GIVING GUIDE How to make a difference in your community !"#$%&'$()*(+,(&#-,'-,(+,%$.#
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 2 GIVING GUIDE By Al Kemp Special to the Giving Guide A recent investigation by The New York Times examined a trend toward younger immigrants who often enter the United States without their parents and who find themselves exploited in grueling and often dangerous work. In the last two years, more than 250,000 children have entered the U.S. by themselves, according to the investigation. And in the last year alone, the number of unaccompanied minors entering the country climbed to a high of 130,000 — three times what it was five years earlier. This summer is expected to bring another wave. In Washington state, the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (kitsapiac. org) has felt the impact of this wave of youthful immigrants, and is working to pivot some services to address the influx, according to Kimberly Cizek Allen, the Bremerton-based center’s development and marketing director. “Over the last several months, we have seen an increase in the need for youthcentric services, and we anticipate that to continue,” she said. “Once here, [children] are at risk for falling into exploitative and dangerous situations.” The most alarming part isn’t simply the number of children entering without parents, but their circumstances upon arrival: Many are in debt and are hoping to send money back to their parents, many of whom live in poverty. The New York Times report called the young immigrant laborers “part of a new economy of exploitation” and gave a harrowing account of their working conditions: “This shadow workforce extends across industries in every state, flouting child labor laws that have been in place for nearly a century. Twelve-yearold roofers in Florida and Tennessee. Underage slaughterhouse workers in Delaware, Mississippi and North Carolina. Children sawing planks of wood on overnight shifts in South Dakota.” As these circumstances come to light, efforts to provide relief and force changes will be supported by nonprofit agencies like the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance GIVING GUIDE This section was produced by ST Content Studio. Contact us at 206-464-2400 or advertising@seattletimes.com. Center. Allen said the organization has transitioned from providing mainly direct family services and referrals to also offering sliding-scale immigration legal services and tax and business services to immigrants. “Along with the immigration legal services we provide to young people, KIAC’s Family Services team is starting a youthled mural project for within the KIAC office,” Allen said. “In collaboration with Urbanists Collective, KIAC youth will be designing and painting a mural to make the KIAC lobby reflect the elements of their cultures of which they’re most proud. This will foster a sense of belonging among the young immigrant artists and will help our clients feel ownership of the KIAC lobby.” Washington nonprofits rally to provide support for wave of immigrant families In addition to direct services, Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center has recently worked to elicit policy changes that will help its clients. In February, a contingent of staffers and clients carpooled to Olympia to advocate for the approval of two pieces of legislation: a wage- “Over the last several months, we have seen an increase in the need for youth-centric services, and we anticipate that to continue.” Kimberly Cizek Allen Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center COURTESY OF KIAC See Nonprofits, page 4 The youth-led mural project at the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center in Bremerton.
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 3 hood park, enroll your child in a summer program, laugh at a play or hold your breath for a high note. We all benefit when the basic needs of low-income people are met, like the 1 million people in our state who visited a food bank or feeding program last year. From Puget Sound to GIVING GUIDE By Nancy Long Executive director, 501 Commons The world is changing at a lickety-split pace, but the return of GiveBIG on May 2-3 reminds us that the desire to do good is an unchanging feature of the human heart. We all know that good feeling we get when we show up for others — whether it’s a family member, a neighbor or a nonprofit we care about. Doing good for others is also good for us — it improves our health, longevity and happiness. Are you trying to figure out which vitamins, herbs or teas can calm inflammation? Try a heaping spoonful of generosity! Being kind and generous releases oxytocin, decreases cortisol, lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation. Over the last three years, many people have had fewer daily opportunities for acts of kindness. Volunteering or donating to a nonprofit can help counter the high levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness people have reported in Pew Research Center studies in 2020, 2021 and 2022. And it’s not just about good feels: Volunteering or donating money to nonprofits makes all of our lives better. You are likely benefiting from a nonprofit whenever you adopt a pet, walk through a neighborMake a donation during GiveBIG and get that ‘giving’ feeling the Palouse, the Cascades to the Columbia River, great things happen for everyone when you give what you can. That’s what GiveBIG is all about. Participating in GiveBIG is easy. Visit GiveBIGWa.org now or during the May 2-3 giving days. When you’re there, you can: • Search for organizations by location, city or county. • Filter by cause (such as education, animals, social action, etc.). • Choose organizations affiliated with BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+, veterans, seniors, immigrants, refugees and more. • Find organizations that have matching funds so your dollars can go further. You can securely donate by credit card or ACH bank transfer. If you want to use funds from your IRA or DAF account, you can make a pledge that counts towards your chosen COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN ! SEATTLE The annual 48-hour giving event is May 2-3, with early giving kicking off on April 18. Last year’s campaign raised $14.6 million for 1,500 nonprofits. Save the date for GiveBIG 2023! nonprofit’s goals and matching fund campaigns. You can complete the transaction by logging into your fund account or contracting your broker. Just visiting the website will put a bounce in your step. If you are tired of worrying about all the problems in the world, spend some time learning about the problem solvers. 501 Commons, the nonprofit that produces GiveBIG, provides services to 2,000 nonprofits annually. We see the expertise, professionalism and creative problem-solving spirit that these nonprofits bring to our state. These organizations are examples of nonprofits that are clearly making an impact on our neighbors’ lives: • Friends of the Children is a national organization with locations in Seattle, Tacoma, and southwest Washington. They match a professional mentor with a child facing challenging childhood experiences. The mentor maintains this relationship from kindergarten through high school graduation. Research has found that a “long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult” results in a low rate of involvement with the juvenile justice system, 98% of participants delaying parenthood until after their teen years, and a high level of high school/GED graduation. • Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) develops and manages 70-plus permanent and transitional housing sites with 5,500 units in six counties. Their properties include new and renovated apartment buildings and Tiny House Villages that shelter previously unhoused people who are aided by on-site case workers. They also operate Urban Rest Stops in downtown Seattle and Ballard, where people can shower, do laundry, and connect with healthcare and social services. Knowing we can come together to support nonprofits like these is a great feeling. Whether you give a little or a lot, YOU can get that great feeling too. Please spread the word by using #GiveBIG and #ThatGivingFeeling to amplify the impact of GiveBIG. Donate now! Nancy Long is the executive director of 501 Commons, which o!ers consulting and other services to nonpro"ts and also provides a fundraising platform for GiveBIG. COURTESY OF LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE Youth facing the systemic barriers come to Friends of the Children – Seattle to be paired with a professional mentor who helps prepare them for the future and develop life skills. Meuy Saelee of the Low Income Housing Institute, left, with Emilio Lagares, the first veteran who moved into LIHI’s June Leonard Place in Renton.
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 4 replacement program and a health care budget proviso. “This type of advocacy is something KIAC has been doing locally within partner organizations and local government agencies since our beginnings, but we anticipate using our voice and influence to advocate for wider policy changes more often in the months and years to come,” Allen said. According to U.S. census data, Washington state in 2021 was home to 1,143,311 foreign-born people, who accounted for 14.8% of the state’s total population of roughly 7.7 million. The 2021 rate was an 86.1% increase over the previous year. (The term “foreignborn” includes naturalized U.S. citizens, green-card holders, refugees, asylum seekers and unauthorized arrivals.) The breakdown of the state’s immigrant population by region of origin, according to the data: 45.3% Asian, 26.9% Latino, 15.1% European and 6.3% African. Some 4.3% were born in Northern America outside the U.S., and 2.2% were born in Australia and surrounding territories. While significant in numbers, Washington state’s immigrant population tends to be on firmer footing economically than those in other states. The number of immigrants living below the poverty level in Washington was 11.6% of their population, according to the 2021 data. By contrast, 22.2% of New Mexico’s immigrants live below the poverty level, and the total in Louisiana is 21.8%. Nevertheless, there is a significant need for the immigrant outreach services provided by nonprofit organizations in Washington, particularly those specializing in areas such as legal services, education and job training. Casa Latina (casa-latina.org) has been a valued resource for the region’s Latino community for more than 25 years. The Seattle-based nonprofit organization provides direct services for the community while also engaging in community organizing work to address systemic change for immigrant workers. Another organization, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo (colectivalegal.org), takes its work for immigrants directly to the front lines: the courts. Based in Burien, the nonprofit features a brigade of staff attorneys and paralegals who are dedicated to the abolition of migrant imprisonment and shutting down detention centers that profit off the separation of families and exploited labor. Clients turn to Colectiva Legal del Pueblo for help completing forms, filings with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, representation at asylum interviews and appearances before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. The organization currently has 1,521 actives cases, 10% of which are being handled on a pro bono basis. GIVING GUIDE Nonprofits Continued from page 2 Some 2022 highlights at Casa Latina • Dispatched more than 5,961 jobs for members with an average hourly wage of about $31. • The Worker Defense Committee helped recover more than $83,191 in stolen wages and supported 98 wage theft cases. • The Member Food Meal Program distributed 2,760 meals. • 128 members participated in more than 327 in-person classes with a total of 467 hours of instruction. • 110 participants took part in 18 job training workshops. May is Older Americans Month! CelebratePositive Aging Older Americans Month Learn more.
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 5 GiveBIGWA.org is now open for early giving! Get that giving feeling When you give, good things happen. #GiveBIG
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 6 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY PASADO'S SAFE HAVEN In 2016, a new Connecticut program started after a dog, Desmond, was starved, abused, then strangled to death by his owner. The owner admitted guilt but still avoided jail time and a criminal record. It's not that unusual, noted Diana Urban, the Connecticut representative sponsoring Desmond’s Law, whose state has an 18% conviction rate. The law ensured that an animal victimized by cruelty or neglect would have a Courtroom Animal Advocate, the first in the nation. Since the CAAP (Courtroom Animal Advocate Program) began, volunteer attorneys have been trained and offered perspectives. In one case, the advocate successfully ensured a defendant found guilty in a dogfighting case was prohibited from owning, breeding or having dogs for two years. A similar program has begun in Maine as well. Could Washington state be next? "As an organization, we're watching what's happening and thinking about how we could improve laws in Washington state,” says Kirsten Gregory, animal cruelty response and prevention director at Pasado's Safe Haven. Addressing the gap CAAP programs address a serious gap. Defense attorneys are duty-bound to protect their client's interests. Prosecutors pursue the state's interests — which may or may not intersect with what’s best for the animal. Advocacy for animal victims is a missing piece of criminal proceedings in Washington. "The situation (is) not unlike when you have a child or incapacitated person who'd been the victim of violent An animal's voice in court: A new advocacy program Pasado's Safe Haven has a comprehensive approach to fighting animal cruelty. In addition to investigating crimes against animals and providing sanctuary to abused animals, they advocate for better laws to protect animals and educate the public about how they can help. Learn more at www.pasadosafehaven.org. crime but didn't have a voice to speak about the impact of the experience," Gregory says. Meanwhile, no one has a duty to address the animal's underlying interests. As a result, victims of animal cruelty can languish in shelters while held as evidence in a criminal case or because their alleged abuser won't give up ownership. Pasado's Safe Haven does its best to assist prosecutors in an unofficial capacity. After the animal is in custody and placed with Pasado’s, the sanctuary carries out a veterinary assessment of the animal’s injuries and condition at the time of seizure. They note the animal's improvement over time when provided with needed medical care and appropriate food, water and shelter. This documentation may be useful evidence in a criminal case. During this time, caring for the animals can be an issue. Even in ideal environments, dogs and cats can lose human socialization skills, become withdrawn, or increasingly agitated in close quarters. For example, a dog had a growth that looked like a cancerous tumor — but the sanctuary couldn't operate or provide treatment until the prosecutor talked the owner into giving up custody. With a CAAP program, an advocate could directly intervene on the dog's behalf with the judge, who could then allow diagnostic or treatment work to be carried out. How advocates work The advocate represents the animal in criminal proceedings, much like court-appointed advocates who represent the interests of children, the elderly or mentally incompetent people. "Advocates will also help inform the court concerning sentencing and rehabilitation, and help obtain a just and right outcome in particular cases if an advocate can offer more information and resources to the judge,” Gregory says. They are typically a supervised law student or pro bono legal practitioner who acts as an animal's "voice in court" while performing research on behalf of the judge. Someone must gather legal information, such as veterinarian bills and logistics like where an animal lives or who the animal belongs to. Someone, typically a lawyer, must file legal paperwork for this to happen. "One reason cash-strapped governments can be reluctant to intervene in animal cruelty allegations is that they'll end up with a bunch of animals and be forced to spend money on care or to euthanize them,” says David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. One was appointed in the Michael Vick case, just to help deal with the enormity of the situation — 53 dogs taught to fight, sitting as evidence in shelters. Each dog's history was reviewed, and a behavioralist was consulted for each dog. All but two were rehabilitated and adopted out to families. Two were euthanized, one for physical health reasons and the other because it had been too traumatized to function. Advocates can also provide context for sentencing. In Washington, many animal cruelty sentences don't reflect the crime's severity, Gregory says. She says that a fine and community service is often the maximum, even in violent and egregious cases of animal cruelty. Pasado's Safe Haven is working on an implementation guide for Washington, including the logistics of volunteers and raising awareness about CAAP with prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges. "The new laws in Connecticut and Maine have a lot of merit, and we're doing the initial work to bring this advancement to Washington," Gregory says. Brigitta and 26 other sheep lived at Pasado’s Safe Haven for more than a year, unable to be adopted or neutered, while their accused abuser awaited trial and refused to give up ownership. (Photos courtesy of Pasado’s Safe Haven) Donate today! After being rescued from severe neglect, Raphael had medical needs that could not be immediately treated by Pasado’s Safe Haven because he was considered evidence in a criminal case – until his owner agreed to give up ownership.
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 7 GIVE BIG FOR THE ANIMALS We offer solutions to the problem of animal cruelty. Our plan is simple: With your help, we can save lives and work to improve the systems that impact animals. Pasado’s Safe Haven PO Box 171 Sultan, Wa 98294-0171 pasadosafehaven.org/givebig Stop animal suffering. Grow compassion and empathy. Teach humans to be kind. Please Give Your donations help us continue this lifesaving work for the animals. (360) 793-9393
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 8 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY SEATTLE CHILDREN'S In 2021, 2-week-old Jiana was seen at Seattle Children’s after her parents noticed some concerning twitching behavior. That day marked the beginning of an unexpected journey for Jiana and her family, involving an epilepsy diagnosis, a renowned neurosurgeon and a dramatic brain surgery that gave Jiana a new start in life. Jiana was born in August 2021, a healthy 9 pounds full of promise. Her mother, Latika, remembers, “Her pediatrician called her ‘textbook baby’ when she first saw her.” For parents Latika and Kunal, Jiana’s smooth birth was a welcome relief after the stress of a pandemic pregnancy. Settling in with their newborn, they thought the hardest phase was behind them. But in the days to come, they noticed some odd behaviors in Jiana such as sudden twitching and freezing up during feeding. “Being first-time parents, we read a lot of different blogs and thought it was colic ... or maybe that the formula wasn’t suiting her,” Latika says. The episodes grew more frequent. In one frightening spell, Jiana froze up for about 30 seconds, prompting Latika to share a video with their pediatrician who urged them to take Jiana to Children’s Emergency Department right away. “We thought we would be back home in a couple of hours,” says Kunal. But this was just the beginning of a new journey. A difficult diagnosis to hear When Jiana first arrived at Children’s, neurologist Dr. Annie Weisner recalls she looked perfectly healthy, “doing everything a 2-week-old is supposed to do.” But an MRI showed she had a brain malformation causing multiple seizures each day. Jiana was diagnosed with Team challenge: Textbook birth to troubling signs Your generous gifts to Seattle Children’s bring hope, care and cures to families right here in our community – and help to support our founding promise to care for every child, regarding of their family’s ability to pay. Learn more at www.seattlechildrens.org. severe epilepsy. The care team tried a variety of anti-seizure medications on Jiana, but the medications could only control her visible seizures. Dr. Jason Hauptman, a renowned neurosurgeon in the area of childhood epilepsy, came to see Latika and Kunal. He explained that medications were only a temporary solution; they wouldn’t stop Jiana from seizing and could cause harmful cognitive effects. There was a way to cure Jiana’s epilepsy permanently. But it would involve dramatic brain surgery. Treatment takes shape The procedure is called a functional hemispherectomy — a targeted brain surgery where a portion of tissue is removed to disable the connections between two halves of the brain that trigger seizures. Latika and Kunal weighed the risks. Hauptman recalls, “At first, they were shocked and wrestled with the idea of doing such a dramatic surgery on their beautiful baby. But we know the sooner you intervene, the better kids do.” Latika and Kunal did their research. Worry gave way to confidence as they learned about Hauptman’s expertise in this area, and that Seattle Children’s offers the most advanced and minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment options for children with epilepsy. Seattle Children’s is also one of the few centers in the world that has done upwards of 100 procedures like the one Jiana needed. Eight hours that changed a life Hauptman laid it out very clearly, and Kunal says, “He was confident that Jiana would still learn to walk, run, throw a ball and go to mainstream school.” When Jiana was 2 months old, Hauptman performed the intensive, eight-hour surgery to remove the affected brain tissue. The procedure went perfectly, recalls Hauptman — and the hours after surgery marked the first time in Jiana’s life that she was seizure free. Then, more good news: Jiana’s EEG tests came back clean. Jiana soon began regaining her strength. A new life awaited her. A bright future Today, Jiana is almost 2 years old, and continues to enjoy life free of seizures. She is a healthy, joyful toddler who is hitting developmental milestones and growing stronger every day. Hauptman says, “She is incredibly vibrant and verbal and intelligent and feisty and all the things that I want to see in her.” Jiana continues to receive care from a multidisciplinary team of epilepsy experts. Kunal says, “She’s one year out of surgery and she has already made so much progress. So, we are very optimistic about her future.” Indeed, Jiana has a lot to look forward to in life — first and foremost, becoming a big sister. Dr. Ghayda Mirzaa leads genetic research to identify the causes of epilepsy and personalize treatments for patients like Jiana. Kunal with Jiana as she sits on a balance board to strengthen her core. Donate today! Dr. Jason Hauptman meets with Jiana and her mother, Latika, 18 months after Jiana’s life-changing surgery. (Photos courtesy of Seattle Children’s)
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 9 Dr. Hauptman, Jiana’s neurosurgeon and biggest fan Some worried epilepsy would keep Jiana down. But she’s the one keeping everyone else on their toes. Thanks to donors like you, kids like Jiana have the most experienced pediatric neurology and neurosurgery team in the Northwest on their side. Your giving means families can count on superior patient care, cures fueled by research discoveries and hope for a healthy and fulfilling life. Thank you for being part of the compassionate team our region relies on today and every day. GiveBIG at Give.SeattleChildrens.org. Jiana at home with mom, thriving and seizure free after surgery GiveBIG Today
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 10 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY SPICE BRIDGE For many refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business, it can be extremely difficult to know where to begin. The process can be daunting for anyone, and this particular demographic has to deal with roadblocks such as navigating the workings of a new city and country and, in most cases, communicating in a nonnative language. Obstacles can range from devising a business plan and learning how to market to current audiences, to finding licensing for available business spaces and dealing with rising food costs and overall inflation. For any budding business owner, having the right resources can be key to starting a profitable business — and sustaining it. In turn, when local communities are able to support refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs, everyone benefits from the cultural and culinary additions. Not only do visitors enjoy trying dining experiences that might be brand-new to them, but culturally relevant foods also help strengthen local ties. Furthermore, a fortified community can better support those experiencing food insecurity, which many consider to be the new pandemic threatening our cities. (According to a recent report released by King County Department of Health, the number of people experiencing food insecurity here is on the rise.) Local organizations have found various ways to help tackle this issue, and Spice Bridge is a not-for-profit business incubator taking a unique approach that aims to support immigrants, refugees and people of color with the desire to launch food businesses. Spice Bridge, a project of nonprofit Global to Local, offers affordable commercial retail space and shared Familiar foods and traditions build community connections Spice Bridge is home to Food Innovation Network’s Food Business Incubator program, a G2L program which helps South King County BIPOC and immigrants start and grow thriving businesses. Spice Bridge helps build food security in our community. Learn more at spicebridge.org. resources at a cultural food hall — featuring global flavors like Ethiopian, Mexican, Filipino fusion, Afghani, Congolese, Middle Eastern and more — in Tukwila Village. They also manage a community meals program that gives businesses a chance to refine their menus and sharpen business practices. The Spice Bridge team is excited about a new addition, Chef Jolorene GuzmanMohamad, who offers a delicious blend of Southeast Asian fusion cuisine at Jolorene's Kitchen, a fast favorite among customers. “I feel so honored that as an entrepreneur,” she says, “I can start my business and also contribute to making a difference in the community through all the wonderful work this program does. It made me feel reassured that this was meant to be the next big step for me in growing my business.” Guzman-Mohamad has found the mentorship from the leadership team of the Spice Bridge incubator program to be the most helpful. “They provide helpful resources for small business entrepreneurs to be successful such as guidance with business operations, catering opportunities, digital marketing and community and local exposure,” she says. Overall, the organization aims to locally help build healthy communities, which they define as “those that have physical wellbeing, equitable and patientcentered medical care, culturally relevant and appropriate food, and the opportunity to take charge of their health and overall well-being.” They also want to help create communities that are autonomous and supportive of each other in all aspects, including financial and academic. Last year, their chefs cooked 10,000 free meals that were distributed to food-insecure members of the community, tripling their number from 2021. These organizations emphasize making an impact in their immediate surroundings. At Spice Bridge, many seniors visit their markets regularly and benefit from meal programs. (Free meals and local produce vouchers allow them to eat healthy, culturally relevant foods without worrying about fixed incomes.) The organization has also helped the International Rescue Committee feed Afghan refugees resettling in Washington, and provided a space for local refugee and immigrant farmers to sell their produce and earn a living through economic independence. Organizations such as Spice Bridge find it important to be culturally responsive to the community they serve. This food hall, for example, provides healthy food options that respond to the diversity of their clientele in South King County and beyond. The space also regularly hosts events and activities that engage community members and promote cultural exchange, like regular poetry readings by refugees and immigrants from the Stories of Arrival Project at Foster High School. Says Guzman-Mohamad, “Spice Bridge Food Hall helps showcase diverse cuisines and allows business entrepreneurs a space to create and serve cultural dishes from their native homes, all in one space for the community to try.” Jolorene Guzman Mohamad, owner of Jolorene’s Kitchen at Spice Bridge Food Hall. (Holli Margell – Native Light Photo) Donate today! Food Innovation Network staff member Sheelan Shamdeen, delivering free meals to community members. (Emilio Cerrillo photo)
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 11 EAT GOOD GO D Your contribution will help BIPOC and immigrant chefs access the resources they need, feed our community, and build thriving businesses. DODO Learn more Spice Bridge Food Hall 14200 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 141, Tukwila, WA 98168 Spicebridge.org
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 12 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY TREEHOUSE Youth in foster care face a variety of challenges, including barriers to education. This can have devastating impacts on their futures. Research shows that these students fall behind their peers on every educational measure: attendance, grades, standardized test scores and graduation rates. “When youth do not graduate, they are exponentially more likely to experience poverty, unemployment, homelessness and incarceration,” says Dawn Rains, CEO of Treehouse, a nonprofit that provides youth in foster care with material, financial and academic support. To provide these students with the opportunities they deserve, an integrated, multifaceted approach is required — and a consistent support network is crucial. Access to a stable education is just the beginning The first step is ensuring foster students are enrolled in school and able to attend with the same consistency as their peers. Once access to a stable education is put in place, other support systems are necessary. An important part of the high school experience is the opportunity to participate in sports, band, student government, newspaper or whatever activity best matches the teen’s interests. Extracurriculars further education outside the classroom and are opportunities to connect with peers. The costs, however, can limit access for youth in foster care. Treehouse provides funding for these activities so that if students have hobbies they want to pursue or a student conference they’d like to attend, they have the resources to do so. “Research shows us that participating in extracurricular and school activities improves Integrated support improves outcomes for foster youth Treehouse envisions — and strives to create — a world where every child who has experienced foster care has the opportunities and support they need to pursue their dreams and launch successfully into adulthood. Learn more at www.treehouseforkids.org. attendance, grades and school engagement,” Rains says. “They are a catalyst for youth to discover who they are and what they love, and they provide the platform to develop relationships with peers and to connect with adult mentors.” In the same vein, these students often need assistance with basics like clothing and supplies. Students who are placed in foster care abruptly may only have limited time to gather their belongings and often aren’t able to keep their items with each move. At the Treehouse Store, students can acquire donated new and gently used clothes that are in style. “Many children and youth come in to foster care with nothing more than the clothing they are wearing,” Rains says. “We know that when kids have the clothing they need to feel good and to fit in, they are much more likely to go to school.” Getting a driver’s license is another barrier faced by teens in foster care. Driver’s ed and insurance are hefty expenses, but not being able to drive can prevent students from being able to get to school and work. Treehouse’s Driver’s Assistance program provides financial assistance to help teens achieve this same rite of passage as their peers. In addition to the practicalities of having a driver’s license, this step toward adulthood provides teens with a sense of confidence and independence, especially if they have been repeatedly told that they’re not trustworthy and a driver’s license simply isn’t in the cards for them. Maintaining networks Another major barrier faced by youth in foster care is that they’re often moved from home to home and school to school, making it all but impossible to maintain critical connections with teachers, friends and schools. Youth can face multiple changes of placement a year — and can experience 10 to 15 placements during their childhood. Treehouse recently expanded their services statewide so these teens aren’t left without support. When youth in foster care have support throughout high school and graduate with a plan for the future, rates of homelessness and incarceration decrease significantly. Statistics prove that integrated support systems are effective. Rains notes that statewide high school graduation rates for foster care students increased from 36.% in 2013 to 53.4% in 2022. This benefits students, and their communities. Donate today!
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 13 BUILDING ON YEARS Donate Now at treehouseforkids.org Youth in Foster Care Deserve to Thrive Give students in foster care the support they need to reach for their dreams, regardless of zip code.
Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 14 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY LOOK, LISTEN + LEARN TV A staggering 90% of brain development happens in the first five years of a child’s life, according to Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines. And just 33% of Black and Indigenous kindergartners in Washington state possess the skills expected for their grade level. It’s no coincidence that on children’s TV shows, only 4% of the characters are Black, Indigenous or Latino. Representation, or lack of it, has an impact. One way to help close educational opportunity gaps is by producing early-learning television that features BIPOC children. Seeing kids who look like them encourages curiosity, builds self-esteem and inspires the imaginations of these children. And perhaps most important, it provides a crucial reminder that they belong in all the same spaces as their white classmates. For 9-year-old Elijah Horn, the impact of seeing diversity on screen took the form of an opportunity to try his hand at acting. Elijah and his family regularly watch “Look, Listen + Learn,” an Emmy-nominated early-learning TV show that features a cast that’s 98% BIPOC actors. “As a mixed-race Black family, this was the first time we’d seen a children’s program that focused on people who looked like us,” Elijah’s mom, Tamara Horn, says. Increasing media inclusion is key to helping more kids like Elijah broaden their vision of their place in the world. “It’s crucial to create content that’s physically accessible, visually diverse and produced by a diverse team of storytellers,” says Leisha Muraki, communications director of “Look, Listen + Learn,” “Representation, of course, matters for Diverse media representation impacts early learning Look, Listen + Learn TV is a nonprofit media organization, featuring the brilliance of Black, Indigenous and people of color for everyone to see. We aim to advance early learning in children of color through media and television. Learn more at www.looklistenandlearn.org. everyone. But for kids, media representation is even more meaningful because they look for cues in their social environment to develop and shape their understanding of ethnic and racial groups.” For this reason, it’s important for all young people to see diverse portrayals of all races and ethnicities — and in order to achieve this, it’s key that adults and decision-makers understand the importance. When he got the opportunity to audition for Season 3 last year, Elijah was initially hesitant and bashful. But thanks to the encouragement of Horn and a supportive production crew, he came out of his shell during the audition process and successfully landed a role on the series he had once watched from his living room. “I saw his confidence creep up. He knew he had the strength inside and the crew on site supported him to shine,” Horn says. The confidence boost paid off; Elijah was cast in starring roles in both the show’s cooking and music segments. His excellent performance and enthusiasm during his first role on “Look, Listen + Learn” translated to further opportunities, both on the show and beyond. Elijah returned for another episode — this time in the series’ annual holiday variety show alongside his parents and former Seahawk Doug Baldwin. Elijah is currently busy preparing to audition for his school play and is eager to continue exploring his new favorite hobby. Whether it remains a hobby or becomes a career path he is interested in pursuing further, Elijah now knows that there is a place for him on screen and it’s a space where he does belong. Muraki notes that Elijah’s performance will impact other BIPOC children. “As a viewer, I got the chance to see Elijah’s brilliance come through the screen,” Muraki says. “As a person of color who rarely saw myself represented in the media when growing up, I was heartened by the thought that maybe another child would feel seen or inspired by Elijah’s performance.” Muraki describes “Look, Listen + Learn” as a show “in the loving tradition of Mr. Rogers,” which encourages young children to explore books, arts and cooking with co-hosts Possum and Auntie Lena, as well as a community of BIPOC artists from all over Washington state. Each episode is tied to a social or emotional topic or goal and the script is written based on the topic at hand. In addition to featuring a BIPOC cast, Muraki emphasizes the importance of working closely with diverse groups, ranging from the board of directors to the diverse community around them. For example, she says focus groups are hugely helpful and influential in informing scripts based on the lived experiences of those being represented on screen. “Right now we do have a focus on bringing in more of the Indigenous community,” she says. “We’ve done a little bit more with the Polynesian community and Hawaiian natives, and we’ve filmed at The Salish School [of Spokane], which is specific to learning the Salish language. But we’re trying to build our Indigenous network so they’re included more in our next season of filming.” Shows featuring a diverse cast have the power to make a strong impact in highlighting and supporting BIPOC children’s brilliance. “Viewers see kids like them as being smart, playful and imaginative on screen,” says Muraki. “[And] the more diversity in media, the more BIPOC kids will feel like, ‘this is a space for me.’ ” Co-hosts Possum and Auntie Lena celebrate their Telly Award for Children’s TV Series for Season One of “Look, Listen + Learn.” Donate today! On set at LL+L TV’s “Sip, Savor + Share” event. From left: Howard Brantley (former board president), Tamara Horn, Possum, Solomon Horn, Elijah Horn, Doug Baldwin (former Seahawk) and Val-Thomas Matson (founder, executive producer and “Auntie Lena”) (Look, Listen + Learn TV)
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Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 16 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY MEDIC ONE FOUNDATION Lisa and her husband, John, looked forward to a quiet evening at home after a long day at work. A few hours later, Lisa began having intense pain in her neck and was feeling nauseated. The next thing John knew, Lisa went unconscious. He attempted to take her pulse, but she didn’t have one. John called 911 and highly trained Medic One paramedics responded. One of those paramedics, Eric, explains what happened after his team arrived on scene, “In Lisa’s case she had a very prolonged cardiac arrest with multiple defibrillations. We used almost every medication that we carry in the medic unit.” Once the paramedics got Lisa’s blood pressure and pulse stabilized, they rushed her to the hospital. There she underwent surgery for a blocked artery. Intense education Paramedics in King County attend the Medic One Paramedic Training Program, funded by contributions to the Medic One Foundation. “As a result of their extraordinary training, Seattle and King County firefighters and paramedics consistently achieve patient survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest that are nearly double the national average,” says Kim Duncan Martin, executive director of the Medic One Foundation. “Upon graduation, these paramedic students will undergo 2,100 hours of clinical, classroom and field experience,” Martin says. The national recommendation is 1,100 hours, almost half of the hours recorded by local paramedic students. Students will also experience 600 patient contacts during the 10-month program, which is three times more than other paramedic training programs. Specialized paramedic training saves lives Medic One Foundation saves lives by improving prehospital emergency care. Since 1974, we’ve invested $30 million in paramedic training, research to improve patient outcomes, equipment to help fire departments save lives, and CPR/AED and First Aid training for citizen responders. Learn more at www.mediconefoundation.org. The leading cause of death and other emergencies Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the world, regardless of gender or race. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that one person dies of a heart-related disease every 34 seconds. Martin says, “The goal of the Medic One Foundation is to ensure the very best possible care is provided to each patient and that nobody dies from a treatable medical emergency.” Last year, Medic One paramedics responded to more than 42,000 calls for advanced life support. Nearly half of those involved life-threatening emergencies like cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, trauma, obstetric and anaphylaxis calls, she says. It’s hard to imagine that you would ever need to call 911 for yourself or someone you love fighting for their life and in need of the specialized care that our region’s paramedics provide in a life-or-death medical emergency. If you do, know that the paramedics who will respond to your call are some of the best trained and will give you or a loved one the best chance for survival. In case of an emergency, there are ways to be prepared, such as taking a CPR/AED class and keeping your certificate up to date. “When a person goes into sudden cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR reduces their chance of survival,” Martin says. “Immediate help from a bystander who can perform CPR is critical to the chain of survival.” Ultrarealistic training The Medic One Foundation also provides the critical equipment needed to train paramedics during paramedic training. High-fidelity manikins and LifePak 15 trainers allow the educators to replicate many patient conditions. Then the paramedic students can practice a variety of skills without putting any patients in jeopardy. In addition, paramedic students participate in up to nine ultrarealistic training drills with local EMS providers. Currently local EMS agencies lack sufficient staffing because of recent retirements. There is a real need to train more paramedics. The incoming paramedic training class is currently at the maximum capacity of 24. This kind of intensive preparation makes a real difference in people’s lives. Just ask Lisa and John. Lisa made a full recovery and has since celebrated the birth of her first grandchild, and John is grateful for the training and support that made it possible. To hone their skills in treating patients experiencing cardiac emergencies, paramedic students participate in code drills that require them to practice assessing and treating progressively more complex scenarios. Medic One paramedic students have the unique opportunity to participate in the annual Pediatric Emergencies for Pre-hospital Professionals (PEPP) course with Seattle Children’s. Donate today! Trauma drills are critical in allowing students to practice their skills in assessing, treating and transporting mock-patients suffering from serious traumatic injuries. (Photos courtesy of Medic One Foundation)
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Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 18 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY VOICES OF TOMORROW According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, children comprise 30% of the world’s population but 41% of all refugees. Some of these children and their families arrive in Seattle — carrying limited belongings and plentiful trauma. In response to war, loss of family, displacement, famine and other conditions, refugee children are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and anger, according to a 2020 report in the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy. Worryingly, trauma can be passed down generationally — a parent’s stress transmits to the next generation and even the one after that. Uncertainty about the future only compounds the effects. A 2017 study on intergenerational trauma found that Somali refugee mothers who experienced significant trauma — in some cases, even torture — significantly impacted their children’s adjustment. Sustained stress can impact brain growth, impair learning, memory and response to future stress. However, a nurturing and stable environment can help to lessen the burden of stress — and that’s an approach one King County community organization is using to build stronger futures for immigrant and refugee children and families. The background of trauma Voices of Tomorrow started out serving 20 young children through a free, part-day program. Today it has grown to welcome more than 325 families through the world’s first Somali dual-language program, offering prekindergarten and preschool programs for low-income families. Another 120-plus children are served through affiliated programs. Support for displaced families builds stronger futures Voices of Tomorrow is a community-based organization serving child care providers and families in King County’s East African immigrant and refugee community. VOT’s mission is to preserve immigrant and refugee children’s identity through culturally and linguistically responsive child-focused programs. Learn more at tomorrowvoices.org. Of Washington state’s 1.14 million residents, a little over 6% were born in Africa, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many newly arrived neighbors hail from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, and are displaced due to war, political unrest and famine — with trauma as a lasting result. For children, trauma stems from witnessing violence, lack of food and water, and missing out on education, according to the 2020 report. Children can become separated from caregivers while fleeing conflict and face unhealthy living conditions in transit. After arriving in a new country, children try to adapt to a new culture and learn a new language despite discrimination and harassment. A healing approach Community-based programs have proved to be particularly successful and efficient in providing a healing service to many refugee children and families. These programs serve many children at once while also wrapping in family interventions. Stable settlement and social support in a newcomer’s host country positively affect a child's psychological functioning. Seattle’s East African community prioritizes youth and youth services, with almost 40% of family members attending PTA meetings or otherwise participating at children’s schools. At VOT, certificated staff teach a research-based curriculum in a positive school climate and early childhood learning environment. High-quality dual-language early childhood education builds a strong foundation for future learning, behavior and health. One 2022 analysis showed better emotional health if refugee children land in an environment with supportive adults in school and at home and feel a sense of peer belonging. VOT increasingly weaves trauma knowledge, advocacy and healing practices throughout all departments and services; their Health Services Department director is a licensed mental health therapist specializing in trauma. Staff and families learn culturally responsive techniques to heal from trauma and stress, and staff can offer care plans and referrals. VOT staff visits families twice monthly to listen to and help with parent concerns. With local rent skyrocketing and dwindling facility space in South King County, VOT hopes to use donations to purchase a new space to carry out the early learning work elevating children’s lives. “We hope to increase the number of families being served in our mental and behavioral health and early learning programs,” says Sagal Jimale, the early learning program’s supervisor. Jimale started as a volunteer staff member and soon became a teacher, helping more than 300 children and families preserve the essence of identity and culture. Improving refugee youth's mental health and functioning benefits society as a whole — and even the globe, study authors point out. And it’s proving to be true at VOT. “Children we first started serving 10 years ago came back into the organization to volunteer in the agency as high schoolers,” Jimale says. Donate today! (Photos courtesy of Voices of Tomorrow)
1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, April 23, 2023 19 Free Dual Language Early Learning Programs 2023-2024 Voices of Tomorrow giveaway Voices of Tomorrow is recruiting for the 2023-2024 school year for children 16 months to 5 years of age residing in Seattle, and South King County. Register today by calling 206-531-2827 or visit at www.tomorrowvoices.org Register your child before April and earn a $50 Gift Card
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