Category: Community Spotlights

Creativity, imagination and diversity in North Seattle

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

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 … [ ]

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

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 … [ ]

Creating a new ecosystem of support for children and families

Launch “leads the charge to brilliant outcomes for the children of our community by ensuring equitable access to the highest quality learning and care. Their twelve locations have deep, committed relationships with school districts, including Seattle Public Schools.” Their collaboration with the school district allows staff to communicate and partner with teachers, “ensuring what children learn in our before and after-school programs complement and support what they’re learning in the classroom, readying them for kindergarten.” Launch remained open throughout the COVID-19  pandemic with only a short closure of two weeks in March 2020. Since then they have shifted their work … [ ]

Beyond Babysitting — Why child care providers matter in communities

By Adriana Zazula

Since 1987, TenderCare Children’s Center has been a place of discovery and family for infants to 12 year-olds in Clarkston, Washington, in the SE corner of the state. Their programs allow for youth to explore and be part of the world around them, from trips to the aquatic center to craft time in senior living facilities. TenderCare supports its youth with a holistic and heartfelt approach. They make educational and enriching programs a priority. Recently, they’ve grown their literacy programs in engaging ways that include book contests and games. “We want to give kids all kinds of experiences. We always … [ ]

Learning outside the box of an indoor classroom

By Adriana Zazula

Tucked in the heart of the Methow Valley is a 1.5-acre classroom. For over 17 years, Classroom in Bloom has taught youth to grow healthy and fresh food, get outdoors and be mindful of the world around them. As a SOWA  Feed Your Brain grantee, Classroom in Bloom is one of several projects that run summer learning programs in rural areas of Washington state.  “Everything is interconnected—math, science, nutrition, and even art—when you’re outdoors.” —Executive Director Kim Romain-Bondi Classroom in Bloom’s community garden in the Methow Valley and smaller gardens throughout Okanogan County inspire youth to connect to the land … [ ]