Federal Way Community Connections focuses on homelessness, student mentorship and more

By Jake Gregg • October 5, 2017 11:00 am
Federal Way Community Connections members participated in a food drive outside Safeway during the annual Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry on Sept. 16. Courtesy photo
Federal Way Community Connections members participated in a food drive outside Safeway during the annual Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry on Sept. 16. Courtesy photo

Federal Way Community Connections is a local non-profit organization looking to serve the community in any way possible.

Each month, the board members pick a theme based on the needs of Federal Way. FWCC then reaches out to combat the specific problem chosen.

September’s topic was homelessness, and the FWCC hosted a related presentation at the Day Center. In October, the group is focusing on mentorship. FWCC will be hosting presentations from Communities in Schools and Federal Way Public Schools.

FWCC board member Debbie Peterson joined the organization in 2013 when it was called City Vision. Peterson is the founder of the organization called Because it Takes a Village: Child Learning Collaborative. In 2013, her organization began participating with FWCC to find out what kind of services and support were available to children and families in Federal Way.

Peterson said her first goal after becoming a board member of FWCC has been to create a bigger presence online. The goal is to finish a new website by 2018. FWCC will also become much more active on social media as the group wants to reach a broader audience.

As of right now, Peterson said FWCC has around 300 members. Those who join typically find out about the organization from current members.

“Most people join based on relationships with other people involved,” Peterson said. “I want to improve our reach to the community through social media outreach, as well as having more diversity on the board.”

Creating a bigger outreach in the community is the FWCC’s main priority at the moment. In June, the name was changed from City Vision to Federal Way Community Connections because they wanted to have the words “Federal Way” in their name, said Peterson, noting that the goal to draw more community members into the organization.

FWCC eets 2-4 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Way S. No RSVP is required, and all are welcome.

“We go around and everyone introduces themselves,” Peterson said. “Then you say why you are there, what you do in the community and any issues in Federal Way you feel strongly about. It’s a good way to hear from the public what the biggest issues in the city are that we need to address.”

The FWCC is also having a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Jimmy Mac’s, 34902 Pacific Hwy S. Cost is $10 to attend, with all proceeds going toward the organization to pay for operational costs such as the website and social media outreach.

For more information, visit www.fwconnects.org.