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Path & Purpose—Foundation For Youth Resiliency & Engagement

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Foundation For Youth Resiliency & Engagement (FYRE)’s mission is “to advocate for equitable opportunities that allow all youth to thrive.”  FYRE is located in Omak, a rural and under-resourced community in north-central Washington. Its residents are very diverse due to the local agricultural industry and much of their county being located on the reservation of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Before FYRE opened … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Asian Pacific Cultural Center

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. The Asian Pacific Cultural Center’s mission is “to bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education and business.” Executive Director Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard shares her insight into the work of the organization.   “Teaming up together (with school districts) makes the difference. That’s what’s fantastic about our work. We are making a difference. The Tacoma School District graduation rate was low until … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Supporting Young Refugees Through Partnerships

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Since 2007, SOWA has fostered partnerships between community and schools to support refugee students. Through the federally funded Refugee School Impact Program, SOWA connects school districts, afterschool programs, and community organizations to serve young refugees and their families. We provide funding to every partnership to support their refugee programs, in addition to technical assistance, training, program development support, and much more.   What … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Mending Wings

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Mending Wings mission is to “empower Native American youth and families to walk together in wholeness and beauty, honor (the) Creator through our cultures and lives…”  The organization serves teens of the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation where many different dialects of the language are spoken. Most youth participants range in age from 11-18. Mending Wings inspires a … [ ]

Meet this year’s Bridge artist—Saiyare Refaei

Saiyare Refaei (they/them/she/her) is a Chinese Iranian artist based on the traditional lands of the Puyallup and Coast Salish peoples referred to as Tacoma, Washington. Their mediums include community murals, printmaking, drawings, and poetry. Saiyare strives to utilize art as a means of community building, education, and healing. Saiyare organizes with La Resistencia for the freedom of immigrants detained in the detention center in Tacoma and is a member of Justseeds, a transnational decentralized network of artists committed to social, environmental, and political engagement. Find more of Saiyare’s work here or @_saikick_ on Instagram. What inspired their art for this year’s Bridge … [ ]

Best Starts for Kids Expanded Learning Awardees Announced!

School’s Out Washington, in partnership with King County Best Starts for Kids (BSK), is excited to announce the BSK Expanded Learning cohort for 2022–2025! In total, 65 awardees will receive $16,102,303 in funding over the next three years. The BSK Expanded Learning initiative provides funding and resources for expanded learning providers across King County to increase access to high quality expanded learning opportunities for youth (ages 5–13) who are BIPOC and/or living in poverty. This is accomplished through two primary funding models:  BIPOC-led organizations that are embedded in culturally specific or cross-cultural communities of color Place-based collaboratives that are made … [ ]