Write a letter in support El Centro de la Raza’s expansion

The Washington State Legislature is now considering which capital requests they should fund. 53% of the Latinx community lives in South King County due to our city’s lack of housing affordability.  El Centro de la Raza requested capital funding to respond to our community’s needs by purchasing an office building located in Federal Way. It is clear why there is a need to expand our programs and services:

  • 12.9% of Latinx students are proficient in math (the state’s average is 31%).
  • 28.4% of Latinx students are ELA proficient (the state’s average is 45.5%).
  • 38% of Latinx ninth graders are failing at least one core class (compared to 18% for white students state-wide).
  • For ELL students, outcomes are even lower with 5% of students meeting targets.

We ask you to join us in urging each of the key decision-makers of the Capital Budget committee to approve our community’s request for funding the necessary purchase of an office building based in Federal Way. Each letter you help send makes a stronger case for why our expansion to South King County is key. Please help us spread the word by asking another friend of El Centro de la Raza to send their letter of support ASAP.

Here is the template and you will find all the key legislators’ contact information below:

Estimad@ Senator / Representative <<their last name here>>,

I am <<your first name here>>, a friend of El Centro de la Raza. I am writing today to ask you for your support in funding one of El Centro de la Raza’s capital budget request to purchase an office building in Federal Way for their program expansion ($1.78 million; legislative district 30).

It is important to stress the need for their culturally appropriate services to be available in South King County. Services will include academic, after-school, and leadership development and support services because of the staggering student demographics and outcome information in the Federal Way School District. Here are some examples:

  • 60% of the children qualify for a free or reduced lunch;
  • Only 12.9% of Latinx students are proficient in math (the state average is 31%); and,
  • Just 28.4% of Latinx students are ELA proficient (the state average is 45.5%).

Compared to white students statewide, 38% of Latinx ninth graders are failing at least one core class. For ELL students, the outcomes are even lower with 5% of students meeting targets. This kind of data is seemingly daunting to address, but El Centro de la Raza is prepared to do the work by purchasing an office building in Federal Way and establishing a presence.

I believe trusted community-based organizations like El Centro de la Raza can help move the needle. Please fund El Centro de la Raza’s capital request to purchase an office building. Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Respectfully,

 

<<Your full name here>>
District <<number>>
<<Your full address to verify your legislative district>>
<<Phone number>>

Contact information for Capital Budget committee members:

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