Each inspiring speaker, passionate presenter, and engaged attendee deeply embodied our conference theme of “Moments to Movements” by dedicating their time and and energy to improving support for young people across the state.
We were proud to witness our theme in action as both a foundation for the conference and an invitation to imagine more expansive movements rooted in the moments that change us bit by bit every day—and how we can utilize these invaluable moments with youth to foster long-lasting positive change.
The impact of a moment
Keynote speaker Lana Hailemariam kicked off our conference by taking us through essential moments and relationships that challenged her sense of self, understanding of right and wrong, and perspective on the world as a young person. Lana invited participants to intentionally craft the moments in everyday life that encourage, empower, and validate the young people we serve across the field, recognizing the lifelong impact that these moments can have—especially on BIPOC youth, youth in poverty and/or rural areas, LGBTQ+ youth, disabled youth, and any youth facing barriers to access and opportunity.
Choosing from 35 workshops on the first day, 500+ Bridge attendees had the opportunity to learn from field experts about critical topics in youth development. Each workshop fostered statewide connections and partnerships among providers and advocates united by their dedication to supporting the needs of young people in Washington. These moments of connection are crucial for collective movement building.
Attendees further invested in these relationships during our Exhibitor Showcase & Networking Social at the end of the first day, gathering in the music-filled exhibitor hall to learn more about one another and the products and services offered to youth development professionals.
Movements in motion
Bridge Conference Day 2 started with Tacoma’s Poet Laureate Christian Paige, who told us that the recipe for supporting young people is simple: 1) have an invested interest in the lives of the young people you serve and 2) believe that YOU have the skills and resources necessary to support the young people in your community. Sharing his Emmy-nominated poem, “Trees,” Christian emphasized the long-lasting impact that caring adults can have on youth and, ultimately, on communities as a whole:
A wise person plants seeds so that their descendants will have shade
The investment that was made receives returns everyday
What started as little ripples has now becomes waves
and generational trajectories have been completely changed
Read the full poem here or watch Christian perform the poem here.
Day 2 offered 20+ workshops for attendees to continue learning best practices for supporting young people in their community.
“The variety of workshops offered during each session was great this year,” said one attendee. “I left each session full of ideas and tangible skills to bring back to my organization.”
By fostering connections and providing space to build networks across the field, our conference invested in the momentum that will carry our collective movement forward. One attendee shared their appreciation for the intentionality and diversity that allowed for deep and relevant conversation.
“There were school teachers, people who work at nonprofits, afterschool program staff, etc. It made discussions very meaningful. We were able to get insight from all the different sectors of youth development.”
Moments to movements
School’s Out Washington’s CEO Elizabeth Whitford spoke to the importance of the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST), bringing Claire Bruncke of the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center and Sam Martin of SDMC into a thoughtful conversation around policy and advocacy work in our state and how we can all get involved.
Finally, our closing plenary speaker, Luis Ortega, shared the importance of storytelling and how personal and meaningful narratives can advance systemic change for young people. Giving space for participants to reflect on and craft their own stories, Luis enabled guests to explore the power residing in their own experiences. He told us that when we look within, we can recognize how we are connected and can create the movement needed to holistically support and empower young people.
Luis reminded us that our collective story transcends the individual, and that we are strongest together.
Moving forward
As we reflect on this year’s Bridge Conference, we are grateful for the community of presenters and attendees that helped foster a renewed sense of motivation to deeply engage with the youth development ecosystem. Our collective voice and action are critical to creating a movement that benefits each and every young person in Washington.
Save the date for 2025 Bridge Conference
Mark your calendars for next year’s conference, which will be October 27-28, 2025 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington. We can’t wait to see you there!