Tacoma football legend drops in on new youth program. Here’s what he thought
A new youth program caught the attention of Tacoma football legend Marcus Trufant.
According to a news release, the Community Home at Beacon Center in Tacoma recently added a day program that provides resources and workforce development guidance to help youth and young adults thrive.
The program also provides a focus on mental health for people 18-24 and makes advocates available to help with personal issues. The day-to-day management is overseen by the Life Enrichment Group (LEG).
“We are excited to introduce innovative mental health approaches that focuses the voice of young adults and provides genuine care and concern for the well-being of the individual,” LEG founder Monika Mathews said in a statement in the release.
As for Trufant, he showed his support for the program and toured the center on Wednesday, July 20.
Trufant, who is from Tacoma, has made it a mission to give back to the city, whether through mentoring and coaching or through the Trufant Family Foundation.
“Tacoma is full of positive people, young and old. I am just excited to be here today. I am excited to what this community center means to the community, what it means to me, just what it means to the youth,” Trufant said during the tour.
Trufant, who also works with youth, explained that it’s important for young people in Tacoma to have a place like Beacon Center and a day program.
“This right here is beautiful. Kids to have a safe place, to feel safe, to see examples of really what it looks like to be positive, to be in a successful situation. It’s just near and dear to my heart,” said Trufant, who starred as a cornerback at Washington State University and played 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
The day program at Beacon Center opened on July 11 and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Beacon Center also has a daily, overnight shelter that is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The center is being renovated and upgraded to include an enhanced resource center and computer lab.
This story was originally published July 21, 2022 at 5:00 AM.