We are thrilled to be part of a community that is dedicated to keeping our neighborhoods safe.

On November 1, 2021, The Seattle Community Safety Initiative hosted a town hall to address safety concerns within the community. In a panel moderated by King County Council Member Girmay Zahlay, various community members had the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County staff Marty Jackson, the Executive Director of SE Network, and Tanisha Scott, the SE Network Restorative Justice Coordinator & Targeted Program Specialist, were invited to share their expertise. Other panelists included members from Community Passageways, Urban Family, and  YMCA.     

When introducing herself, one of the first things Tanisha shared was that Marty was her case manager when she was a teenager. After graduating college, Tanisha returned to the Club as an employee where Marty became her boss.

“The programs and mentorship that I got from the Vista, gave me the passion to want to come back to serve my community and be that mentor for somebody else.”

Tanisha’s personal story speaks volumes to the power that building relationships has on creating and sustaining community safety. During the town hall meeting nearly all speakers emphasized the importance of relationship building. It was the common thread that connected all the stories that were shared.

Thank you to Marty, Tanisha, and everyone who was a part of this conversation.

Watch the Seattle Safety Community Safety Town Hall here.