Services & Support – Elevate Washington

Vamos Outdoors Project

Latima Charbonneau — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:07:41 +0000

Beginning in 2018, the Vamos Outdoors Project began their mission of “building community through connection to the land and access to the outdoors.” What, on the surface, appears to be a traditional sports program is also deeply committed to addressing the mental health and resource needs of migrant youth and their families. “All the programs, outdoor and in the classroom…

Source

Oasis Youth Center—celebrating queer youth leadership, every day

Latima Charbonneau — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:04:09 +0000

For more than 36 years it has been a place of joy, community, and understanding. Their mission is to, “transforms the lives of queer youth by creating a safe place to learn, connect, and thrive.” “Oasis believes that queer youth are amazing leaders that have the ability to change the world,” said Siggy Frank, Program Manager at Oasis Youth Center. Frank was introduced to Oasis at 14 years…

Source

Supporting young refugees through community partnerships

Latima Charbonneau — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 22:26:23 +0000

School’s Out Washington’s 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, explores how shared vision and purpose, connection, and persistence enable community partners to create equitable pathways for youth across the state. Read the full report here. Since 2007, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has fostered partnerships between community and schools to support refugee students.

Source

Communities of care—how Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe and thriving.

Latima Charbonneau — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:41:08 +0000

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…

Source

Centering joy—how Best Starts ensures King County youth are happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.

Latima Charbonneau — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:38:06 +0000

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.

Source

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

Latima Charbonneau — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:10:20 +0000

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…

Source

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

Latima Charbonneau — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:02:24 +0000

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…

Source

Launch is creating a new ecosystem of support for children and families

Latima Charbonneau — Tue, 25 May 2021 22:28:02 +0000

Launch “leads the charge to brilliant outcomes for the children of our community by ensuring equitable access to the highest quality learning and care. Their twelve locations have deep, committed relationships with school districts, including Seattle Public Schools.” Their collaboration with the school district allows staff to communicate and partner with teachers, “ensuring what children learn in…

Source

Beyond babysitting—why child care providers matter in communities.

Latima Charbonneau — Sat, 22 May 2021 21:42:00 +0000

Since 1987, TenderCare Children’s Center has been a place of discovery and family for infants to 12 year-olds in Clarkston, Washington, in the SE corner of the state. Their programs allow for youth to explore and be part of the world around them, from trips to the aquatic center to craft time in senior living facilities. TenderCare supports its youth with a holistic and heartfelt approach.

Source

A journey of compassion and reconciliation

Latima Charbonneau — Wed, 12 May 2021 17:35:00 +0000

Cup of Cool Water is a nonprofit ministry in downtown Spokane that “walks alongside youth who are homeless on their journey of reconciliation with themselves, God, and society.” For almost 25 years they have kept their doors open to youth, ages 14-24, from a wide range of backgrounds and personal beliefs. The organization operates from the standpoint of “come as you are…

Source