Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce

• Chamber Events
• Community Events
• Subscribe to Community Events [RSS]

• Visiting & Relocating »
  • Relocation Info
  • Lodging & Dining
• Community Profile »
  • Location & History
  • Demographics
  • Starting a Business
  • Education Services
  • Medical & Health Care
• Places to See
• Citizens for a Safe Yakima

• Benefits
• Marketing Opportunities
• Networking
• Committees
• Join our Chamber
• Member Directory

• Our Team »
  • Board of Directors
  • Your Chamber Professionals
• Annual Report [PDF]
• Programs
• Action Report [PDF]
• Contact Us
• News Archive

• Current Legislative Agenda
• Government Links

• Business Education Partnership
• Yakima County Development Association
• Small Business Resource Center
• SCORE

Citizens for a Safe Yakima

Our Vision is…
Yakima Valley will be known far and wide as one of the most safe, diverse, and clean places to live, raise a family, and run a business.

Our Mission is…
To recruit and focus the efforts of individuals, civic clubs, private and public agencies, school, faith based organizations and government entities - in a coordinated, collaborative, group-directed and aligned effort - to work together on making our region safe for everyone.

Our Values are…
To be inclusive
Seek unity in all we do
Remain determined and not give up
Empower and enable people and organizations
Multiply and coordinate resources, not duplicate them

CSC’s Role in the Community

Citizens for Safe Yakima Valley Communities (CSC) was created to network individuals and organizations in a self directed effort, harnessing citizen passion and determination to make Yakima Valley a safe place for everyone.  Crime and its causes are complex interconnected social and environmental issues.  There is no one sure-fire quick fix.  However, armed with information, determined individuals united through CSC are making a difference.

Bound together by a vision and shared values, this group of leaders is committed to connecting resources and people, enabling neighborhood communities, and promoting an environment in which we can all feel safe.

Mike Leita
2008 Chairman of the Board

Our Accomplishments

• Successful collaborative community efforts contributing to the reduction in crime rates for three consecutive years.
• Received $25,000 for anti-meth media project from Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office.
• Increased methamphetamine emphasis in Superior Court Drug Court program.
• Worked with legislators on gang, meth, and sentencing legislation that will bring positive results.
• Communicated CSC goals and efforts to local and state elected officials.
• Provided community education and outreach through Kiwanis, Rotary, Yakima Chamber, YPAC, and word of mouth.
• Facilitated the opening of juvenile detention beds for youth charged with graffiti crimes. 
• Built strong faith based relationships throughout Yakima Valley; distributed prayer cards, held prayer walks and rally, and helped coordinate cold weather shelters in Yakima.
• Collaborative effort between YPD, CSC, YVCC, & EPIC performing two citizen perception surveys related to crime in two different census tract areas with high crime rates.
• Created over 100 summer jobs for youth in both 2007 & 2008.

How Can I Get Involved? You Can:

• Meet and get to know your neighbors.
• Get to know your children’s friends better.
• Start a Block Watch.
• Paint over graffiti within 24 hours.
• Contribute financially to specific projects, events, or to our general operating fund to cover our administrative expenses.
• Provide expertise with a loaned executive or consultant.
• Volunteer at events or serve on the Board of Directors or other Action Team.
• Make in-kind donations, such as printing, products, or promotion.
• Mentor or tutor children and youth.
• Offer Internships and job shadowing opportunities for young people.
• Speak about your town with pride.

CSC looks forward to your involvement in whatever form it takes.

Contact Us
You may contact the CSC Executive Director, Carol Holden, at (509) 248-2021 ext. 112 or send an e-mail to carol@yakima.org for more information on our Teams and projects, or to send information about community projects you may be planning that will help reduce crime and improve safety in our community.

Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of local leaders including citizens, public agencies, private businesses, and not-for-profit organizations.  Meetings are the 1st Thursday of each month in the Mercy Leadership Center at the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, 10 N. 9th Street, at 3:30 pm.  If you have an item you would like to bring to our attention, please contact our Executive Director. 

CSC 2009 Executive Committee
As of 4/3/09

CSC 2009 Board of Directors
As of 1/20/09