Community News! October/November 2025
NEWS, STORIES, AND RECENT ARTICLES FROM AND ABOUT COO PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY
This is a condensed version of our monthly newsletter distributed Nov. 5, 2025. Get all the news by signing up for the monthly newsletter.
All-Partner Convening Brings Us Together for Cultivating Hope, Resistance, and Shared Possibilities
Collage of scenes from the Convening
Thank you to all our partners who participated in our 2025 All-Partner Convening, “For Those Yet to Come,” Oct. 8-9 at Highline College. More than 125 people attended one or both days. Together, we gathered to hear from keynote speakers Malkia Devich Cyril and Vanessa Priya Daniel, share in healing activities, join a data mapping exercise that demonstrated collective impact, and learn and share together in five different workshops. We also hosted another in our series of gatherings on public-private partnerships. The result: We built stronger relationships, aligned strategies, and exchanged knowledge and wisdom to sustain movements for change.
We’ll be sharing keynote videos and other highlights later this fall. The Convening was produced by COO’s Learning Community in partnership with La Roxay Productions.
Photo Credits: Original Studios and COO staff.
Local Leaders Share Learnings from Philanthropy Conference
You can now read about what five local nonprofit leaders learned at the national conference, Hispanics in Philanthropy/Native Americans in Philanthropy (HIP-NAP), in Albuquerque in June. At a webinar a few weeks after they returned, “Voces del Tēpatl,” four of these leaders shared their insights from that conference. Our story about the webinar includes their main takeaways, plus information about how to request the link to the one-hour webinar recording so you can hear the whole discussion. The story is available in both English and Spanish.
Thank you to Edgar, Liz, Maria, Roxana, and Sandy for sharing their experience with us, and to Julissa for moderating their discussion.
Join Us in Snoqualmie Thursday for the Best Starts Roadshow
The third Best Starts for Kids Roadshow is coming to Snoqualmie on Thursday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The event brings together Best Starts community partners, staff, and local city officials to build stronger connections and better serve our communities. Our COO funded partner Snoqualmie Valley Human Services Coalition is the co-host for this event, and COO will again host one of the “Four Corners” discussions on building community partnerships . Learn more and register here!
COO Team Presents at State Public Health Conference
COO staff members Roxana Chen and Whitney Johnson, and Governance Group member Joon-Ho Yu, presented on some of the learnings from the last 10 years of COO at the annual conference of the Washington State Public Health Association on Oct. 21-23 in Yakima. They described the origins, investments, activities, and evaluation of COO, as well as the some of the policy and systems change outcomes from the work of COO’s community partners towards increased economic opportunity and greater equity in housing and health.
Reach out to us at coo@kingcounty.gov if you’re interested in our initiative’s evaluation framework and findings so far.
Evaluation Minigrant Opportunity for Current Systems & Policy Change Partners
COO has shared a Request for Proposals (RFP) for COO Evaluation Minigrants. These mini grants of up to $9,999 each are intended to support COO partners' efforts to evaluate the success and impacts of their work. Currently funded COO Systems and Policy Change partners are eligible. Applications are due by November 10. For more information, please see the Evaluation Minigrants RFP page or contact Sarah Cox, cpres-BSK@kingcounty.gov
A Post-Election Day Message
Thank you to the many COO funded community partners who hosted candidate forums and other civic engagement this fall.
Voters can track their ballots at the King County Elections site.
Some highlights in the news:
STACC 4 Justice’s candidate forum yielded this story in the B-Town Blog. 'Fix The Harm' candidate forum spotlights airport impacts, data transparency and funding needs in south King County - The B-Town (Burien) Blog
The unique engagement opportunity hosted by Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, where students and families to meet School Board candidates, got covered by the Seattle Times. At a unique Seattle town hall, the candidates come to you | The Seattle Times
Community News!
Tubman Center Celebrates Five Years at “A Night’s Journey”
Curtiss Calhoun speaking at the Tubman “A Night’s journey” event
The Tubman Center for Health & Freedom celebrated its fifth anniversary at a gala on October 11.
Converge Media was there, and wrote this recap of the evening, with photos and links to videos. They include moving remarks by board member Curtiss Calhoun, who talked about his journey with Tubman Center through his experience with cancer.
LGBTQ+ South King Collaborative Shares Important Findings at Data Party
LGBTQ+ South King Collaborative hosted a “Data Party” recently to share key findings from their 2024 research study. Focused on housing and economic stability, the study identifies some of the challenges the community faces while also highlighting community strengths and opportunities for change.
Read the full report: Improving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Asexual People’s (LGBTQIA+) Economic Stability in South King County
The Collaborative member are Queer Power Alliance, Entre Hermanos, and POCAAN.
Journey To Justice Bus Tour Rolls to a Conclusion
Our funded community partner Look 2 Justice and its partner Unlock the Box just wrapped up a multi-city series of events across the country, Journey to Justice Bus Tour.
One of the first stops was in Seattle, at their Faith Community Event at Rainier Avenue Church (above, left and top right). There, Eugene Youngblood (lower right, on the right) and partners shared their experiences and why they’re advocating to end solitary confinement.
The tour blended artivism, public education, and immersive experiences to fuel the movement to end solitary confinement. It included the October 30 National Day of Action, stopping at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Senator Ed Markey.
More information about the tour: Journey to Justice Bus Tour – Solitary Confinement is Torture
More Look 2 Justice News:
Look 2 Justice co-founder and Executive Director Christopher Blackwell and co-authors just published Ending Isolation: The Case Against Solitary Confinement. The book blends stories, legal insights and medical research to make the case for ending this form of punishment, once deemed torture by the U.S. Supreme Court but still widely used, including in Washington state.
Later this month, Look 2 Justice will host its 5th annual Symposium, Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Tukwila, featuring keynote speaker Chesa Boudin, founding Executive Director of Berkeley’s Criminal Law and Justice Center, a leading hub for policy and advocacy. Register for the Symposium
Week Without Driving and the New Nondrivers Alliance
Scene from some of the many TV news stories around the country for Week Without Driving.
Congratulations to our funded partner Disability Rights Washington and their partners for another successful Week Without Driving! Check out these TV highlights from around the country via their LinkedIn post.
In other news: DRW has joined America Walks to launch the Nondrivers Alliance, “a new project where those of us who can’t drive or can’t afford to drive can organize for communities that reduce car-dependency.” Nondrivers Alliance will be led by Ruth Rosas and DRW’s Anna Zivarts who, along with their partners America Walks and Disability Rights Washington, will continue to co-lead and collaborate on coordinating Week Without Driving.
Entre Hermanos Wins Honor from Human Rights Campaign Seattle
Congratulations to our funded partner Entre Hermanos, who received the Community Impact Award from Human Rights Campaign Seattle on October 11. Entre Hermanos said this recognition “highlights the resilience, strength, and leadership of Washington State’s Latine LGBTQ+ community, and the impact that collective action has in advancing equity and justice.” In accepting the award, Executive Director Edgar Longoria, said: “In moments of adversity, our community rises; we organize, we care for each other, and we deliver results by collaborating.”
Build 2 Lead Hosts “Creating Generational Greatness”
Check out this high-energy reel about the “Creating Generational Greatness” event that Build 2 Lead hosted October 25. “Creating Generational Greatness 2025 reminded us that the next generation is not waiting for change… they are creating it,” Build 2 Lead said.
Watch This: Day of Play Fosters Exercise and Inclusion
“Just Keep Playing” t-shirt, a scene from the Converge Media story.
King County Play Equity Coalition’s popular annual Free Play Day was featured in a news story by Converge Media’s Back to Besa. The story also aired in late October on FOX 13. The Free Play Day brings together families, kids, and more than a dozen different sports and activities presented by the Mariners, the Kraken, the Seawolves and other partners. Check out Converge’s story! This story is part of our sponsored media partnership with Converge.
The Coalition also announced that they were recently awarded a Parks Levy Grant from King County Parks through the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund. This grant will power their Play Equity through Youth-Led Action project – supporting young leaders to design and lead initiatives that expand equitable access to recreation, parks, and open spaces in underserved communities across King County.
Visit our Community Events Calendar for COO and partner events!
Other Opportunities
South King County Health Equity Zone Community Advisory Board
The South King County Health Equity Zone (Congolese Integration Network, Somali Health Board and Partner in Employment) is forming a Community Advisory Board, and they are seeking members. More Information and Apply
Best Starts is Recruiting for Youth Bill of Rights
Best Starts for Kids invites young people to join the next iteration of the Youth Bill of Rights Task Force! Please share this opportunity with the young people in your networks as we seek their input and leadership in developing a Youth Commission.
Larry Gossett Service Awards
Nominations for the Larry Gossett Service Award are open now through December 1. The award recognizes and affirms an individual or organization who has made significant contributions in the areas of racial equity, social justice, and/or human rights. Learn More and Apply
Funding Opportunities
Visit the Best Starts Funding Opportunities page
See funding opportunities from many others on our Funding Opportunities page.
Non-Best Starts Opportunities: You can also check out funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups that promote the health and well-being of our babies, children, and young people on the list maintained by Best Starts for Kids. Read more!
Job Opportunities
Casa Latina: Executive Director
Disability Rights Washington: Several positions including Executive Director
Donors of Color Network: Executive Director (open until filled)
FEEST: Youth & Community Organizing Coordinator
Frolic: Director of Real Estate Development
Healthier Here: Communications and Marketing Manager
Hopelink: Mobility Coordinator, Snoqualmie Valley
RALLY: Digital Advertising Specialist
Tilth Alliance: Field Production Manager (open until filled)
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Numerous positions including Chief Program Officer
YMCA of Greater Seattle: Executive Director, Housing and Homeless Services
Seattle Office of Housing: Asset Management Division Manager (apply by Nov. 18)
King County Best Starts for Kids: Child Care Evaluator (apply by Nov. 15)
Washington Department of Commerce: Several positions including Knowledge Economy Lead (apply by Nov. 10)
About This List: These job announcements were current as of November 5, 2025. Please check the employer's site for the most current information. We also share job opportunities every day on our LinkedIn page.
See more job listings on these sites that collect multiple opportunities:
Housing Development Consortium’s job listings from housing organizations
Philanthropy Northwest’s searchable list of positions in development, communications and more
King County, City of Seattle, State of Washington, and other government jobs at www.governmentjobs.com
If you have a job to share in next month's issue, please send it to us by November 25. Thanks!