Groundbreaking Celebration

Standing on the side lawn under a cheerful sun, over 125 people joined with Trinity Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 6th, celebrating the groundbreaking for the Bryant Neighborhood Center, officially opening in 2020.

Neighbors, church members, students and families, and leaders from community organizations gathered to celebrate the official beginning of this historic project. Pastor Matt Robbins-Ghormley offered a warm welcome, and highlighted the significance of Trinity’s location in the Bryant Neighborhood within the Hilltop district of Tacoma.

Tacoma City Council Member Keith Blocker, representing District 3, including Tacoma’s Hilltop, spoke on Trinity’s rich history, and how the community is eager to welcome the positive impact that the Bryant Neighborhood Center is poised to make in the neighborhood.

The remaining speakers took time to highlight the past, present, and future of Trinity and the Bryant Neighborhood, introduced by HERE FOR GOOD Capital Campaign Co-Chair, Nalani Linder.

John Gaines, DBA, an inspirational speaker and Trinity Afterschool Program Alumni, described how the TAP program had impacted his own life. Speaking to the current TAP students, Gaines explained that he was once a student in the program as well. The support he received, especially from his long-time tutor, Irene Orando, played a significant role in turning a kid from the Hilltop, facing significant obstacles on his road to success, into a passionate leader who is deeply committed to seeing positive change in his community.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards praised the work of Trinity’s current array of Outreach Programs. Calling the students in the audience to stand alongside her, she explained that while most people talk about kids as our future, it is important to acknowledge that children are also our present. Serving them right now is an incredible, important work.

Holly Bamford Hunt, Director of the Bamford Foundation, addressed the crowd by saying, “The Bryant Neighborhood Center will be a place with doors wide open to welcome neighbors, with responsive programs and partnerships with other trusted, local organizations.” As a long time supporter of Trinity’s Outreach Programs, the Bamford Foundation is an enthusiastic voice for the coming Bryant Neighborhood Center, with deep roots in the Bryant Neighborhood. Ms. Bamford Hunt shared that her grandfather, long time president of Globe Machine Manufacturing, Calvin Bamford, attended Bryant Elementary many years ago.

In closing, Trinity’s Associate Pastor for Community Engagement, Rod Nash, offered a word of thanks, and also a plea: “We need each of you to help us finish strong.” Construction on the Center has already begun, but the fundraising is far from over. Committed teams of staff and volunteers have raised significant initial funds, but completing the project in the strongest way possible is going to require additional support from our community.

We are grateful to the many foundations and individual supporters who have brought us this far, and pledged their support of this project. It has been a long road, with many miles still to go, but the crowd in attendance last Thursday, and the energy from each of the speakers, reminded us that the Bryant Neighborhood Center will be a vital source for good here in our community for many years to come.

Be a part of the good. Support the Capital Campaign for the Bryant Neighborhood Center.