About Puget SoundOff

Puget SoundOff Mission:

"The mission of Puget SoundOff is to provide youth with a forum for discussion, artistic expression, and action as a way to empower and encourage youth to have a strong voice.

The project aims be a catalyst for increasing youth involvement and engagement within the community while encouraging expression of one's beliefs, respect for others, and commitment to public service.

We have faith in the ideal that by giving youth the opportunity to express their voice, they can have a successful future and better their communities."

- Developed by PSO youth council, Summer 2007.

Puget SoundOff History:

Puget SoundOff was developed in 2007.  The inaugural PSO Youth Council along with the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology, Univerisity of Washington Center for Communication and Civice Engagement and Metrocenter YMCA utilized the input from 180 teens including the Mayors Youth Council to develop this space. 

Puget SoundOff Team Members:

The site is managed by the Puget SoundOff Digital Connectors who monitor the content, ensure diverse useage, promote PSO, create content for PSO and participate in activities to encourage youth to connect, collaborate and take action in their communities.

Bryan Gordon

Chris Tugwell

- David Keyes
Community Technology Program Manager, City of Seattle Department of Information Technology

Lance Bennett

- Vicky Yuki
Outreach and Education Coordinator, City of Seattle Department of Information Technology

Vicky has worked with the City of Seattle Department of Information since 2007.  She has been involved with the development of the Puget SoundOff project during the planning and implementation phases and is amazed at the passion and commitment of the youth and partners in bringing about the success of Puget SoundOff!  In addition to Puget SoundOff, Vicky works on many projects that help bridge digital literacy and increase access to technology for Seattle residents.  Vicky enjoys working with partners serving youth, as well as those working with refugee and immigrant communities, seniors and people living with disabilities.

Puget SoundOff Funding:

Funding for Puget SoundOff comes from a variety of sources, including grants, donations and valuable volunteer time.  Initial funding came from the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology under an agreement with Comcast to promote youth civic engagement.

Additional funding for this project came from:

• One Economy Corporation
• Medina Foundation
• MacArthur Foundation
• Seattle Youth Employment Program
• YMCA of Greater Seattle
• Workforce Development Council

Puget SoundOff Recognized for Making a Difference:

Thanks to the teens that contributed and our development team, PSO won the 2009 CityClub Peopl's Choice Award and a national Public Technology Institute Technology Solutions Award

Puget SoundOff Board Members:

PSO wouldn't be an award winning organiztion without the dedication of our board memebers:

Diane Douglas, Executive Director, CityClub Seattle

Hanson Hosein, Director, UW Masters of Communication in Digital Media

Melinda Giovengo, Executive Director, YouthCare

Estevan Munoz-Howard, Executive Director, Youth Media Institute