History

In April 2003, a group of Rainier Beach residents, representatives from community-based organizations that serve Rainier Beach residents and the Dept. of Neighborhoods gathered to discuss youth issues and concerns in Rainier Beach. After a series of meetings, the residents decided alliance building and collaboration was the key to the quality and sustainability of neighborhood improvement efforts. The Rainier Beach Coalition for Community Empowerment (RBCCE) was born.

The Coalition embraced the Communities That Care community assessment process to determine critical risk factors affecting Rainier Beach youth and families.  An action the Coalition took in response to this assessment was to revisit and monitor the Rainier Beach 2014 Neighborhood Plan.  This plan, approved by City Council resolution in 1999, is considered the foundation for Rainier Beach neighborhood improvement initiatives.  A strategy to expand resident, community based organization, public school and business involvement in creating and joining neighborhood improvement initiatives, two annual events were established: Neighborhood Town Hall and a Back2School Bash. In October 2005, RBCCE became a nonprofit organization changing its name to the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition (RBCEC) and established the Community Town Hall Meeting and Back2School Bash as its signature events. RBCEC is an alliance of residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, nonprofit agencies and public institutions working together to improve the quality of life of youth and families in Rainier Beach and to revitalize the Rainier Beach neighborhood.

Its current leadership is Gregory Davis (attends church in Rainier Beach at Emerald City Bible Fellowship), President; Tamsen Spangler (works in Rainier Beach at Atlantic Street Center’s – Rainier Beach Family Center), Secretary and Elaine Hayes (lives in Rainier Beach), Treasurer and Board Chair.  Over 100 residents and organization representatives have attended or attend membership meetings which are held the second Thursday of every month at the Rainier Beach Family Center.  Since 2003 annual attendance at the Back2School Bash is 1,000 and the Town Hall is 200.