We have some incredible stories to share about our programs, our mentors, and our successes in the past two years. For more information, take a look at our latest Impact Report detailing our impact in Seattle and King County.
A big thank-you to City of Seattle and King County Best Starts for Kids!
Download our 2024-2026 Impact Report here.
Seattle CARES mentors are an extraordinary group of dedicated and caring men and women. The organization currently has 75 individuals working with 175 students in elementary, middle and high school, providing mentorship and programming opportunities. Read on to learn more about three of our incredible mentors.
Charrita Tatum is a lifelong Washington resident, mother of eight and a two-time cancer survivor. She has been mentoring and working with youth and families for many years through community outreach and violence prevention programs.
Charrita’s dedication to these outreach efforts was spurred by a tragedy she and her family suffered: Her husband was murdered by an act of gun violence. She found solace in helping others. “That experience transformed my pain into purpose,” she said.
Charrita serves Seattle CARES as a Rising facilitator and mentor, where she enjoys working daily with the young scholars. “I enjoy seeing youth gain confidence, develop leadership skills, overcome obstacles and realize they are capable of achieving goals they once thought were impossible,” said Charrita. “Being trusted to walk alongside someone during their journey is a privilege I never take for granted.”
Charrita looks to create opportunities for meaningful connection. She encourages her mentees to undertake community service projects, leadership workshops, group discussions, educational outings, shared meals or family-centered gatherings. “Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen during simple conversations or while sharing a meal,” she said. “Every activity is designed to build trust, confidence and healthy relationships.”
Jeff Forde grew up in New York City and graduated from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Arizona with degrees in child and family studies, computer science, and lunar & planetary science. He has been a software engineer for the past 25 years but has also spent a lot of time with kids: He was a 6th and 8th grade math teacher, worked as a counselor, and served as director of a summer camp for kids with HIV/AIDS.
Jeff has been a Rising mentor for eight years. His interest in mentoring stems not only from his employment and educational background but also from his own personal experience. “I was lucky enough to have a long list of mentors as a kid,” he said, “It helped me take advantage of different opportunities. Now it’s important that I show up and do the same for others.”
With his Rising students, he spend time talking about real world topics such as gun violence or police brutality. “During our discussions,” he said, “I also want to hear what the kids think about these things because they all process the world around them in different ways.” When asked to describe a mentor, Jeff chose three adjectives: empathetic, authentic and humble.
Chris Bailey grew up on Mercer Island and attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a BA and was a three-year varsity letterman on the basketball team. After graduation, he spent a year at St. Louis University School of Law and then went into the work force, looking for a career that inspired him. He found it in staffing. Eventually, he started his own staffing company called MindSeekers LLC.
Besides running his own business, Chris is the board president of First Place which provides housing for homeless families as well as early-learning opportunities for African American children. He is also the executive director of the Mona Bailey Academy where he provides S.T.E.M. camps for middle school children of color.
Chris chose to become a mentor at Seattle CARES because it allows him to give back to many kids at one time instead of working with kids individually. As the father of two daughters, he knows the value of mentorship and adult guidance. “I believe it’s important for us in the Black community to give back to our youth and empower the future,” he says.
Chris has been a Seattle CARES mentor for five years where he is a facilitator at Tops Elementary and Mercer Middle schools. “I really enjoy the opportunity to work with Seattle CARES,” he says. “In fact, it does not feel like work at all.”
Think you have what it takes to be a mentor? Attend our free mentor orientation here.
The FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on July 1 at Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) was a showstopper – not just for the exciting matchup between Belgium and Senegal but also for the colorful pre-match ceremonial show put on by the flag bearers from Seattle’s youth community.
Six scholars from Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement and the 4-C Coalition were selected, representing five different middle and high schools. The students were:
Aamira M., 11th grade, Garfield High School
George (Lucas) S., 8th grade, Dimmitt Middle School
Isaiah G., 11th grade, Chief Sealth International High School
Keita H-S., Seattle Academy
Mai Lan F., 8th grade, Dimmitt Middle School
Sbhat G-M., 9th grade, Franklin High School
Under partly sunny skies and mild temperatures, the FIFA flag bearers from Seattle CARES and other youth organizations stepped onto the pitch that afternoon, carrying the official FIFA flag, tournament sponsor banners and the national flags of Belgium and Senegal.
The Seattle CARES and 4-C students were selected based on their school records and community participation.
And it wasn’t just a one-day commitment. Each scholar had to participate in several training sessions to learn the moves and move in unison. In return, they received bright-red backpacks, t-shirts, socks, and other gear.
Best of all, they got a seat in the stadium with family members where they watched Belgium defeat Senegal 3-2 in a dramatic comeback win.
Congratulations to all six Seattle CARES and 4-C Coalition scholars on a job well done.
Soccer fever has taken over King County this summer – and the excitement around the FIFA World Cup games does not stop there.
Six Seattle students participating in The Rising, a Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement signature program offered in partnership with the 4C Coalition, were selected to be flag bearers for the Round of 32 Match 82. The game begins on Wed., July 1 at 1 p.m. in Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field).
The six students are:
Aamira M., 11th grade, Garfield High School
George (Lucas) S., 8th grade, Dimmitt Middle School
Isaiah G., 11th grade, Chief Sealth International High School
Keita H-S., age 12, Seattle Academy
Mai Lan F., 8th grade, Dimmitt Middle School
Sbhat G-M., 9th grade, Franklin High School
FIFA flag bearers step onto the pitch during pre-match opening ceremonies, carrying the official FIFA flag, tournament sponsor banners or the participating countries’ national flags before kickoff. They are selected based on being good students and helpful community members.
“We support our scholars in many ways,” said Don Cameron, executive director, Seattle CARES, “including leadership, academic, social and emotional support. Our Rising tagline says it best: Elevating education expectations & self-esteem.” The Rising is supported with funding by City of Seattle, King County Best Starts for Kids, and United Way.
To be considered for FIFA flag bearer, some of the students submitted a personal essay outlining why they should be chosen. They wrote about their future goals and leadership qualities, and whether they could commit to a series of training classes required to perform as a flag bearer.
Balancing an active school schedule with volunteering is one way that Isaiah, in the photo with his mother and sister, shows commitment. “Since my first Rising class, I have focused on personal growth and community involvement, from advocating for local issues to participating in neighborhood cleanups,” said the 11th grader ata Chief Sealth International High School. “These experiences have taught me the essence of leadership and fueled my ambitions to become an aeronautical engineer.”
Sbhat, seen in the photo with his father, is proud graduate of Mercer International Middle School and will enter Franklin High School in the fall. He hopes to become a lawyer and a pilot, is an avid soccer player and fan, and sees himself as accountable and responsible. “I get stuff done when I need to and if I put my mind to something I can accomplish it. I also see myself as a leader in the Rising program. I really enjoy the program and it is an honor to be in it.”
Thrilled to participate as a FIFA flag bearer, 8th grader Mai Lan pledged to “represent my school and community by being respectful, responsible and showing good sportsmanship. I want people to see that my community has taught me to work hard, be grateful for opportunities, and always treat others with kindness. I hope to make everyone who has supported me proud by being a positive role model at the World Cup.”
Aamira, a Garfield High student shown in the photo with her mother and her mentor, felt that her cheerleading experience helped her “bring energy and school spirit and encourage others to feel confident and included…Being a flag bearer would mean a lot to me because I would be representing my school, my community and young Black girls like me. I would show up with pride, confidence and a positive attitude.”
Let’s cheer on these — and other — outstanding Seattle CARES and 4C Coalition scholars!
It’s been a top news story for months: Skyrocketing food and housing prices continue to overwhelm families whose budgets are already stretched thin. Uncertainty over federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program, or SNAP, is only adding to the anxiety.
To make a difference, Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement is partnering with local organizations, churches and volunteers to provide food and essential supplies for under-resourced families in southeast Seattle.
In December, Partnership for Hope will be based at Mercer International Middle School in Seattle. With a student enrollment of about 800, Mercer International is extending the program’s reach by inviting families from five of its feeder elementary schools to participate. This brings the potential number of impacted families to nearly 2,000. The food outreach program is only open to students affiliated with Mercer International Middle School and their families.
“These parents are constantly worrying,” said Donald Cameron, executive director, Seattle CARES. “The food delivery is one way to take some of the burden off them, even for a few weeks. It’s one way to ensure more families have constant access to basic necessities. We selected December because of the holiday season. It’s the perfect time to bring a message of hope and resilience to families and communities.”
A local nonprofit, Seattle CARES offers a variety of innovative programs to change not only the lives of Black youth in Seattle and King County but also those of their parents and guardians who are struggling to make ends meet. Mercer International is one of the schools that hosts Seattle CARES’ innovative program, The Rising, designed to prepare Black youth for success in school and in life.
Partnership for Hope is made possible through support from King County Best Starts for Kids and City of Seattle. Additional support is provided by Churchhome and the 4C Coalition.