Category: Stories

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 … [ ]

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 … [ ]

School’s Out Washington (SOWA) supports youth programs on their program quality improvement journey. One program that has shown commitment to quality improvement is Hilltop Children’s Center. A longtime partner through a contract with the City of Seattle, Hilltop is an early childhood center that offers afterschool programming and childcare for elementary-aged children. They are dedicated to helping young people thrive through strong relationships with trusted adults. Elli Licea, a Mentor Educator at Hilltop, has seen firsthand the value of SOWA’s support, and during her tenure, Hilltop has deepened their engagement. “The more I experienced the coaching and Learning Community Meetings, … [ ]

Resettling one’s family in an unfamiliar country is not an easy feat. Having survived violence and persecution in their countries of origin, refugees face a plethora of new challenges when resettling in the United States—but their commitment to paving paths of success for their children is unwavering. Spokane County experienced an influx of refugee families between 2021 and 2023. Spokane Public Schools (SPS) was suddenly faced with the challenge of addressing the complex and unique needs of the large number of refugee students in the district. But there was hope in a new partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC)—an … [ ]