From providing local theater to high-quality arts and educational experiences for children and families and essential safety net services for people experiencing homelessness, the organizations that have worked out of the Annex are part of the heart and soul of Burien.
The City of Burien announced on December 9, 2019 that the Burien Community Center Annex (“the Annex”) would need to be closed because of critical issues with the buildings’ structure, and the risks those issues posed to people in the building. Seven nonprofits who provide vital services to the Burien community were told that the City would not be renewing their leases, which ended on December 31, 2019.
Understandably, this created a hardship for the organizations that currently lease space in the building. The Annex is more than just a building. From providing local theater to high-quality arts and educational experiences for children and families and essential safety net services for people expe- riencing homelessness, the organizations that have worked out of the Annex are part of the heart and soul of Burien.
While some of the organizations have found new locations, others still need help. Even the organizations who have been able to relocate successfully still need long- term support to ensure their service to the community can both grow and thrive. We encourage the community to reach out to these organizations and see how you can help support them. Council has authorized leases on a month-to-month basis ending on July 31, 2020.
How You Can Help!
Burien Actors Theatre (BAT) is celebrating its 40th season of theater at the Annex with humorous, well-written, and professional quality productions that, according to Maggie Larrick, BAT’s Managing Director “take the audience into perspectives they might not otherwise explore.” A 2017 study shows BAT brings approximately $140,000 annually into the Burien economy above and beyond ticket sales. BAT has a long his- tory of partnering with local businesses and nonprofits to help the local economy. They will complete Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Good Farmer at the Annex, but they are still looking for a long-term home. Visit burienactorstheatre.org for ways to help.
Hi-Liners Musical Theatre is a children’s theater program that serves children and youth from Burien and South King County, training the next generation of actors.
Starting with one show per year in 1966, they have grown to a full season of productions, classes, workshops, and camps for students ages 3 and up. They will finish out the 2020 season at the Highline Performing Arts Center, but are still looking for their permanent home. Visit hi-liners.org for ways to help.
Para los Niños fosters academic success for every Latino student in the Highline area through parent and community involvement. Their programs range from play and learn opportunities for young children to advocacy training for parents. Last year they provided kindergarten readiness for 82 Burien children, provided homework support and academic support for 112 Burien youth in a culturally bilingual setting that honors and strengthens their Latino heritage, and provided 174 parents English as a Second Language classes to advance their involvement in the school system and create more economic security. They will be operating out of the Annex until the end of their lease. Visit plnwa.org for ways to help.
Transform Burien provides essential services for people experiencing homelessness, including a meal program, clothing bank, and co-location of King County and City of Burien funded mobile health services and showers. They will be operating out of the Annex until the end of their lease. Visit transformoutreach.org for ways to help.
Meals on Wheels delivers food for homebound seniors in our community. Last year, their volunteer drivers delivered 13,856 meals to 72 Burien home bound seniors.
They will be operating out of the Annex until they find a new location or before the end of their lease. There is no disruption of service expected. Visit soundgenerations.org for ways to help.
Burien Cooperative Preschool is a beloved local preschool that has been in operation for 65 years. They will be operating out of the Annex until they find a new location or before the end of their lease. Visit burienco-op.org for ways to help.
Journey Arts and Crafts provides art classes for community members. Those classes will now be held in Discover Burien’s maker space. Contact kitsmo2@comcast.net for ways to help.
