Harambee

Welcome to Harambee
 Harambee is a center for community development located at 316 S. 3rd St in Downtown Renton. Our name comes from the Swahili word that means "together pushing forward," which in many African cultures is a rally cry: Let's come together to accomplish something great for the community, and embodies our vision of being a diverse community working together for the betterment of the community by loving and serving the city and its people.
Harambee's Mission  

We exist to provide a holistic approach to community development in Renton and South King County by providing a 3rd Place community gathering for the continued physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development (mind, body & soul) of youth and their families. Our desire is to form a collaboration of community leaders and organizations to join us in our vision for the following programs at Harambee:

The HALL After School Drop-In
Open M-F from 2-5pm, it is a free, after school drop-in, focusing on academics, athletics and the arts for youth (middle & high school) where they can have a safe place to hang out, engage in a mentoring relationship, receive tutoring/homework help, participate in various arts programs (practice & record music, hip hop dance class, etc.), develop athletic skills (speed skills camp, play basketball, etc.), receive computer training and other life skills, and participate in leadership development classes.

Harambee Venue
An all ages concert venue that gives local musicians and fans a place to enjoy live music on Fri & Sat nights, as few venues exist between Seattle and Tacoma, hosting hip hop emcee battles, alternative, indie, punk, hardcore & hip hop shows, open mics (poetry slams, spoken word, etc.) and more.

The Refuge
Open on Saturdays from 4-6pm, The Refuge is a homeless resource drop-in center that provides a place to rest, warm food/drink, people to converse with, food packages from the Emergency Feeding Program, onsite DSHS assistance, and a mobile medical unit.

Harambee Church
Harambee Church exists to know and worship God by enjoying Him and joining Him in His mission to take His whole story, to the whole person, in the whole world, equipping those that respond to do God's will and enjoy Him forever.

Frequently Asked Questions
  

Q: Aren't you guys really just a church?
A: Currently, the vision and most funding/resources are from Harambee Church, but as mentioned above, we desire to form a collaboration of community leaders & organizations (City of Renton, Renton School District, Renton High School, local non-profits, etc.) with a similar vision. If the best vehicle for this type of collaboration is through a separate non-profit, we have established the Harambee Community Development Association (HCDA), a separate 501(c)3 non-profit organization; however, it is in its infancy and would require key stakeholders from the community to invest in its development (board formation, etc.).

A couple of local examples of youth/teen drop in centers with a similar vision are the Old Redmond Fire House (http://www.theoldfirehouse.org/aboutus.htm), Kirkland Teen Union Building (http://www.ktub.org/about-us/), and Ground Zero in Bellevue (http://www.bgcbellevue.org/teenprograms.htm

Also, we do not consider our building a church, but rather a center for community development that Harambee Church (the people) also uses, and have designed the space to be flexible in its usage with that concept in mind. For example, we have intentionally limited the amount of religious literature, publications, and displays (i.e. crosses, etc.), so as to not exclude people who are uncomfortable with them. Those that do exist can be easily covered/removed after church usage.

Q: How do we know you're not trying to proselytize kids?
A: Our aim is not to convert, but rather to love and serve. In addition to the activities outlined in our vision above, we do have church activities (i.e. Worship Gathering on Sunday at 10 am, Youth Bible Study on Wed at 6:30 etc.) that we welcome people to attend. However, we try to be very clear on which activities are considered church activities and which are not. We don't believe in "bait and switch" tactics (i.e. offering tutoring and using the Bible to teach kids how to read, etc.). The Salvation Army is an example of an organization with a similar approach of offering church services in addition to their community services.

Q: What progress has been made to date?
A: Listed below is the progress that has been made so far:

Hall After School Drop in: 06-08:
* WASL Math Prep Class: 06
* Speed Skills camp: 06-07
* Hip Hop Dance Class: 06
* Established partnership with Catholic Community Services to provide onsite counseling one day a week
* Established partnership with Multi Service Center to provide monthly youth employment assistance
* Pursuing partnership with Renton Rec Dept for additional rec activities
* Pursuing partnership with Union Gospel Mission or World Vision Youth to provide tutoring

Venue:
* Shows every other weekend: up to 300 in attendance
* Open Mic Hip Hop Emcee Battle: 06-07: 150 high school students in attendance

Refuge Homeless Drop in: 06-08:
* Distribution of homeless care packages
* Established Partnership with Emergency Feeding Program: 07

Q: Where can I find out more about Harambee?
A: Contact Bryan Nelson via e-mail (bryan@vivaharambee.com) or phone (425.271.6700)

The HALL After School Drop-In



Check out this video to find out what goes on at the HALL, Harambee's after school drop-in for middle and high school students in Downtown Renton.

A Community Place

Renton Reporter

Harambee was featured on the cover of the May 7th issue of the Renton Reporter.

 


The HALL - Harambee Venue - The Refuge - Harambee Church