News

Seattle CARES is one of three affiliate programs selected to be part of a new video produced by the National CARES Mentoring Movement in New York. The film crew traveled to Seattle in December, spending two days taping segments with mentors, students, parents, Seattle Public School educators and Seattle CARES staff.

Filming locations were at O’Dea High School, Denny International Middle School and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.

During the taping, two mentors, Christian Love (left) and Greg Banks, spoke about their involvement in the program and their passion for mentoring. Two former Rising students were also interviewed: August, now a ninth-grader at O’Dea High School, and Zack, who goes to Garfield High School (below, right).

Denny Principal Jeff Clark and Assistant Principal Mawiayah Fields shared their comments on-camera, as well. Both have been long-term supporters of The Rising program at their school.

Single mother Tigest Beyene, an enthusiastic participant in the Wellness Community Circles, shared her thoughts about the importance of the Circles and how they provide a safe, judgment-free space for single moms trying to become better parents.

The new video will premiere in late February at the National CARES gala event in New York, “For the Love of the Children.” After that, it can be viewed on the National CARES website. More details about the production will be posted as soon as they are available. The video also includes inspirational stories from CARES affiliates in Atlanta and Detroit.

Eight years ago, Tigest Beyene’s life hung in the balance — literally. After she broke up with her boyfriend of three years, he began to harass her. The situation got increasingly worse. In September 2013, he chased her down in his car, shot her in the stomach and then turned the gun on himself.

The former Highline High School graduate recovered physically and today she is the mother of two girls. Recently, a guidance counselor at her daughter’s school recommended she join a Community Wellness Circle, a program for parents, especially moms and female caregivers, sponsored by Seattle CARES and funded through King County’s Positive Family Connections.

“The teacher thought I would fit in,” she said, “and he sent me information on the program. I truly feel blessed to be part of such a strong group of women. My life has changed for the better. I am more aware of who I am and who I am becoming.”

Community Wellness Circles provide a safe healing space for parents. The program focuses on teaching the building blocks that make up a healthy quality life, emphasizing parenting, conflict-resolution and empowerment skills. Facilitators also provide connections for services for adults who may be experiencing food and housing insecurities, have health care issues, or need computers or other tech assistance.

Beyene appreciates how other women in the group listen to her, provide helpful comments and share their own experiences. ”The most valuable part of the Wellness Circle is the incredible women,” she said. “There is no judgment; it’s a safe zone. It reminds me that I am not alone.”

By participating, she has learned how to better manage stress and be a better parent to her daughters. She also has learned how to better manage her money. She is now saving to buy a home.

“The meetings help me be more self-aware, enjoy myself and laugh more with my kids,” she said. “My favorite part is when we get into our group sessions and we get to express about our day. This has really helped me be a better listener and have more patience, even at work.”

MOMENTUM Newsletter Fall 2021

 

 

 

Life is full of changes for children, youth and families. It’s been made even more challenging with the arrival of the pandemic in early 2020. COVID-19 has greatly impacted the health and economic well being of our community.

Through Positive Family Connections, funded by King County Best Starts for Kids, Seattle CARES offers support services to women, most of whom are single mothers or guardians of children participating in The Rising. Through Wellness Circles, we offer a space where moms can de-stress, share problems and work on healing themselves. CARES-trained facilitators emphasize positive parenting skills, conflict-resolution and empowerment skills.

A new pilot program that began this fall increases services to our families. We are now offering an online digital literacy class where parents can learn how to navigate the web, download software, and find, use and create information online. The class is part of University for Parents and is being offered in partnership with Atlanta CARES. More classes will be offered next year, based on parent requests.

By strengthening the family through education and professional literacy, Positive Family Connections can improve relationships between youth and their parents or guardians.

We’ll be sharing more stories about Positive Family Connections in upcoming posts. Stay tuned!

Seattle CARES is one of 30 community organizations participating in The Liberated Village, working together to implement innovative, anti-racist, trauma-informed and restorative practices across 55 schools in 10 school districts.

The Liberated Village brings together students, families, teachers, school districts, community-based organizations and local government. To keep everyone engaged and informed, a new website created by and for Black, Indigenous and people of color, was launched this fall.

“It’s the idea that it takes a village, working as one, to help children and youth succeed,” said Don Cameron, executive director of Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement.

The partnerships are driving transformative change and helping dismantle inequity in the schools. By implementing practices that promote community-centered solutions,  Seattle CARES and the other partners can address the impact of racial trauma and systemic racism on our community. The Liberated Village is sponsored by King County’s Best Starts for Kids.