Advocating for COVID-19 Impact Response
The 2020 Legislative session started with a palpable sense of hope — lawmakers met in January with hundreds of millions of dollars to allocate and a desire to help families and children — and ended with a sense of fear for how COVID-19 will impact our state. So many things are still so uncertain in our state […]
Meet the Staff: Devin Rydel Kelly
Devin Rydel Kelly is the Director of Data at the Foundation for Tacoma Students. His years of experience in social science and community organizing help him bridge the gaps between data analytics, social justice, and collective impact, all while centering racial and economic equity for Tacoma students. The data team helps produce our annual Impact […]
Legislature Adjourns as COVID-19 Dominates
The 2020 legislative session was as unprecedented a session, with as uncertain an ending, as anyone can remember. Lawmakers are usually exhausted after the unforgiving pace of a 60-day, short session. But they were especially so this year, given the uncertainty and fear around the impacts – still not fully known – of the coronavirus […]
Help Us Coordinate COVID-19 Efforts
The Graduate Tacoma movement is built on the collaboration, partnership, and the strength of community to reach Tacoma youth when and where they need us. With expansive school closures and particular strain on local industry due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Foundation for Tacoma Students is here to support community members and the partners who […]
When School is Out, Community is In
Dear Friends and Colleagues, As many of you have no doubt heard, Governor Jay Inslee announced earlier this afternoon all schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties will close their doors beginning March 17 until April 24 in response to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. We at the Foundation understand that […]
Partners Gather for First Community Learning Fund Convening
Partners & Friends, This month we kicked off the Graduate Tacoma Community Learning Fund with our first convening at the Evergreen State College in Tacoma. Staff members from all 38 funded organizations came together for a full day of deep conversation and brainstorming on how we can further shift systems in favor of kids […]
The Power of Mentorship
In a city where most of our residents are White, but the majority of our student population is Black and Brown, investing in mentorship that reflects the identities of Tacoma students has become a leading conversation for Graduate Tacoma community partners. Antonio McLemore is just one of the many leaders in Tacoma engaging youth through […]
Community Leader Spotlight: R. Michael Hale
R. Michael Hale is the Engineering Mentor for Tacoma Community College’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, a position he has held since 2016. Raised in Chicago, Michael’s career as a Civil Engineer led him to Tacoma, where he eventually retired as a Project Manager for the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department after twenty-three […]
Meet the Staff: Shaima Shamdeen
Shaima Shamdeen is the Digital Communication Manager at the Foundation for Tacoma Students. Hired in November 2018, Shaima brings a passion and expertise for connecting community through digital storytelling. A Digital Journalism graduate from Central Washington University, Shaima’s professional background encompasses digital media, print magazine, newspaper, television and radio production. Prior to joining the Foundation, […]
Support WA LASER Budget Proviso Request
Please join teachers, superintendents and other education professionals from across the state in supporting the Washington State LASER budget proviso request. This session, LASER is advocating for a modest increase in funding to $700,000 from $356,000 to double the number of school districts served by LASER in helping with strategic planning and science leadership development. Reach out […]