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A farewell from David Bestock, DNDA’s longtime executive director
A farewell message from David Bestock, DNDA’s longtime executive director. It is bittersweet to reflect on my time at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) after I chose to step away after 11 years of service. I have absolutely loved this work, this organization, and all the incredible people I have had the pleasure of working…
Artist Spotlight: EcoArts with Franc Monke
Franc Monke, a nature-based artist, is teaching a new EcoArts class at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s (DNDA) Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, based in West Seattle. Franc has dedicated their artistic journey to intertwining art and community, and we wanted to tell a sliver of their story for this month’s “Artist Spotlight.” Franc was exposed to…
Nurturing Our Neighborhoods: Proyecto Saber’s mural of resilience
When Albert Albanes heard Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) launched applications for arts and culture grants to fund local initiatives, he was thrilled to apply. Albert and his team in the Proyecto Saber program at Denny International Middle School were looking for grants to develop a cultural arts project for Latinx students. “We wanted to…
Camp Long Gateway Project: Honoring the life of Sheila Brown
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is happy to share with our community that the Sheila Brown Gateway Project at Camp Long is open for visitors! The construction project honors Sheila Brown, who served as the director of Camp Long for 13 years. The gateway, which leads into the park, was funded through a community donation…
Reflecting on October STEAM lessons for youth
This year, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s (DNDA) fall STEAM lessons reached 120 students through September and October — nearly as many students as we typically serve in a whole year! October’s “Watershed Wonders” nature workshops were a hit with the kids. “I didn’t realize water was all around us!” one student said. Jules Hepp, DNDA’s…
Behind the scenes of renovations at the historic Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
In October, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) began heavily anticipated renovations on our home at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, located in Delridge, Seattle. The construction follows an architectural needs assessment of the 100-year-old building. The major projects include upgrading the kitchen for commercial use, replacing part of the roof and HVAC units, restoring settling slab,…
A productive fall Duwamish Alive!
On Saturday, October 21, we hosted nearly 60 volunteers at Pigeon Point Park in the West Duwamish Greenbelt in West Seattle, our biggest event in years for Duwamish Alive! Duwamish Alive! is a regional day of service that brings together hundreds of volunteers to more than a dozen sites throughout the Green-Duwamish Watershed to improve…
Artist Spotlight: EcoArts with Jules Hepp
Before joining Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) as staff, Jules Hepp worked with us as a teaching artist throughout the coronavirus pandemic. To celebrate Jules’ one-year anniversary with DNDA as our environmental education coordinator, we want to look back at their time as a teaching artist for this month’s installment of “Artist Spotlight.” Jules followed…
Smiles and Scores: Reflecting on fall soccer in NewHolly
When DNDA’s summer programs for youth started wrapping up earlier this year, our Art and Neighborhood teams were committed to keeping DNDA’s soccer program running for as long as the weather would allow. Our evening soccer program in NewHolly — part of DNDA’s Summer Youth Program (SYP) — was well-loved by the community, with strong…