2021 Bridge Conference: Full Schedule

Now in its 19th year, School’s Out Washington’s annual Bridge Conference brings together school-age care providers, youth development professionals, leaders, community organizers, funders, and policy makers from across the country.

Attendees hear from thought-provoking presenters and learn new strategies to build strong programs and equitable systems for young people, in and out of school. Reflected in all aspects of the Bridge Conference are the values of equity, belonging, leadership, nourishment, change, innovation, and community. Our attendees and presenters represent the diverse communities we work with across the state. In 2021, for our second virtual conference, we will come together to celebrate, influence, and learn in community with the expanded learning field.

We gather to:

Engage with a diverse range of knowledge, people, and perspectives
Identify the ways that racial inequities impact youth, expanded learning opportunities, and educational outcomes
Experience a sense of belonging to nourish social connection and professional networking
Learn how to implement tangible practices that promote an equitable expanded learning opportunity ecosystem
Strive to recognize power dynamics throughout programs and systems and begin to strategize how to co-create stronger partnerships across sectors

2021 Bridge: From Seedlings to Stardust
Across time and cultures, humans have found comfort, guidance, and knowledge amongst the stars. Before we had the technology to tell us what was out there, we were grounded and deeply connected to this unknown we reached for it. The stars can be said to be our first home, the first dreamscape of humankind. We have only just begun our rupture – the shattering and deconstruction of—individual and collective realities. This change has brought exhaustion—with no clear path in sight. Yet, we cannot stifle ourselves in normalcy. 2021 Bridge: From Seedlings to Stardust dares us to dream and to pour into the tenaciousness of transformation. The seeds have been sown—now, how do we shape this change?

Systems Leader Cohort
For 2021, the Systems Leader Cohort will include a Pre-Conference on October 26 and a series of recommended workshops for funders, policymakers, and community leaders. This cohort will focus on advancing equity through a well-supported expanded learning system in this profound moment of change.

Bridge Conference Registrants: Once you register, participants will receive an email from Sched inviting you to create and/or log into your Sched account so you can create your personalized schedule and prepare to attend the event. Check out our Attendee Guidance Checklist for more info on "how" to show up to this virtual event or contact our Customer Service team at bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org if you have any challenges navigating the platform.

12:00pm PDT

Circle Time Magazine: Big Kids Edition - Episode 2: Social Emotional Learning

Circle Time Magazine is a unique professional development series that offers a web-based talk show, magazine, and online resources with each episode. This season we’re partnering with School’s Out Washington to look at quality teaching practices with an expanded age range. We’ll be especially focused on school-age children, and discuss practical strategies for working with children ages birth to 12 years old. In this workshop we will have a facilitated viewing and group discussions for Episode 2: Social Emotional Learning. We’ll be focusing on the social emotional learning (SEL) skills of self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. We’ll talk about why it is important for children and adults to be aware of themselves and be aware of others. We’ll be exploring all of this in context of anti-racist and culturally responsive teaching.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Sophie Biddle (she/her)

Professional Development Specialist, Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington

Sophie Biddle is a professional development specialist at Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. She holds degrees in Sociology and Elementary Science Education from Portland State University. Sophie has over a decade of experience working directly with young people in... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

12:00pm PDT

Coding With Bravery, Resilience, Community, and Equity

Developing holistic and equitable coding programs doesn’t have to be hard—Girls Who Code has your back! All educators and community leaders are welcome to join us to gain the tools you need to easily bring fun and digestible coding curricula to your community—whether you’re a complete beginner or a resident expert! By the end of the session, you’ll understand how to incorporate essential community-building activities that encourage positive social emotional development, build a supportive network of peers and diverse role models for students, and connect coding to impact. You’ll walk away with tangible tips and strategies you can implement right away and begin a drafted plan for developing (or enhancing) the STEM initiatives in your own community!

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Valerie Tomici

Community Partnerships Manager, Girls Who Code

Valerie Tomici is the Manager of Community Partnerships and Outreach at Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit that works to close the gender gap in tech. As a passionate advocate of educational access and equity, Valerie works to foster strong community partnerships with school... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

12:00pm PDT

Designing Our Own Learning: Disrupting power dynamics and invigorating student voice and power

Youth and adult educators (middle and high school) will share learning from working together over 3 years in a summer institute. You’ll engage in an immersive experience trying out some of the tools, strategies and activities that have brought about profound transformation in the presenters and their schools. The session will be structured to mirror and model the structure of the summer institute to provide an authentic opportunity for learning and understanding. Our session, will be holistic, interactive, decolonized, and rooted in values of love, belonging, reflection, and storytelling. You will leave with a different sense of what is possible. You’ll have a new understanding of the power of building a learning community and what it looks like when youth and adults truly collaborate. Join us if you’re interested in transforming power dynamics between youth and adults in your program!

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Alan Wong

Facilitator/Trainer, Sound Discipline

Alan Wong has dedicated his life to helping youth, educators, and communities to grow. He began his career in education, working as a reading tutor in the South Seattle neighborhood where he grew up. Over the last 20 years, he’s worked as a lead facilitator and trainer with innovative... Read More →

Tymmony Keegan

Abolitionist Educator, Cleveland High School

Tymmony Keegan identifies as a Black and White-adjacent, mixed-raced queer educator and is a Humanities teacher at Cleveland HS. She’s been an educator in different capacities at non-profit, gov’t and labor organizations. Her success is rooted in the transformation of people and... Read More →

Krystal Correa

Facilitator, Sound Discipline

Krystal Correa, (she/her) is a Facilitator with Sound Discipline. Krystal’s work with youth and families spans over a decade, beginning as a paraprofessional educator at a non-traditional high school in Arizona. Since then she has held positions at residential housing programs... Read More →

Sylvia Hadnot

Facilitator, Sound Discipline

Sylvia Hadnot, (she/them) is a Facilitator with Sound Discipline. She has several years of classroom teaching experience, from working with students in the King County Youth Detention Center to special populations, and has written youth curricula for social-emotional health, college... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming, Capacity and Systems Building
Level Intermediate
Age High School
Platform Zoom- Meeting

12:00pm PDT

Holding Change: The Power of Collective Healing in Movement Leadership

Do you have the skills to recognize grief and have the resources to respond?

Holding space for collectives experiencing grief and loss due to historical, intergenerational, persistent institutional or personal trauma requires a unique skill set, knowledge base and emotional resilience.

This responsibility comes with the wisdom that collective and individual healing are not separate; they work as an interdependent system fueled by intentional action that we cannot do alone or in silos. During this enlightenment session, participants will learn about the effects of unrecognized collective trauma and examine how we may have individually participated in the collective trauma of our culture. We will also explore the depths of our radical imaginations to uncover how Expanded Learning Program spaces become a vehicle to transform and metabolize grief into an agency.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Vanessa Hernandez

Co-Creator and Founder, JVH Empower Consulting

Vanessa Hernandez is an innovator of healing and resilience whose purpose is to offer conscious co-creations of love, liberation and empowerment to the collective of humanity. She has a demonstrated history of creating spaces of empowerment where one can recall and reclaim their authentic... Read More →

Jenny Hicks

Co-Creator and Founder, JVH Empower Consulting

Jenny Hicks is a joyous, creative, and heart-minded co-creator who believes that by empowering one person, you can empower many. She cultivates ecosystems of belonging where all are seen and heard through the power of joy combined with lived experiences, studies in Human Resources... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

12:00pm PDT

Roles and Boundaries for Social Change – Building Collaboration Within our Ecosystems

In this workshop, we'll dive into Deepa Iyer's Social Change Ecosystem. This framework can help individuals, networks, and organizations assess and align values, strengths, and areas of growth within a team or community. The target audience for this workshop is anyone who wants to learn more about the social change map, especially those working in collaborative and diverse teams.

We'll talk about the roles we play in our ecosystems and our role(s) in social change. We hope that using this framework, along with having candid conversations about boundaries and the complexities of relationships, will serve youth development professionals in their work with students and beyond. Participants will engage in self-reflection, learn from their peers, and walk away with a tool for assessing community needs and strengths, decision-making, and boundary-setting while centering collaboration and well-being.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Katie Wallace

Program Manager & Educator, University of Washington

Katie is an educator and youth advocate with 13+ years of experience working in public high schools, nonprofits and higher education. As a Korean-American adoptee growing up in the PNW, she’s passionate about identity, positionality and racial justice. Katie studied journalism and... Read More →

Kimmy Nguyen

Program Quality Administrative Assistant, School's Out Washington

Kimmy is a Vietnamese-American and King County native. As a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, her work centers on community engagement and youth development that aims to improve community health by providing culturally appropriate resources... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age, Young Adults (18+)
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

12:00pm PDT

Shaping Stories to Shift Systems: The Youth Storytellers Project

To center community and lead with anti-racist action, we need to reimagine who “experts” are, resource young people of color to own their stories, and follow their visions of transformation. In this session, learn about the Road Map Youth Storytellers Project, which has collaborated with young leaders to create communications projects that advocate for change. Participants will engage with frameworks of narrative strategy, project-based learning, and community connection. Through five specific youth-led projects, particularly with storytelling about two of them on food justice in schools and disability support policies, participants will learn how systems change needs to be driven by community stories. This session is aimed at anyone who believes in the power of youth voices--educators, administrators, direct service staff, community organizers, funders, policymakers, and students.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Julie Feng

Senior Communications Strategist, Community Center for Education Results

Julie Feng is a senior communications strategist at the Community Center for Education Results (supporting the Road Map Project). She is committed to elevating the stories of communities of color and working towards narrative shifts in the education system. Previously, she has supported... Read More →

Adar Abdi

Youth Storyteller

Adar is a sophomore at Evergreen High School (Highline Public Schools). She really likes to read fantasy books! She is super into political dramas like Scandal. She stands for liberation of all marginalized communities. As a Road Map Project Youth Storyteller, she hopes to bring empathy... Read More →

Nurhaliza Mohamath

Youth Storyteller, Road Map Project

Nurhaliza Mohamath is a Sociology, Economics and Business Administration student at Mills College and is on the road to completing her MBA this fall. She is pursuing her studies in hopes of promoting socioeconomic development in her respective South Seattle and Oakland communities... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP, SYSTEMS COHORT

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age, Young Adults (18+)
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

12:00pm PDT

“Gramma Loves Star Wars!”: Families and students learn together at home

When school closed in 2020, ALTERA pivoted to make students’ homes their extended learning space. Because of inadequate internet we activated face-to-face daily learning opportunities with parents and siblings as teachers and co-learners engaged in home-centered, place-based and culturally responsive learning activities relevant to rural Eastern Washington Hispanic, Caucasian and Native American agricultural families. A panel of six Altera Site Directors from elementary and secondary settings share specific tools and student feedback that will inform participants in innovative practices with: learning through place-based themes; celebrating students’ unique home settings; academic content enmeshed with social emotional supports; student voice via visual and oral storytelling; tracking and measuring in-home learning through choice boards and family interviews; sustaining student engagement through text, ZOOM and social media; and elevating the role of multimodal literacies to diversify access to literacy experiences, from family reading to the backyard night sky.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Tiffany Coulson

Associate Director, Programming, Altera/NLA

Tiffany Coulson has an MLIS from the University of Washington with 20 years of experience working in a variety of capacities in rural education. During the past eight years she has been an embedded librarian for the educational non-profit Altera, researching and implementing best... Read More →

Bertha Villa

21st Century Site Director: Tonasket Elementary, Altera/NLA

Bertha Villa has an MA & PhD in Spanish Literature from Arizona State University. As the 21st Century Site Director at Tonasket Elementary, she seeks out ways to integrate authentic Spanish titles into STEM, art and social programming in after school.

Barbara Peterson

Executive Director, Altera/NLA

Barbara Peterson is Executive Director of Altera. She holds an Master’s degree in Public Policy and an Ed.D. from the University of Washington. She has 25 years experience specializing in rural education, having published several state and regional articles on equity for rural... Read More →

Abigail Castillo

21st Century Site Director: Warden Middle School and High School, Altera/NLA

Abigail Castillo is the 21st Century Site Director at Warden Middle School and High School where she graduated before pursuing her education at the University of Washington. She is new to the 21st Century Program but her personal experiences with rural youth and bilingual Spanish... Read More →

Diego Laguna

21st Century Site Director: Tonasket Middle School and High School, Altera/NLA

Diego Laguna is the 21st Century Site Director for the middle school and high school in remotely located Tonasket Washington near the Canadian border. Mr. Laguna has a business degree a master’s degree in Sports Management. For the past 5 years he has translated his international... Read More →

Luann Anderson

21st Century Program Director, Altera/NLA

Luann Anderson is a veteran educator having a BA in Elementary Education with an MA Ed as well. After many years as a teacher, she has worked in after school programs for the past 8 years and currently is a 21st Century Program Director over 5 schools in 2 communities nearly 120... Read More →

Fredy Marin

21st Century Site Director: Highland High, FMarin@highland.wednet.edu

Fredy Marin is the 21st Century Site Director at Highland High School in Tieton, Washington. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Management and has worked in after school programs since 2018. Fredy has lived in the area since he migrated from Mexico with his family at the age of 4... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

Advocacy 101: Using Your Voice to Impact Public Policy

Public policy and funding advocacy for issues impacting children and youth is always difficult – especially for the expanded learning and youth development field. However, the COVID crisis has provided a growing public and policymaker knowledge of the purpose and importance of this field. Additionally, a new joint advocacy effort between a variety of organizations across the whole-child support spectrum is showing impact – and fast. Learn more about effective approaches, messaging, lessons learned, and how virtual advocacy can work to support our kids during one of the most challenging times in American history. The audience is focused on providers and other stakeholders interested in learning the basics of advocacy in 2021.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

David Beard

Policy & Advocacy Director, School's Out Washington

David facilitates SOWA’s advocacy efforts, including educating policymakers and working with providers and stakeholders to secure more funding and better policies for the field. Throughout his career, David has been an advocate for children and families. After working as the policy... Read More →

Susan Brown

CEO, Kids Co.

Like many other working women I wear lots of hats...I’m mom to two incredible kids (now young adults), Kelby and Midori, I’m wife to the love of my life, Jim, and I have the incredible honor of being Kids Co.’s founder and CEO. And, I’m a Husky. Beyond the hats that I wear... Read More →

James Miles

Executive Director, Mentor Washington

James Miles is the Executive Director of MENTOR Washington and was previously the ED of Arts Corps and an educator in the New York City public schools for almost 20 years. Originally from Chicago, Miles has worked internationally as an artist and educator. His acclaimed TedX Talk... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

Breaking Down Adultism: Working Toward Community-Based, Youth-Centered Programming

In this workshop, we will explore what adultism is and how it impacts broader systems in our society and communities, looking at ways we can both programmatically and individually engage with young people in positive ways while being mindful and aware of power and privilege. We will discuss ways we can work to be better advocates and allies for young people, and ways to empower youth voice in spaces that impact them most.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Collin Veenstra

Youth Educator and Consultant, Vashon DOVE Project

Collin Veenstra (they/them) is a youth educator, artist, trainer, and former founder/director of Tacoma's Peer Education Empowerment League. Over the past decade, Collin has developed and managed leadership development, day camps, sexual violence prevention, LGBTQ youth support... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

Essential Not Ornamental: Increasing Youth Civic Engagement, One Funding Process at a Time

Co-presented with members of Seattle’s Youth Commission, this session will lead participants on how to civically engage youth through planning development processes. Utilizing Harts' Ladder of Youth Participation, program and policy leads will learn how to create a framework that integrates youth through critical steps of their planning and development processes. The operational goal of the workshop is to teach participants how to "ASK" Awareness, Structure, and Knowledge. "A" = Awareness, often times adults are not aware of the youth groups they have access to nor have they full awareness of how their practices are exclusionary of youth voice, implicit or explicit. "S" = Structures, knowing where to start concerning youth engagement and participation. Finally, "K" = Knowledge examining how participants plan to apply the knowledge to create frameworks to apply in their next planning process.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Mei-Li Thomas

Planning and Development Specialist, Sr, Department of Education and Early Learning

Mei-Li Thomas has been with the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) for the past three years. Within the department she serves as the Planning and Development Specialist, Sr, which comes along with the responsibility of Funding Coordinator where Mei-Li edits the policy... Read More →

Osbaldo Hernandez

Program Coordinator, City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods - Seattle Youth Commission

Osbaldo Hernandez is the Seattle Youth Commission Program Coordinator for the Department of Neighborhoods. Osbaldo is an advocate for youth and will stand as the liaison for the member of the Seattle Youth Commission that will be the actual co-presenter.

Eleanor Cenname

Commissioner, City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods - Seattle Youth Commission

Katherine Kang

Commissioner, City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods - Seattle Youth Commission

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP, SYSTEMS COHORT

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

Maintaining a strong and collaborative team through difficult times

It is challenging enough to manage yourself during a global pandemic with unpredictable outcomes, heightened uncertainty, and a sense of hopelessness, but now factor in the task of managing a team under those conditions. This session will walk you through strategies to keep folks motivated, build community, and provide intentional investments in each member of your team. We will explore some of the most common challenges leading a team through the collective stress of the pandemic and how to foster a culture of collaboration that keeps staff engaged. By the end the session learners will gain effective tools to maintain, engage, and lead a strong team during unsure times.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Carlee Hoover

Training & Development Specialist, School's Out Washington

Carlee has always had a passion and a desire to lead, teach, and invest in others. Over the last decade Carlee has focused on developing individuals and teams in settings ranging from afterschool programs to nonprofit board leaders and began training full time in 2021. During their... Read More →

Charlotte Malone

Training Specialist, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

Charlotte believes in the power of ongoing education, and wishes to provide meaningful, continuous learning opportunities designed to help all learners practice the necessary skills to work with youth. Charlotte believes it is her role as an educator and leader to light a fire inside... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

Putting Data to Work for Young People: Community-Wide Use of Data for Equitable Systems

This session will support system leaders in their data collection efforts and knowing what to measure and how to use data in real time to drive system change, quality improvement and positive outcomes for youth. Participants will learn why it's so essential to collect data, common challenges, how we can use data to advance racial equity goals, and promising practices, including data simulations and data scenarios. We will introduce the *updated* Every Hour Counts Measurement Framework and accompanying Guidebook, tools to help communities set a shared vision and process for using data for improvement. Erik Skold from Sprockets, St Paul and Lisa Gomi Hui from Boston After School & Beyond will provide citywide practitioner perspectives to guide this discussion and participant's data journey. People will feel less intimidated by data with the introduction of concrete tools.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Jessica Donner

Executive Director, Every Hour Counts

Jessica Donner is the executive director of Every Hour Counts, a coalition of national citywide organizations that increases access to quality learning opportunities, particularly for underserved students. The organization is a leading voice promoting expanded-learning systems. Jessica... Read More →

Lisa Gomi Hui

Director of Measurement and Improvement, BASB

Lisa Gomi Hui joined Boston Beyond in 2017 as the Director of Measurement & Improvement. In that role, she oversees the collection and analysis of data across Boston Beyond’s initiatives to inform, design, and deliver professional development for continuous improvement. Prior to... Read More →

Erik Skold

Director, Sprockets

For more than 15 years, Erik has been deeply involved in bringing learning experiences for children and youth beyond the classroom. This set the stage well for his current role as Sprockets Director, where he works with schools, city governments, parks, libraries and many community-based... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP, SYSTEMS COHORT

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age, Young Adults (18+)
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

What’s in Your Youth Development Toolkit?

In this workshop, participants will learn about essential elements that MUST be in a youth development worker/educators toolkit—led by Trailblazer’s youth. These fundamental elements cultivate positive cultural identity and thriving young people of color. Providing young people of color with leadership opportunities is one of the most essential tools; this workshop will be co-facilitated by youth of color. The youth facilitators will guide participants on how to use the essential elements in their toolkit. Participants will navigate tools that give young people of color an advantage in school and life. Most importantly, participants will understand the importance of student-led professional development.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Theresa Hardy

Founder and CEO, BRAVE- Building Resilience Awareness & Variations of Excellence

Theresa is an example of how someone can turn tragedies into triumphs. Through hard work and grit, Theresa found and navigated her own path to success, which has included multiple college degrees and a fulfilling career journeying with people who experience similar struggles. Her... Read More →

Yohi Ted

BRAVE Trailblazers Youth, BRAVE - Building Resilience Awareness and Variations of Excellence

Yohi has had many great achievements in her life. When she grows up, she wants to be a singer and write lyrics that are meaningful and empowering, and to have her music discuss the changes that need to be made. Yohi wants to make a difference in the world. She wants the same opportunities... Read More →

London Clark

BRAVE Trailblazer Youth, BRAVE - Building Resilience Awareness and Variations of Excellence

I am a Trailblazers Representative. I have been working with Trailblazers since I was in 5th grade. If anything, Trailblazers has really opened my eyes to many things. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always dreamed of being something big; something extraordinary, something amazing... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age, Young Adults (18+)
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

2:30pm PDT

“Who Taught You That?” - Understanding Gender, Creating Affirming Spaces

Does your organization serve transgender and gender non-conforming youth? Statistically, yes! Want to learn how to support all young people by creating welcoming and affirming environments for trans and gender non-conforming youth? If you’re open to a paradigm shift and a generous helping of introspection, join us! This activity-based workshop will explore where ideas about manhood and womanhood come from, the relationship between the “rules” of gender and colonialism, and what’s at stake for trans and gender non-conforming youth. All participants, from direct-service staff to organizational leaders, will have the opportunity to identify tangible strategies to change program environments to support us all.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Lex Gavin

Best Start for Kids Program Quality Manager, School's Out Washington

Lex Gavin has spent the last decade designing and facilitating social justice content in the youth development field. They cut their teeth in youth organizing while on Stonewall Youth's Speaker's Bureau and as a board member of Queer Youth Space. Lex has worked in homeless youth services... Read More →

Wednesday October 27, 2021 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School, School Age, Young Adults (18+)
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

1:30pm PDT

Advancing Equity in Out-of-School Time Settings through Youth Focus Groups

This interactive session invites direct service staff/volunteers, managers, and evaluators to engage in participatory, youth-focused research techniques and to begin thinking expansively about involving youth in program design and improvement.
This session includes an interactive, skill-building exercise on how to conduct focus groups with youth that aim to identify contexts and barriers affecting accessibility, belonging, and inclusion within out-of-school time programs. Participants will learn methods for engaging young people in conversations about equity and methods for implementing youth feedback into programs. Participants will also understand how story board drawings can be used to interpret youth perspectives related to equity.
There will be an opportunity for reflection and discussion at the end of the session.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Hannah Patterson (she/her)

Evaluation Manager, Camp Fire National Headquarters

Hannah manages research and evaluation efforts related to fulfilling Camp Fire’s Promise. She specializes in data-driven program improvement and works to organize and interpret information for the purpose of communicating Camp Fire’s impact. Previously, Hannah worked at Camp Fire... Read More →

Ben Matthews (they/them)

DEI Specialist, Camp Fire National

Ben Matthews is and LGBTQ2S+ activist, speaker, and trainer. Ben has been involved with Camp Fire for 7 years, first as a volunteer, then as a program manager at Camp Fire Green Country in Tulsa, OK where they organized Oklahoma's first ever LGBTQ2S+ summer camp session in 2018. Ben... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

1:30pm PDT

Building Together: The Arts Corps Race and Social Justice Framework

How do you walk in the door to youth spaces? Join Arts Corps in an exploration of our Race & Social Justice Framework to collectively examine our biases and growth towards equity. Arts Corps ignites the creative power of youth, so that all young people have the courage to imagine and create a just and vibrant future. Creating art can be a personal act of liberation, and when done collectively, we can transform schools, neighborhoods and beyond. In this interactive session participants will be guided through the 5 steps of the Arts Corps Race & Social Justice Framework. Participants will walk away with a tool for self-reflection on their biases and a framework for reflection when planning lessons and programs of all types. This session is designed for all youth development staff from direct service to funders. The framework can, and should, be applied to every level of an organization.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Meredith Arena

Teaching Arist, Arts Corps

Meredith Arena is a writer and interdisciplinary teaching artist from New York City with 18 years of teaching experience with youth ages 5-15, both in after school and school-day arts integration environments. She also conducts professional development for teachers in the area of... Read More →

Olisa Enrico, MFA

Co-Director of Arts Education, ArtsCorps

Olisa is a performing artist, educator and administrator who believes that art cultivates community and culture. Olisa spent her childhood writing music and performing. She traversed genres and rooted in hip hop as her primary form of expression. She branched out to theater and found... Read More →

Carina del Rosario

Teaching Artist, Art Corps

Born in the Philippines, Carina A. del Rosario immigrated to the US as a young girl. She earned her B.A. in Communication from Santa Clara University, has studied photography with Magnum Photographer Alex Webb, Rebecca Norris Webb, Raul Touzon and Eddie Soloway, and a variety of visual... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

1:30pm PDT

Engaging Leaders in Collective Action to Build Youth Services into a New Realm Beyond the Pandemic

When the global pandemic hit our community, leaders in the child care sector who formally held friendly competitive relationships joined together to ensure the sustainability and continued quality of our services for children and families. Join us to gain knowledge of what it takes to build partnerships to move critical work forward. We will provide a deeper understanding of how the collective voice is necessary to advocate on behalf of children and families. We will also share elements of business leadership that helped about 20 child care organizations remain economically viable and recognized as essential to our local community. The pandemic showed us that there is no need to work in silos any longer.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Speakers

Susan Brown

CEO, Kids Co.

Angela Griffin

CEO, Launch (formerly known as CDSA)

Angela Griffin is a visionary leader as the CEO for Launch. She has over 27 years of experience, focused on the development and implementation of early learning, school age afterschool programs and youth development programs. Angela has a reputation for building strong relationships... Read More →

Angelia Hicks-Maxie

CEO, Tiny Tots Development Center

Angelia Hicks-Maxie is the Executive Director of the Tiny Tots Development Center (TTDC). Ms. Maxie is a strong advocate for children in care and childcare employees. She has participated in numerous Worthy Wage events and was a trainer for School’s Out Washington (SOWA). Ms... Read More →

Brandee Paisano

Area Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

Brandee Paisano is a mother, coach and US Navy Veteran. She has been working in the childcare and youth development field for 13 years. Brandee loves her job and is very passionate about leadership and mentorship with youth, young professionals and her staff. Her hobbies include running... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP, SYSTEMS COHORT

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

1:30pm PDT

Every Relationship Matters: Everyday Mentoring as a Youth Support Framework

Join us for a workshop that explores an everyday mentoring mindset that enhances relationships. Every interaction with a young person is an opportunity to uplift, encourage, and empower. You don’t have to be in a formal mentoring program to be a mentor to others. Everyday Mentoring adds intentionality to interactions and helps us to be mindful of our responses, encouragements, and belief in our children, students, and youth while increasing positive connection. This workshop is for program and school staff, volunteers, directors, teachers, coaches, and anyone that has interactions with youth. Attendees will leave the session feeling better equipped to connect and support youth with positive and uplifting relationships. They will also leave with an increased understanding of the benefits of approaching relationships from a mentoring mindset.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

James Miles

Executive Director, Mentor Washington

Laura Mendoza

MSW, Program Manager, MENTOR Washington

Laura Mendoza is the Program Manager with MENTOR Washington. Prior to working with MW, she spent years in the direct practice space working and developing programs to support youth experiencing homelessness and those involved in the Juvenile Justice system. Laura received her Master's... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

1:30pm PDT

How to Be the Supervisor Your Staff Need

Working in the OST field is rewarding, challenging and really, really busy. With a focus on our youth, we often neglect our staffs, causing a disastrous 40% annual turnover rate. To improve program quality, we must improve our high-quality staff retention. This session will challenge and encourage OST leadership to do just that.

In this session, participants will assess current practices in staff supervision. They will then learn best practices and develop ways to begin implementing more effective leadership to improve staff retention and program quality.

This workshop is designed for OST leadership.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Katherine Spinney

Educator/Trainer/Coach, Katherine Spinney Coaching, LLC.

After 20+ years of experience in direct service and management, both inside and outside the classroom, I have combined my background in education, social work, and coaching to support professionals in the youth development field. With Master’s degrees in social work and teaching... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

6:00pm PDT

Equity and Inclusion + Improving your Program: How to use micro-practices to change the way you do evaluation

The highest performing afterschool programs have inclusive, equitable work environments that engage stakeholders & teams. However, continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives are often top-down experiences, with high stakes for staff, but limited opportunity for engagement. This session introduces micro-practices as a tool to shift to more equitable & inclusive CQI. This session is intended for program leaders & others who lead CQI processes. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to: Understand how & why participatory CQI can help organizations dismantle historically oppressive evaluation practices/Use participatory approaches to CQI to engage the staff & community and support a more equitable & inclusive program environment/Reinforce the importance of “micro-practices” in supporting lasting change, & create participatory CQI micro-practices that meet organizational aims.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Corey Newhouse

Founder and Principal of Public Profit, Public Profit

Corey founded Public Profit to build a team that would blend social science research methods, organizational change strategy, and a deep commitment to supporting changemakers. Corey leads the team’s strategic direction, external relationships, & business development. She also serves... Read More →

Eva Jo Meyers

Co-Founder of Spark Decks, Spark Decks

Eva is the author of “Raise the Room: A practical guide to participant-centered facilitation.” She has held positions as a bilingual classroom teacher, as an administrator for afterschool programs for San Francisco Unified School District, and as a Fulbright Scholar in Thailand... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

6:00pm PDT

How SEL and ELL’s Make the Perfect Pair

In this session, we will share a case study backed up by evidence on how social and emotional strategies and holistic health support English Learners not only building confidence and emotional skills, but how that transfers into academic confidence. After a very challenging year, participants will learn how to create social equity in program by facilitating SEL as an equal participant. Participants will learn how to SEL as an intervention to help marginalized and struggling youth learn how to find their voice and become more comfortable in the academic environment. Participants will leave this session with new ideas using SEL to lift up their current practice in programs with English Learners or any other students who are becoming disconnected during the school day. This session is best suited for frontline staff. Participants will leave feeling inspired and equipped!

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Julia Gabor

Founder, kid-grit

Julia is an award-winning educator. Born & raised in NYC; she comes from a diverse urban background & has several dynamic life experiences to share. She is a creative & passionate youth development specialist. She is the Founder of kid-grit, a company that focuses on SEL, mindfulness... Read More →

Michelle Pina

Ambassador, kid-grit

Michelle Pina has a professional background that includes working as a middle school teacher, professional development coordinator, program evaluator, and federal grant director. She has 15 years of experience in leading and starting up self-funded out-of-school-time (OST) programs... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, Middle School
Platform Zoom- Meeting

6:00pm PDT

Restorative Behavior Guidance

In this session participants will grapple with age-old questions of behavior guidance. How do we motivate our youth to make positive behavior choices when they really don't want to! How do we reframe conflict as learning opportunities to deepen our ability to form strong relationships and build skills? By shifting our questions from asking 'what rules were broken' to 'who was harmed in our community' restorative practices offer a pathway to reform trust and relationships after conflict. This training builds on the youth development principles of engagement, skill building and community involvement. Participants will:

Learn to see the complexity of multiple perspectives in conflict
Identify the differences between Criminal Justice and Restorative practices
Explore the principles of restorative justice to reinforce a behavior guidance system

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Fong Marcolongo (she/her)

VP of Education and Youth Development, Be The Change Consulting

Fong (she/her/hers) is a bridge-builder, community capacity builder and youth development advocate dedicated to supporting communities of color to lead their own transformations. Her expertise resides in design/implementation of experiential human centered learning, culturally competent... Read More →

Jae Maldonado (he/him/el)

Business Strategist, Equity Coach, & Facilitator, Be The Change Consulting

Jae Maldonado (he/him/el) is a people-centric, strategic thinker, with over 15 years of demonstrated success in developing cross-sector programs that advance racial and gender equity. His unique experience as a transmasculine-identified Latinx activist has enabled him to lead from... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting

6:00pm PDT

Showing Up: Live from Bridge

Join Sophie Biddle and Rebecca Wong from Cultivate Learning for a special episode of the Showing Up podcast, live streamed from the Bridge Conference. Showing Up is a podcast for school-age care providers and youth development professionals focusing on how we can show up as trauma informed, supportive people in our work. In our live episode we'll be talking with a youth panel about co-creating spaces where young people can feel safe, seen, and secure. Listen in as the kids lead the way!

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Session Survey

Speakers

Sophie Biddle (she/her)

Professional Development Specialist, Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington

Rebecca Wong

Professional Development Specialist, Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington

Rebecca Wong is a Content Specialist at Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. She earned her Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington with a focus on prevention and treatment. She has previously worked in both the education... Read More →

Thursday October 28, 2021 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Zoom- Webinar

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Intermediate, Beginner
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting, Zoom- Webinar

11:00am PDT

Shifting Power in the Out of School Setting: Creating space for authentic youth agency

How do we create spaces from which young people leave feeling more connected to themselves and others and with a deep sense that they matter? How do we work together to grow a deep sense of trust and respect? This requires taking a careful look at what kinds of assumptions leaders bring into the space and intentional skill building for adults and youth together. This workshop will introduce participants to strategies for creating strong learning communities that heal instead of harm. We’ll play with ideas then practice. We’ll also model structured community circles and identify skills necessary for success. You will leave hopeful about creating spaces for student voice and agency because you will have practical tools for building a stronger community and sharing power. Join us if you are a program leader, program staff or youth leader and you want to move into a new way of leading.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Speakers

Aaron Norikane

Facilitator, Sound Discipline

Aaron Norikane (he/him) has been working to support quality youth programs in the Seattle area for over 30 years. He has been a tireless advocate for creating strong connections and supportive systems for all young people. Working as an after school provider, program director, substitute... Read More →

Roshaé Lowe

Facilitator, Sound Discipline

As a Facilitator, Roshaé Lowe (she/her) leads professional development trainings and workshops for educators, administrators, parents, and community members. Additionally, she coaches and collaborates with educators to make crucial changes in school cultures and systems. Rosha... Read More →

Friday October 29, 2021 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages, School Age
Platform Zoom- Meeting

11:00am PDT

Youth Program Quality to Promote Social Justice & Racial Equity

How can what we know—from youth program quality efforts and from youth justice and equity practices—inform efforts to promote equitable ecosystems for young people to learn and grow?
Join this session to unpack some of the questions, tensions, and dilemmas that can arise when we look at quality youth programs—rooted in positive youth development—alongside programs that are, by mission or by community, focused more squarely on issues of social justice, racial equity, and social action. This session will engage participants in interactive exercises and group discussion about how youth workers can contribute to both youth development and racial equity.

STARS Credit offered for live attendance or watching the recording of this session.

Speakers

Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom

Consultant, Forum for Youth Investment's Big Picture Approach Training & Consulting

Alicia’s portfolio includes writing and research projects related to out-of-school time, youth program quality and postsecondary success. Alicia holds diverse training and facilitation experience in the areas of youth-focused practice and policy. She has served as an adjunct faculty... Read More →

Dave Martineau

Director of Design & Innovation, Forum for Youth Investment's Weikart Center

David Martineau joined the Weikart Center team in 2018 with more than 20 years of experience in youth development, social justice education, group facilitation, and social services. Dave worked with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation from 1999-2004, where he worked with... Read More →

Friday October 29, 2021 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Zoom- Meeting

WORKSHOP, SYSTEMS COHORT

Strand Capacity and Systems Building, Emerging Issues, Race and Equity, Youth Development Programming
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Age All Ages
Platform Zoom- Meeting