Category: Community Spotlights

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 … [ ]

A journey of compassion and reconciliation

By Adriana Zazula

Cup of Cool Water is a nonprofit ministry in downtown Spokane that “walks alongside youth who are homeless on their journey of reconciliation with themselves, God, and society.”  For almost 25 years they have kept their doors open to youth, ages 14-24,  from a wide range of backgrounds and personal beliefs. The organization operates from the standpoint of “come as you are,” and be welcomed into a supportive community. They emphasize that their work is not dependent on a  specific faith, but exists to support youth in loving themselves, continuing to grow, and finding and embracing the spiritual element of … [ ]

When caring about your community is a lifestyle

By Adriana Zazula

For 75 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County  (BGSC) has been an open door for young people in many communities. With 25 locations across the region, their participants are a diverse blend of Latinx, Native American, and rurally located youth.  Their mission is  “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” It drives their day-to-day work as staff enables kids to be all that they can be.  When kids start coming to any BGSC location, they are encouraged to try everything, be bold and … [ ]

Black Futures, Black Brilliance—Living Well Kent’s Youth Policy Council invited to Best Starts for Kids Summit

By School's Out Washington

“There’s a brilliance that happened in the past, brilliance that’s happening today as I watch you, and the brilliance that will happen in the future under your tutelage. Because you have the ability. The Youth Policy Council is creating leaders.” Wesley Saint Clair When Living Well Kent’s Youth Policy Council hosted a virtual Black History Month showcase in February, they did not want to focus on Black struggle, but rather celebrate Black brilliance—and they wanted to make sure that local politicians and others involved in community engagement celebrated alongside them. The young people’s work led to an invitation to present … [ ]

TeamChild believes in belonging and power for youth across Washington state

By Adriana Zazula

No one is dispensable.  For over 20 years, TeamChild has held true to its belief that youth should not be defined by their worst mistake. Instead, young people deserve to be heard and seen as an essential part of the community. Their mission is to, “uphold the rights of youth involved, or at risk of being involved, in the juvenile justice system to help them secure the education, healthcare, housing and other supports they need to achieve positive outcomes in their lives.”  “We operate with the basic belief that youth should not be incarcerated. Youth deserve belonging and power in … [ ]