School's Out Washington

It's not too late to host a #LightsOnAfterschool event this year! Register for Afterschool Alliance’s Lights On Afterschool 101 Webinar for inspiration on how to get the most out of your event. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gCk74YQE When: September 4, 2024, 11:00 AM PST Where: Virtual on Zoom Are you hosting an event in Washington state? Let us know in the comments and we'll connect with you to share it out on our platforms. About Lights On Afterschool: Taking place this year on October 24, 2024, this nationwide event brings together more than 8,000 programs showcasing the important role that afterschool plays in supporting youth, families, and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year, sending a powerful message that millions more youth need quality afterschool programs. You can access social media kits, event planning checklists, advice from pros, and more on the Lights On Afterschool website: https://lnkd.in/gbFDmfj6

Get your Bridge tickets early for the best rates! Our early bird pricing ends on September 2. Visit https://lnkd.in/gDyUXN_t to learn more about the conference and purchase your tickets. Ongoing discounts are available for teams and licensed school-age program providers. When: November 4 and 5, 2024 Where: Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Marriott Tacoma Downtown At this year's conference, we will center: · Community building: Our conference emphasizes fostering a supportive community within the youth development field through networking and collaborative sessions. · Collective Action: We're dedicated to promoting collective action and collaboration among stakeholders to drive positive chance and advancement. · Advocating for Legislative Change: By mobilizing efforts to influence policy, we aim to create a more supportive and equitable environment for youth development initiatives. · Skills & Resources Empowerment: Attendees will gain essential skills and resources to support youth effectively, through workshops and resource-sharing platforms. You won't want to miss this year's conference! #YouthDevelopment #ExpandedLearning #OST #2024BridgeConference #afterschool #ProfessionalDevelopment #ProfessionalLearning

We're hiring! 🎉 Applications received by 5:00 PM PST on September 9, 2024 will receive full consideration. For the full job description, visit https://lnkd.in/gBirz2Fd or go to our website at https://lnkd.in/gZczV4A The Professional Learning Associate Director ensures the delivery of responsive, relevant, accessible, and high-quality training supports. This role oversees SOWA's annual statewide training calendar, regional symposiums, and the annual Bridge Conference. This position is responsible for building strong collaborations across the organization and with external partners to enhance the professional learning experience for providers in the field. Salary range: $82,000-$98,000 Reports to: Program Quality Division Director Location: Remote from anywhere in Washington state, or from our office in Tukwila, WA We look forward to receiving your application!

We're thrilled to share the news that Fahren Johnson, our strategy and partnerships director, is embarking on a new journey as Amara's CEO. During her time with SOWA, Fahren committed countless hours to meeting with policy makers across the state to advocate for the youth development field. She helped establish SOWA as the backbone of the Youth Development Strategy Table, our state's policy and advocacy coalition. And she has been pivotal in our efforts to center and engage young people in everything we do. We're sad to lose such a powerhouse in our field, but we know she'll be an incredible asset to an equally deserving organization. We're rooting for you, Fahren! Congratulations—we can't wait to partner with you and Amara.

Do you serve children and youth in an out-of-school time program? Then the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST) is for you! Register today for our upcoming coalition meetings, which will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM on Zoom. You can register for all of them, or just the ones that fit your schedule. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gwSR5-6s Get ready for the upcoming legislative session, learn about what's happening in the youth development policy space, and connect with others in the field doing similar work. We're excited to see you there! Learn more about the YDST at https://lnkd.in/e6Xg9n7F #YouthDevelopment #policy #advocacy #LegislativeSession

We're thrilled to announce this year's 2024 Bridge Conference keynote speaker: coach, facilitator, and speaker, Lana Hailemariam! Learn more about Lana on our website: https://lnkd.in/gC3JXFvZ Learn more about The Flourish Lab at https://lnkd.in/gTzUTmka -- Lana's work is grounded in emotional intelligence. She believes that focusing on the people behind the work leads to higher quality outcomes. By understanding the drivers of behavior, Lana helps foster lasting change through intentional action. With over 20 years of experience, Lana has a wealth of knowledge in sales, marketing, event management, health & wellness, franchise ownership, and entrepreneurship. Her nonprofit experience includes ministry, education (as both a teacher and administrator), a tutoring organization, and a teen mentoring organization. This varied background allows Lana to bring a fresh and unique perspective to her work. -- Make sure to give us a follow so you can stay updated on everything Bridge! #2024BridgeConference #YouthDevelopment #ExpandedLearning #OutOfSchoolTime

We are proud to share our 2023 annual report! Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gZXZs3it This annual report is a testament to the collective efforts and achievements of our team as we advocated for and supported out-of-school time for young people in Washington. Our report includes: Letter from the CEO Spotlights on current grantees doing incredible work in Western Washington - After-School All-Stars - Bridging Cultural Gaps - Living Well Kent Highlight of the Youth Development Strategy Table and their work throughout the year to bring organization to the coalition and youth voice to advocacy Bridge Conference 2023 - Review - Statistical insights Financials Staff and board lists

In a survey by the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS), out-of-school time providers were asked to rank their STEM goals for youth participating in their program. They highest-ranked goals were: 1️⃣ Excite and inspire teens about STEM ⚗️ 2️⃣ Build teens agency and confidence in STEM 🚀 3️⃣ Prepare teens for the workforce 🎓 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g8YMwefQ

Check out this great resource from National AfterSchool Association (NAA)!

Every field has its lingo, and the youth development field is no different! Click through this post to learn more about some of the key terms we use in our field, including: - Expanded learning opportunities - Youth development - Youth program quality - Expanded learning ecosystem - Equity Are there other youth development terms and concepts you'd like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments and follow us for more resources and info pertaining to our field. Learn more anytime at schoolsoutwashington.org.