Kent YMCA Recognized with Community Impact Award

The Kent YMCA was honored with a Community Impact Award from the Kent Police Department on Thursday, October 1, recognizing our partnership with its Community Immersion Law Enforcement Program (CILEP). The award was presented during CILEP's 5th Anniversary Celebration at Topgolf in Renton.

CILEP was created to help new police officers develop a deeper understanding of the communities they will serve before beginning their formal law enforcement training. Through the program, recruits spend up to eight weeks working alongside local nonprofit and human service organizations, gaining firsthand experience, connecting with community members, and learning about the diverse needs and experiences of Kent residents. The goal is to foster empathy, compassion, trust, and meaningful relationships that officers can carry throughout their careers.

Since joining the program in 2024, the Kent YMCA has welcomed and mentored five new police recruits. Each recruit spends eight hours a day for four to eight weeks at the Y, getting to know our members and participants, especially youth, while supporting programs and activities throughout the location. These everyday interactions create opportunities for recruits and community members to learn from one another and build connections.

The award recognizes the partnership's commitment to strengthening community relationships through understanding, connection, and shared experiences. One of our highly engaged member families joined the Kent YMCA team at the celebration, along with AVP District Executive Greg Lewis.

We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Kent Police Department and help future officers build meaningful relationships with the young people and families in our community. For 150 years, the Y has brought neighbors together, and this partnership is another example of how we're continuing that work in Kent.