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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Nickels nominates Stella Chao as Director of Department of Neighborhoods
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/13/2006 1:30:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Nickels nominates Stella Chao as
Director of Department of Neighborhoods
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels announced today he has nominated Stella Chao,
a long-time community leader, as the new director of the city’s Department
of Neighborhoods (DON).
“Stella has a passion for bringing people together, building community
and serving the residents of Seattle,” Nickels said. “This is a
city of great neighborhoods and strong communities. Stella's grass roots experience
building a strong community-based organization in the International District
makes her a great fit to lead the Department of Neighborhoods.”
Prior to her nomination as DON director, Chao served as executive director
of the International District Housing Alliance. Through her career, Chao has
focused on helping poor and under-served populations, developing programs addressing
transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, environmental education
and leadership, and assistance for first-time homebuyers.
“I am excited about this opportunity to strengthen the bridges between
community members and government, and develop avenues of civic engagement that
are as diverse as Seattle’s population,” Chao said.
Chao’s experience includes leadership of a community-based nonprofit
organization that provided multilingual and multicultural services for low-income
households with a specialization in serving immigrants and refugees. Nickels
said Chao will play a pivotal role in his immigrant and refugee initiative.
The Department of Neighborhoods works to bring government closer to the residents
of Seattle by engaging them in civic participation; helping them become empowered
to make positive contributions to their communities; and by involving more
of Seattle’s underrepresented residents, including communities of color
and immigrants, in civic discourse, processes, and opportunities. Through strong
partnerships with Seattle residents, the department plays a central role in
carrying out the mayor’s goal of building strong families and healthy
communities.
Nickels selected Chao after an extensive nationwide search. Bernie Matsuno
served as acting director since April of this year.
DON has an annual budget of approximately $8 million, nearly 90 employees
and is responsible for:
Neighborhood Service Centers: Thirteen centers link city government to Seattle’s
neighborhoods. Some are also payment sites for Seattle City Light and combined
utilities bills, parking tickets, pet licenses and passports.
Mayor’s Citizens Service Bureau (CSB): Provides easy access and information
about Seattle city services. CSB seeks equity in service delivery by resolving
complaints and giving a voice to all individuals.
Neighborhood Matching Fund: Awards funds to Seattle neighborhood groups and
organizations for a broad array of neighborhood-initiated improvement, organizing
or planning projects.
Office for Education: Helps all children and youth succeed in school, helping
them thrive academically and graduate from high school. Oversees the Families
and Education Levy, City/School Partnerships, and Community Partnerships.
Chao’s appointment is subject to approval by Seattle City Council.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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