Category: Stories - Page 9 - School’s Out Washington

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

Mar 16, 2022

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 … [ ]

Get to know our Pierce County Program Quality Manager, Sergio Beltran.

Mar 15, 2022

By School's Out Washington

Throughout his career, Sergio always aims to be an empathic leader who builds relationships, community and centers his work in social justice and equity. Our organization is thrilled to have him on our team as we continue to grow our work across the state. In this Team Spotlight, Sergio shares how his role is helping to ensure equitable access to trainings, professional development and funding in Pierce County. Please share your journey into youth development I started my journey into the youth development field in 2010 during an internship I did for a sociology class. I was on Tacoma’s Juvenile … [ ]

“I did not expect to cry.” – King County youth workers feel the love at closing celebration

Jan 19, 2022

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time initiative continues to adapt to meet the needs of our region’s young people and has once again been extended. Current grant recipients will receive funding from January to June 2022, as gap coverage until the next round of Best Starts funding becomes available for application. “Wait, is this the first time we’re meeting in person?” “Look how long your hair is!” “The last time I saw you was literally years ago at this point…” “Wow, you’re so much taller than I expected!” Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time cohort members were gathering to … [ ]

Community of dream makers

Jan 04, 2022

By School's Out Washington

An end of the year message from our CEO, Elizabeth Whitford. As we come to the end of another unprecedented year, I am proud of how School’s Out Washington has been able to support and strengthen expanded learning staff and programs. Communities across the state looked to SOWA to drive equitable funding, accessible professional learning, and supports to help them bring high quality, life-changing programs to young people. Modeling humanness and responsiveness, our incredible staff answered that call when the field needed us most. Below are just some highlights of what we were able to make happen together. Reasons to … [ ]