What is the Port Community Action Team (PCAT)?
VISION: To create a healthy and economically vibrant Duwamish Valley where people can stay in place.
MISSION: The Duwamish Valley Port Community Action Team is a group of neighbors from Georgetown and South Park who are collaborating with the Port of Seattle to remedy their historical and current disproportionate, cumulative impacts to the environment and its people. To further our goals of a healthy, sustainable community, we have created a Community Benefits Commitment with the Port based on the principles of equity, anti-displacement, and empowerment. Our agreement focuses on promoting a clean environment, increasing economic opportunities, and building community capacity.
VALUES:
- We as the Port Community Action Team (PCAT) recognize that we are on unceded Duwamish Land and Territory, one of the First People of Seattle and King County, and we will do whatever we can to support the Duwamish People.
- We are an actively anti-racist collective that works to dismantle oppression in all its forms.
- We actively celebrate our diverse heritage and the community contributions that represent the makeup of the community in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and gender identity.
- We are a united coalition for the Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods.
- We advocate for the community to the Port.
- We help facilitate access to Port distributed resources equitably throughout our community.
- We advocate at the Port for anti-racist based policies and programs that affect our region in general, and our Duwamish Valley community most specifically.
- We elevate community voices that are often left out of the discussion.
Who are the current members of the PCAT?
 Bunthay Cheam is a 1.5 generation Khmer refugee from Cambodia. He is a co-founder of the Khmer Anti-deportation Advocacy Group. Bunthay enjoys storytelling which he practices through poetry, theatre, film, and freelance journalism. A longtime resident of South Park, Bunthay serves the PCAT in different capacities, always advocating for community voices. |
 Jose has worked in the public sector since 2007. He was raised in three different places, Bolivia, Argentina and South Park, Seattle. Jose is committed to social justice and advancing racial equity projects that lift communities. Jose currently at ECOSS as a Multicultural Outreach Manager, overseeing environmental projects that provide environmental education, technical assistance and access to resources to impacted communities. |
 Daneca is the founder of Global Chill, a land-based catering service. Additionally, she operates in the South Park community as a youth mentor and event coordinator. Daneca joined PCAT because she has a deep passion for land restoration, social justice, and food sovereignty, specifically advocating for Land Back reparations. |
 Maribel believes we all should put our skills to work for the greater good. One of her passions is communications, specifically helping the community to understand the issues that affect them. Maribel feels extremely lucky that she is able to use her skills for community outreach and work with an amazing team. |
 Jake a lifelong resident of Georgetown and has advocated for his neighborhood as an intern for Friends of Georgetown History and the Duwamish River Community Coalition. He is also a founder of the Georgetown Youth Council, a youth-led group that has focuses on advocating for the long-neglected Gateway Park North. |
 Duwamish land and Southwest Seattle have a special place in Gia's heart, especially the abundance of diverse, small-owned businesses in South Park. Gia is honored to be a PCAT member and commit energy into community building, environmental stewardship, and social justice. |
 Maggie is a lifelong resident of Georgetown and US Army veteran. She values service to her community and seeks opportunities for others to connect. Joining the PCAT, her mission is to collaborate with communities of color and the veteran community to ensure the adoption of the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Commitment. |
 Rich Brown is a passionate community advisor who has resided in South King County for over 15 years. Some of his hobbies are DJ’ing, pickling, and cycling. Rich loves his neighborhood and is proud to be an advocate for it. Rich has served on the PCAT for four years. |
 Silverio has worked at a community health clinic in South Park for the past 10 years, serving the local residents. He has seen the changes this community has gone through, and the impact that on local residents. Silverio wants to provide a bridge between the decisions being made and the people who are directly affected. |
 Joanna is a lifelong resident of South Seattle with ties to the South Park community. She first learned about the Duwamish River superfund site and cleanup efforts as an undergraduate at the UW studying environmental health. She is excited to advocate for equity and resources to support the community members of the Duwamish Valley. |
 Maggie grew up in South Park and has always been an advocate for her neighborhood. A part of the first Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, Maggie continued her activism with the Duwamish River Community Coalition. Maggie graduated from the UW with a degree in gender and sexuality studies. The daughter of two immigrants, she uses her Spanish skills to fill the language gap in the Duwamish Valley and educate her community. |
 Ruby is a lifelong South Park resident and a first-generation college graduate, obtaining a master’s degree from the UW in Social Work. With over ten years of experience in advocacy work, Ruby’s passion to support youth and their aspirations. Ruby is honored to work with the resilient community she grew up in and hopes to empower the residents of the Duwamish Valley to speak their truth. |
|
We stand on the shoulders of so many! Thank you to past PCAT members whose voices have shaped the Port and Duwamish Valley community partnership to this day: Andrew Schiffer Hilary Jauregui Peter Quenguyen John Persak Victor Facundo Nancy Zugschewerdt Paulina Lopez Edwin Hernandez Reto Hannah Kett K Steimer
|
What does the PCAT do?
PCAT worked with Port staff to write and pass the first environmental justice policy at any port, Resolution 3767, the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Commitment (CBC). It has three goals:
Goal 1: Build Capacity in Community and at the Port for Collaboration:
PCAT regularly meets with Port leadership and elected officials to voice community issues and find solutions related to impacts from Port operations.
Goal 2: Support a Healthy Environment and Community:
PCAT advocacy funds local youth training in green job sectors - ranging from habitat restoration, solar energy, and green stormwater infrastructure careers.
Goal 3: Promote Economic Prosperity in Place:
PCAT encouraged the Port to open the Duwamish River Community Hub, a place-based economic development center located in the heart of the South Park business district.
 |
 |
 |
What is it like to be a PCAT member?
Purpose: PCAT members make impact in many ways - primarily, they help oversee how the Port is implementing the Community Benefits Commitment by offering consultation and advocacy to support human and environmental health and wellbeing in the Duwamish Valley. The Duwamish Valley Community Equity Program and PCAT are an anti-racist partnership and prioritizes (in our funding, decision making, and advocacy) uplifting the voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color most impacted by Port-related operations.
Commitment: New members can expect to make an 8-hour monthly commitment over a 2-year term. Members attend monthly general meetings, monthly committee meetings, Port of Seattle or community events as they arise, spring and fall weekend retreats, and quarterly socials.
Eligibility: Anyone who lives, works, studies, plays, or worships in the Duwamish Valley is eligible to join the PCAT. No prior experience working with governments, committees, boards, or Port industries required! No proof of residency or immigration status is required to participate in PCAT.
Compensation: Members receive a compensation of $30/hour in their first term and $35/hour in their second term. Meals, childcare, language interpretation, and transportation are provided as needed.
Currently vacant roles (PCAT is open to creating other roles):
- Port liaisons and advocates: Regularly interface with the Port and bring back what is important to PCAT. Collaborate with content developer to create community-friendly updates on Port happenings.
- Website developer and social media manager: Build and manage PCAT website and blog; post and manage content on PCAT’s socials.
- Content developer: Develop PCAT and CBC-related content for posting on PCAT’s Facebook page. Work with Port liaisons and advocates to develop content for blog.
- Hub liaisons: Make sure sponsorship funds are getting out to community; review applications for using the Hub.
- Community liaisons: Put on workshops to build capacity in community, attend community events, and reach out to the public.
