Mayor Victoria Woodards launched “Compassionate Tacoma” – an initiative encouraging Tacoma residents and businesses to take specific actions in support of fostering a more welcoming, connected, vibrant and resilient community.

“Many of the issues we face will come and go, but the impact of how we treat each other will last many lifetimes,” said Mayor Woodards. “By listening and serving others with love and ensuring that every action we take is founded in compassion, we help shape the brightest possible future for our city.”

Residents and businesses can text “I’m all in” to (253) 650-0588 or visit cityoftacoma.org/compassionate to express support for the “Compassionate Tacoma” initiative and be alerted to future “Compassionate Tacoma” initiative announcements and event notifications.

Details on the following opportunities for residents and businesses who express support for the “Compassionate Tacoma” initiative will be announced soon:

Recognition of community members who embody “Compassionate Tacoma” values

Engagement in community service opportunities established in partnership with United Way

In a recent community survey conducted by the City of Tacoma, more than 75 percent of surveyed residents indicated that they come to Council meetings or City events, belong to community or faith groups, or actively volunteer. However, only 22 percent indicated that they feel their civic engagement and service is “impactful” or “very impactful” to the community.

“This indicates that our community members may doubt the value of their connections and contributions,” said Mayor Woodards. “Through this initiative, I want to underscore that their engagement is not only valued, it is vital. And, in turn, every interaction the City has with community members is an opportunity to earn their trust and strengthen relationships.”

Noting that Tacoma – like many cities across the nation – is working to address issues such as homelessness, housing affordability, equity and climate change, Mayor Woodards highlighted diversity, and constructive communication, as key to the development of transformative and innovative solutions.

“Compassion is not refraining from speaking our truths,” said Mayor Woodards. “In fact, it is about dropping the weapons that often come with our words, and speaking our truths with the kind of love described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The “Compassionate Tacoma” initiative supports several indicators of opportunity listed in the Tacoma 2025 Strategic Plan, a living document which guides where the City of Tacoma – as both a local government organization and a community – is headed:

Increase the percentage of residents who believe they are able to have a positive impact on the community and express trust in the public institutions in Tacoma.

Increase the number of residents who participate civically through volunteering and voting.

Increase positive perception of safety and overall quality of life.

More information about the “Compassionate Tacoma” initiative is available at cityoftacoma.org/compassionate. Questions, or requests for information in alternate formats, may be directed to Melanie Harding in the Office of Mayor Victoria Woodards at melanie.harding@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5156.

– City of Tacoma

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A city is more than a collection of people

By Morf Morford
Tacoma Daily Index

Any community, especially a community the size of Tacoma, is made up of layers and layers of relationships across time, neighborhoods, careers and life experiences.

As many of us have learned recently, our behavior and actions can have impacts far beyond our vision, and in the same way, the actions of those we may never meet may have dramatic impacts on our lives and well being.

The term “going viral” has taken on a whole new range of meanings thanks to the arrival of COVID-19.

As we are learning, our simple and routine actions, like coughing or (not) washing our hands can unleash ripple affects that we probably

Following the cue of our mayor, one way to take care of each other is to take care of ourselves.

Many of us are paying far more attention to hand washing and routine actions – like how often we touch our own faces – but there are a whole range of things we need to pay attention to that we rarely if ever considered before.

One area of concern is that COVID-19 can stay active (meaning contagious) on surfaces far longer than was expected.

A study by the Journal of Hospital Infection found that other strains of coronavirus have the potential to remain on metal, glass and plastic surfaces for two hours to nine days. According to the World Health Organization, the virus is unable to survive for long periods of time on packages or letters.

As we take care of ourselves – and each other – be vigilant as you encounter such routine items as dollar bills and change, door knobs and handles, office kitchens, ATMs, Guardrails and handrails, public bathrooms, hospital surfaces, phones, airplane or bus seats and any public surfaces.

Officials in Washington state are even asking voters not to lick the envelopes used for mail-in primary ballots in the state, which has become the epicenter of the nation’s COVID-19 outbreak and the site of the vast majority of COVID-19 related fatalities.

And take a few more seconds to wash those hands.