Washington Family Engagement: Preparing Leaders for Today and Tomorrow
I think we can all agree that Everett is a special place - after all, it’s where each of us has chosen to live and grow. By choosing Everett, we are all choosing to build a sustainable future for this home of ours. Part of creating that future is engaging with our community - in whatever spaces we happen to belong to and with whatever neighbors we happen to come across in our day-to-day.
The nonprofit Washington Family Engagement works to support community engagement across generations to cultivate social transformation. This group offers opportunities so individuals from diverse backgrounds can learn leadership skills and better navigate the systems in schools and the larger communities. This way, families, educators, advocates, and others can better work together to ensure the well-being and healthy development of children from all backgrounds.
Advocating for childcare // Courtesy of Washington Family Engagement
In addition to working with many community partners, Washington Family Engagement also offers a variety of programs for parents and children:
The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a free, 12-week course where parents, family members, community members, and anyone working with families can learn more about leadership, public education, youth development, and civics.
The Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI) is a leadership program for children ages 6-12 whose parents participate in PLTI. Children use art, role play and other strategies to examine and create solutions for what is or is not working in the community.
ParentNet is a program for parents interested in acting as school liaisons to facilitate meetings and collaborate with school staff and other parents to promote children’s successful academic, social, and emotional development.
WA Family Engagement offers consulting for some Snohomish County school districts to foster equitable engagement strategies, provide technical assistance such as data analysis and strategic planning, and sponsor professional development classes and workshops.
The Washington Leadership Network (WALEN) is a collection of 448 PLTI and CLTI graduates. They design and implement workshops and meetings to educate the community on local issues, advocate with policymakers, and act as members of boards and other civic groups.
CLTI graduates // Courtesy Washington Family Engagement
Washington Family Engagement has had a meaningful impact on Snohomish County with 62% of their graduates from our county. All PLTI graduates complete a community project directly impacting our community. 46% of the projects are focused on education, with other support distributed among initiatives like health, the environment, special needs, and poverty/hunger. Based on graduates’ success stories, it’s clear that this organization has had a meaningful impact on our county’s people too.
Everett is an amazing place, and with all of us working together to promote the inclusion of all families, we can ensure that children can reach their full potential.
Keep an eye out for events sponsored by Washington Family Engagement, or join their mailing list to keep up on their latest news! This nonprofit is also currently accepting donations.
Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.