Best Starts for Kids’ deep dive into training series
READ MOREWe are proud to present our 2023-2026 strategic plan, which has been deeply informed by School’s Out Washington’s community and...
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Investing in Rural Youth: The Impact of School-Community Partnerships
Corey Belser knows firsthand how activities outside of the classroom can open doors of possibility for young people. His career...
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Spotlight: Hilltop Children’s Center’s Commitment to Continuous Growth and Improvement
School’s Out Washington (SOWA) supports youth programs on their program quality improvement journey. One program that has shown commitment to...
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Advocating at the Capitol: Recap of 2026 Advocacy Day
We know that high-quality youth development programs transform lives and build stronger communities—but Washington still hasn’t caught up with the...
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Spotlight: International Rescue Committee
Resettling one’s family in an unfamiliar country is not an easy feat. Having survived violence and persecution in their countries...
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Four incredible community-based organizations, each with different missions, have teamed up to provide a variety of enrichment and social-emotional learning opportunities to youth across central, south, and west Seattle under the name of The Bright Futures Creative Collective.
Last week was National Summer Learning week and I had a great time visiting sites in the Pierce County community where some very cool and innovative summer learning programs are happening right now. I am a firm believer that the intersecting systems that support youth outside of the traditional school day (and during the summer months) are critical to fostering passion and purpose on a young person’s journey to becoming who they are destined to be. This ecosystem of out-of-school time spaces is uniquely positioned to address things that schools miss or simply cannot take on. Here’s a quick … [ ]
The Tacoma Art Museum (TAM)’ s mission is to “transform our communities by sharing art that inspires broader perspectives and cultivates a compassionate future.” TAM aligns with their mission for both young people and their families through after school and community-centered programs. A group of Museum Educators share their stories from the community and their passion for accessible art for all.
Whatcom and Skagit counties are known for their rich agriculture and breathtaking views of the North Cascades. However, access to its dense nature is often limited to those with the means to get outside. Starting in 2018, the Vamos Outdoors Project began their mission of “building community through connection to the land and access to the outdoors.” What, on the surface, appears to be a traditional sports program is also deeply committed to addressing the mental health and resource needs of migrant youth and their families. “All the programs, outdoor and in the classroom, are working towards the goal of … [ ]
According to a recent study by Afterschool Alliance, 80% of Washington parents agree that afterschool programs help young people to build positive relationships with caring adults and mentors. In the Renton Highlands, ALL IN Mentoring is doing their part to provide those meaningful opportunities with their mission to, “develop middle and high school aged youth holistically and see them thrive and bring change to our neighborhoods.” ALL IN programming includes an afterschool drop-in time for youth alongside mentoring opportunities. Executive Director, Lovell Davis, has been active in this work for over seven years. The organization relocated at the beginning of … [ ]
The ability to express oneself as a young person is a valuable tool for growth and healing. Coyote’s mission is to, “spark creativity in young people, putting tools in their hands to build skills and forge their futures.” Jess Schwab, Communications Director at Coyote, and Alex Peterson, Program & Engagement Manager, shared their insight into the organization’s impact so far and the exciting future ahead. Can you expand on the organization’s vision of “An equitable world powered by curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.” How does that play out in Coyote’s approach to programming and community engagement? Coyote’s model is unique in Seattle … [ ]