staff and alumni. We are much stronger working together than we are alone.  Now we begin a bold new chapter of collectively striving to further transform the University and the wider community in pursuit of a more just and humane world.