 January 20, 2023
Our 2023-2024 budget contains $812,000 in human services funding for residents. This increased funding was approved by the city council and will be used by local and regional providers to assist members of our community.
The Human Services Division coordinated the application process and executed the distribution of funds. The division is within the city's newest department, Equity, Housing, and Human Services Department (EHHS). EHHS was formed to unite divisions dedicated to improving residents' health and livability by funding resources and streamlining providers' application and distribution processes.
We received applications from 91 providers for this funding cycle. The Human Services Advisory Committee spent months thoroughly reviewing applications and recommended funding for 64 human services providers. For the convenience and to reduce multiple applications, providers submitted applications using the Human Services Funding Collaborative, a collection of 16 cities in King County. The collaborative's application process allowed providers to enter their information once and have it sent to each member city. Joining Renton in the collaborative were the cities of Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, SeaTac, Shoreline, and Tukwila.
The applications were placed into six priority areas: Basic Needs, Connector Services, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services, Economic Opportunity/Self Sufficiency, Health and Wellness, and Homeless/Housing Services for review. The advisory committee used a 15-point matrix incorporating priority and equity as part of the review process.
Once an application is executed with a service provider, quarterly reporting is required to track and ensure Renton community members receive services. Data collected from 2021-2022 indicated primarily women and children served. The reporting also includes narratives that provide a view into the impact of the services. These stories are both powerful and impactful.
Allocating funding and working with service providers are the first steps in providing help. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please have them contact our Human Services Division at 425-430-6600.
 Macadons grand opening, September 2022
Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition
Do you own a business in downtown Renton?
Have you thought about opening a business downtown?
If your answer is “yes” to either question, Renton Downtown Partnership, in partnership with the city, OneEastside, Port of Seattle, and Renton Chamber of Commerce, gives existing business owners and entrepreneurs a chance to share their ideas through a free Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition. Winners in each of the three categories will receive $5,000. In addition, $5,000 incentive bonuses will be given to the first three finalists who sign a lease for a downtown storefront by Oct. 15, 2023.
The pitch competition includes four in-person workshops at the downtown Renton Library (100 Mill Ave. S) from 6-8 p.m.
Feb. 21: Competition Kickoff! Business Basics
March 7: Business Plan Simplified
March 21: Small Biz Finances
April 4: Marketing++
April 11: Pitch Preparation Drop-in Session
The finale will be a live pitch event at Renton Civic Theatre (507 S. 3rd St.) on April 18.
The workshops explain the ins and outs of launching a small business, including choosing a business structure, government regulations, business insurance, a summary business plan, small business financing and accounting, marketing, branding, perfecting your pitch, and more.
The three competition categories include:
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Startup/Idea: Businesses will have no sales or revenues. Contestants must attend 3 of the 4 workshops to be eligible to win an award: Competition Kickoff, Marketing ++, and either Business Plan Basics or Financial Planning.
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Early: Any business with less than $75,000 of gross sales last year or less than two years in business. Contestants must attend the Kickoff and Marketing++ workshops to be eligible to win an award. Attendance at other workshops is optional.
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Established: Any business with more than $75,000 in gross sales last year or in business for more than two years. Contestants must attend the Competition Kickoff and Marketing ++ workshops in person to be eligible to win an award. Attendance at other workshops is optional.
Registration and more information can be found on the downtown partnership’s website or by emailing director@rentondowntown.com.
 Emergency prep classes
Have you ever wondered how you would react to an emergency at home? At work?
In cooperation with Renton Regional Fire Authority and Renton Technical College, the city's Emergency Management Division presents free classes in February and March. All classes are at Renton Technical College.
- Surviving Mass Violence on Feb. 2, 6-8 p.m.
- De-Escalation in the Workplace on Feb. 8, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Preparacion Contra Desastres en Espanol on March 3, 6-7: 30 p.m.
- Women's Personal Safety on March 15, 6-8 p.m.
An amateur radio (Ham) licensing class is also offered on Feb. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Class fees are for the textbook ($20), test ($15), and license ($35).
You can register for the classes online (Keyword: emergency), in person at Renton Community Center, or by calling 425-430-6700.
 January is National Blood Donor Month
Now is the perfect time to visit BloodworksNW’s new Renton Donor Center in the Time Square Business Park (660 SW 39th Street #100). The center opened in September.
Schedule your appointment online or by calling 800-398-7888.
 Inaugural Dragon Dash Fun Run is April 15
Registration is open for the inaugural Dragon Dash 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk on Saturday, April 15.
The fun run is part of our 2023 Hatch Day Celebration, marking four years since Erasmus, Renton's rooftop dragon, hatched at 826 S. 3rd St.
The Dragon Dash 5K/10K welcomes competitive and fun runners, walkers, and families. After the run, kids can participate in a dragon egg hunt and try their luck at the Sword in the Stone.
Both distances will start downtown under Erasmus on Wells Avenue S. The route goes west on S. Third Street past Veterans Memorial Park and onto the Cedar River Trail. 5K participants will turn around at Riverview Park and 10K participants at Ron Regis Park. Both finish lines are at Henry Moses Aquatic Center on the grounds of Renton Community Center.
The cost is $28 for the 5K, and $38 for the 10K. Register before April 7 and receive a commemorative long-sleeved t-shirt. To register or for more information, visit rentonwa.gov/dragonregister.
 Honor a veteran with a tile
Veterans Memorial Park is home to over 2,000 engraved tiles honoring honorably discharged U.S. military veterans.
If you've thought about adding a name to the wall of honor, there's a Feb. 28 deadline to ensure the tile is added before the city's Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29.
Tiles are $75 each and must be accompanied by a copy of the honoree's Honorable Discharge DD214 or Proof of Active Service. Copies can be obtained at www.archives.gov.
Applications can be submitted at rentonwa.gov/vmp. To receive a paper copy, contact our Parks and Recreation Department office at 425-430-6600 or email veteranspark@rentonwa.gov.
 Family Snow Ball Dance is Feb. 17
Get the family together on Friday, Feb. 17, as our Recreation Division presents the first Snow Ball Winter Family Dance.
The dance is at Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Hwy) from 6 to 8 p.m.
Dance to your favorite songs, enjoy light refreshments, and create a keepsake craft. There will also a photo booth to capture your family memories.
Tickets are $15 for Renton residents and $18 for non-residents. Register by Feb. 1 at rentonwa.gov/register.
This utility box at the intersection of S. Second St. and Wells Avenue N. was designed by Amelia Ossorio. She was inspired by a Renton School District survey that found at least 87 languages were spoken by students and their families. Her piece includes some of the most common languages, including Punjabi, Arabic, Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Russian, Japanese, Farsi, Tagalog, and Spanish.
Contribute to Renton's art scene
We're looking for local artists to design wraps for six utility boxes. Their original art will be printed on vinyl and wrapped on the boxes. Selected artists will receive a stipend of $800 for each selected design. Design submission deadline is Jan. 28 and selected artists will be notified on Feb. 14.
For more information, visit rentonwa.gov/rmac or email us at arts@rentonwa.gov.
 In other news
A recap of news posted on the city’s social media accounts. You can find us (@cityofrenton) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Renton residents can also find us on Nextdoor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Arts in Renton
City Council (agendas, documents, and meeting video)
Keep Storm Drains clear
Parks Projects (Arnold, Coulon, Kiwanis)
Pet Microchipping (free for Renton residents)
Recreation Guide (current classes, activities, leagues & events for January to April)
Report issues via Renton Responds
Traffic Projects (information on impact projects)
This Week in Renton
This Week in Renton is posted on the City of Renton’s website where it can be translated. For additional translation services email communications@rentonwa.gov.
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Story ideas or comments: communications@rentonwa.gov
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