Greetings YDEKC Members & Friends:
It is hard to believe that 2020 is actually here! It’s an election year, the 2020 census is beginning, and next fall will be YDEKC’s 10 year anniversary since our inaugural Executive Leaders Summit. While we still have much work to do to realize our shared vision of thriving youth, we have also come a long way! In our newsletters this year, we will be highlighting advances in the field during this past decade, starting with a focus on program quality. When 70 youth serving executive leaders gathered in the fall of 2010, we had no shared definition of what we meant by “quality programs.” This story in the new Elevate Washington platform documents the quality journey that School’s Out Washington has led to bring youth program quality to hundreds of programs in the state, including many YDEKC members. We look forward to sharing more about the evolution of the youth development field as we look back to look to the future.
In service and gratitude,
Jessica
Executive Director, Youth Development Executives of King County
ydekc.org | jwerner@ydekc.org | 206.336.6912
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Advocacy: We advocate for policy changes that address youth development field needs and issues impacting King County youth.
Youth Development Advocacy Day Recap
Youth Development Advocacy Day 2020 was a hit! This year’s theme was “Reach for the Stars!” We had a great crowd of over 100 youth, program staff and Executive Directors show up in Olympia on January 21st to represent the field and speak to policy makers. Guest speakers, Lieutenant Governor Habib, Senator Claire Wilson and Mohammed Abdi each inspired us with their words of encouragement: showing up in Olympia and talking to lawmakers makes a difference! A huge thank you to the sponsors of the event, SOWA, YDEKC, Soar, Boys & Girls Club of WA, Washington State Alliance of YMCAs, Communities in Schools, and Kids Co. This year we shared our own Reach for the Stars message and asked legislators to support expanded learning, mentoring and wraparound services. Thank you to all who came and shared their stories!
YDEKC’s Hikma Sherka Highlighted as a Next Gen Afterschool Leader!
The National AfterSchool Association’s Winter 2020 issue of AfterSchool Today is out, and it features NAA’s “2020 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders,” including our own Hikma Sherka! The article includes a discussion on recognizing youth voice, finding opportunities to integrate social-emotional learning and more. See this page for Hikma’s spotlight! |
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Whole Child, Whole Day: We convene and participate in cross-sector collaborations to improve the alignment of efforts supporting children and youth in King County.
Road Map Project Updates
- Our EdResults meeting is coming up on February 26. At the meeting we will say goodbye to CCER’s founding Executive Director, Mary Jean Ryan and hear from our incoming ED, Bernadette Merikle. There will also be a chance to weigh in on advocacy priorities and to connect with regional partners. Register here.
- The Road Map Project Community Leadership Team has put out a call for a Community Leadership Landscape Analysis and a Changemakers for Education Grant opportunity (due by February 14), for community-led efforts focused on educational equity in our region. For more information, click here.
Seattle Public Schools Partner Database
Schools, community based organizations, and families can use this great resource to learn which schools are partnering with which organizations. Click here for some contextual information, then head over to the SPS Community Partner Platform to search for the school or organization of your choice.
Webinars Supporting SEL Staff
Whether you’re currently working in a school, an organization, or otherwise, Casel’s SEL Exchange can help strengthen your youth development muscles. Their current webinar series will be showcasing key topics to help you integrate social emotional learning into every staff meeting. They invite you to check back often to view upcoming (and past recorded) webinars.
Ready by 21 National Meeting Registration is Open
This 9th annual national meeting will be held in Kentucky in April of 2020. In dozens of offered sessions, participants will hear strategies, research, and stories about partnering for better impact, aligning policies, improving program quality and performance, and embracing readiness in the pursuit of equity. Register here.
The Trauma Stewardship Institute: From Enduring to Edifying
February 25, 2020, 8:30AM – 3:00PM, Town Hall, Seattle
Sign up for a day of strategizing how to go beyond simply surviving in 2020. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky will be leading this event. She presented at SOWA’s 2017 Bridge conference, has over three decades of experience in front-line trauma work and teaching about systemic oppression and structural supremacy, and she is the author of two best-selling and award-winning books. Participants from any field or life circumstances are welcome and can register here. Continuing education credits are available. |
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Field Building, Funding, and Training Opportunities
TableTalks Peer Learning Groups
Many YDEKC executive leaders participate in TableTalks — an effective and fun way to build a supportive community, to set and achieve professional and personal goals and to learn from your peers and seasoned professionals. If you’re interested in learning from other experienced nonprofit professionals, you can view their schedule here.
Children’s Books by Black Authors & Relatives of MLK Jr.
The Conscious Kid has curated a list of thirteen picture and middle school aged children’s books on Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. These books were each written by black authors, including some of his family members. Although MLK Jr. Day has passed, please consider adding these books to your youth’s reading list (or yours!), as they “will inspire and empower youth to promote justice, serve humanity, and take action with courage and compassion.”
Creative Facilitation Training by Partners For Youth Empowerment
Whether you’re a teacher, youth worker, manager or consultant, PYE’s Creative Facilitation Trainings offer the tools to boost the level of impact in your programs. Those enthusiastic about this opportunity might also be interested in their free ebook, The 5 Game Changers, which describes how to boost the impact of group activities, whether in a classroom, a boardroom, or a community meeting. To get the book, sign up for their newsletter! |
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Members on the Move & Job Opportunities
Highline College Youth Development BAS
Did you know that there is a Youth Development Bachelors degree offered at Highline College? The founding faculty member, Dan Drischel is retiring at the end of the year, and needs a replacement. It could be you! Check out the job description here. |
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Thank you for the continuing to work together to advance the youth development field. We hope to see you soon!
The YDEKC Team
Jessica, Mona, Sarah, René, Anne, Hikma, and Stephanie |
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