We're becoming a Community Development Association
Skyway Coalition will continue to champion and center the community's voice in our new role as Skyway's Community Development Association (CDA).
What is a CDA?
A Community Development Association (CDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to help support and revitalize communities.
A CDA deals with affordable housing, community growth, and stewardship. A CDA can also be involved in a wide range of community services that meet local needs, such as education, job training, healthcare, commercial development, and other social programs on behalf of the community.
Community Vision for Skyway
Collectively, we have worked hard to prevent gentrification and displacement in Skyway. We are proudly home to the last predominantly Black neighborhood in the state and one of the top diverse zip codes. Building on decades of advocacy, we are working to empower our wonderfully Black and Brown community to continue to build knowledge and power in centering the needs and interests of our community.
The Journey of a Skyway CDA
In 2010, Skyway Solutions was established as the CDA, which served Skyway until its dissolution in early 2020. In 2021, West Hill Community Association (WHCA) stepped up and graciously picked up the task of reestablishing a CDA presence for the community.
The organizational needs have grown to support the upcoming resource center, community center, and affordable housing projects. There is a need to pivot once more to transition the CDA to Skyway Coalition. This change will benefit the community in building capacity, funding opportunities, partnerships, and driving the project forward.
Skyway Coalition and Why Skyway Needs a CDA
In late 2019, many community leaders aligned to establish Skyway Coalition, currently fiscally sponsored by Rooted in Vibrant Communities (RVC). The Coalition uplifts Skyway as a community action group that advocates for policies and funding to support anti-displacement strategies, affordable housing, and economic growth.
In its first couple of years, the Coalition, in partnership with the community, advocated for funding to secure a community center, resource center, outdoor preschool, affordable housing, and economic growth.
As a result of the community's advocacy efforts coordinated by the Skyway Coalition, the Skyway community was awarded seed funding for these initiatives and also recognized the need to have a conduit to steward and eventually own on behalf of the community; these projects as well as any other community projects in the future.
Why Skyway Coalition?
As we embrace the CDA model, Skyway Coalition will continue to practice a bottom-up approach, meaning we work from the heart of our community to center community voices in our decision-making processes. This approach ensures that projects are aligned with Skyway's actual needs and aspirations, increasing the chances of sustainable success.
As a CDA, we will continue to leverage our local knowledge, expertise, and resources to support our residents most impacted by Skyway’s lack of resources. We know Skyway because we are 'of' Skyway. We are sensitive and contextually appropriate solutions, fostering connections between the community and our community goals.
By shifting from a traditional nonprofit to a nonprofit CDA, Skyway Coalition can take on new initiatives that fully embrace comprehensive, community-driven development. This shift enables us to address crucial community needs through locally rooted solutions.
Skyway Coalition's Mission
Serving as the CDA aligns with our mission. Skyway Coalition addresses the historic lack of investment, inequitable policies, and systems that have impacted our BIPOC community.
As an unincorporated King County area, our community must actively advocate for our needs and community vision in the absence of services and resources provided to incorporated cities.
Why Now?
Our decision to transition to a CDA directly responds to the development needs of the Skyway Housing and Green Space Project and the Skyway Resource Center. This move empowers us to align with our community's expectations and to manage land as a community land trust.
This transition unlocks the ability to own land on behalf of the community. As a result, we can advance the Skyway Housing and Green Space Project affordable housing project and effectively oversee the Skyway Resource Center. These endeavors hold great promise for the betterment of Skyway.
Thank You Skyway and Community Partners
We're immensely thankful for the unwavering support of our community, partners, stewards, and donors. Your commitment and faith in our work have made this transition possible. Stay tuned for updates on our CDA progress in upcoming newsletters. Thank you, RIZP and West Hill Community Association—also, a special thank you to Women United for hosting us at our CDA announcement dinner.
What's possible - https://www.communitystewardshipofland.org/