From:
To: City Council
Cc: Mary Gourley
Subject: Agenda Item 7 - Support for Community Center Funds! Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 12:59:28 PM
Dear City Council,
On behalf of the Community Center staff, I ask that you please approve the proposed funding in the budget for the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (SCCC).
SCCC staff and Board alike have been working incredibly hard to boost the SCCC to a position in which it can become self-sustaining. Our small staff wears many hats at all times, more often than not taking on tasks completely outside of our regular roles, and we do so willingly because we want this important community organization to succeed.
We work daily to bring enriching programming and events to the community.
We host over 20 instructors at SCCC, and each of their classes are filled with community members, of various ages, who come to nourish their bodies and minds.
We also serve as host to important life events in our community such as quinceañeras and celebrations of life.
On top of that, we produce a minimum of 12 concerts/events a year - something we are actively working on doubling in 2025. Concerts/events where we see folks attending from not only Sebastopol and West County, but all around the Bay Area. Events that include world famous guests such as Bobby McFerrin, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vitamin String Quartet, and Isabel Allende. These folks from out of town also bring dollars into the local economy as they walk the storefronts or grab a meal before and after the events.
We have also been creating more opportunities for youth. Our Future Club offers teens a weekly place to hang out and connect, as well as receive inspiring career guidance from guest speakers. Our Youth Program Coordinator, Sean, held a wonderful "Future Styles Dance Competition" this past Sunday, bringing breakdancing to the Community Center, and he's currently working on a youth art showcase and youth band jamming/battle of the bands event.
Despite the unknown status of City funding to the SCCC, we have been pushing full steam ahead. In the past several months we have also added social events such as monthly trivia events at which we see folks from around Sonoma County coming into Sebastopol, and we've partnered with Sonoma County BIPOC businesses to launch "Paint Parties" and dance events.
Without the funding to assist with our operating expenses over these next several months, we risk shutting down before we can see many of our upcoming plans come to fruition. Plans that we have confidence can put us in the best position to stand on our own two feet in 2025. So I ask again that you please approve the proposed funding in support of SCCC, so that we may be given an opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your consideration.
With appreciation,
Tanya Sierra
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Tanya Sierra
She/Her/Ella
Acting Executive Director/Programs & Events Manager
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
www.seb.org