November Newsletter
Greetings community,
Happy November, WA-BLOC Community! As much as this year has weighed heavy on our hearts collectively, I am energized and hopeful with the organizing and mutual aid that is sustaining our city. This month, we have truly progressive wins to celebrate at the local level and all across the country, and we continue to see organizations, businesses, and community members show up and show out for our most vulnerable. We’re so grateful to be in community with folks who are engaged and ready to mobilize and support on multiple fronts, including the restorative work happening within WA-BLOC. Staying focused on long-term change making is how we’re all going to make it through, so thank you all for co-conspiring with us. We are keeping in short and sweet so keep reading for updates on Junior Circle Keeper Academy programming, Giving Tuesday, and some community events. Stay safe and warm, y’all!
In this newsletter:
Junior Circle Keeper Academy
6 Days until Giving Tuesday!
Community Events & Resources:
Junior Circle Keeper Academy
Junior Circle Keeper Academy happens at a magical intersection of WA-BLOC’s core passions and expertise: community building, restorative collaboration, and student leadership/empowerment.
Over the course of 8 weeks, JCKA students learn about and practice Circle keeping with the goal of sharing the practice with their broader school community, especially younger students. Along the way they get to know each other more deeply, support each other in restorative conversations, and work together to generate ideas for student leadership initiatives.
We wanted to give you a glimpse at the moments that make up JCKA through the eyes of our RJ coordinators and the incredible growth they’re witnessing with students:
“My favorite memory and my favorite week of the program is the week where they get to do their dream schools, because the kids get to make and draw and create what they would want from a dream school and they're always really intentional about the things that they decide to put into their dream schools… This year, there was a student who included a barn as a part of the dream school because she thought it would be really cool for people to be able to have animals around at school and get to be with animals. Last year two of the students were really creative in making sure that schools were accessible for students with disabilities.” - Anab
Can you help us get to $5,000 by Tuesday December 2nd?
Across Seattle Public Schools, students and staff face challenges with disconnection, conflict, and discipline practices that disproportionately impact Black and brown students. Traditional approaches to discipline often rely on punishment, which can harm both peer-to-peer & student-teacher relationships and leave little room for repair.
Youth-Led Restorative Practices are rooted in the belief that students have an integral role in shaping stronger school communities. There is power in restoring student agency in environments that primarily reward compliance. Restorative Practices in schools offers a proactive and incremental approach to relationship building that centers trust, belonging and a responsibility for one’s self and broader school community.
Donate today, and together lets build up Youth leadership across SPS!
$10 = Training for 1 Junior Circle Keeper
$50 = Sponsors 1 Junior Circle Keeper Graduation (circle keeper kits, swag, little treats!)
$100 = Training for 10 Junior Circle Keepers.
$250 = 1 week of hands on experience/mentorship for 1 Restorative Justice Fellow.
$500 = Training for 50 Junior Circle Keepers.
$1000 = 1 month of hands on experience/mentorship for 1 Restorative Justice Fellow.
Each and every donation counts. Make an early gift today and an anonymous donor will match every dollar donated up to $1,000 USD!
Thank you for being a part of this community and supporting our work over the last ten years— your gifts are greatly appreciated, and a constant reminder of the abundance we can generate together.
Community Events & Resources
Families Crafting Change | 5th Annual Holiday Market
Saturday November 29th 10am - 3pm | South Shore Elementary 4800 S Henderson St
Benefiting Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance
Tradewinds Native Marketplace | Seattle Urban Native Non-Profits
Wednesday, December 4 | 3–7 PM | The Metropole Building, Pioneer Square
Free & open to the public, Featuring Zero-Proof Refreshments + Local Native Bites
Tradewinds is a vibrant gathering celebrating Native art, culture, and entrepreneurship hosted in alignment with Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk. Explore a curated Native vendor marketplace, enjoy zero-proof refreshments and local Native bites, and connect with community through laughter, learning, and conversation.
Each event features a rotating lineup of Native artists co-hosted by Na’ah Illahee Fund and the Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM), with support from the Seattle Urban Native Nonprofits (SUNN) Committee and City of Seattle C.A.R.E.S. funding, and organized by the La Paloma Marketplace.
Join us and be part of the current — celebrating Native creativity, community, and connection in the heart of Pioneer Square.
Youth Bike Giveaway | Bikeworks
Saturday December 13th 11am | Rainier Beach Community Center Plaza
First come first serve. This event is for residents of South Seattle, specifically those who live in the following zip codes: 98106, 98108, 98118, 98134, 98144, 98168, and 98178.
Mutual Aid Drive - Culminating Action Project | Creative Justice
Drop off information: December 1-17th 2025 | M - F: 8am - 3pm
Creative Cafe at 153 14th ave Seattle WA 98122
Join us this holiday season in supporting Creative Justice youth by donating essentials—including clothing, food, hygiene products, household items, and supplies that promote self-care and creativity.
On December 18th, 2025, Creative Justice youth participants will have access to a free mutual-aid store designed with compassion and purpose, and centered around their specific needs. For questions or for drop off’s after 3pm please contact: veronica@creativejusticenw.org or call/text Veronica at (253) 293-5267
If the whole world were listening what would you say? | Creative Justice
December 18th | 4pm-7pm | @washingtonhall206
Join us to celebrate a culmination of the art created by Creative Justice youth participants this last program session! Join us for an evening of art, performances, food, holiday goodies, and community.
Better Alternatives | Seattle Markets, events skill shares to allocate your money to instead of corporations this holiday season.
