B5 Learning Center Ceremonial Ground Breaking

FOR RELEASE – 7/5/23

B5 Breaks Ground on Community Learning Center

Kennewick, WA-

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, community leaders will join B5 as they break ground on the new B5 Community Learning Center in Kennewick. This groundbreaking ceremony will recognize the major contributors of the Bridges to New Beginnings campaign to bring this new facility to the Tri-Cities community.

“My family and I are honored to be major supporters of the Capital Campaign to build the B5 Community Learning Center. My wife experienced the challenges first-hand of moving to the United States not yet proficient with the English language. If it wasn’t for a similar program to B5, I’m not sure how we would have progressed. Together with many other investors, we are making this new facility a reality for children and families in need of support. The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us, and we are proud to be a part of this campaign and groundbreaking.” says Ty Haberling, President of HFG Trust.

The new Community Learning Center is being built in the same neighborhood located north of Park Middle School where B5 has served refugee and immigrant families from an apartment for the last 14 years. B5 has helped over 2000 refugees and immigrants through education, relationships and community. B5 has conducted this work from two adjacent apartments in the heart of this neighborhood. For the past two years, B5 has quietly been raising funding and developing plans to build a new Community Learning Center. Today, B5 leadership—in conjunction with our partners and community leaders—is proud to announce that we have raised 90% of our $2.1 million Community Fundraising goal and obtained $750,000 in state capital funding to make the Community Learning Center a reality.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community and support of our area legislators, the new Community Learning Center is becoming a reality. The new facility will provide classrooms and supporting space to accommodate growth in B5 programs while serving our families in a facility that affirms the dignity and respect of our community. With the groundbreaking, we invite the public to join our Bridges to New Beginnings Campaign and be part of welcoming and empowering refugees and immigrants settled in our community,” states Theresa Roosendaal, Executive Director of B5.

B5 supports refugees and immigrants through education, relationships and community so they can thrive in their new home. B5 has been privileged to welcome and walk alongside resilient refugee and immigrant families as they create new homes and learn to navigate the complex systems of our culture. They have to be resilient if they are to overcome the language and cultural barriers that could keep them from thriving. B5 partners with Kennewick School District, Educational Service District 123, and Washington Department of Social and Health Services and others to serve the entire family from Ready for Kindergarten, to after-school programs, tutoring and mentoring for school age youth, to adult English classes and more.

Media are invited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 10:00 am. The ceremony will take place at the new Community Learning Center location, adjacent at 715 S Jean Place in Kennewick, adjacent to the Kennewick Eerkes Branch Boys and Girls Club. For questions, please contact John McCoy, Chair of the B5 Bridges to New Beginnings Capital Campaign at 509-554-3132 or by emailing [email protected]. More information will also be found on the B5 website: www.thriveatb5.org.

About B5 Learning Center
The B5 Learning Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to supporting refugees and immigrants through education, relationships and community so they can thrive in their new home. We have served over 2000 new arrivals since opening our doors in 2009. Consistent with our values of Welcoming, Trust, Belonging, and Educating & Equipping, we are proud to offer educational programs serving the entire family, including Ready for Kindergarten® Workshops; K-8 after-school programs; tutoring, digital literacy and employment skills for teens; high school & college mentoring; adult English language classes; and more. Our vision is to create a community of open hearts, helping hands and supportive systems where strangers become friends and we all thrive. For more information regarding B5 Learning Center, please visit www.thriveatb5.org.