We all know Bellevue is an amazing place to live. The highly-ranked schools, easy access to the outdoors, and diverse population make it one of the best places in the country to call home.
And, while we recognize Bellevue’s many strengths, we also recognize that there’s a widening gap in how youth experience our community, even when the distance between their schools is a stone’s throw. At Lake Hills Elementary, 65% of students are enrolled in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program, compared to just five miles away at Medina Elementary, where only 3% of students come from low-income households. Bellevue is one of only two cities in the entire country where there is an over $500,000 annual income difference between the top 20% and bottom 20% of earners.
Right now, across the Bellevue School District, more than 600 students are experiencing homelessness and 4,300 students are living in low-income households. It’s not just basic needs that are at stake - young people experiencing poverty are more than 3x more likely to report feeling left out. In the Bellevue School School District, 30% of 6th-12th graders have reported not feeling connected to a caring adult and one of four high school students reported having thoughts of self-harm. These numbers increase for students experiencing poverty and youth who identify as BIPOC - demographics that mirror RA students. Our close partners at the Boys and Girls Club shared more about surprising need in our community in a Seattle Times article.
These challenges are stark and daunting. We know very well that naming them does not solve them. So, how do we move forward together?
At Rainier Athletes our answer is to lean into who we are as a community. Our answer is partnership. Our answer is to drive collective impact. And we believe that there’s no such thing as other people’s children.
Young people who have access to a mentor exhibit fewer depressive symptoms, greater self-esteem, and improved academic outcomes compared to their peers without mentors. The true recipe to a thriving community starts with each young person believing in their unique possibilities. Beginning with the “I Am” creates a stronger “We Are.”
We are Bellevue, and together, we are ONE team. Let’s do this.