Middle and high school students from Kent on a fact finding journey travel throughout the West Coast on 7 week tour to learn more about how the economy impacts our communities.

This last week they met with Kent and South Puget Sound region organizations, including Kent Youth and Family Services, local churches, local State Representatives, the Muckleshoot Tribe, South King County Human Services Council, a homeless encampment, a Roma cultural museum and others.

Their tour includes large cities, such as San Francisco and Portland, OR., as well as rural areas such as the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

“We’re learning that in almost everyplace we’ve visited many people don’t have jobs,” said Jabari, a 17-year-old.

Mayra, a 15-year-old from Kentlake High School added, “One of the first things we notice is South King County is very diverse and, like other places we’ve visited on

the West Coast, many of the issues here appear to be affecting the youth the most.” The students belong to the Institute for Community Leadership in Kent.

The students are hosted at the O’Dell Education Center near Covington.

The Institute for Community Leadership prepares youth ambassadors to apply nonviolence leadership in fostering peace, constructing community and strengthening democracy.

Youth and adults are available for photos or interviews.

For more information call Nyla Rosen 2530508-3250 or Karen Bohlke 206-755-3677 or visit

www.facebook.com/icleadership or www.icleadership.org.