09.16.2021
Mark Your Calendars! Treehouse to Host 2nd Equity Event: Alumni Advocating for Change
Treehouse will host the second event in our Equity Campaign on October 6. Register now to attend “Alumni Advocating for Change at the Intersection of Education and Foster Care.”
On May 25, Treehouse kicked off our Equity Campaign inaugural event “Change for Youth Facing Foster Care,” which brought together prominent leaders in our community including Ross Hunter, Secretary of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, Gary Locke, former Washington State Governor and Interim President of Bellevue College and Shrounda Selivanoff, Director of Public Policy at Children’s Home Society.
This critical equity campaign, which positions Treehouse as a convener of conversations around race, equity, and foster care, is spearheaded by our fearless leader and CEO, Dr. Lisa Chin.
“Since the pandemic, we’re starting to understand that our systems reinforce historical inequities and without addressing and driving meaningful change in these realms, we cannot achieve our mission and desired impact,” said Lisa.
Our efforts to build a better future for youth who experience foster care are ongoing. Creating systems change that ensures all youth can achieve their dreams is a long-term effort that requires the support of people in our community.
We are continuing to explore the intersections of race, equity and foster care. That conversation continues October 6 from 2-3:30 p.m. as we host our second virtual event, “Alumni Advocating for Change at the Intersection of Education and Foster Care.”
This will be a live conversation – streamed online – that will feature Sen. T’wina Nobles as our keynote speaker. As a foster care alumnus, Sen. Nobles brings her firsthand knowledge and experience along with two decades in education and community leadership. Her fierce advocacy for positive change on behalf of youth in foster care will set the tone for the panel discussion to follow.
As she did in our successful May event, Angela Poe Russell – the host of KING 5 Evening – will moderate the discussion. The panel will include Treehouse and youth in foster care alumni Erika Ramirez and Samuel Martin, who will discuss their experiences in foster care, as well as their current advocacy work.
We also expect the participation of several Washington state educators, including Veronica Maria Gallardo, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of System and School Improvement. Treehouse CEO Dr. Lisa Chin will contribute final remarks.
We invite and encourage everyone in our community to watch the conversation and we ask that our supporters share this invitation with others in their network. So, clear your schedule on October 6 from 2-3:30 p.m. and be part of this important conversation!
Watch Treehouse’s inaugural event “Change for Youth Experiencing Foster Care” here and register for our upcoming October 6 event at treehousehouseforkids.org/equityevent.
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About the Author
Desiree Lindsay is the Public Relations Coordinator at Treehouse. She focuses on elevating the voices and experiences of the youth, caregivers and communities we serve.