The Confluence will raise the public's level of awareness of, and the frequency and quality of discussion on an important issue. The Confluence will create new networks and lines of communication between diverse sectors of the community. The Confluence will encourage citizen action in the central Puget Sound region. The Confluence participants will gain tools to lead communities through a change process. Next Confluence Confluence 2002 will be held April 24-26.
Planning is underway.
Gathering Several core partners helped the Center plan and implement the Confluence, including the Church Council of Greater Seattle, Coalition for a Jewish Voice, Leadership Tomorrow Alumni Association, YMCA of Greater Seattle, and Sleeping Lady. Financial support was provided by the Center, Harriet Bullitt, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, United Way, Charles Gust and Cheryl Hafer. Participants reflected significant diversity from professional sectors, age groups, ethnicity and race, geographic neighborhoods, economic status and gender. Approximately 50 people gathered, many of whom are presently working on reducing poverty on a professional or volunteer basis. Participants were sophisticated and seasoned activists, and very knowledgeable about the story of poverty in our region.