Action & Impact In The ZONE

Together, We Are Stronger.

At The ZONE, we believe in the power of collective impact—a community-driven approach where organizations, residents, and partners unite to tackle shared goals. By collaborating, pooling resources, building on existing strengths, and using data to track progress, we can achieve lasting change.

Since 2017, The ZONE has been convening residents and partner organizations using a proven framework called Results-Based Accountability. This process helps us identify priorities, align strategies, and take coordinated action to move toward a common vision for Northeast Spokane.

Our Vision:

  • All kids are safe and nurtured.
  • All families have what they need to thrive.
  • Families and residents are deeply connected to schools and neighborhoods.

If we succeed in meeting these goals, we will see measurable shifts in our community, such as:

  • More children engaged in learning opportunities outside of school.
  • Lower levels of parental stress, particularly related to financial and other concerns.
  • Reduced anxiety and depression in children, youth, and adults.
  • Stronger feelings of belonging and connection to both schools and neighborhoods.

By working together, we can turn this vision into reality and build a more resilient, connected, and thriving community.

Measurable Impact Through the Years

Data collection and sharing drive community change. We believe residents should have the power to determine how data is collected and shared. To build this capacity, we gather data through resident stories, family surveys, program participation tracking, and monitoring quality-of-life indicators at individual, school/site, and community levels.

Explore our measurable impact over the years through the reports linked below.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Focus Areas & Measurable Outcomes

Youth Expanded Learning
Youth Expanded Learning

Community-Based Request

By the time they reach 6th grade, middle to upper-middle-class students may have spent an additional 6,000 hours engaged in structured learning compared to their peers from lower socio-economic neighborhoods. This gap contributes to significant disparities in academic achievement. In Northeast Spokane, especially for students of color, many are behind their peers in key subjects like reading, math, and science. This program aims to bridge this gap by advancing the capacity of the expanded learning system in Northeast Spokane, which serves children, youth, and families in our community.

The Program:

"Expanded Learning" refers to any learning that occurs outside traditional school hours—before and after school, as well as during the summer. This includes:

  • After-school and summer programs in eight Northeast Spokane schools.
  • Partnerships with local community organizations to provide programming in community spaces.

Goals:

  • Improve the quality and accessibility of Pre-K through high school learning activities.
  • Shrink the achievement gap to ensure that students in Northeast Spokane graduate on time, prepared for career or college success.

Staff Liason:

Jeremiah Johnson: jjohnson@necommunitycenter.com

Key Data Reporting: 

Housing Stability
Adult Expanded Learning
Fostering Social Connections and Emotional Health