Profile of Service Learning Site: Bailey Gatzert Elementary School

Located in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill, Bailey Gatzert Elementary School opened in September 1988. Capitol Hill contains a mix of White, Asian, African American, Hispanic, White and Asian, and "Other" races. However, the White race alone is dominant in the neighborhood. An average income in the neighborhood is about $68,653 dollars. With a population of 40,078 citizens living in the area of Capitol Hill, around 324 students are enrolled in Bailey Gatzert. A mixture of Indian (2%), African American (43%), Hispanic (24%), Asian/Pacific Islander (21%), White (4%), and Multiracial (6%) is the ethnic makeup at Bailey Gatzert. The diversity of students and location of the campus has interested Seattle University to help advance the educational conditions at Bailey Gatzert.  

It has been announced on King5 news that Seattle University is dedicated in improving the conditions at Bailey Gatzert. Being a Jesuit University dedicated in helping the community, Seattle University has donated about $1 million towards the Seattle University Youth Initiative. The Youth Initiative is a program that organizes the University students into community projects as simple as becoming tutors or mentors at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School. My expectation for working at Bailey Gatzert is to make an impact on at least one student. I am hoping to help accomplish their goals by giving them advice and suggestions when they are confused about a situation they are in. Although they are elementary school students, I am hoping to spark an initiative or idea of what they want to grow up to become.