Author: School's Out Washington

Advocating at the Capitol: Recap of 2026 Advocacy Day

We know that high-quality youth development programs transform lives and build stronger communities—but Washington still hasn’t caught up with the 26 other states already allocating centralized state funding for youth development. Washington has secured small funding wins across state agency budgets, but this approach leaves funding vulnerable and makes it difficult to track the true extent of cuts across budgets. One of the ways that School’s Out Washington (SOWA) supports our state’s youth development field is by serving as the backbone of the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST), a statewide coalition of public, non-profit, and community stakeholders working together to … [ ]

Investing in Rural Youth: The Impact of School-Community Partnerships

Corey Belser knows firsthand how activities outside of the classroom can open doors of possibility for young people. His career as a professional basketball player and coach took him around the world—but he never forgot his roots: Spanaway, Washington, where he jumpstarted his basketball career during his time as a student in the Bethel School District. When he later returned to Washington to raise his family, Corey was determined to give back. He founded D.R.E.A.M. Basketball, a non-profit organization that offers basketball camps, clinics, and individual and group training for young people in an enriching, educational, enjoyable environment—something his hometown … [ ]

Spotlight: Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center

In 2021, Claire Bruncke helped found the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center (DJHCC) to address a severe lack of access to afterschool programs in her rural community of Pacific County, Washington. The DJHCC has since become a key touchpoint for families and children in the county, serving roughly 65% of K-12 youth in the district last year. But, like many youth providers across the state and rural programs in particular, the DJHCC has had to navigate a glaring gap: funding. While 26 states dedicate funding for afterschool programming, Washington does not. As the executive director of the only youth program … [ ]

RFQ: Biliterate Content Specialist Independent Contractor – Spanish

School’s Out Washington (SOWA) is seeking an experienced Biliterate Content Specialist (Spanish) Independent Contractor. This contracted position requires fluency in English and Spanish, and skill in writing and communication with an audience that is diverse in levels of education, culture, and first language. This person will report directly to the Professional Learning Associate Director (PLAD) and work closely with the Training Content Manager to support the transcreation of the online self-paced School Age Basics (SAB) curriculum from English to Spanish. The scope of work includes conducting a quality assurance review of existing English-to-Spanish translated content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and … [ ]

We’re Hiring: Director of Finance and Administration

Overview:For over 30 years, SOWA has been supporting an equitable ecosystem of expanded learning programs for Washington’s youth by helping after-school, summer, and child care programs become more robust and accessible. Anchored in collaboration, we secure funding, advocate for the youth development sector, and provide tools and trainings to professionals who work with young people, ages 5 to 24. Our efforts benefit communities throughout the state by prioritizing youth most impacted by systemic inequity. Position Summary:SOWA’s Director of Finance and Administration has primary responsibility for the organization’s financial operations, as well as data systems, information technology (IT), and office administration. … [ ]

Legislative Kick-Off Recap

On January 21, 2026, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) and the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST) hosted a virtual Legislative Kick-Off to highlight the coalition’s 2026 legislative priorities and share ways the community can support and advocate for the youth development field across Washington.   Centering young people in this work was a highlight of the event. Two youth speakers shared powerful stories about how youth development programs have shaped their lives. Both speakers served on SOWA’s Youth Advisory Subcommittee, a group of 10 passionate young people who worked together in the fall and summer of 2025 to complete a policy project with guidance and support from the YDST coalition and SOWA team.  One of the youth speakers, Lexi, shared how participating in youth development … [ ]