GOALS
The Healthy Youth Central Area Network (HYCAN) program’s focus is to increase healthy youth development in Seattle’s Central Area through Prevention, Intervention, Community Building, and Youth Asset Development; building strengths in families, schools, and neighborhoods.
HYCAN is funded by the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI), a partnership of state agencies, counties, schools, and local prevention coalitions supporting communities in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse and its negative consequences.
Implementing the University of Washington School of Social Work Risk and Protective Factor Theory, program priorities are developed through data evaluation from surveys, anecdotal information from the community, and members' individual knowledge, identifying priority risk factors. Using this data these strategies are identified to increase these protective factors:
Deliver Evidence-Based programs to empower & support youth
Partner & engage the community to support Central Area youth
Pro-social youth involvement & positive empowerment
Facilitating school drug education, prevention & intervention practices
The Central Area
Seattle’s Central Area is located in the East-Central district of the city. Historically diverse, this area has been home to Jewish, Asian, Filipino, and African-American citizens. With a past designation of “redlining”, where racial minorities were restricted to purchasing properties in a specific geographic area, the African- American community made the Central Area their home, where they lived, worshiped, socialized, and remained in the area until the 1990s. Younger, mostly Caucasian families began purchasing homes due to their affordability and close proximity to amenities. Housing demand and costs increased, and, due to disparities in socio-economics, education, and employment opportunities, the majority of African American families were forced to relocate out of the Central Area, resulting in rapid gentrification and loss of community connectedness. In addition to gentrification, Central Seattle has been experiencing youth violence, criminal activity, and substance misuse issues. While there are disparities and disconnection, Central District citizens demonstrate remarkable resiliency and sustainability, and there is a fundamental commitment to healing the gaps, the inequities, and the misunderstandings.
Healthy Youth Central Area Network (HYCAN) focuses on this geographic area:
520 to the North
1-5 to the West
Lake Washington to the East
Massachusetts to the South
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), is a systemic community-based approach that aims to ensure that substance abuse prevention programs can and do produce results. The idea behind SPF is to use the findings from public health research along with the evidence-based prevention programs to build capacity within the States and the prevention field. This in turn will promote resilience and decrease risk factors in individuals, families, and communities. The SPF has sustainability and cultural competency as overarching areas for the 5-Step Framework:
1. Assess Needs Priority risk factors are identified, informed by the Healthy Youth, Community, and Coalition Surveys. Local conditions and community data from Network Coalition are additionally considered.
2. Building Capacity Community organizations with similar issues are engaged in cooperative efforts to address priority concerns and identify strategies to reduce risks. Neighborhood volunteer groups, community councils, local government representatives, and other area entities are also invited to support HYCAN goals and objectives by participating in the Network Coalition.
3. Plan Strategies that are targeted to reduce priority risk factors are evaluated and considered in the planning process. Relevant evidence-based programs/practices from the Athena Forum “Excellence in Prevention” recommendations, as well as other innovative practices, are selected as strategies to reduce risk and increase protection.
4. Implementation With the support of HYCAN’s Network Coalition, as well as community partner collaborations, strategies and programs are then implemented to target populations.
5.Evaluation Select programs and strategies are evaluated for effectiveness and reducing risk factors, informed by the annual and biennial surveys, feedback, and community-level change.
Our Team
Stephanie Tschida
PREVENTION COALITION NETWORK COORDINATOR
Stephanie comes to HYCAN with diverse experience in youth prevention and intervention initiatives. She was the Founding Executive Director of Panels for Progress, a non-profit organization positively empowering adjudicated youth through the creation of public art. As a member of the start-up team for Seattle Community Court, she helped to reduce chronic use of the criminal justice system for misdemeanor offenders through a national problem-solving justice initiative. In the heyday of youth gangs, she worked in several prevention initiatives to provide positive alternatives to negative behavioral activities.
Stephanie also served in the past, as a Seattle Public Schools ReEntry/Intervention Specialist at South Lake Alternative High School. Active as a community volunteer, she is the longtime chair of the East Precinct Advisory Council and is a member of the Central Seattle Neighborhood District Council.
Porter Ray
HIP-HOP 2 PREVENT TEACHING ARTIST
Meet Porter Ray, a humble musical prodigy hailing from the vibrant Central District of Seattle. From an early age, he was immersed in the world of music, thanks to his parents' extensive record collection. With a keen ear for detail, Porter delved deep into the liner notes, uncovering the names of the talented individuals behind the captivating sounds that filled his home. His parents, ever the guides, taught him to appreciate the original songs sampled by hip-hop producers, connecting the dots between contemporary hits and their timeless predecessors.
Music became Porter's medium for capturing the essence of community, illuminating the profound moments of joy, sorrow, and personal growth experienced with family, friends, and loved ones. His songs resonate with narratives that come alive through his effortless, melodic delivery, distinct from the typical West Coast rap style. The compositions that accompany his words intertwine solid bass lines with ethereal keyboards, creating a spacious canvas for his lyrical musings. Embracing a blend of jazz, nostalgia, and '90s hip hop, Porter Ray found his sonic calling—a sound he aspires to both emulate and push further.
It is worth noting that Porter Ray's artistry has also caught the attention of Sub Pop, the revered indie label. Porter released 2 albums with Sub Pop and has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, capturing hearts and minds with his compelling creations. With every verse and melody, Porter Ray continues to forge a deep connection with audiences worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape.
In 2021, Porter embarked on a transformative journey as a teaching artist, joining forces with HYCAN, our remarkable nonprofit organization. He became an integral part of our Hip Hop 2 Prevent program, which is grounded in evidence-based prevention methods. Through this initiative, Porter's innate talent and passion merge with his desire to empower others, particularly young minds, using the transcendent power of hip hop.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Lacey Lemon is a performing dance artist who specializes in rhythm tap. Lacey has grown up dancing at Northwest Tap Connection Dance Studio, training in various styles of dance including modern, ballet, house, and hip-hop. She is currently a teacher at Northwest Tap Connection and continues her training at Kollective8 and The Garden Dance Company. Lacey has performed with world renowned all-female tap band Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies, and continues to perform on various locally acclaimed stages such as the Paramount and The Moore Theatre.
CHELSEA O’SULLIVAN
WEB/SOCIAL CONTENT COORDINATOR
Chelsea O’Sullivan is a multidisciplinary designer based out of Seattle. She is interested in solving problems through creativity and collaboration. She has a background in fine arts and community projects and never stops pursuing opportunities for creative expression. She’s a recent grad from Seattle Central Creative Academy where she received her degree in Graphic Design. If you ever get down to Tacoma, be sure to check out some of the murals she’s done with the Tacoma Murals Project.
GEORGE YASUTAKE
TEACHING ARTIST
Teaching Artist DJ Sureal, also known as George Yasutake, is a talented and knowledgeable musicologist and DJ who can reference roots of most genres of music, and demonstrates detailed knowledge of the sources, histories and intentions of Hip-hop. George is descended from African-American and Japanese ancestors who have impacted his strong ethnic and cultural identity and appreciation, which is evident in his life as an artist, family person and in his talents as a chef. A Garfield High School graduate, George has deep, lifelong roots in Seattle’s Central District, and is a Teen Leader at Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Garfield Teen Life Center. George/DJ Surreal leads the HYCAN-facilitated Hip Hop 2 Prevent program.
AYANNA OMAR
TEACHING ARTIST
HYCAN Teaching Artist Ayanna Omar is a Seattle- based dancer/choreographer trained in hip hop, house, modern, tap and ballet. She currently coaches for Purple Reign Dance at Washington Middle School and works for Northwest Tap Connection, a dance studio that focuses much of their work through the lens of race and social justice. Ayanna has participated in the Seattle Theatre Group program: DANCE This and in the nationally recognized dance number by the legendary Donald McKayle "Shaker Life" staged at the Moore Theatre in 2017. Her credits include participation in The Hamilton Mixtape: "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)" choreographed by Shakiah Danielson, the GROOVEMENT, and various dance performances through Northwest Tap Connection.
PARIS RANDAL
TEACHING ARTIST
Paris Randall is a Hip-Hop Recording Artist & Producer born and raised in Seattle. His passion for music has put him on the stages of Bumbershoot, Northwest Folk Life, and a whole host of other events. In 2010, He worked with Youngstown Records in a partnership with Arts Corp, to curate an exhibit at the Frye Art Museum, as well as a matching album, both entitled “I Wish I Knew Who I Was Before I Was Me.” The exhibit, album, and release party resulted in having him and his band mates go to the White House that year, where they all got to meet President Barack Obama and a whole host of other names at “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.” After that, he completed a degree in Associate of Applied Arts & Sciences for Music Technology: Merchandising at Shoreline Community College. His uncle is the late Taj Randall, also known in the Seattle Hip-Hop Community as Tizzy T.Currently, Paris is one of the Lead Teaching Artists at non-profit WAPI Community Services in Seattle. In a partnership with WAPI, he is now a part of H2P coursework with HYCAN. His experiences and skills he is able to share with the youth are things like, but not limited to: songwriting, recording vocals, basic engineering, performing onstage, music production, and event promotion.
Our Coalition
What is a Coalition?
The Healthy Youth CAN Coalition is a volunteer advisory coalition that works toward a common goal of building a safe, healthy, and drug-free community. Represented by community “sectors”, each member brings a unique perspective of the group they represent and are able to use their respective sphere of expertise and influence to advance HYCAN’s mission.
Sector reps meet monthly at HYCAN Coalition Meetings on the third Tuesday (with the exception of July & December).
Central Seattle Coalition and Community Sectors
Joanna Cullen
INTERIM COALITION CHAIR
Joanna Cullen, the Healthy Youth CAN Interim Coalition Chair has served the Central Seattle and King County community in many roles. As the parent of two daughters who attended neighborhood schools, she served on the school PTSAs and site councils and was elected President of the Seattle Council PTSA. She was the president of the Squire Park Community Council and remains a member. Joanna is also on the board of the East Precinct Advisory Council and the Central Area District Neighborhood Council. She is an active member of the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County and is the Chair of the Education Committee for Seattle-King County, as well as the treasurer for the League of Women Voters of Washington. Joanna is committed a strong, vital and diverse community that is accessible and safe for residents.Her career includes writing and editing, managing political campaigns and coordinating community non-profit efforts. Joanna and her husband enjoy reading, hiking and other outdoor activities, and the performing arts.
Debra Gumbardo
With 30+ years experience in the field of mental health, Debra Gumbardo drives change on HYCAN's Leadership Coalition. Former Chief of Psychosocial Services at Seattle Children's, her expertise has impacted countless lives. Now in “retirement”, she provides consultation and serves on the board of two local organizations, Northwest Children's Foundation and Crisis Connections, both dedicated to provide upstream interventions and acute services to improve the mental and behavioral health of our communities.
Debra believes in breaking down silos and fostering collaboration for transformative outcomes. Her leadership showcases the positive influence of collective efforts on communities. In her spare time, she finds solace in gardening and foraging for mushrooms, cherishing urban hikes with her husband and family.
Jackie Jamero Berganio
State Local/Tribal Government Sector Rep
Jackie Jamero Berganio has worked for King County since 1984, primarily in the substance use disorders field. She is a Project/ Program Manager III with King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Division. A primary role is to provide technical assistance to Healthy Youth Central Area Network, which is part of the state-wide Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (coalition-based strategies to prevent youth drug use). She manages two other programs: Guided Pathways Support for Youth & Families (family support organization related to behavioral health), and Seven Challenges (a comprehensive counseling program, adolescent version). She also keeps busy spending time with family and friends, and supporting organizations such as Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together (APICAT) and the Filipino American National Historical Society.
Laura Jenkins
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Coalition Partner
Laura Jenkins is a Community Engagement Coordinator with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. She works mainly in central Seattle which includes neighborhoods like the Central Area, Chinatown International District, Capitol Hill, and more. For several years, Laura has been with the department in various roles focused on building relationships with communities around the city. She helps provide a City of Seattle prospective to HYCAN by connecting members to City resources and programs that overlap with its mission. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods provides resources and opportunities for community members to build strong communities and improve their quality of life. Through its programs and services, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods meets people where they are and helps neighbors develop a stronger sense of place, build closer ties, and engage with their community and city government. Learn more here: https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods
Operations Lieutenant
James Sather
LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTOR
Operations Lieutenant James Sather of the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, represents the Law Enforcement sector of the Coalition, In his 19 years with the Seattle Police Department, he has served the Central Seattle community for 3 years, where he worked as a patrol officer, patrol lieutenant and now operations lieutenant. LT Sather is very committed to HYCAN’s mission as well as the Central Seattle Community.
Types of Sector Rep Groups Also Include:
Parent + Religious/Fraternal Organizations
Healthcare professionals: Center for Multicultural Health, Ebonye Jones
School: Seattle World School
Youth- Serving organization: WAPI (Washington Asian-Pacific Islanders)
State/Local/Tribal Governments: Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle, Laura Jenkins
Substance Abuse Treatment: Central Youth and Family Services, Tujuana Hornton, Therapeutic Health Services
Civic Volunteer Sector Rep: Manny Apostol
The role of the coalition members is to support the program’s strategic plan, including:
Attending monthly meetings to share updates and ideas
Setting goals, objectives, and strategies
Develop and update the Annual Strategic Plan
Participating in Network Workgroups, collaborating with Coordinator to:
Plan the implementation of direct services, environmental strategies, and media campaigns
Conduct “Needs and Resource” Assessments
Evaluate both quantitative and qualitative data to inform program strategies and, activities
Determine youth prevention and school discipline policy changes
Help to organize and participate in an annual Key Leader Event
Participate in the annual Coalition Assessment Tool (CAT) survey
HYCAN Community Organizations
VISIT THE LINKS BELOW TO CENTRAL AREA COMMUNITY NETWORK ORGANIZATIONS
Garfield High School PTSA
African American Community Advisory Council
Seattle Parks and Recreation Teen Programs
EastPAC
Squire Park CC
CAYA