SPARK CENTER

April 2016
CONNECT. LEARN. CREATE

IN THIS ISSUE

Spark Centers History

and the Now
Spark Center is an innovative nonprofit learning
center and community space located in the
West Central neighborhood.
The organization was the result of the
dedication and hard work of local community
leaders. Many individuals were involved with
the project including Jim and Joe Frank,
Greenstone Homes; Ben Stuckart, Spokane City
Council President; Vinnie Alfonzo, Gonzaga
University Dean of Education; and Debra Park,
a Kendall Yards resident.
Together, they developed the idea for Spark in
Summer 2014. Collectively, the leaders formed
a group of stakeholders who were committed to
improving the community through novel
education and library services.
The group strongly believed in the idea that a
better education leads to better jobs, improved
health, and successful communities.
In August 2015, Spark Center in Kendall Yards
opened to the public. Spark Centers mission is
to connect people of all ages to opportunities

for learning and provide access to educational

resources.
Spark Center is led by Director of Programs
Brooke Matson, a Washington poet and
educator as well as a Gonzaga University
graduate.

Community Events

Our community events are designed to

inspire, spread literacy, and celebrate the
talent in our West Central and Spokane
community. Page #2

The organization accomplishes their mission of

connecting people of all ages to opportunities
for learning and providing access to educational
resources partly by organizing programing and
events.
Skillshops are workshops designed for adults
and young adults who enjoy being creative and
meeting new people in the community.
Some upcoming Skillshops focus on poetry,
writing, and gardening. Playshops are designed
for children in first through 12th grade, and
focus on playful themes that engage youth with
literacy, arts, technology, and the community.
Other upcoming Playshops involve creating
comic strips and learning to code.

Youth Events
Our workshops for grades 1-12 have a
distinct aesthetic: playful, hands-on, and
community-oriented. Page #2

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THE ONLY ONE CLUB- APRIL 20TH

Community Events
Bringing people together for great things
NETWORKS FOR LIFE- APRIL
19TH
Your Role in Suicide Prevention-Helping a
Peer in Need
This FREE training teaches youth their role
in suicide prevention and how to talk with
and support friends or peers at risk. During
this workshop, you will learn about stress and
its negative effects on the body, symptoms of
depression and how it is different in youth,
why youth knowing how to help each other is
so important in preventing suicide, why
keeping secrets can be dangerous and why
getting adults involved is important, how to
identify and intervene friends and peers at
risk, and where to go for extra help.

The Only One Club: Story Time & Film

Kids 2 and up will enjoy this unique event
thats all about the uniqueness of every human
being. Well listen to a reading of The Only
One Club by Jane Naliboff, a book about the
challenges, but mainly the joys, of being
special unlike anyone else! Then well watch
the short film Hannah Cohens Holy
Communion, about a young Jewish girl in
Ireland who wants to fit in with her Catholic
peers, only to discover that who she is already
is more than good enough. Finally, well do a
fun activity that helps us identify what makes
each of us unique.
Apr 20, 2016 4:00pm 5:00pm

CARL MAXEY: A FIGHTING LIFEAPRIL 21ST

Carl Maxey: A Fighting Life
Join us for a special viewing of the locallymade documentary about Carl Maxey, our
local hero who was the first black attorney to
pass the bar exam in eastern Washington and
who is credited by the New York Times as
virtually single-handedly desegregating much
of the inland Northwest. The panel will
include Jim Zimmer and Mary DeCesare, the
KSPS director and producer.
Apr 21, 2016 7:00pm 9:00pm

Apr 19, 2016 6:30pm 7:30pm

Youth
Workshops
Get serious about play

Our workshops--often called

Playshops--focus on playful themes that engage
youth with literacy, the arts, and technology.
Through meaningful play, students grow in
their interests, imagination, and ability to
meaningfully express themselves.
Each workshop has limited
spots. You MUST REGISTER for
workshops ahead of time. Our youth
workshops are popular and waitlists are
common.

STORY TIME AT SPARK- APRIL 14TH

Story Time at SPARK
Join us for Spark's story time for toddlers and
preschoolers. Parents and guardians are invited
to sit with their little ones for an interactive
story time that incorporates song, movement
and puppets.
Apr 14, 2016 10:30am 11:30am

PAJAMA STORYTIME WITH LOCAL

AUTHORS- APRIL 26TH
Pajama Storytime with Local Authors
In Pajama Story Time with Local Authors,
Scablands Lit gathers 4-5 local writers at Spark
Center for a special evening story time. Each
author chooses a favorite picture book to read
aloud to preschool kids (ages 3 through 5)
who come to the library in their favorite
pajamas.
Apr 26, 2016 6:30pm 7:30pm

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RESOURCES

Volunteer

Not sure if we need you? We need you!

Resources at the Spark Center

include:

Spark is a volunteer-run organization and

relies on volunteers like you to make the
magic happen. Come join us in building
value for yourself and your community,
while having fun, gaining skills and
growing relationships.

Desktop and laptop computers

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

Our technology can help you

complete a creative project, research
assignment, and more.

High-speed broadband access and

free
Wi-Fi
Makers Lab with access to tools,
technology, and mentoring

games, and visual media

Community Programs
Community Programs are drop-in
programs targeting various age groups (no
registration required). We always need help
with set up, program support, and clean
up. Plus you get to participate in amazing
community events!

Provide other support

There are many ways to support and
participate in the learning community at
Spark Center. Help us with media projects,
office work, IT support, outreach, hosting
special events or other jobs that make
Spark possible. Whatever your talents,
whatever you time, we'll appreciate you
and your generosity.

Tablet devices

Member library with access to

books,

programs! If you enjoy teaching youth,

contact brooke@sparkwestcentral.org.

Center Shift Volunteers

Volunteering at Spark is a great way serve
the community. As a center volunteer, you
commit to be available at the Spark Center
for a once a week shift. Youll welcome
people who come in, learn how to run. It's
a great way to help others, connect with
like-minded people, and hang out in a
space where exciting connections will be
happening all the time.

Substitute Center Shift Volunteers

Please contact us if interested, by sending
an email to:
volunteers@sparkwestcentral.org

Youth Workshops
We're serious about play, and invite you to
be part of the fun! Youth workshops--or
playshops--for grades 1-12 have a distinct
aesthetic: playful, hands-on, and creative.
Youth workshops focus on playful themes
that engage students with literacy. Help
students explore their imaginations in
Time Travel Lab, Origin Stories, Hour of
Code, Girls' Rock Lab, and many more

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4
EQUITY.

INK Artspace

Creating a vibrant arts culture for Spokane

MORE INFORMATION

Realizing not everyone has the same access

to arts education and technology, we
provide Spokanes low-income and at-risk

LOCATED IN SPARK CENTER

INK Artspace creates a vibrant arts culture
through collaboration, education, and the
power of imagination.
COLLABORATION.
We engage Spokanes finest writers, artists,
teachers, and creative thinkers to lead our
programs. We form partnerships with
schools, community-based organizations,
and local businesses in order to build a
supportive, encouraging culture for the
arts.

April
Issue

Spark Center
1214 W Summit Parkway
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 279-0299
info@sparkwestcentral.org
sparkwestcentral.org
Hours
Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday

Become a Sponsor

youth with free access to high-quality arts

education, as well as opportunities to
engage with their communities in projects
of passion.
IMAGINATION.
We believe in the power of play, and the
role it plays in creative innovation. By
blending the arts with technology, the
imaginary with the real, and individual
expression with community need, we dare
you to dream of what is possible in our
community.

Spark is a learning resource center that is free

for all to visit and use. However, the
programming and costs behind the scenes are
significant. Your support allows us to provide
a resource center and learning environment for
people of all ages and economic, social and
cultural backgrounds.
Spark Center is in the process of applying for,
501(c)(3) status as a non-profit charity. Once
the application is approved, the donation may
be tax deductible. Questions?
info@sparkwestcentral.org

Drop- In Programs
Whether the focus is on the creative arts,
technology, or literacy, each drop-in program
encourages community members to inspire
each other and grow together