Tag: Best Starts for Kids

“This program is the heartbeat”—What New Futures means for the Yishak family

By School's Out Washington

New Futures (of Southwest Youth and Family Services) has been part of the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time initiative since 2018, in collaboration with Arts Corps and Geeking Out Kids of Color. The partnership provides arts education, STEM programming, academic support, and enrichment activities at four housing communities in King County.  New Futures is the on-site youth development program of Southwest Youth and Family Services that offers academic support, enrichment opportunities, and a tight-knight community at Windsor Heights. When Eba Yishak and his family first moved to the Windsor about eight years ago, his oldest son Roben was still too young to enroll. Once Roben started attending, Eba and … [ ]

What Bellevue Boys and Girls Club means to one family—a parent testimonial

By School's Out Washington

Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) has been part of the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time initiative since 2018, in collaboration with the Bellevue School District, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, and the Bellevue YMCA. The partnership coordinates services primarily for homeless and recently transitioned families. BGCB remained open throughout the pandemic to provide free and low-cost childcare for essential workers. Below is a parent’s perspective of the support they received from BGCB and the Best Starts for Kids initiative.   The Club being open meant I could continue working in essential work helping aid food and housing insecurity. I was even able to get a promotion this June for my hard work, dedication and success before and during … [ ]

Communities of Care—How Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe and thriving

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids initiative is designed to ensure that all young people in King County are happy, healthy, safe and thriving. In the Out-of-School Time strategy, SOWA partners with organizations providing afterschool and summer programming to elementary and middle school age youth. This cohort of providers consists of People of Color-Led, and Place-Based Collaboratives–partnerships of organizations that work together to serve under-invested communities.  The pandemic threw youth programs’ vital role within communities into sharp relief—including mental health and emotional well-being. With an alarming uptick in youth suicide, substance abuse, depression and anxiety, this support can be life-saving.  WAPI … [ ]

Centering Joy—How Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe and thriving

By School's Out Washington

The Best Starts for Kids initiative is designed to ensure that all young people in King County are happy, healthy, safe and thriving. In the Out-of-School Time initiative, SOWA partners with organizations providing afterschool and summer programming to elementary and middle school age youth. Our cohort of providers prioritize the well-being of their participants and their community. There is no shortage of happiness within their work!  Below are two organizations who made it their mission to spread joy during difficult times.  Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO) developed creative ways to connect, despite isolation within the pandemic. The organization held … [ ]

Best Starts for Kids  renewal  headed to the August 2021  ballot in King County! 

By School's Out Washington

Holistic community support for youth and families. This is the overarching purpose of King County’s Best Starts for Kids Initiative. As we’ve seen with the inaugural Best Starts Out-of-School Time grant—led by School’s Out Washington—increasing the availability of high-quality, culturally relevant youth programs means that our region’s kids grow academically, socially, and emotionally. And this August, voters will have the opportunity to ensure that life-changing youth programs stay strong.  With the support of King County voters, we’ve provided funding, coaching, program quality support, and capacity building for more than three years to 35 organizations and partnerships. SOWA focused on two important models for this … [ ]

Black Futures, Black Brilliance—Living Well Kent’s Youth Policy Council invited to Best Starts for Kids Summit

By School's Out Washington

“There’s a brilliance that happened in the past, brilliance that’s happening today as I watch you, and the brilliance that will happen in the future under your tutelage. Because you have the ability. The Youth Policy Council is creating leaders.” Wesley Saint Clair When Living Well Kent’s Youth Policy Council hosted a virtual Black History Month showcase in February, they did not want to focus on Black struggle, but rather celebrate Black brilliance—and they wanted to make sure that local politicians and others involved in community engagement celebrated alongside them. The young people’s work led to an invitation to present … [ ]