News Release

Feb. 29, 2012 — Bellevue

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, in partnership with King County Housing Authority recently celebrated their long-standing partnership with the grand re-opening of the Eastside Terrace Clubhouse. Eastside Terrace is a 50-unit public housing garden community in Bellevue.

The substantially renovated Clubhouse features triple the original program space for Project Learn, the Club’s after-school program.  The $900,000 Clubhouse incudes a state-of-the-art technology center supported by Nintendo of America, a teaching kitchen and dedicated homework space for elementary and middle school students.  Part of the funding for the facility was included in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s budget thanks to the efforts of Sen. Patty Murray. In addition, the project received funding from the Norcliffe Foundation and the McEachern Charitable Trust, as well as KCHA capital and operating funds.

“I am so proud to have been able to work with the community to help invest in the renovation of the Eastside Terrace Clubhouse,” said Sen. Patty Murray.  “The new Clubhouse is an investment in our kids and our future, and will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue to continue the great work they are doing to benefit young people in the community.”

Club members agree. "It's bigger, helps you make more friends and the staff helps us get smarter" says Luis a current club member. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue has run the Project Learn program at three King County Housing Authority locations during the past 15 years, including at Eastside Terrace.   During this time, thousands of local youth have engaged in fun, structured programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and leadership opportunities.

KCHA and Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue have worked together for nearly two decades.  With the re-opening of the Eastside Terrace community building, the partnership has risen to a new level.

“King County Housing Authority continues to make a significant investment in the future of our kids” states Ryan Scott, vice president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue. “Our partnership with them is critical to making a positive impact in the community.” 

“Providing decent affordable housing is not in itself enough,” said King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman.  “The success of our efforts – and the economic future of the region – rests upon our ability to provide our children with the education and skills necessary to contribute and compete in the marketplace. We are grateful to Sen. Murray for her long-standing commitment to providing resources to educating and supporting kids, without which the project would not have been possible.”

The grand re-opening celebration was held at the Eastside Terrace Clubhouse, 704 147th Pl NE, Bellevue on Feb. 27, 2012.

For more information regarding this partnership, please contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue at 425-454-6162 or visit www.bgcbellevue.org.

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Speakers at the community event included Dmitry Yusim – a former Youth of the Year and Eastside Terrace member; King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman; Nintendo of America Corporate Vice President Jacqualee Story; Eastside Pathways Acting Executive Director Bill Henningsgaard; and Boy & Girls Clubs of Bellevue President/CEO Kathy Haggart.