Purpose

RBCEC’s mission is to build neighborhood capacity to enhance quality of life in Rainier Beach as well as to address critical issues threatening the welfare of Rainier Beach residents.  RBCEC seeks to build neighborhood capacity by supporting and/or bringing resources along side resident/citizen lead neighborhood efforts and by promoting/facilitating alliance building and collaboration among programs, organizations, churches, businesses, etc that service Rainier Beach residents. This allows the leveraging of existing neighborhood assets to occur as well as the acquisition of needed resources in support of resident/citizen efforts.  RBCEC’s focus is on areas which mirror the major critical issues or risk factors identified in the Communities That Care assessment process; they include, but are not limited to the following: Youth, Families & Young Adults; Education & Training; Economic Development; Public Safety and Transportation; and Environment. RBCEC’s vision is Rainier Beach is a healthy, vibrant, diversity-rich, drug-free neighborhood.

RBCEC is committed to the following principles:

a) Rainier Beach’s strength is in the gifts and talents of residents who once empowered will bring about the change needed to transform our neighborhood
b) RBCEC members and families work together in a relationship based on equality and mutual respect
c) RBCEC members (individuals and organizations) create a model community by seeking every opportunity to alliance build, collaborate and gather resources around resident neighborhood-building efforts
d) RBCEC leverages the assets of the Rainier Beach neighborhood to address critical quality of life issues
e) RBCEC efforts ensure accountability of neighborhood service/program providers to build resident capacity by being responsive to neighborhood conditions — providing the right service/programming, at an accessible place, at the optimal time
f) RBCEC activities affirm and strengthen neighborhood families’ cultural, racial, and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society

RBCEC goals are:

1. To inspire involvement in the neighborhood through our annual signature events – the Community Action Meeting and the Back2School Bash
2. To advocate for the interests of community by partnering with local advocacy groups
3. To encourage collaboration to ensure quality and sustainability of culturally relevant solutions
4. To leverage and attract resources for improvement efforts

Mission Statement
The Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition (RB Coalition) builds community capacity to successfully address critical issues and enhance quality of life.

Focus Area Mission Statements
RB Coalition builds community capacity by supporting Rainier Beach residents/citizens in their efforts to promote/facilitate collaboration among residents, community groups, schools, non-profit and faith-based organizations, businesses, agencies and institutions in the following areas:

• Public Safety & Transportation – We will join with residents and existing organizations to enhance, expand, and/or develop programs and activities that ensure a safe and secure community.  In addition, we seek to ensure community transportation improvements that are compatible with the environment, facilitate citizen access, and provide space for a pedestrian boulevard accommodating bicyclists, walkers, and transit riders per Rainier Beach 2014 Plan.
• Youth, Families & Young Adults – We support community engagements that enhance, expand and/or develop programs that ensure healthy youth, young adult, and family development.
• Economic Development – We support Rainier Beach residents in the revitalization of our business community and build self-sufficiency by educating residents and business owners about worker supports. In addition, we build on traditional anti-poverty programs by helping
  low-income families achieve greater economic security, and stability through asset development programs and services.
• Environment – We seek to support the community in the preservation and improvement of natural and manmade open spaces and parks; and the management of environmental impacts to the community.
• Education & Training – We seek to assist residents – children, youth and adults — in improving access to quality academic and vocational training opportunities designed to enhance academic achievement and the employability and self sufficiency of Rainier Beach residents.