
Author: Joe Hunich
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GTCF Spark Grant Recipient Tackling “Period Poverty” at Local Schools
Sharon Chambers-Gordon was first exposed to the issue of “Period Poverty” through her own daughter’s experience. “She was in Middle School when it happened for the first time, and she didn’t have any supplies with her.” Luckily the school nurse had a few sanitary napkins, but the nurse told Sharon it wasn’t something that > Continue Reading
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Partnering to Leave a Legacy: Elaine Stafford & Shelby Clayson
At Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, we’ve seen how much more we can accomplish when we work together. Since 1981, community members have shared their commitment to a thriving Pierce County by partnering with GTCF to bring their vision to life and build a legacy for future generations. In our 2018 yearbook, Pierce County Partners, a few > Continue Reading
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6 Tips From Pierce County Organizations for Attracting and Retaining Volunteers
Tacoma Community Boat Builders’ crew of 36 volunteer mentors were recently named Pierce County Volunteer Group of the year. In 2018, the group collectively served over 4,100 hours building boats and forging bonds of friendship with youth from the Pierce County Juvenile Court system. Executive Director Shannon A. Shea says these volunteers are the heart > Continue Reading
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KBTC Uses Marbles, Paint, and Dr. Seuss to Make After-school Science Fun

On a recent afternoon at Jennie Reed Elementary School, first-grader Sadie’Sade was one of about a dozen students using a tray filled with paint and marbles to try to create a picture. As she rocked the tray back and forth she said, “I like it because it’s fun!” But the activity was more than just > Continue Reading
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Sparking Change Starts With Seeing The Need
Seventeen year-old Caleb Kamalu was volunteering at F.U.N Food Bank in his hometown of University Place when he noticed food bank staff struggling to explain something to a customer. The woman had filled up her cart with more than the allotted amount of items, and a staff member was trying to explain that she > Continue Reading
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Morning Art Teaches Tacoma Students About Making Choices
On a recent Tuesday morning, Sasha, a third-grader at Tacoma’s Fawcett Elementary, created a sumi ink painting while catching up with a few of her best friends before school started. Sasha is one of about 70 students at six local elementary schools who participate in Breakfast Sketch Club, an Expanded Learning Opportunity provided by Tacoma > Continue Reading
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Partnering For An Engaged Community: Bill & Della Robertson
At Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, we’ve seen how much more we can accomplish when we work together. Since 1981, community members have shared their commitment to a thriving Pierce County by partnering with GTCF to bring their vision to life and build a legacy for future generations. In our 2018 yearbook, Pierce County Partners, a few > Continue Reading
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Expanded Learning Opportunities Help Students Learn Empathy and Cooperation
Standing at the door to their school gymnasium, Caleb and his classmates giggled playfully in a huddle. “Remember your audience can see you, so you are on stage now,” their director reminded them. They quickly straightened up and smiled, confidently taking their places to welcome their incoming guests. “The nature of creating art is rooted > Continue Reading
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Hiring Locally Strengthens Local Organizations
As a high school math teacher in Tacoma, Tim Herron developed the Act Six initiative in 2002 to help his students succeed in college and return to lead in their community. Today, as the President of Tacoma-based nonprofit Degrees of Change—which now operates the Act Six initiative—he continues to build on that effort by hiring > Continue Reading
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Partnering to Build Community Philanthropy: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
At Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, we’ve seen how much more we can accomplish when we work together. Since 1981, community members have shared their commitment to a thriving Pierce County by partnering with GTCF to bring their vision to life and build a legacy for future generations. In our 2018 yearbook, Pierce County Partners, a few > Continue Reading
