Uniting around the development of the whole child, our local Tacoma municipalities along with private businesses, youth orientated-non-profits, health and social service providers, and cultural arts institutions— are supporting Tacoma Public Schools and collectively working together to ensure that all elementary and middle school children have access, exposure, and opportunity for social and emotional learning during non-school hours and helping solve the child care crisis. Please click on the logos above to learn more about these impactful programs.

Summer Late Nights stemmed from a rise in youth gun violence and a call from Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, and other local public leaders, to fund initiatives to help keep kids safe in Tacoma. This award winning program is a partnership between Greentrike, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Metro Parks Tacoma, YMCA-Pierce & Kitsap Counties, Tacoma Public Schools, and several youth program providers Programming is provided at zero cost to middle and high school students and offers drop-in attendance with a wide assortment of opportunities, including basketball and volleyball tournaments, art, music, STEM activities, and mentorship and leadership clinics while socializing and building relationships in a safe and healthy environment. Free dinner is provided each night. In summer, the program run weeknights from 5-10pm at 12 partner sites across Tacoma including schools, YMCAs, and Metro Parks Tacoma community centers.

Current Initiatives Include:

Summer and school year teen Late NightS

The Active Kids Fund ensures that low-income community members have equitable access to MPT’s award-winning programs. The Active Kids Fund provides financial assistance (a fee reduction of 50-75%) to low-income kids, families, and individuals to remove financial barriers to participation in MPT’s classes, programs, and experiences.

Jack C. Wilson Active Kids Fund

TPF recently completed raising funds that are supporting the replacement of worn and outdated site furnishings (benches and picnic tables) along the Ruston Way Waterfront. It is estimated that more than five million people visit this iconic gathering place each year. The new site furnishings were installed in summer 2023.

Ruston Way Site Furnishings

We are grateful to the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund, and the Oscar and Olivann Hokold Foundation for their support of this project. 

beyond the bell & club beyond