November Newsletter
This month has brought frustration and grief as we bear witness to the continued failures of our nation’s political systems. When individuals turn toward hatred or apathy, political “leaders” fund genocide, and egomaniacal bigots hold office it is incredibly easy to feel fearful and disheartened. However, we at WA-BLOC find strength and grounding in the words and actions of brilliant Freedom Fighters, past and present. This struggle is old, this fight is long, and there are so many wonderful people walking alongside us.
Regardless of the political changes that may happen at local or national levels our commitment to youth and our communities remains unshaken.
In this newsletter you will find:
Giving Tuesday Campaign Launch
National Circle Keeper Training Reflection by Anab Nur
District Restorative Practices Coordinator Training Recap
Circle Prompts and Resources for Native American Heritage Month
ICYMI: FY24 Annual Report
Community Events and Resources
This year, gifts to our Giving Tuesday campaign will support school-based Restorative Practices work across 9 SPS school partnerships! Our Restorative Practices programming is tailored to each school community and designed to help them move from compliance-based practices and systems towards one that centers safety and belonging for youth AND the adults.
We are in a season of immense budget cuts to SPS and in public education as a whole. By making a gift for restorative practices, you are directly contributing to:
Youth leadership development through our Junior Circle Keeper Academy, equipping youth with tools around circle keeping, social and emotional learning and strengthening peer to peer relationships.
Hands-on training and capacity building for educators and adults in schools to create restorative, joyful, and equitable learning spaces for youth.
Increased capacity for our expert on-site Restorative Practitioners to facilitate regular community building (Tier 1) and conflict/harm repair restorative processes (Tier 2) with partner schools.
Donate today at https://www.wa-bloc.org/donate
Thank you again for your commitment to nurturing youth leadership and restorative school communities!
What’s the role of a Circle Keeper? How can we truly honor the restorative process? How can we do this work better?
These were some of the questions I hoped to explore as I traveled with two of my fellow WA-BLOC colleagues to Nashville, Tennessee to participate in the annual Circle Keeper Gathering with Kay Pranis and The Circle Center. For 4 days - nearly 24 hours total - we sat in circle with up to 30 other Restorative Practitioners from Washington, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Kay Pranis, National Leader in Restorative Practices, co-kept the circle and guided us through a transformative experience.
I expected to leave Nashville with a notebook full of best practices for circlekeeping, some new ideas, and maybe templates on how to teach others about circle. Instead, the gathering ended with questions being answered not explicitly, but rather through the experience of sitting in circle.
District RP Coordinator training recap!
On Tuesday, November 5th, WA-BLOC gathered with 20 school-based Restorative Practices Coordinators and the SPS Restorative Practices (RP) team to facilitate a training about youth-led Restorative Practices movements, circle practice, and growing youth voice and leadership in restorative practices in their respective school communities. One of the frameworks we used in our discussion was this Ladder of Student Involvement in Schools (we like to think of it more as a spiral)--a tool that can help evaluate students’ opportunities for agency and leadership as well as identify goals for increasing student voice.
This training was part of a three day training series, led in collaboration with the SPS Restorative Practices team and Huayruro to help build knowledge, skills, and connections among RP Coordinators across the district.
We are grateful to be part of such meaningful collaboration with the district, school staff, and community practitioners to continue developing and nurturing an ecosystem of restorative practices and systems in Seattle Public Schools!
Circle Prompts for Native American Heritage Month
Circle practice can allow us to create intentional space to celebrate and honor one another and the histories that we hold in our diverse communities. Our team created these Native American Heritage Month Prompts for educators (or anyone!) who would like to keep a circle on learning and honoring the culture and heritage of Native American and Alaska Native communities.
The question banks allow for teachers to choose which ceremonies and questions work best for their students based on age group and interest. This resource is a tool and intended to support the development of your individual circle practice! Feel free to take ideas from the questions provided and change them, make your own circles, and incorporate games or activities that you know work best for your students!
We recommend including as many of the circle elements as possible to maintain the integrity and consistency of circle practice!
ICYMI!
Our FY24 Annual Report is live! Check it out and learn about the collective impact we made together this past year!
Partner Events & Educational Resources
Social Justice Fund: Applications are open for the 2025 Immigration Justice Giving Project!:
Giving Projects bring together a diverse group of people of varied class identities who are passionate about social change and want to strengthen their skills in fundraising, grantmaking, and community building. Participants work together to deepen their understanding of social justice principles and engage in collective giving and fundraising to support grassroots organizations. The 2025 Giving Project will focus on Immigration Justice, funding movements led by immigrants, refugees, and migrant workers most affected by an immigration system built to dehumanize the people caught in its cyclical violence.
College Success Foundation: MLK Jr Scholarship:
The scholarship is renewable for all four years of college. Students attending four-year colleges will receive $4,000 per year for four years. Students attending two-year colleges will receive $2,000 per year for two years. If they transfer or transition to a four-year college, they will receive $4,000 per year for their final two years.
Building Movement Project: How do I take Action Where I am?
Free Training and Webinar Series, Starting Dec 3rd More Info here *For people new to activism and organizing
We are thrilled to invite our Trans/GNC BIPOC community to join us for TransPlants: Planting Seeds for Our Trans Futures on November 30th, 2024 from 11am - 3pm at The Heron’s Nest.
💕 The afternoon will also feature a potluck filled with your favorite fall and winter treats, followed by a warm discussion about transforming grief and creating space for it with a Grief Box.
💫 Sign up at https://www.tinyurl.com/QTLTransPlants & look out for more information in the coming days! *** MASKS REQUIRED***
Transgender Day of Remembrance:
A community altar by @Vaquero_azul_art at the Seattle Public Library.
“ I hope you stop by, and take some time to honor your Trans Ancestors today, anywhere you're at. And if you happen to be here in person, I hope you get to see that you're not alone, I'm here with you, and your ancestors will always be here too.”
First Fridays CD Art Walk Makers Market (Holiday Market) | Dec 6th | 6-9PM @ Various locations around the CD
Map & RSVP at www.seattleartwalks.com/centraldistrict
Monthly Poetry & Open Mic Night | Fri Nov 29th | 7:30 pm 21+ Event | Entry $7 | 1313 4th Ave, Seattle WA
Now Hiring: Send your resume & cover letter to recruiting@lavenderrightsproject.org
Movement Lawyer (Full-Time): Be a legal rockstar for our cause! ⚖️
Campaign Manager (Full-Time): Strategize and lead our fight for equality! 💪🏾
Government Relations Specialist (Contractor): Be our voice in the halls of power! ️
In-House Community Counselor (Full-Time Residential): Provide vital support & guidance. 🫂
House Mother (Full-Time Residential): Create a safe and nurturing home environment.
