Category: Stories

Building Quality in Washington State

By Sarah Terry & Sheely Mauck

The origins of quality improvement Since 2008, School’s Out Washington has been leading the effort to build and sustain a quality improvement system for expanded learning programs. The impetus for this work is grounded in the belief that all children deserve the opportunity to thrive and an understanding of how historical inequities continue to limit opportunity for children experiencing poverty and racial oppression.  The reality is that schools cannot meet these challenges on their own. We need an integrated approach to learning across the day and year to narrow opportunity gaps and amplify classroom learning. We know that children and … [ ]

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

By Lex Gavin

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 … [ ]

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 … [ ]

Growing our communications team—meet Adriana

Adriana (sher/her) joins SOWA as the Communications Coordinator to establish an enhanced focus on storytelling for the organization and elevate community voice for SOWA’s programs. Adriana graduated from Central Washington University with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Nonprofit Management in 2013. Since then she has been passionate about community work centered around communications, youth, and volunteerism. Her work ranges from coordinating volunteer events for United Way of King County to curating poetry from incarcerated youth in New York City. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA Alum and actively seeks volunteer opportunities that support young women of color. … [ ]

Growing our communications team—meet Tran

As Marketing Manager, Tran (they/them) develops digital and print communications strategies to support the mission and programs at School’s Out Washington. Most recently, they served as the communication coordinator for Soar, where they spearheaded the organization’s rebranding effort. Tran is most passionate about using communications and marketing as a tool for social change. Outside of work, Tran regularly organizes with VietQ an LGBTQ Vietnamese collective. In February 2020 they co-founded the first LGBTQ Vietnamese conference in Washington state. Tran also enjoys reading, drinking ice tea, and building miniature furniture for their mischievous cats.

SOWA’s coaching philosophy in action

By Adriana Zazula

Coaching is at the heart of SOWA’s work in the community. Below is a conversation with Maria Pia Johnson Barreto, who has been a coach with SOWA in Spokane for over two years and is now our new Learning and Design Manager. How did coaching change for you during the pandemic? Community had been advocating for virtual opportunities for years. We were expanding virtual support in the years before the pandemic for communities that didn’t have direct access. The pandemic allowed for more people to see not just the need, but also the value of virtual opportunities and spaces. It allowed us to reimagine the … [ ]