October Newsletter
Greetings community,
Happy October to all! Alyx here, doing some guest grant writing and copy writing while Laura is out on maternity leave— you might have seen me at Freedom Schools this summer as an Education Coach! We hope you’re feeling the joy of fall and taking in all the natural transformation of the season— changing leaves, crisp breezes, and shorter days. Maybe you have a comfort soup or stew recipe to make, that seems to be a popular autumn ritual for WA-BLOC folks. For this month’s newsletter we’ll be sharing some info on applications for Diverse Healers and our Restorative Justice Fellowship, getting y’all excited for Giving Tuesday coming up in December, aaaand as promised, you’ll get to learn more about our newest staff member, Beth Girma!
In this newsletter
Re-introducing Beth
Diverse Healers now accepting applications
Giving Tuesday
King County Employee Giving Program
Community Events & Resources
Welcome to the team!
Beth and Freedom Schools scholars participating in this summer’s Day of Social Action.
Beth Girma is our newest Restorative Justice Coordinator! Beth is an invaluable two summer member of WA-BLOC’s Freedom Schools and a dear friend to many in the organization. They bring a vibrant and wholehearted approach to youth and liberatory work and truly leave a trail of joy wherever they go. This school year we are lucky to have Beth at John Muir Elementary (as well as a couple other partner schools). This month she has begun building community with students (read: throwing down in games of kindergarten tag at recess), supporting teachers in circle keeping, and facilitating Junior Circle Keeper Academy. Beth was kind enough to do a mini voice note interview with me to tell us more about her position and what she’s excited about. One of the things Beth is most jazzed about is Junior Circle Keeper Academy. Beth details:
"Junior Circle Keeper is an eight week long program with fourth and fifth graders at each of our partnering schools where we go through and talk about elements of circle and get to community build with one another, and eventually, after the eight weeks, we'll have a little graduation celebration and help them facilitate with circle with some of the younger kids.”
Many kids are still getting to know each other in this program so Beth is able to start fresh with them and really build out their dream community space.
Another source of excitement for Beth is drawing on their Ethiopian heritage, “I've been working with a couple youth who are English Second Language speakers who speak the same language is me— Amharic— and it's been really awesome to get to know them through that language and help kind of facilitate the reading in the learning; by using that common language as a bridge.”
Applications are now open for WA-BLOC's Healers' Collective. This series will support small cohorts of Queer & Trans Black and Brown professionals working to improve student wellness in Seattle Public Schools.
Caring professionals carry so much for our communities. This space is meant to provide opportunities for decompression, slowness, and community building.
Through quarterly gatherings with peers, participants will share resources, engage in collective learning, and establish a web of connections across schools in SPS with other school-based practitioners. Apply by November 3rd, 2025
Every winter, Giving Tuesday kick starts our end of year campaign. This year our goal is to raise $15,000 for Restorative Practices in Schools.
Rooted in joy and care for one another and with guidance from an experienced practitioner, Junior Circle Keeper Academy brings a student-led model of circle keeping directly to K-5 classrooms. Last school year we trained over 40 youth in circle keeping practice across 6 Seattle Public Schools! Providing an opportunity for youth to sharpen and expand upon their collaboration and problem solving skills alongside their peers.
This year we are excited to grow our Youth Led Restorative Practices beyond Junior Circle Keeper Academy by mentoring Queer, Trans Black and Brown young adults through our Restorative Justice Fellowship that will begin next January and run through June.
It is with the generosity of our donor community that we are able to grow and be creative in our approach to creating meaningful and accessible opportunities for engagement with Restorative Practices for Seattle Youth.
Stay tuned for ways to give to youth led restorative practices this winter , or contact us to make a pledge or a match gift.
Support WA-BLOC Through Workplace Giving!
If you work for King County, you can donate to WA-BLOC through payroll deductions during the annual giving drive (Sept 29–Nov 14). Every dollar supports our school partnerships across Seattle Public Schools!
King County Employee Giving Program Code: 10287
Not a King County employee? You can give through Benevity by searching for our fiscal sponsor, RVC (EIN: 47-4257834).
Tell your friends and family!
Community Events & Resources
Immigration Bystander Training | National Korean American Service & Education Consortium
Wednesday October 29th | 8PM ET/ 5PM PST/ 7PM CT
Learn how to safely record and respond to ICE enforcement. Your actions can help stop unjust deportations and protect our communities. We defend each other with truth, solidarity and courage. Register HERE!
Download Nakasec's mobile Know your Rights App &/or Flyers (In English or Korean) HERE
Neighborhood Heroes Gala | Rainier Beach Action Coalition
Friday November 7th, 2025 | 6PM | Labor Temple
Join Rainier Beach Action Coalition for an unforgettable evening celebrating community, resilience, and the everyday heroes who shape the heart of Rainier Beach. Our annual fundraising gala brings together neighbors, partners, and change makers for a night of inspiration, storytelling, and impact. This year’s theme, Neighborhood Heroes: Honoring the Heart of Rainier Beach, uplifts the individuals and organizations that help our neighborhood thrive. All proceeds directly support RBAC’s mission to build a vibrant, self-determined Rainier Beach rooted in the values of the Rainier Beach Neighborhood Plan. Get Tickets HERE.
Volunteers Needed | Creative Justice | Annual Health and Wellness Day
November 7th, 2025 | 5-9PM | Washington Hall
We are looking for community members to help support our Black August Health & Wellness event! Volunteers will have access to free food and drinks. Set up begins at 12:00 PM. The event will run from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. Breakdown will be 9:00 - 11:00 PM. Sign up HERE
Therapy Fund Foundation | Aces & Racial Trauma - A conversation on Healing and Equity
November 18th | 11am - 1pm | Virtual
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris pediatrician, author, and national leader on ACEs and Ashley McGirt-Adair, MSW, LICSW trauma therapist, author, and CEO of the Therapy Fund Foundation for a powerful dialogue exploring the intersection of childhood adversity, toxic stress, and racial trauma. This conversation will not only deepen awareness of the links between trauma and health but also equip participants with practical strategies for healing, advocacy, and equity.
Register HERE.
