Family First Community Center

Family First Community Center logo

Serving the Community by Serving Families

The Family First Community Center will bring quality recreation, education, and wellness programs and services to the historically underserved communities of Benson Hill and Cascade in Renton, Washington.

The facility will help families achieve goals in education, fitness, wellness, and overall health by offering additional programs together with our partners.

Grand Opening

June 15 - Family First Community Center opens in Renton

Family First Team

The city is partnering with Family First Community Center Foundation (Doug Baldwin, Jr., Executive Director), HealthPoint, and Renton School District. To date, over $14 million has been raised. 

Message from Doug Baldwin

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin explains how his upbringing in Florida and his sense of civic involvement inspired him to help build the Family First Community Center.

Make a Donation

Make a gift to the Family First Community Center via the Renton Community Foundation.

Construction Updates

Cover of the March 4, 2022 This Week n RentonThis Week in Renton - March 4, 2022

Strong community partnership funds a center designed to bring much-needed community services and resources to the Cascade/Benson Hill area. 

Construction Photos

March 2022

April 2022

May 2022

June 2022

July 2022

August 2022

September 2022

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

January 2023

February 2023

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

October 2019

Ribbon Cutting PreRibbon Cutting PostTight GroupMayor at PodiumBaldwin at PodiumPattenaude at PodiumMayor Don DougMayor and TrompeterFamily First CC Displays

On Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, Renton Mayor Denis Law joined Doug Baldwin, Dr. Damien Pattenaude, Renton School District superintendent, Tom Trompeter, CEO of HealthPoint, the Renton City Council, members of the Renton School Board and business and service club donors in cutting the ribbon at the location where the new Family First Community Center will be built in 2020.

Local residents and students also helped celebrate the center that will offer free health and fitness services, athletic programs, STEM and ESL classes, arts, music and many other activities and vital services.

Our Partners: Why the Center is Needed

Photo of Mayor Armondo Pavone"The Family First Community Center is much needed in the Cascade/Benson Hill area as a community gathering place for health and recreational opportunities. This project resulted from a comprehensive and creative approach and is another example of our community coming together for the common good. I look forward to the impact the center will have on the community.”

Armondo Pavone, Mayor of Renton

 

Doug Baldwin

“The day I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I fell in love with an area that has been my home for many years now. The people of Renton are passionate, involved and diverse in culture. My childhood taught me the value of cultivating diversity and community. The Family First Community Center will do just that. A center where the health and wellness of families will be the priority. It’s a grand vision met with a relentless passion to serve the community. And I am so grateful to once again be a part of something great happening in our community of Renton.”

Doug Baldwin, former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver

 
Renton Schools Superintendent Damien Pattenaude“Providing students and families with additional opportunities to learn and grow, in an environment that improves their quality of life, is important. We’re thankful for Doug Baldwin’s commitment, and excited to partner with him and the City of Renton to continue to improve the lives of our families and community through the Family First Community Center.”

Dr. Damien Pattenaude, Superintendent, Renton School District

 

First Financial NW Foundation logo“Every once in a while an exemplary opportunity meets an ideal financial resource that simply cannot be ignored ... the match between the FFCC vision and the Foundation was undeniable ... We can’t wait for the opportunity to open the doors and welcome kids, families and the community to a life-changing place for many years to come.”

First Financial Northwest Foundation

 

HealthPoint logo“We are excited the construction of the center is underway. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our partners and the community to develop programs that will bring quality health care services along with recreational and educational opportunities to young people and families in the area. At HealthPoint, we understand that being healthy takes more than just clinical care. It is about creating connections to community and opportunities for success for all.”

Lisa Yohalem, President and CEO, HealthPoint

The Cascade/Benson Hill area

Proposed site for the Family First Community CenterThe Cascade/Benson Hill area was annexed to the city in 2008. The area has nearly a quarter of the city’s population with 12% below the poverty line. Twenty percent of the population is 14 years or younger and the community is very diverse. The area has been historically underserved and has a significant need for recreation services for family and youth.

The Family First Community Center will meet that need and offer a whole host of programs including sports and recreation, health and wellness, classes in technology, music and English as a second language.

A public/private partnership between the City of Renton, Doug Baldwin Foundation, Renton School District and HealthPoint will design and build the center. The Renton City Council has authorized up to $4 million for the project. The school district has provided the land and the Baldwin Foundation will be investing significant funds. The plan is to build the center next to Cascade Elementary School.

Benson Hill profile

Since the annexation of Benson Hill in 2008, there has been a recognized need for improved services for children and families living in this area.

The Family First Community Center would:

  • Provide educational and recreational opportunities
  • Offer health and fitness programs
  • Have onsite health and wellness programs
  • Improve learning for children.

Demographics

  • 2018 Area Population: 25,468
  • Population 14 years or younger: 19.1%
  • Owner occupied housing: 54.0%; Renters: 45.0%
  • Population below poverty line: 10.9%
    (earning less than $24,000 for household)

Diversity (Race/ethnicity)

  • White: 44.7%
  • Asian: 20.3%
  • African American/Black: 11.4%
  • Hispanic/Latino Origin: 14.0%

(Note: Hispanic/Latino origin may include one or more races)

About the Center

Drawing: Center floor plan

click for larger image

The Family First Community Center will be built next to Cascade Elementary School.

Physical Space

  • Approx. 25,000–26,000 square feet
  • Gymnasium (approx. 8,000 sq ft)
  • HealthPoint Partner (approx. 2,500 sq ft)
  • Fitness Gym (approx. 2,400 sq ft)
  • Entry & check-in counters, classrooms, lockers/showers, multipurpose rooms, and offices (approx. 12,100 sq ft)

Family First Programs

  • Youth and Children
    After School programs
    Youth Sports
    Art Classes
    Music Classes
    Technology Classes
  • Health & Wellness
    Group Exercise
    Health Education
    Cooking Classes
    Personal Training
    Fitness Floor
    Yoga
    Life Management
  • Sports Recreation
    Adult Leagues
    Performance
    Drop-In Sports
  • Potential Programs
    Gardens/kitchen so kids can help grow and have healthy food and snacks. Place to have summer lunch program.
  • After School tutoring/mentoring
  • Parenting skills
  • English as a Second Language Classes
  • Computer classes
  • Job Training for youth and parents
  • Health clinic

Donors

Media Coverage

Geekwire - Gates Foundation CEO donates her 5-year bonus to community center project run by ex-Seahawks star

KUOW - Former Seahawks Doug Baldwin on depression, life after football, and his mission to build community (September 4, 2019)

KOMO News - Seahawks Baldwin focused on helping to bring community center to Renton (August 29, 2019)

KING5 News - Doug Baldwin is working to raise money for a community center in Renton to give kids a place to go. (August 28, 2019)

MyNorthwest.com - Former Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin goes all in on community after retirement (August 29, 2019)

Seattle Times - As the NFL moves on without him, former Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin has a new passion (August 28, 2019)

KCPQ-TV - After football, Seahawks Doug Baldwin turns passion to building family center (August 26, 2019)

ESPN.com - Ex-WR Baldwin: No second thoughts over retiring (August 26, 2019)

USA TODAY - Doug Baldwin moving his focus from football to philanthropy (August 26, 2019)

Bleacher Report - Doug Baldwin Talks the 'Process' on Deciding to Retire, Andrew Luck Backlash (August 26, 2019)

Associated Press - Doug Baldwin moving his focus from football to philanthropy (August 26, 2019)

News Releases

June 15, 2023 - Family First Community Center opens in Renton

March 8, 2018 - Family First Center receives $1.5 million in state funding

January 18, 2018 - Starbucks Foundation donates $150,000

September 12, 2017 - King County donates $75,000

August 15, 2017 - First Financial NW Foundation donates $3 million

April 26, 2017 - Council authorizes $4 million for Capital Campaign

June 23, 2016 - Seahawks Baldwin, city, and school district partner to build community center

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