Progress Happens One Step at a Time
At the Metropolitan Development Council, we see every day how progress is built. It rarely happens all at once, and it is almost never the result of a single service. Instead, it comes from removing barriers, one by one, until forward movement becomes possible.
Sometimes, those barriers are not complex. They are practical, immediate, and often overlooked. Transportation is one of them.
We are honored to share that MDC recently received a $5,400 donation from the Junior League of Tacoma, following a visit and tour of our Learning Center. This investment, which exceeded the originally anticipated amount, will support driver’s education and related costs for residents in our housing programs, including The Avenue.
Access Changes Everything
For many of the individuals we serve, this is not just about learning to drive. It is about access.
It is about being able to say yes to a job opportunity, to show up consistently, and to take the next step without relying on systems that are often unreliable or out of reach.
It is about independence in a very real, very tangible way.
As Tonia Hess, Senior Director of Housing and Behavioral Health, shared, “Today’s investment is more than a donation, it is a pathway to independence through partnership and purpose. We are not only empowering young adults to move beyond their past, but toward their future with an understanding that opportunity and hope exist within their community through joint partnerships.”
It Started with a Conversation
This opportunity began the way many meaningful solutions do, with a conversation grounded in real experience.
MDC Care Coordinator Misty Gillarducci, who supports residents at The Avenue, initiated outreach to the Junior League of Tacoma by sharing the day to day barriers clients face. Transportation, employment, and independence are not abstract challenges, they are immediate and deeply felt.
“My initial outreach to the Junior League of Tacoma came from sharing the real, day to day barriers our clients face at the Avenue,” Misty shared. “Through those conversations, it was clear they truly listened and wanted to be part of meaningful solutions. Their support, including funding for driver’s license access, will have a direct and lasting impact by removing one of the biggest barriers our clients face in achieving stability and self-sufficiency.”
What followed was not just support, but understanding. The kind of understanding that leads to action.
The Role of Care Coordination
Behind every connection like this is intentional, thoughtful care coordination.
Victoria Chittenden, Manager of Care Coordination, spoke to the broader impact of partnerships like this, “Our collaboration with community partners reflects the depth and reach of our care coordination services, and our commitment to ensuring every client can access the resources they need to thrive. These trusted connections empower care coordinators to advocate effectively by building bridges to the right supports, advancing stability, wellness, and opportunity both within and beyond our programs.”
This is what it looks like to meet someone where they are, not just with services, but with connection, advocacy, and access.
Where Partnership Makes the Difference
For the Junior League of Tacoma, this investment is part of a larger, intentional focus.
“As a volunteer organization, our work is rooted in advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact,” shared Lauren Holmstrom, Vice President of Finance and President Elect. “Right now, much of our focus is on youth experiencing homelessness and uncertainty, and that is why this partnership feels so natural.”
During the check presentation, Lauren spoke about what this contribution truly represents.
“We are proud to support nine students in accessing driver’s education, but what we are really investing in goes far beyond time behind the wheel. This is about independence. It is about access to jobs, to education, to opportunity. It is about confidence, personal growth, and the ability to fully participate in and belong to one’s community.”
She continued, “A driver’s license can be a turning point. It can open doors that were previously out of reach, and we are honored to play even a small role in helping make that possible.”
The Junior League of Tacoma has been serving the community since 1921, with a strong focus on addressing the needs of youth experiencing housing instability. Their approach centers on partnership, working alongside organizations across Pierce County to create meaningful, lasting impact.
“We chose this partnership because access to driver’s education is often a barrier for youth experiencing homelessness,” Lauren shared. “Without a driver’s license, it becomes significantly harder to secure employment, access education, and gain independence. By supporting this program, we are helping remove a critical obstacle and creating a pathway toward stability.”
Filling the Gaps That Matter Most
For MDC, partnerships like this are essential in addressing needs that traditional funding often cannot reach.
As CEO John Hurley shared, “As a Community Action Program, MDC’s mission is to serve our community through a wide range of programs and services. Many of the most meaningful opportunities to support residents fall outside of traditional funding streams.”
“Federal, state, and local funding is not always structured to meet every individual need. That is where the generosity of community partners like the Junior League of Tacoma becomes truly invaluable.”
He continued, “This contribution will have a direct and tangible impact on the lives of young adults in our housing program, removing a significant barrier to employment, independence, and opportunity. These are the kinds of outcomes that may not always appear in high level reporting, but they are deeply felt, and long remembered, by the individuals who benefit.”
Moving Forward Together
This moment represents more than a check presentation. It marks the beginning of a growing partnership between two organizations deeply rooted in Pierce County, both committed to strengthening the community through action, connection, and shared purpose.
At MDC, we remain focused on walking alongside the individuals we serve, ensuring they have access to the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to move forward.
And with partners like the Junior League of Tacoma, that path becomes clearer, stronger, and more possible.
Because sometimes, progress starts with something simple.
A conversation.
A partnership.
A chance to move forward.
For more information on The Junior League of Tacoma or how you can join, please click here: The Junior League of Tacoma
If you are in need of housing, education, or additional resources, please contact MDC by clicking here: Metropolitan Development Council