Category: Stories

Play is for everyone with Greentrike

By Adriana Zazula

Be inquisitive. Be about community. Truly. Let youth not only be a voice, but an active contributor for the programs they want to be a part of.  These are just a few takeaways from my conversation with Fahren Johnson,  Director of Strategic Initiatives at Greentrike in Tacoma. Greentrike is an organization that “honors children and youth and champions play.” Beginning as the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Greentrike has become a county-wide advocacy and education organization—one that believes playful experiences are essential for learning, joy, and a thriving community. Fahren emphasized that accessibility is key to their work. The organization is … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Greater Trinity Academy

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Greater Trinity Academy’s mission is to “provide a high quality innovative academic experience stimulating a child’s enthusiasm for learning throughout their educational career and beyond.” They are working to eliminate the achievement gap that exists in far too many cases. The motto they instill in all their youth is, “I can learn anything.”  The organization has been working with BIPOC youth in the … [ ]

Get to know our Spokane County Program Quality Manager, Benny Baird.

By School's Out Washington

Meet our Spokane County Program Quality Manager, Benny Baird. Since 2004, Benny has been passionate about serving young people in rural communities and believes that all youth should have access to high quality outdoor experiences. Our organization is thrilled to have him on our team as we continue to grow our work across the state.  Please share your journey into youth development Long story alert! As a kid growing up in Spokane I attended tons of different programs, camps, and enrichment opportunities in the area. I attended art programs at the museum, recreation programs at the local parks, writing camps … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Salish School of Spokane 

By School's Out Washington

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. The mission of the Salish School of Spokane (SSOS) is “dynamic Salish language revitalization powering cultural renewal and building a stronger, healthier community.”  Of the 29 Salish languages of the Pacific Northwest, 16 no longer have surviving first-language speakers. SSOS offers invaluable Salish language immersion childcare and elementary school for Native American families in the greater Spokane area, working to preserve and … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Foundation for Academic Endeavors

By School's Out Washington

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. The Foundation for Academic Endeavors (FAE) is located in the Skagit Valley. Many kids in FAE’s programs are from low-income and Latinx families; many are English language learners. The organization offers continuous opportunities for youth and families to participate in their work. Tutoring, summer learning, and much more is available for youth in preschool to 8th grade; older youth are welcomed back … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Foundation For Youth Resiliency & Engagement

By School's Out Washington

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Foundation For Youth Resiliency & Engagement (FYRE)’s mission is “to advocate for equitable opportunities that allow all youth to thrive.”  FYRE is located in Omak, a rural and under-resourced community in north-central Washington. Its residents are very diverse due to the local agricultural industry and much of their county being located on the reservation of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Before FYRE opened … [ ]