History

The STAR Of Seattle is the result of an offer in late 1999 by the Seattle Housing Authority of surplus computers to the residents of Center Park. Initially this did not take into account the large number of people with disabilities, so funds were obtained from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the City of Seattle Department Of Information Technology, and Seattle Housing Authority.  

Carolyn Carlson from the Department of Neighborhoods, David Keyes from the Department of Information Technology, and Mai Nguyen from Seattle Housing Authority were instrumental in starting the lab.  With help from a consultant in setting up the lab, the STAR opened its doors in November of 1999.  The late Randy Hayhurst was a driving force in the preparations of the STAR Center and was given the title of Director by the other Founders of the STAR Center. Those other Founders were: the late Donna Potter-Garcia, Tom Ross, June O’Hanlon-Eagle, Kathy Hansen, Jim Bush, Dan Pempeit, Sarah Howe, and Marge Adams.  

Beginning January 1, 2015 and ending December 2020, Full Life Care managed the STAR Center and Westwood Heights Technology Center. Seattle Housing Authority has assumed management of STAR and WHTC since then.

STAR closed in March 2020 for the COVID pandemic and reopened to Center Park residents in September 2022.

In April 2023, the computer equipment was replaced with brand-new equipment from funding provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce's Broadband Office.

Old photo of Donna infront of Center Park and STAR Center signs outside infront of the building.

Resident, the late, Donna Potter-Garcia stands outside of the STAR Center when it first opened.

Resident Donna stands outside on the Center Park balcony only a few years ago.

The late Donna Porter-Garcia only a few years ago!