Community News! March 2025
NEWS, STORIES, AND RECENT ARTICLES FROM AND ABOUT COO PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY
This is a condensed version of our monthly newsletter distributed March 28. Get all the news by signing up for the monthly newsletter.
Finding Balance, Powerful Action: A message from our Director, Elsa Batres-Boni
Now is the time to revisit and acknowledge the tools we have all invested in to confront the current challenges. We need to find balance and continuously shift from feelings of anxiety to powerful action.
Our community partners have achieved significant work over the years, and it is crucial to reflect on and share with each other the long-term, collective, and building power strategies we have invested in together.
COO is committed to sharing stories and resources that center on the lived experiences and requests from the most impacted communities. The more stories we tell about those who are affected, the better positioned we are as a movement to inspire resistance and solutions.
We encourage COO partners and aligned community organizations to contact us if you or your community have questions about these resources, or if you want to share resources you’ve developed. You can either use our COO email address, or if you’re a funded partner, you can contact your program manager directly.
- Elsa
Partners Tell Stories of Systems Change at Black Providers Network Gathering
Three of our funded partner organizations shared their achievements in health care policy at the Black Providers Network gathering, February 14 in Tukwila. Read about their progress in our new blog post, and find out how you can participate in upcoming gatherings, including the next gathering of the Network and a special April 11 event at Northwest African American Museum.
Read The Story, “How Local Black-Led Organizations Are Driving Health Care Systems Change”
Pictured: Najmah Messiah, Devon Love, Jazmin Williams, and Jackie Vaughn.
“An Everybody Thing”: COO Learning Community Co-Op Learning Series Explores a Thriving Movement
Pictured: Mike Seo, Michelle Mayther, Linda Womack, Brian Boland, Fred Medlicott
For a long time, co-ops were thought of as “a hippie thing or a farmer thing,” Fred Medlicott told us last week, “but they’re also an everybody thing, and they always have been."
Fred was one of the experts sharing advice for cooperative businesses at the Ecosystem Builder Day event, March 17 at Kin On Community Center in Columbia City, as part of the Self-determination, democracy, and solidarity: King County Cooperative Learning Series.
Coming Very Soon on our blog: We'll revisit this event and the seven others in the series so far, and share what we've learned. Watch for it on the blog! Update, April 14: The story is published now.
Spot The Bus! The Best Starts Bus is On The Road
The Best Starts for Kids bus with community partners and Best Starts team members at the event kickoff.
For the first time, there’s a new Metro bus adorned with Best Starts for Kids photos of local families. The fully-wrapped articulated bus will be on South King County routes for the next year. It’s intended to generate community connection and understanding about the work Best Starts does in partnership with community organizations to reach babies, kids, young people, and families.
If you see the bus out and about, take a photo of it and tag Best Starts on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook, or email best.starts@kingcounty.gov. Then Best Starts will enter you into a drawing and you will have a chance to win swag.
Read More: Spot the Best Starts Bus! – Best Starts for Kids Blog
Community News!
Converge Media Reports on BLKBRY’s Pass The Yams: “So Much Brilliance and Inspiration”
BLKBRY recently hosted a two-day workshop on reproductive justice featuring national reproductive justice movement leader and policy strategist Raven Freeborn. Converge Media attended, and produced this five-minute story about the gathering. It’s the first story in our new partnership with Converge.
Partner Describes How the One Seattle Plan Could Affect People With Disabilities
Cecelia Black, organizer with Disability Rights Washington, talked about how Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan could affect people with disabilities, on KUOW Public Radio’s Soundside program March 12.
Cecelia talked to host Libby Denkmann about the challenges of finding affordable housing, especially for people who use wheelchairs or walkers. A possible solution: the Neighborhood Centers proposed in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan. Cecilia called them "a lifeline." Disability Rights Washington is a COO funded partner.
Listen to the interview (15 minutes).
High Schoolers Learn about Health Care Career Options at Build 2 Lead Conference
Build 2 Lead has shared photos from its third annual Melanin and Medicine conference for young people, February 27 in Federal Way.
Check out the photos and learn more about this annual event. Its purpose is to provide pathways to youth and young adult careers in healthcare.
Partners Testify about Federal Actions at Select Committee Hearing
“The policies that strengthen our rights will safeguard the justice for everyone.” That’s what Taylor Farley of Queer Power Alliance told the Seattle City Council’s new Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes, chaired by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck. Queer Power Alliance is the lead partner for our funded partner, LGBTQ+ South King County Collaborative.
The March 6 select committee hearing focused on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) and Reproductive Rights Issues; Immigrant and Labor Rights Issues; and more. Numerous organizations – including Planned Parenthood, Lavender Rights Project, MLK Labor Council, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project – represented the people most being affected by federal actions.
Vanessa Reyes of Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), another funded partner, talked about the many services WAISN provides to immigrants and refugees. She spoke out about the detentions, deportations, and other possible civil rights violations that their office is hearing about – and helping people with – on a regular basis.
The Seattle Channel records these meetings. Taylor‘s comments start at around the 45:00 mark in this Seattle Channel video. Vanessa’s comments are at about 1:36:00 in the video.
The next Select Committee meeting is scheduled for April 3 at 2 p.m. at Seattle City Hall.
More News from Around the Community
Reflecting on the Legacy of Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp
Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp (second from right) at the tour of Beacon Pacific Village in May 2024.
Numerous media outlets, community organizations, and community members around the state have been sharing tributes to Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, who died Saturday, March 22. Both earlier in his career and in the Washington State Legislature, Rep. Chopp was a champion of causes like affordable housing, health care, and mental health services. He also mentored younger leaders, many of whom now hold significant roles in local and state government. Rep. Chopp served in the Legislature from 1994 till this past January and was sole Speaker of the House from 2002-2019.
The Seattle Times reported on his achievements, and many others have been sharing heartfelt remembrances of his legacy. The Capitol Hill Seattle Blog – in the 43rd District that Rep. Chopp served – talked about his contributions in the district, including developments like 12th Avenue Arts and other projects from Community Roots Housing. The blog also shared a statement from his family, and linked to memories from some members of the COO community who worked with him on housing projects in the neighborhood, as well as around the state. A public ceremony is said to be scheduled for sometime in May.
Pictured, Above: Rep. Chopp (second from right) at the May 2024 tour of Beacon Pacific Village, for Affordable Housing Week.
Partner Events
We shared news about:
Khmer New Year with the Khmer Community of Seattle King County, March 30, 3 - 7 p.m.
Best Starts for Kids Spring King County Perinatal Providers Gathering, April 3, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Every Month is Black History Month, April 12, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Seattle/King County Clinic, April 24-27 at Seattle Center
To learn more about these and other community events, please visit our Community Events Calendar.
Reminder: Best Starts Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Summit
May 16-18, Tukwila
Best Starts’ Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) strategy invites all King County providers to enhance knowledge in community and solidarity at this FREE three-day event. Centering the baby in all sessions and grounding our work in equity and social justice, we will present our IECMH Guiding Principles and promote social emotional development for our prenatal to five children in King County.
Other Opportunities
Revive I-5 Seeks Community Input
Share Feedback by March 28
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working on a large and complex preservation project to Revive I-5 work across the Ship Canal Bridge. You or someone in your organization are invited to share your expertise with your community to help support the WSDOT’s future communications efforts around this project. They want to ensure that everyone using I-5 is informed about the work being done to maintain the bridge’s safety and condition. Your organization will be compensated $100 for sharing feedback on how to improve communication with the community you serve regarding the Revive I-5 project.
Before March 28, please use this link to access a brief 10-15 minute survey to share your feedback. If you would prefer to share feedback over the phone, please reach out to Ayako Shapiro at ashapiro@prrbiz.com with times that work for you between now and March 28 and they will follow up with a calendar invite for a 30-45 minute interview via phone or Microsoft Teams.
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
Sage Leaders Seeks Community Leadership Fellow Applicants
Apply by April 30; Info Session April 23
Sage Leaders’ Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a fellowship program that resources, educates, and places emerging leaders from communities of color and low-income communities to serve on strategic municipal boards and commissions.
Launched in 2015, the six-month fellowship trains emerging leaders in issues such as housing, land use, transit, climate, and economic development. Graduates learn the nuts and bolts of local government processes, such as municipal budgeting, parliamentary procedures, and lawmaking, as well as advocacy, storytelling, and communication skills.
Learn More about the Fellows and Apply
King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey
For Nonprofit Leaders: King County is calling on nonprofits in the region — specifically an Executive Director, Human Resources staff, or a Finance Manager who has access to staff compensation information — to please take part in the 2025 King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits survey.
Learn more and complete the Nonprofit Leaders survey by April 18, 2025.
For Nonprofit Employees: King County is also asking nonprofits in the region to encourage their employees to take 15-20 minutes and participate in the 2025 King County Nonprofit Employee Engagement survey. This survey builds on the King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey.
Learn more and complete the Nonprofit Employees survey by May 25, 2025.
Seattle Planning Commission Seeks Commissioners
Apply By March 28
The Seattle Planning Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on citywide planning goals, policies, and plans and provide them with independent advice on land use, zoning, transportation, housing and related issues. They are seeking applicants for Commissioner positions. These are volunteer positions of up to three years. Applicants must be current residents of Seattle.
Learn More and Apply for the Commission
City’s Green New Deal Oversight Board Recruiting Members
Apply by April 6
The City of Seattle Green New Deal Oversight Board is searching for new representatives to serve on the Board and guide implementation of Seattle's Green New Deal. They are looking to fill the following positions: tribal representative, labor representative, workforce training representative, environmental justice organization representative, and an emissions reduction representative.
Funding Opportunities
Best Starts for Kids P-5 Innovation Fund Will Support Community-Led Innovation
Apply for Round 1 by May 9, 2 p.m.
The Prenatal to Five (P-5) Innovation Fund aims to build up the power of Community-led Innovation to meet the emergent needs of families in King County. We seek community leaders to design, develop, test, and build the potential of innovative anti-racist approaches (policies, programs, products, media, places, and services) so that ALL babies and children in King County grow up to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. There are three rounds of funding between now and next January.
Types of Projects Include:
· Partnership Building
· Community Engagement and Listening
· Co-Design
· Testing Small-Scale Implementation
· Sharing Success Stories
· Infrastructure and Capacity Development
Proposed projects must:
Directly contribute to advancing Community-led Innovative and responsive Anti-racist approaches, including but not limited to policies, programs, products, media, spaces, and services.
Prioritize and center communities and families in King County with children prenatal to age five (P-5) who are most impacted by disparities, including BIPOC families; immigrant and refugee families; LGBTQ+ families; families with disabilities; families involved in the child welfare system; low-income families; and those in geographically isolated areas.
Include a clear plan and timeline to implement the project activities within a 6- to 12-month period.
You can watch the March 27 information session recording that will be posted afterwards.
Learn More About the Prenatal to 5 Innovation Fund and Apply
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!
Community Climate Resilience Grant
Apply By 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16
The Community Climate Resilience (CCR) Grant Program serves as a resource for frontline communities to develop new or expand on existing community-based climate resilience projects. Proposals will be accepted for funding between $5,000 - $30,000.
The CCR Grant Program responds to priority actions that focus on providing resources and using positional power to help organizations achieve their missions and advance their climate resiliency work and education.
Job Opportunities
Bumbershoot: Development Director
Civic Commons: Project Lead, We Belong Here; Network Manager, Black Home Initiative (apply by March 31)
Got Green: Executive Director – apply by April 20
Northwest Justice Project: Legal Assistant – Kent – apply by March 28
Progress Alliance of Washington: Executive Director – apply by March 31
Puget Sound Educational Service District: Superintendent – apply by April 11
Refugee Women’s Alliance of Washington: Executive Director
Schools Out Washington: Director of Finance and Administration – priority application by March 28
Washington Bus: Lead Field Organizer – priority application by April 8
Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Senior Policy Analyst – apply by March 28
City of Seattle:
Business Improvement Area Specialist – apply by April 8
Solid and Hazardous Waste Lead Planner (SA 2) – apply by April 15
Washington State Department of Commerce: Assistant Director, Housing Division – apply by April 1
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 28, 2025. Please check the employer's site for the most current information. We also share job opportunities every day on our LinkedIn page.
If you have a job to share in next month's issue, please send it to us by mid-April. 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.