Category: Stories

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 … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Asian Pacific Cultural Center

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 Asian Pacific Cultural Center’s mission is “to bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education and business.” Executive Director Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard shares her insight into the work of the organization.   “Teaming up together (with school districts) makes the difference. That’s what’s fantastic about our work. We are making a difference. The Tacoma School District graduation rate was low until … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Supporting Young Refugees Through Partnerships

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. Since 2007, SOWA has fostered partnerships between community and schools to support refugee students. Through the federally funded Refugee School Impact Program, SOWA connects school districts, afterschool programs, and community organizations to serve young refugees and their families. We provide funding to every partnership to support their refugee programs, in addition to technical assistance, training, program development support, and much more.   What … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Mending Wings

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. Mending Wings mission is to “empower Native American youth and families to walk together in wholeness and beauty, honor (the) Creator through our cultures and lives…”  The organization serves teens of the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation where many different dialects of the language are spoken. Most youth participants range in age from 11-18. Mending Wings inspires a … [ ]

Meet this year’s Bridge artist—Saiyare Refaei

By School's Out Washington

Saiyare Refaei (they/them/she/her) is a Chinese Iranian artist based on the traditional lands of the Puyallup and Coast Salish peoples referred to as Tacoma, Washington. Their mediums include community murals, printmaking, drawings, and poetry. Saiyare strives to utilize art as a means of community building, education, and healing. Saiyare organizes with La Resistencia for the freedom of immigrants detained in the detention center in Tacoma and is a member of Justseeds, a transnational decentralized network of artists committed to social, environmental, and political engagement. Find more of Saiyare’s work here or @_saikick_ on Instagram. What inspired their art for this year’s Bridge … [ ]