3 things to do before the Bridge Conference

1. Download the latest Zoom While you do not need to have a Zoom account to access Bridge, we do encourage you to download the latest version of the Zoom Client to your device. 2. Log into Sched and set up your schedule  Be sure to search your Inbox and Junk Mail folders for an email from notifications@sched.com with the subject, “You’re Invited to 2021 Bridge Conference” or “Build your schedule for 2021 Bridge Conference.” If you cannot find your invitation or if you have not yet received one, you can check out this tip from Sched on activating your account … [ ]

Beyond voices, into action.

The Bridge Conference is a place where those in many levels of youth development can gather to share ideas and reimagine what opportunities and programs  are offered to young people. An incredibly important gift to the Conference is being able to learn from the youth directly. The Community Center for Education Results’(CCER) workshop, “Shaping Stories to Shift Systems: The Youth Storytellers Project” offers just that.  The workshop is described as an opportunity to, “center community and lead with anti-racist action, we need to reimagine who ‘experts’ are, resource young people of color to own their stories, and follow their visions … [ ]

Investing in professional development, one podcast at a time.

Housed within the University of Washington, Cultivate Learning has “established itself as a bridge between research and practice, and has emerged as an institution that delivers guidance and expertise in multiple aspects of early learning and expanded learning opportunities.” “At the end of the day Cultivate Learning believes that every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow. We think that investing in the learning of those who work with youth and their families creates those types of spaces,” said Sophie Biddle, Project Specialist at Cultivate Learning. Partnership is also very important at Cultivate Learning and they’re thrilled to … [ ]

The long journey to liberation

The Bridge Conference has a history  of bringing together those in the youth development field to reconnect, revitalize, and reinspire themselves for the work ahead. JVH Empower Consulting Firm intends to be part of that revitalization at this year’s conference.   Their workshop, “Hold Change: The Power of Collective Healing in Movement Leadership,” is an “enlightenment session, participants will learn about the effects of unrecognized collective trauma and examine how we may have individually participated in the collective trauma of our culture. We will also explore the depths of our radical imaginations to uncover how Expanded Learning Program spaces become a … [ ]

2021 Bridge Conference Hoodies!

Look cozy at our virtual Bridge Conference and carry the theme of “From Seedlings to Stardust” with you throughout the year! We were so inspired by Stacy Nguyen‘s beautiful depiction of our Bridge theme that we wanted to offer it to all of our attendees. Purchase your sweatshirt on Bonfire from now until November 5. Order before September 30 to receive your sweatshirt in time for the Conference! Questions? Feel free to email our Marketing Manager, Tran at ttonnu@schoolsoutwashington.org.

What’s next for Best Starts for Kids?

The Best Starts for Kids Initiative was renewed by King County voters, what happens now? How does community voice shape the next cycle of the County’s work to ensure that all of our children and families are happy, healthy, safe, and thriving? How can local program providers stay in the loop about applying for funding? Shared below is an interview with Megan McJennett, Best Starts for Kids Implementation Manager. Stay up-do-date by subscribing the Best Starts blog. Learn more about the work School’s Out Washington is doing to support the 2018 – 2021 Out-of-School Time grant. Last month, King County … [ ]