In my reflections and recent discussions about what is happening in the world around us, I have been referring to the “great pause” triggered by COVID-19 – the slowdown of the planet in the face of the pandemic. This has been a time of struggle, loss, and fear, and has daylighted many of the injustices entrenched in our society. It has also been a powerful time of reflection, re-evaluation of priorities, and making intentional connections. The “great pause” is now being followed by what I am calling the “great reckoning” – a mass movement spurred by the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis. As a nation, we are having to reckon with the systemic and institutional racism that pervades our society.

21 Progress was founded in 2011 by UFCW21 in Seattle, out of a need to provide leadership training and skill development by and for youth and young adults who identify as immigrants, undocumented individuals, young workers, LGBTQ youth, women, and people of color. In the height of new immigration legislation, 21 Progress became the largest provider of financial assistance and education for immigrant youth eligible for DACA. Recognized as a rising organization by the Seattle Human Rights...

Esperanza Community Housing Corporation (Esperanza) was founded in 1989 out of a successful community organizing campaign to prevent the displacement and housing vulnerability of tenants from six adjacent subdivided homes in South Central Los Angeles.  The effort led to the development of our flagship affordable housing project, Villa Esperanza Apartments – 33 multi-bedroom units for large families, a community center, and an on-site child care program.  Esperanza has grown into a nationally...

We rolled out our new website – www.teamchild.org and continue to build and strengthen our revenue development and finance and operating infrastructure. We expanded our staff capacity to address youth homelessness, youth incarceration and our anti-racism and community engagement work We acted as the catalyst for transformational policy changes that included King County’s decision to ban solitary confinement of youth incarcerated in King County facilities and Dow Constantine’s announcement to...