King County recently awarded a total of $120,000 in youth sports grants to three Kent programs.
These grants are designed to enhance access to sports and recreational activities for young people, particularly those from underserved communities, and reflect King County’s ongoing commitment to supporting healthy, active lifestyles for all youth, according to a Sept. 9 news release from King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, whose District 5 includes parts of Kent.
The grants awarded to Kent include:
• Northwest Drip Basketball: $85,462
Northwest Drip Basketball (formerly known as Big Drip Hoops) will use these funds to increase access to youth development and recreation through free and affordable camps, day clinics, exposure showcases and community resources. Their AAU Program will continue to offer development opportunities for youth in South King County.
• United in Purpose: $20,250
The Black Youth Swim Initiative will provide free summer swimming lessons to youth ages 8-15 from African Diaspora communities in South King County. By offering lessons at the YMCA, this program aims to reduce the number of youth who cannot swim and decrease drowning incidents within these communities.
• Choose to Win Transitional Housing: $15,000
The Unity and Wellness Festival, hosted at Hogan Park in Kent, is designed to engage underserved populations through a culturally responsive community event. The festival will promote recreational park use and health disparity education, with a focus on equitable access to parks and vital health information.
“King County believes in the power of community-driven initiatives to enrich the lives of our young people,” Upthegrove said. “These programs will increase access to fitness programs, improve health and wellness, and help build a more connected community.”
The grants are part of a larger 63 project package that includes $3.5 million in Youth and Amateur Sports Grants and $1.5 million for the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund, supported by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy, according to the news release. This funding benefits cities, school districts, park districts and community organizations throughout the region.
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