Category: Stories

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 … [ ]

Bridge Destination–Tacoma!

By School's Out Washington

Come early and explore! Tacoma is more than just the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Marriott Tacoma Downtown where this year’s Bridge Conference will be held. Tacoma is a vibrant city filled with art, walking history and spectacular scenery. Why Tacoma? Tacoma is the second most populous area in Washington state and a unique area within Pierce County. The Bridge Planning team chose Tacoma as our conference location for the next two years because we’ve renewed our work in the area and are also excited to highlight the diversity of youth programs offered by local organizations . Our advice? Take … [ ]

Celebrating Sheely Mauck

By School's Out Washington

Critical thinker Curious Resourceful Thought provoker Growth & reflection-oriented Thoughtful Mentor These are some of the words used to describe Sheely Mauck by her team at SOWA. For the last 12 years, Sheely has played a key role in shaping the work, reach, and values of School’s Out Washington—a legacy that includes helping build an equitable expanded learning system across the state. Most recently, Sheely has co-led our Program Quality team, guiding SOWA’s training content, professional learning pedagogy, and program quality approach. Sheely’s youth development foundation was formed by nearly ten years at the Boys & Girls Club, both as … [ ]

Community conversation with Cornelius Cambronero of Totem Star

By Tran Tonnu

Tran Tonnu, SOWA Marketing Manager, sat down with Cornelius Cambronero (also known by his artist name Kid Cobb or Cobb) as the Program Assistant Coordinator at Totem Star. The organization is committed to supporting a diverse community of young recording artists learning music and life skills through mentorship and meaningful relationships. In this interview, Cobb shares how he was introduced to Totem Star in high school 7 years ago and started his journey of being a musician. During this time he has fostered a community that has supported him in both his artist and life journey. He also shares his … [ ]

ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop’s is uniting communities of Rainier Valley through the power of arts and culture

By Tran Tonnu

Southeast Seattle, especially the Rainier Valley area, is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the country. With a population of 84,000, Rainier Valley comprises 40 different ethnic groups and 59 languages. Located at the Rainier Arts Center in the heart of it all is ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop (ACEW).  ACEW’s mission is to create, expand, and offer options for youth to enhance growth, personal development, and academic success through the study of African culture, music, and dance. The organization is known for building education pathways for youth and families for the past 27 years. ACEW runs four key … [ ]