News

Every child deserves to have fun, and you do too!

Join Treehouse for special events throughout the year. Have a great time while you do a great thing for kids in foster care.

  • Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon 2012
    Posted on Jan 20, 2012

    Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 at the Seattle Sheraton. Find out more here.

  • Help "Speak Up" for Foster Kids!
    Posted on Jan 20, 2012
    With the 2012 Legislative Session underway in the midst of the state budget crisis, many critical policy decisions will be made in the next 30 days.  The outcomes of some of these decisions will have a deep impact on the lives of kids in foster care.  We urge you to learn more about the priorities Treehouse has outlined for the session, and invite you to serve as a voice for foster kids by actively expressing your support to your legislators.
     
    Not sure who to contact or what to say? Wondering how one person can really make a difference? Contacting your legislators is a surprisingly quick and straightforward process – and it matters!  It doesn’t take 1,000 emails to catch the attention of your legislators.  Many times, as few as ten responses are sufficient to place the issue on their radar.
     

    To learn the names of your one state Senator and two state Representatives, visit www.leg.wa.gov, and enter your address under District Finder.  The names and contact information for all three will appear, as well as links to their homepages.  Whether placing a call or sending an email, be sure to state the following four points:

    • Your name, and where you live (Hi, I’m ____, and I live in your District)
    • The Group or Agency you’re supporting (Treehouse)
    • The issue you wish to call to their attention (select Legislative Priority below)
    • What you would like them to do (Please vote for...)
       
    RETAIN FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY FOR FOSTER YOUTH

    Foster youth face unique challenges in school, and graduate at approximately half the rate of their peers.  Treehouse created Educational Advocacy, the promising practice to improve school performance for foster children by addressing enrollment, school stability, testing and access to educational services, appropriate school discipline, and academic progress.  About 1,400 children in foster care receive Educational Advocacy annually and experience improved educational outcomes because barriers are reduced or eliminated. Educational Advocacy keeps foster kids in school with needed services wrapped around them to ensure their success.

    Treehouse is committed to providing the best, most impactful services we can.  We contracted with the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to evaluate Educational Advocacy and published interim findings and trends in December 2011.  A comparative outcome evaluation will be published in Fall 2012.  Read the current report by clicking here. 

    PASS HB 2254/SB 6374: THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS FOR YOUTH & ALUMNI OF FOSTER CARE ACT
    Representative Carlyle and Senator Kilmer have introduced companion bills to address policy gaps that interfere with foster youth graduating high school and pursuing post-secondary education. This legislation removes bureaucratic barriers, improves systems synchronization, and coordinates high quality wraparound services to promote educational success for foster youth.  The bill improves access for foster youth to the College Bound scholarship program; makes the pilot Passport to College Promise program permanent; supports credit retrieval and graduation requirements fulfillment; fully implements school stability elements of the federal Fostering Connections Act; and improves data sharing between Children’s Administration, school districts and education service providers and requires enhanced reporting on our collective efforts to improve education outcomes for foster youth.  For additional information, click here.

    FULLY FUND SAFE HOUSING FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE
    We support maintaining and protecting current programs providing housing and support for youth aging out of foster care. We also support the state’s continued implementation of the federal Fostering Connections Act to extend foster care to age 21.

    Treehouse also supports the following:
    PASS HB 2289: AN ACT RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
    Sponsored by Rep. Kagi, HB 2289 instructs the Children’s Administration to create an alternative response to traditional investigation for child abuse/neglect cases in which a child is not at imminent danger.  For additional information on HB 2289, please click here.

    PASS HB 2263: AN ACT RELATING TO REINVESTING SAVINGS RESULTING FROM IMPROVED OUTCOMES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM
    Sponsored by Rep. Kagi, the bill creates the Child and Family Reinvestment account using state money that is being saved through the reduction of the number of children being placed in out-of-home care, and requires that it be reinvested back into the child welfare system for innovative prevention and reunification services. For additional information on HB 2263, click here.

    PASS HB 2264: AN ACT RELATING TO PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM
    Sponsored by Rep. Kagi, HB 2264 mandates that Children’s Administration partner with a network of private providers to convert to performance based contracts for child welfare services by December of 2012. For additional information on HB 2264, click here to view the full text of the bill.  
     
    Thank you for your support in giving foster kids a childhood and a future.  Your voice is critical in making a difference in the lives of Washington foster kids!
  • Thank You for your Year-End Gift!
    Posted on Dec 27, 2011

    A huge thanks to all Treehouse supporters who made year-end contributions!  Your donation will make a significant difference as we embark on our goals for 2012. 

    Thank you for all that you do to help give foster kids a childhood and a future.  From everyone at Treehouse, we wish you all the best for the New Year!

  • Still looking for that perfect gift?
    Posted on Dec 21, 2011

    Look no further! You can give a happy holiday to a foster kid and honor someone you care about. When you donate to Treehouse online today, your receipt will contain a link to printable certificate so the person you're honoring will know the difference you've helped to make in the life of a foster child.

  • There's still time to do a holiday donation drive for foster kids!
    Posted on Dec 21, 2011

    Didn't have time to go shopping or make a donation before the holiday?  It's not too late to make a difference!  Just like other retail stores, we expect to see a post-holiday rush in the Wearhouse in January for clothing, winter wear, books and electronics for children and teens. 

    We've also simplified the giving process by offering snazzy online tool to engage your friends, family and colleagues! Your Donation Drive web page is easy to set up, is customizable, and even tracks your efforts with one of those cool thermometers! To learn more, click here.

  • Another Great Year for Holiday Magic
    Posted on Nov 29, 2011

    A heartfelt thank you to all who tuned in to 97.3 KIRO FM for the 23rd annual Foster Child Holiday Magic radiothon.  We are thrilled to report that we raised a total of $319,046!  Thanks to your generous support, we have already sent more than 4,600 foster kids a holiday gift meant just for them.  Over the past few weeks, there are more kids who have entered foster care that we hope to provide with a gift.  So if you weren't able to participate last week, it's not too late to make a donation by clicking here! 

    We also invite you to become a Holiday Hero by considering a monthly gift to support foster kids.  For more info on becoming a Holiday Hero, click here.    

    A special thanks to the wonderful reporters, producers & staff at 97.3 KIRO FM, and to Ron & Don from the Ron & Don Show for another great year, and their passionate commitment to making the season brighter for kids in foster care.  Stay tuned on our Facebook and Twitter pages for clips from last week's radiothon including interviews with Governor Gregoire, Mayor McGinn, country music star Rodney Atkins, Dan Wilson, legendary goalie Kasey Keller, Matt Hasselbeck, Warren Moon and many more. 

  • Take a Turn at the Carousel
    Posted on Nov 28, 2011

    Don't miss the whirling, twirling holiday fun at the KING 5 Wonderland Holiday Carousel benefiting Treehouse! Interested in volunteering? You're invited to join our wonderful group of volunteers to help greet riders, collect donations, and sell tickets!

    We are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts.  For additional information, and to sign up online cilck here. For volunteer parties of 6 or more, please contact carousel@treehouseforkids.org.

    Friday, Nov. 25, 5:45 – 10 pm
    Saturday Nov. 26, 5:45 – 10 pm
    Sunday Nov. 27, 9:45 am – 2 pm – 4; 5:45 – 10 pm
    Monday Nov. 28, 10:45 am – 2:30 – 7; 2:15 – 6:00 pm
    Tuesday – All shifts
    Wednesday – All shifts
    Thursday – All daytime shifts

    The Carousel opens November 25 and operates until January 1.  For additional details and hours of operation, click here.  The suggested donation of $2 will help support Treehouse programs and the great work of the Downtown Seattle Association.

    If you're planning to do some holiday shopping while you're downtown, we also invite you to pick up one of the famous Treehouse holiday shopping bags, fill it with a donation, and drop it back by the Carousel. This year, the bags will also be available for pick-up at the Seattle Center Monorail station - a quick, fun and convenient transportation alternative to holiday parking costs and traffic downtown.  
     
    So bundle up, come downtown, pick your favorite horse, and be part of the magic. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

  • Help Make the Season Bright for Foster Kids!
    Posted on Nov 21, 2011

    With the support of our generous donors, drive hosts and volunteers, we’re expecting to touch the lives of over 5,000 kids this holiday season!  There are a host of ways you can help give foster kids a memorable holiday, including hosting a holiday donation drive. 

    Share the Joy of Giving – Host a Holiday Donation Drive
    Collect warm clothes, toys and donations to make sure kids living in foster care don’t have to go without.  For more information, click here.
     
    Volunteer at the KING 5 Wonderland Holiday Carousel
    Benefitting Treehouse
    The KING 5 Wonderland Holiday Carousel in Westlake Park will benefit Treehouse again this year!  Join us for a volunteer shift at the Carousel and greet riders, collect donations and sell tickets.  Click here to sign-up online!

    Treehouse is fortunate to be the charitable beneficiary of many Community Events this holiday season.  We invite you to join the fun and make a difference!  For a complete list of local events, click here.  We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on holiday events, volunteer opportunities, and others ways to get involved!

  • Treehouse Receives $150,000 Technology Grant
    Posted on Nov 02, 2011

    Treehouse is thrilled to announce a $150,000 technology grant from Microsoft!  In celebration of the Microsoft Store grand opening in University Village last month, the retail store awarded three local nonprofits with new software for a combined value over $2 million dollars! 

    The new software will upgrade our existing technology systems across the organization, to help streamline internal communication, increase efficiency, and enhance mission-delivery.  We are deeply grateful for Microsoft’s commitment to community philanthropy and are proud to call them our partner! 

    We’re also looking forward to partnering with the Microsoft Store U-Village location to help give Treehouse kids a brighter holiday.  If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the store on December 3rd or 4th between 11 am and 4 pm and learn how you can make a difference for kids in foster care this season.  While you’re there, set an example for other shoppers by picking-up a Treehouse holiday shopping bag, filling it with a gift, and dropping it back by the store.  Our volunteers will be on-hand transport the items to the Treehouse Wearhouse, making it easy and convenient to make donation!

  • Treehouse Receives Groundbreaking Investment to Improve High School Graduation Rates
    Posted on Sep 30, 2011

    Treehouse is pleased to announce a game-changing partnership with Regence Blue Shield. Over the next three years, the healthcare provider will contribute $200,000 to help Treehouse improve the high school graduation rate for foster youth in King County.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Regence as a significant sponsor and community partner, and deeply appreciate their visionary support,” commented Treehouse CEO Janis Avery.  “We look forward to working closely together to help foster youth succeed in the classroom and build a path to a bright future.”

    According to a recent study published by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (“WISPP”), the average graduation rate for foster students in King County is about 35%, compared to 80% of their peers.  The Regence investment will go directly toward the development and pilot of a new model for Treehouse educational services for foster youth, with the goal of significantly improving the high school graduation rate for foster youth in King County.  “We are pleased to support the great work Treehouse does to improve the lives of young people in our community,” said Jonathan Hensley, president of Regence BlueShield.    

    In 2008, Regence BlueShield launched its Community Partner Organization Program, with a commitment to providing significant funding and employee volunteerism to local nonprofits to help these organizations improve programming, capacity-building, and infrastructure.  In addition to its three-year investment with Treehouse, Regence BlueShield is making a significant commitment of volunteer support, and will also recognize Treehouse as a featured agency in their annual Employee Giving Campaign.

Foster Care Fact

  • Washington State pays a maximum of $300 per year for clothing. That’s less than half of what an average family of moderate means spends each year to clothe a child.