Programs

Leadership Program

Our Leadership Program supports cohorts of community leaders in pursuit of:

• greater involvement in community-led movements;
• elevated roles in government policy making and planning; and
• increased capacities in advocacy and community leadership work.

The core training focuses on personal leadership development; power structures and government systems education; and advocacy skills development. Leaders get hands-on opportunities to engage with local governments and elected officials, and to lead advocacy and community outreach work. This program runs from spring to winter each year.

Advocacy & Systems Change

Community leadership drives Global to Local’s advocacy and systems change work. We focus on:

• elevating issues and equity solutions that most affect immigrant and communities of color in South King County;
• engaging with governments to amplify community voices in policy making and local planning processes; and
• convening local partners to collaborate on systems change efforts.

As a change agent representing local communities, Global to Local lends a powerful voice as a member of:

• the King County Climate Equity Community Task Force;
• the King County Open Space Equity Cabinet;
• the King County Equitable Development Initiative Community Coalition; and
• the King County Comprehensive Plan Community Workgroup.

Food Business Incubator

Food businesses have traditionally been a way for immigrants and low-income families to gain a foothold in the economy, but many chefs face barriers to starting a business. Our Food Business Incubator supports entrepreneurs–primarily women, immigrants, and people from communities of color–in launching financially stable businesses by providing:

• affordable access to a commercial kitchen and retail space;
• food industry technical assistance designed to improve business operations, marketing, and ability to scale; and
• access to new market opportunities.

Spice Bridge

Spice Bridge is home to our Food Business Incubator. It provides participating businesses with space and support, including affordable access to a licensed commercial kitchen and professional equipment. The Tukwila facility features four cook stations, four food retail stalls, and a dining area.

The food hall also provides a community hub—a welcoming space where people can gather to learn about and celebrate our community’s rich traditions. Spice Bridge showcases artworks made by local youths, and hosts public gatherings like community poetry readings and artisan craft markets.

Food Access and Tukwila Village Farmers Market

Improving food access is central to our work. In partnership with local organizations, FIN provides weekly meals to seniors, teens, and other community members with low incomes. This program meets community needs with no-cost meals that are healthy, locally produced, and culturally relevant. It also supports the local chefs and entrepreneurs who prepare the meals.

FIN operates the weekly Tukwila Village Farmers Market from June to October. The market features fresh produce grown by refugees and immigrants in our community. Most sales are made through food security program benefits, such as SNAP, Market Match, and WIC.

Physical activity programs

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is our strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness is the single most important activity adults can do to stay active and reduce their chances of falling. We offer these classes in both English and Somali. They’re held in a location convenient to a senior housing community at Tukwila Village, and at Tukwila Community Center. We partner with Sound Generations and CIRC/SHAG senior housing to offer this program.

Primary care coordination and resource connection

Through our partnership with HealthPoint‘s SeaTac and Tukwila clinics, CHWs help patients navigate the health system. This support addresses social and language barriers that prevent patients from getting the care they need. CHWs assist patients with medical appointments, insurance, and referral coordination. They also provide connections to food, transportation, housing, and other resources.

We also partner with the Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac to provide connections and referrals to social services, particularly for clients who are managing diabetes and hypertension. The YMCA refers clients to us who need clinical support to manage these conditions. Our staff helps enroll G2L clients in the YMCA’s diabetes prevention program.