Tag: Centering Culture

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 … [ ]

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 … [ ]

20 on 2020—Nuestras Raíces

By School's Out Washington

In a year like no other, we saw how youth workers and organizations came together and reimagined what it meant to support children, youth, and families. Below is one of 20 people and organizations that inspired us in 2020. Read the full report. Exploring the Complexity of Latinx Identities and Experiences The Nuestras Raíces session at SOWA’s 2020 virtual Bridge Conference invited attendees to hear a collection of unfiltered, raw, and authentic multilingual stories and voices around the complexities of carrying the Latinx identity in the U.S.   With vulnerability and honesty, youth workers and expanded learning professionals told their stories … [ ]

Awareness for every living thing—how horse riding heals and connects native youth to traditions

By Adriana Zazula

Since 1998, Native Horsemanship Youth Program’s Founder, Lynne Ferguson has offered lessons to her family, neighbors, and all interested youth in the Suquamish tribe. Located on over 30 acres in the  Port Madison reservation, what began as a small program for the Suquamish tribe has grown into a nonprofit serving multiple generations of youth in indigenous techniques of riding horses, which she learned from her Comanche great-grandfather and grandmother. They are proud to be a Native-led nonprofit. Their board president is a Suquamish tribal member whose children are also part of the program.  “We’re now in our second generation. The parents … [ ]

5 things you can do today to support LGBTQ youth

By Tran Tonnu and Janell Jordan

For LGBTQ folks, June is an important month of celebration and awareness. While commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, Pride also serves as a reminder of the fearless existence of LGBTQ people. Though often a joyful occasion, the everyday lived reality of many LGBTQ people—especially those with multiple intersecting marginalized identities—cannot be overlooked. This year alone more than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in states across the country, many of which directly affect young people. In 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance report showing that LGBTQ students … [ ]