Washington Community Reinvestment Association

Congratulations to Mercy Housing on funding their WELL loan for the Millworks Early Learning Center! This project has been a long time in the making, and it’s very exciting to see it come to fruition. The Millworks is a big project for Mercy Housing and is bringing an early learning center to the Bellingham community. We are pleased to be involved with this project by helping fund the Millworks Early Learning Center which will be operated by Whatcom Family Ymca. The Bellingham community has been making huge efforts to rebuild the waterfront economy, increase public access, and connect downtown to the water. The Millworks is a huge step towards that goal and their early learning center will help families and further enrich the community.

Congratulations to the Community School of West Seattle on the closing of their Capital Plus loan. The team at CSWS has worked tirelessly to secure funding to continue to provide education to the kids in the West Seattle neighborhood. WCRA would like to thank Washington State Housing Finance Commission for their partnership in the funding of this loan. We are excited to support their ongoing commitment to delivering quality education and care through their creative, exploratory, and play-based curriculums. We can’t wait to see the positive impact that CSWS will have on their community as they continue to make each individual child feel valued and supported and as they provide even more enriching experiences for their little learners. Wishing you all the best as you continue to inspire and educate!

Congratulations to Charissa Waters and the rest of the team with the Community Nature Foundation on securing their Capital Plus loan with WCRA for the expansion of their outdoor early learning program! They have a strong commitment to providing an enriching outdoor education for young children in the Olympia area. WCRA would like to thank the Washington State Housing Finance Commission for their continued partnership in the funding of this acquisition. The added space will allow the Community Nature Foundation even more opportunities to create memorable experiences and foster a love for learning outdoors. Their Fern Gully Forest School uses nature-based learning opportunities to facilitate their holistic approach to education. Now they will also be able to host educational community events to inspire curiosity and respect for nature in Olympia. We’re excited to see what will be next for the Community Nature Foundation and see how they will continue to spark environmental awareness in future generations!

WCRA is thrilled to announce that EUROPAKIDS INTL PRESCHOOL LLC and Kelly Milbrandt recently closed an Economic Development loan and a WELL loan to expand their Kent location! The expansion will increase total early learning slots from 76 to 110. We would like to thank our member banks and Washington State Department of Commerce for their partnership in the funding of this project. This milestone reflects Kelly’s remarkable effort and unwavering commitment to the children in our community. We’re excited for more families and children to benefit from this wonderful learning environment. We have no doubt that the Kent location will continue to be warm, welcoming, and enriching. Wishing you continued success and growth as you embark on this new chapter in expanding your facility!

Congratulations to the Whatcom Family YMCA on securing their WELL loan with WCRA to secure their ownership of the Barkley Village Early Learning Center! WCRA would like to thank the WECU for their partnership in the funding of this acquisition. Closing the loan to own the space for your early learning center is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and vision. Your commitment to providing a nurturing environment for young minds to thrive is inspiring and your efforts will certainly impact countless children and families positively for years to come. The Whatcom Family YMCA is an association of individuals with shared values that enhance the community with programs for the spirit, mind, and body. It was founded in Bellingham in 1890 and has had a strong and positive impact in the Bellingham community since. The Whatcom Family YMCA is serving the community through the Y’s focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Now the space can continue to be filled with laughter, learning, and boundless opportunities. The WCRA is looking forward to seeing all the milestones and successes in store for you!

Congratulations to Jennifer Kelty, EMPA and The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens on securing Capital Plus and WELL loans with WCRA for the expansion of their early learning facility! Their 17-year dream of a bigger space to serve more families and early learners is one step closer to being a fantastic reality. WCRA would like to thank the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Washington State Department of Commerce for their partnership in the funding of this project. The expanded facility will not only provide more room for creativity and learning but also ensures that TCC can expand their priority admissions for families experiencing homelessness or living in transitional housing, foster families, refugee families, lower income families and children with disabilities, as well as their support for families with a child receiving care at Children’s Hospital. The kids are fascinated by the construction starting up and TCC created a mini-construction site for the pre-K students, with the folks from CDK and Environmental Works donating time and materials to work on small projects over the summer. Just look at all those little ones in tiny hard hats, ready to "help" with the construction! Here's to more space for giggles, more corners for exploration, and more nooks for tiny discoveries.

WCRA is very pleased to welcome Kim Chiok (Kimberly Chiok) to our team. Kim joins us as a Lending Associate and assists in loan origination, underwriting, and closing processes, as well as portfolio management. She attended Florida State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay for two years.

WCRA is proud to partner with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the Department of Commerce HTF to make the Samish Park Cooperative dream of affordable home ownership dream a reality and preserve their community. https://lnkd.in/eS-88MH4