Category: Stories

Best starts and best practices—how 2020 highlighted the importance of out-of-school time

In February 2020, the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time Initiative (BSK OST) was heading into its final year of implementation. Then COVID hit, and communities across King County (and the world) were left scrambling to support each other through unimaginable challenges. Youth development workers navigated alarming funding cuts, rapidly changing safety protocols, school closures and the creation of virtual learning strategies, and the profound trauma their youth, families, and staff teams experience. A spotlight is now on the unique and vital role our field plays within the landscape of our communities—it’s never been more apparent how much our work … [ ]

2021 Bridge Conference Reflections

By School's Out Washington

This year’s Bridge Conference reminded us of the power of collective knowledge and community building. Over 500 registrants logged in for our second virtual conference and were asked to tap into their radical imaginations.  Values that guided us include Nourishment, Community, and Change.   Nourishment  This year’s theme, From Seedlings to Stardust, inspired many during our conference including our workshop facilitators, keynote speakers and storytellers. We dared to dream and to pour into continued transformation.   “The theme and values were so clear and consistent; I really do feel nourished by my time at Bridge– and supported to *act*,” said one attendee.  Cultivating Connections was also brought back as a space to digest, reflect, and simply connect like we might … [ ]

In their own words—Coach Lynda’s spotlight on Centro Rendu

By Lynda Llavore

Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) providers and school district personnel agree that they are Zoom fatigued, depressed, and no longer motivated to join any kind of virtual learning. Like them, Maricela Rodriguez, a Centro Rendu staff member, has been thinking of strategies to engage her young people to attend their Zoom virtual session regularly. Since Centro Rendu has a strong partnership with parents and community resources, she decided to invite parents and people from the community to co-facilitate with her.  One of her guests was Father Carlos Orozco from St. Louis Parish in Bellevue. Father Orozco is known for his collection … [ ]

How Life Enrichment Group lives up to its name

By School's Out Washington

Life Enrichment Group has been part of the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time initiative since 2018. The Rainier Beach-based organization provides academic services to Black youth and youth of color, offering middle and high schoolers academic support, enrichment activities, and college and career exploration.  Every year, Life Enrichment Group (LEG) hosts a tour of historically Black colleges and universities for high school students. The pandemic meant shifting to a virtual format— and while it wasn’t the same, this strategy meant that more youth, including middle schoolers, could participate.   Saniyah, 13, narrowed down her choices and plans to go to Howard University. “My mom and I looked at the campus online, and I know what dorm I’m gonna stay in,” says Saniyah.  She … [ ]

3 things to do before the Bridge Conference

By School's Out Washington

1. Download the latest Zoom While you do not need to have a Zoom account to access Bridge, we do encourage you to download the latest version of the Zoom Client to your device. 2. Log into Sched and set up your schedule  Be sure to search your Inbox and Junk Mail folders for an email from notifications@sched.com with the subject, “You’re Invited to 2021 Bridge Conference” or “Build your schedule for 2021 Bridge Conference.” If you cannot find your invitation or if you have not yet received one, you can check out this tip from Sched on activating your account … [ ]

Beyond voices, into action.

By Adriana Zazula

The Bridge Conference is a place where those in many levels of youth development can gather to share ideas and reimagine what opportunities and programs  are offered to young people. An incredibly important gift to the Conference is being able to learn from the youth directly. The Community Center for Education Results’(CCER) workshop, “Shaping Stories to Shift Systems: The Youth Storytellers Project” offers just that.  The workshop is described as an opportunity to, “center community and lead with anti-racist action, we need to reimagine who ‘experts’ are, resource young people of color to own their stories, and follow their visions … [ ]