The entryway halls were packed with people as Rick Steves gave his opening speech from the second level of the newly built Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. Crowding together to get a closer look, or simply to get inside, no one seemed very concerned about personal space.
Steves gave thanks for everyone there, mentioning the long path it took to get to this point and how grateful he was for the volunteers who helped bring the place to life. Trinity Lutheran Church had donated the land for the project, which was given to them by Steves decades ago with the hopes of building something for the community.
Steves emphasized the positive impact he hoped the Center would have on the people of Lynnwood. “This is basically ‘Love thy neighbor’ in action,” he said. “This is the brick and mortar of our collective compassion.” The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center, located at 19509 64th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036, will be offering services such as healthcare, childcare, after school programs, immigrant support, and mental health services.
Tables were set up along the halls with welcoming volunteers happy to provide information about the Center and the services they offer. Evelyn Kinikin was one volunteer tending to a table, hers displayed a mini lego scene. Her favorite room in the Center is the Boys and Girls Club room, “I love how it’s set up and it’s all for the kids,” she said. When asked about her aspirations for the Center, she responded with a smile, “My hope is that it will bring hope to the community, bring that light.”
Meisha Wangerin, the site director, spoke about the most anticipated programs. In her opinion, some of the most important things that the Center will offer are the early learning center, the Boys and Girls Club, and the senior programs. “I’m excited for the collaboration that will happen,” she said. Multi generational activities like cooking, arts and crafts, and movement will be available at the Center for members of the community and neighboring cities.
Besides the future programs, the organizers and volunteers planned many fun activities for opening day. The Aquasox mascot made an appearance, handing out candy and posing for pictures. Memorable performances by the Orquesta Northwest, Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal, and Cascade Youth Symphony were held in the event hall, a spacious room set up with rows of chairs and a few standing tables in the back. An entire room next door to the event hall was dedicated to lego building, with a man wearing a lego brick patterned shirt leading the activities. Cake and other pastries were served out of the commercial kitchen, which is next to the Italy inspired seating area, a design which was Rick Steves’ idea. At the other end of the building, the Double Dutch Divas held jump roping in the gym.
Outside was an energizing mix of activity. Pop music blasted from speakers while children jumproped and raced around, playing tag and other games on the new playground. Food trucks had lined up along the parking lot next to a long covered seating area where people could eat while getting some fresh air; the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center has a natural light design which is effective, but it made for a somewhat stuffy building once so many people were inside. There was also a firetruck parked near the main entrance, available for tours.
Inside the building, one room had a long table entirely covered with paper, and visitors were encouraged to draw their ideas, or whatever they were inspired to on it. Kerry Fleiger-Holmes, a volunteer with Trinity Lutheran Church, whose information table was set up nearby, said that was her favorite room. As the multi-purpose room, its program use is still undecided and may change, but it will hopefully be used for teaching life skills to adults with mental and physical disabilities. She is especially excited for this program because “there’s nothing else like it in the area.” The Center’s other mental health services will be focused on helping the community with issues like anxiety, depression, divorce, grief, and other traumas. Fleiger-Holmes said that she hopes the Center “brings people together, and that we learn to talk to each other.”
The early learning center, which is located near the entrance to the building, is another program offered at the Center. The room is fully set up as a classroom with interesting play areas for their play based learning style. Jessica Marburger, a member of the early learning center staff, provided information on the program for visitors, stating that the early learning center will be helping kids be ready for their “entire school career” and that they will be working alongside families to ensure that their personal goals for the children are prioritized, such as reading for kindergarten preparedness. “We hope to serve the children and families as much as we can,” Marburger said. Visiting children were able to explore the new classroom, with many favoring the pretend kitchen.
The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center aims to serve 24,000 people per year, providing resources to its immediate community and beyond. They are partnering with many nonprofits and their main goal is to provide the kinds of resources that their community lacks. “The reason why I like it here is it’s a one stop shop,” Mavis Simpson, a visitor and Lynnwood resident, said. “It’s so amazing that they have all that under one roof.”
