Author: School’s Out Washington - Page 18

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What Bellevue Boys and Girls Club means to one family—a parent testimonial

Jul 20, 2021

By School's Out Washington

Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) has been part of the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time initiative since 2018, in collaboration with the Bellevue School District, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, and the Bellevue YMCA. The partnership coordinates services primarily for homeless and recently transitioned families. BGCB remained open throughout the pandemic to provide free and low-cost childcare for essential workers. Below is a parent’s perspective of the support they received from BGCB and the Best Starts for Kids initiative. The Club being open meant I could continue working in essential work helping aid food and housing insecurity. I was even able to get a promotion this June for my hard work, dedication and success before and during … [ ]

Communities of Care—How Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe and thriving

Jul 16, 2021

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids initiative is designed to ensure that all young people in King County are happy, healthy, safe and thriving. In the Out-of-School Time strategy, SOWA partners with organizations providing afterschool and summer programming to elementary and middle school age youth. This cohort of providers consists of People of Color-Led, and Place-Based Collaboratives–partnerships of organizations that work together to serve under-invested communities. The pandemic threw youth programs’ vital role within communities into sharp relief—including mental health and emotional well-being. With an alarming uptick in youth suicide, substance abuse, depression and anxiety, this support can be life-saving. WAPI … [ ]

Creativity, imagination and diversity in North Seattle

Jul 15, 2021

By Adriana Zazula

Wedgwood Drama Studio blossomed out of a need for a creative, uplifting space for dramatic learning and expression in North Seattle. Founder and Director, Christi Cruz, calls it home. A seasoned actor, proud mom of three and Wedgwood resident, Christi founded her business in 2008. Since then, Wedgwood Drama Studio has been a place where youth can have, “a safe and supportive environment to practice the skills drama engages [that are] vital to a young person’s growth and education in the classroom and beyond.” “For me, it’s always about the process and not the product,” said Cruz, “We want them … [ ]

Awareness for every living thing—how horse riding heals and connects native youth to traditions

Jul 14, 2021

By Adriana Zazula

Since 1998, Native Horsemanship Youth Program’s Founder, Lynne Ferguson has offered lessons to her family, neighbors, and all interested youth in the Suquamish tribe. Located on over 30 acres in the Port Madison reservation, what began as a small program for the Suquamish tribe has grown into a nonprofit serving multiple generations of youth in indigenous techniques of riding horses, which she learned from her Comanche great-grandfather and grandmother. They are proud to be a Native-led nonprofit. Their board president is a Suquamish tribal member whose children are also part of the program. “We’re now in our second generation. The parents … [ ]

2021 Bridge Conference

Jul 01, 2021

For our second virtual conference, we will come together to celebrate, influence, and learn in community with the expanded learning field on October 26-29, 2021. Join us for a Systems Leaders Pre-Conference, inspiring keynote speakers, up to 28 workshops to choose from, and unique opportunities to connect with your peers from across Washington State and beyond. About our 2021 theme Across time and cultures, humans have found comfort, guidance, and knowledge amongst the stars. Before we had the technology to tell us what was out there, we were grounded and deeply connected to this unknown we reached for it. The … [ ]

Centering Joy—How Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe and thriving

Jun 30, 2021

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids initiative is designed to ensure that all young people in King County are happy, healthy, safe and thriving. In the Out-of-School Time initiative, SOWA partners with organizations providing afterschool and summer programming to elementary and middle school age youth. Our cohort of providers prioritize the well-being of their participants and their community. There is no shortage of happiness within their work! Below are two organizations who made it their mission to spread joy during difficult times. Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO) developed creative ways to connect, despite isolation within the pandemic. The organization held … [ ]

Author: School's Out Washington