Community News! February/March 2025
NEWS, STORIES, AND RECENT ARTICLES FROM AND ABOUT COO PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY
A condensed version of our monthly newsletter distributed March 3. Get all the news by signing up for the monthly newsletter.
“Our work doesn’t change even when the context does.”
Best Starts co-leads Jamalia Jones and Jessica Tollenaar-Cafferty shared a message to the community recently to address the difficulty and uncertainty of the moment we are in, and to reaffirm that “community is the heartbeat of Best Starts.
“Our work doesn’t change even when the context does, so we will continue to lead with love, integrity, and an explicit commitment to anti-racism, justice, and deep partnership and relationship with community,” they said. They also shared resources from the community.
You can read the full message from the co-leads on the Best Starts blog.
Governance Group Retreat Focuses on Learning, Planning, Adapting
Our Governance Group held its annual retreat February 27-28 in Federal Way to review successes and challenges from 2024 and plan for 2025. A Day 1 highlight was a keynote by community leader Colleen Echohawk, who shared stories about resiliency. Colleen is currently serving as interim director of Seattle Indian Services Commission after her longtime leadership of Chief Seattle Club and several years as CEO of Eighth Generation. Watch for a story about the retreat coming later.
We’re recruiting new members of the Governance Group. If you’re interested, please visit our Governance Group page or contact us.
“Evidence Matters” Features COO and White Center HUB
Aaron Garcia of White Center Community Development Association joined our Director, Elsa Batres-Boni, to present at the national February 19 Evidence Matters webinar, “Thriving Together: Actionable Insights from New Data on Economic Mobility.” They were asked to illustrate an example of a successful local public-private-community partnership.
Aaron and Elsa talked about the work of COO and how the White Center HUB multi-use development exemplifies actions that advance equitable outcomes. This was part of a discussion on the trends and drivers of economic mobility that included a presentation from David Forte, Director of Research Translation and Strategic Initiatives at Opportunity Insight.
The Evidence Matters webinar series brings together data professionals from around the country. It’s hosted by King County, Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), and J-PAL North America.
Find a recording of the webinar and the slides on the Evidence Matters website, hosted by the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities.
Community News!
Partners Spotlight Health Equity at Black Providers Network
Three of our funded partner organizations – BLKBRY, Build 2 Lead, and SURGE Reproductive Justice – were featured at the February 14 meeting of the Black Providers Network. Jimmy Brown and Najmah Messiah of Build 2 Lead, Jackie Vaughn of SURGE Reproductive Justice, and Jazmin Williams of BLKBRY talked about their work to improve the health of the Black community in King County and Washington state. Watch for a story about this, coming in March on our blog.
The Black Providers Network brings together community members working to improve the health of Black people in King County. If you’re a Black provider and you’d like to be included in future Network gatherings, please contact us and we will connect you with the organizers, the Black Equity Team at Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Pictured Above, L-R: Najmah Messiah, Build 2 Lead; Devon Love, Black Equity Team; Jazmin Williams, BLKBRY; and Jackie Vaughn, SURGE.
Reminder: Child Care Wage Boost Pilot Open till March 7
A new Best Starts for Kids program is designed to increase wages of child care workers in King County. Child care facilities can now apply to join the Best Starts Child Care Wage Boost Pilot. Applications close March 7.
Eligible facilities will be selected by lottery, and workers at selected facilities can enroll to receive a quarterly payment to increase their income through 2027.
SEED Selects New Owners of KVRU Radio
SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) recently announced that they have transferred operations of radio station KVRU 105.7 to Media for Informed Communities, led by Crystal Fincher and Monisha Harrell.
KVRU has provided hands-on media training to residents and youth, broadcast hundreds of community stories, and served as a crucial information hub for Southeast Seattle’s diverse communities. SEED says KVRU will expand its programming to include local music, multi-lingual talk shows, community news, and high school sports coverage – creating a true voice for the diverse communities of Southeast Seattle.
Read more about the new owners and their plans in this South Seattle Emerald story.
Pictured: Crystal Fincher and our Governance Group member Michael Seiwerath of SEED sign documents; Monisha Harrell, Maurice Jones, and Kathy Fowells look on. Photo from SEED.
BLKBRY’s Work Serving Black Families Featured in Seattle Medium
Jazmin Williams, founder of our funded partner BLKBRY, talked to Seattle Medium about BLKBRY’s work as a Black-owned and operated free-standing doula center in Seattle serving Black families. Their services include milk sharing.
BLKBRY is a member of The Burien Collaborative.
Read the Story: BLKBRY: Black-Led Doula Center for Maternal Health - The Seattle Medium
SCIDpda Celebrates 50 Years
Seattle-Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority is celebrating “50 Years and Beyond” with activities all year. The celebration will peak with a gathering November 8. Founded in 1975, SCIDpda is a community development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District (CID) as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood.
Seattle Foundation Team Hosts “Philanthropy in Action” Discussion
Seattle Foundation’s Impact & Learning team recently hosted an online discussion about shaping a thriving region through impactful policy change. From expanding childcare access and addressing affordable housing challenges, to tackling critical issues in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, they shared the policy priorities driving their work in 2025.
Speakers included Shannon Small, program manager for the COO Systems & Policy Change strategy; Kelsey Mesher, director of policy and civic action; and Chief Impact Office Lindsey Goes Behind, a COO Governance Group member.
Watch the recording, Philanthropy in Action: Building a Joyful Region through Policy Change
More News from Around the Community
Social Housing Proposition Approval and Impact: Seattle’s social housing Proposition 1A was decisively approved by voters in February. Real Change News reported on those results. Earlier in the month, Grist reported on the pending vote and explored social housing as a climate solution; they talked to several of our partners, including Community Roots Housing. Read the Grist story, In Seattle, advocacy groups pitch ‘social housing’ as a climate solution | Grist
More Doulas in the News: Converge Media’s Day with Trae featured a Deaunte Damper interview with Myesha Mitchell, Licensed Massage Practitioner, of My Time for Massage -- a birth doula and community health advocate.
Golden Circle Awards: Northwest Asian Weekly published a series about the recipients of its Golden Circle Awards, recognizing influential community leaders. Read about Tuck Eng, Tomio Moriguchi, Dolores Sibonga, and Jackson Street Community Council on the Golden Circle Awards honorees page.
Japanese Day of Remembrance: Community members rallied after Pike Place Market Foundation withdrew from an event planned with Tsuru for Solidarity for the 83rd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. That executive order led to the incarceration and expulsion of about 120,000 Japanese Americans. Before that, 75 percent of the market’s famers were Japanese Americans, says The International Examiner in their story, After Pike Place Market cancels Day of Remembrance event, Japanese American community rallies to remember WWII incarceration, warn of Trump administration deportation policies - International Examiner. The South Seattle Emerald also covered the story, Seattle Japanese American Community Gathers for Day of Remembrance 83 Years After WWII Incarceration Camps.
Partner Events
We shared news about:
BLKBRY’s Pass the Yams event, March 7-8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Burien Community Center
Best Starts Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Summit, May 16-18, Tukwila
To see more about these and other community events, please visit our Community Events Calendar.
Other Opportunities
Best Starts Creates Child Care Registry
Best Starts for Kids has launched a new King County Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) Registry. This registry is a new tool for childcare providers -- including family, friend, and neighbor caregivers, license-exempt programs, and providers in licensed child care programs -- to find and contact independent CCHCs and CCHC teams serving King County.
View this guide on how to get started
Explore the registry to learn more and visit their frequently asked questions page.
Nonprofits: Take the Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey
Participate by April 18
The 2025 King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey is underway. King County is asking nonprofits in the region—specifically an Executive Director, Human Resources staff, or a Finance Manager—who has access to staff compensation information to take part in the survey.
Attend a virtual information session on Thursday, March 13, from 1-2 p.m. More Information and Register
Complete the King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey
Nominate a Climate Changemaker for the Grist 50
Nominations Due by March 14
Our media partner Grist is seeking nominations for its Grist 50 list of climate changemakers whose stories need to be told. Grist says: “Think of the people you know, or know of, who are driving meaningful change for our climate future — across sectors, disciplines, and all corners of the U.S. — and nominate them. The 50 profiles on each year’s list showcase the many paths people can take into climate and justice work, the many fronts on which solutions are being developed, and the many faces of climate leadership.”
Learn More and Nominate a Climate Changemaker
Best Starts Is Recruiting CYAB Members
Apply by March 31
The King County Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB) is seeking individuals interested in serving on the CYAB for a three-year term beginning late spring 2025. The CYAB serves as the oversight and advisory body for the Best Starts for Kids Initiative, the King County Youth Action Plan, and the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA).
The CYAB has a strong commitment to equity and intentionally seeks to maintain balanced representation of board members who reflect all communities we serve. Individuals residing in King County, especially those who live in King County District 6 and 3, those who identify as Native America/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQ, residents from rural areas of King County, seniors, and youth 24 years of age or younger are encouraged to apply.
Funding Opportunities
Best Starts Hosting Virtual Open House March 4
Best Starts for Kids is hosting a Virtual Open House March 4 to give community partners an opportunity to learn more about upcoming funding opportunities and resources.
There are four sessions attendees can join at the March Virtual Open House.
Prenatal to Five Innovation Fund
Community-Based Parenting Supports, Home-Based Services, and Universal Developmental Screening
Technical Assistance: Getting Help With Your Proposal
Help Me Grow
You can learn more about these strategies by reading our one pagers for Prenatal to Five Innovation Fund, Community-Based Parenting Supports, Home-Based Services, Universal Developmental Screening, Technical Assistance: Getting Help With Your Proposal, and Help Me Grow.
Go to the Open House registration page and sign up for the sessions you wish to attend. You can attend any sessions you’d like, and for as long as it works for you. Please let us know if you need any accommodations. We look forward to seeing you March 4!
More Funding Opportunities
See funding opportunities from Best Starts for Kids and many others on our Funding Opportunities page.
Non-Best Starts Opportunities: You can also check out funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups that promote the health and well-being of our babies, children, and young people on the list maintained by Best Starts for Kids. Read more!
Job Opportunities
A Supportive Community for All: Case Manager
Arcora Foundation: Senior Program Officer – Networks
Beacon Food Forest: Multiple positions including Sites & Program Director – Apply by March 20
Building Changes: Grants and Institutional Engagement Officer
Civil Survival: Development Manager – apply by March 24
Community Frameworks: Real Estate Development Director
Entre Hermanos: Deputy Director
Housing Development Consortium: Community Organizer, open till filled, priority applications by February 21
Latino Community Fund of Washington State and Progreso: Communications Manager
Nosotros En Naturaleza: Social Media Coordinator – apply by March 5
NW Justice Project: Numerous positions including Legal Assistant – Medical Legal Partnership
OneAmerica: Campaigns & Organizing Director – apply by March 7
QLaw Foundation: Several positions including Development and Communications Manager
NW Justice Project: Numerous positions including Legal Assistant – Medical Legal Partnership
Purpose Trust Ownership Network: Program Manager
Seattle-King County Coalition on Homelessness: Senior Program Manager
Seattle Foundation: Numerous positions including Administrative Assistant and Senior Program Officer
SouthEast Effective Development (SEED): Director of Asset and Property Management
Social Justice Fund: Operations Coordinator-- apply by March 9
Washington Trails Association: Member Engagement Manager
See more job listings on these sites that collect multiple opportunities:
Housing Development Consortium’s job listings from housing organizations
Philanthropy Northwest’s searchable list of positions in development, communications and more
King County, City of Seattle, State of Washington, and other government jobs at www.governmentjobs.com
About This List: These job announcements were current as of March 3, 2025. Please check the employer's site for the most current information.
If you have a job to share in next month's issue, please send it to us by mid-March. Thanks!
Thank you for reading our newsletters this year. We look forward to working with you in 2025 to dismantle unjust systems and create a community landscape where all individuals have the opportunity to live healthy, self-determined, and fulfilling lives.