At-Large City Council Member Olgy Diaz will host an in-person event – “Bridging the Gap: Local Solutions in the Federal Landscape” – on December 6, 2025, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Little Theatre (210 N. I St.).
“From the ongoing impacts of the recent federal government shutdown, to increasingly callous immigration enforcement skirting basic civil and human rights, national issues are impacting us locally,” said Council Member Diaz. “Residents across Tacoma are demanding that local officials take action. This is a community conversation with local leaders and organizers exploring what actions we can take at the local level as we navigate an uncertain federal landscape.”
Speakers include Emergency Food Network CEO Michelle Douglas, Tacoma Housing Authority Executive Director April Black, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Director Chantell Harmon Reed, and Tacoma School Board Member Lisa Keating.
Community members are encouraged to register in advance (tinyurl.com/DiazEvent) and let the City of Tacoma know if they need specific accommodations. The City strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.
Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to support others in need. Items will be collected as part of a food drive for the Emergency Food Network in the lobby upon arrival. There is an especially high demand for: peanut butter, canned stews, canned meats, infant formula, baby food, diapers, canned fruits, and canned vegetables.
Community members with questions about this event can contact Senior Policy Analyst Lynda Foster at lfoster@tacoma.gov.