On Jan. 16, a new 2,200-square-foot facility known as the Othello-UW Commons opens to the public, connecting South Seattle communities with the University of Washington to promote understanding, engagement and research-based initiatives focused on addressing specific community concerns.
The School of Social Work is one of seven UW schools, colleges and programs that provided strategic guidance throughout the facility’s planning phase, supporting the creation of a vibrant center for 
learning, partnership and change.
“Our involvement in helping to establish the Othello-UW Commons grew out of a deep commitment to addressing the needs of local communities,” said Margaret Spearmon, the School’s chief officer for community engagement and diversity. “Our vision is to create a central collaboration space for all of us—faculty, staff, students and community partners.”
Southeast Seattle has one of the most diverse zip codes in the country. More than four dozen languages are spoken here; many families have low household incomes; and its young people face numerous obstacles to success.
The School of Social Work has deep roots in this Seattle neighborhood. In 2013, as part of the School’s pledge to achieve greater equity for area youth, School faculty, staff and researchers joined with local leaders and social service agencies to launch Communities in Action. The five-year initiative worked collaboratively with community members, parents and students to identify issues and co-create solutions to support healthy futures for young people through interventions built on a proven prevention system called Communities That Care, developed by the School’s Social Development Research Group.
The new Commons space will serve as a laboratory for learning, building awareness that prevention is a valuable investment in the community’s future. “We will hold our Communities in Action board meetings there,” said Spearmon, “and social work students tackling interdisciplinary projects may use it as a convenient space to meet with community members. We also plan to hold lectures and presentations there.”
To understand what issues are most important to the community and what local organizations are best suited to partner on them, students from the School of Social Work are currently performing a needs assessment survey, which will be completed in May 2019.
“We’re committed to the Othello-UW Commons,” said Spearmon. “Our investment, along with others at the University, now allows us to engage more deeply with the community. The Commons is a powerful platform from which to do that. It’s our front door to the community.”
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