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Women’s History Month Starts in the Future

March 6, 2026 Nora Uncategorized No comments

Have you heard the expression, “least and last?” It refers to those who feel as if their feelings and needs matter the least and often receive attention last. Oftentimes, this phrase refers to women, particularly mothers. The emotional labor mothers carry can be invisible, but the impacts are real. Putting children, partners, work, and household duties first allow for little time left in the day for mothers to decompress and step back. To evaluate their successes as well as their needs.

Our Early Learning Program decided to transform this narrative by hosting the mothers in their program for a special brunch event. They gathered at our Youth & Family Center to hear a reading from nationally renowned author and success coach, Debrena Jackson Gandy. She has written several books that help women understand and nourish themselves completely. For this event, Debrena read from her national bestseller, Sacred Pampering Principles: An African American Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Renewal. Between readings, Debrena and the women in our Early Learning Program talked about establishing self-empowerment.

The conversations centered around moving forward; to carve out a new future where one is not ‘least and last,’ but rather, ‘enough and valued.’ To help them take that first step forward, Debrena gifted everyone a copy of the book for themselves. She also stayed to have individual chats with our participants.

"I just want you to know that this [book] is in my audio library," said Helen, a participant whose daughter is now almost two years into our Early Learning Program. "And now I get to touch it. Thank you.”

Support from the community can be as varied as those we serve, bringing in much needed diversity and perspectives. Debrena’s expertise lies in writing and leading encouraging conversations. We are thankful she took the time out of her day to speak candidly with the mothers in this program and support them in their well-rounded futures!

Seahawks & ASC: Birds of a feather support each other

February 10, 2026 Nora Uncategorized

Atlantic Street Center, just like everyone else, is ecstatic about the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win. This victory is a long time coming and it shows how sports continue to be a community unifier.

This triumph is not the first time our crew at Atlantic Street Center (ASC) has cheered on the Seattle Seahawks. But, the Seahawks have also cheered us on. Their organization – from players to office staff – have supported ASC numerous times over the last few decades.

The Seahawks are not the only sports team that has shown up for Atlantic Street Center. Much of our success and ability to wrap around the families we serve has been made possible by our local sports teams:

Kraken – Families have received tickets from our beloved hockey team, and the organization has also gifted ASC with signed merchandise and premium game seats to auction off at our most recent gala.
Mariners – Sea Us Rise! The Mariners often gift our families with tickets to games at T Mobile Park, helping to form valuable core memories for kids and parents. The renowned, and soon-to-be-former game announcer, Rick Rizzs and Toys for Kids continue to be a huge supporter of ASC. Every summer, they supply our youth with new backpacks and tools for school, as well as award us the means to purchase holiday gifts for more than 650 children and their families every December.
Seahawks – Not only have the Seahawks been a major supporter of our mission, their players have also spent intentional time with the youth and families we serve. Former quarterback Geno Smith would regularly meet up with our families before Thanksgiving to give out food gift cards, the team has also sponsored events, gifted presents to families in need throughout December, and even invited our Summer Academy students to several practices at the VMAC.
Seawolves – Rugby is a favorite here at ASC! Their support helped us raise funds at our most recent gala with the donation of a tickets to a match.
Sounders – Seattle is such a soccer city! The Sounders continue to be a major proponent of ASC’s success by including us in experiences, auction items, and sponsorship.
Storm – Don’t get us started about our basketball obsession. Year after year, the Seattle Storm makes sure our youth and families have the opportunity to attend a home game, experiencing some of the best basketball in the country!

Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks! And thank you to them and every team in Seattle that promotes team work and community.

Neighborhood Store Steps Up

November 13, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

With so many expensive grocery stores throughout King County, it can be challenging for any family to find ingredients that are affordable and fit their cultural and taste needs. And when you factor in allergies, intolerances, and the price of gas or transportation, our communities continue to face barriers for their most basic need: eating.

Thanks to a new and delectable friendship with our local Trader Joe’s, more of our families have found access to great prices and products. With assistance from knowledgeable Crew Members, our Atlantic Street Center families have also discovered new recipes, specifically our Kinship Care Support Group participants!

There are 18,000 kinship caregivers in King County, which means that many older adults of retirement age are raising children.[1] Additionally, 10% of seniors in King County are below the poverty line.[2] Atlantic Street Center (ASC) must allocate as many resources as possible for the participants we serve.

When Trader Joe’s in Burien stepped up to support, they created a true shopping adventure for our grandparents and their families. ASC participants were invited to the store to learn more about Trader Joe’s branded items, and how certain groceries could be helpful and nutritious additions to their homes.

“This was an amazing experience,” said participant Mary. “I learned a lot about how to read the tags for gluten free, vegan and organic food options. The items the store staff displayed helped me put together a healthy meal for under $10 dollars.”

The Trader Joe’s Crew Members treated us to some amazing samples (yum!) and showed us exactly where to find each ingredient in the store. They made the experience even better by walking us through how each item is made and what goes into it.

Value is vital, especially when food accessibility is shrinking. By Trader Joe’s hosting our Kinship Care Support Group, our families now have uncovered their own resource they can visit again and again. Having the ability to purchase affordable and tasty food is not just helpful; it is survival.

Thank you, Trader Joe’s! This is one way the community can work to help families go from surviving to thriving.

[1] Catholic Community Services of Western Washington – Kinship Care Services, King County – 2023 | LINK

[2] Census Reporter – King County, WA – 2023 | LINK

Local Legacy Continues

July 25, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

We have been hosting the community’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration for 24 years now. This means we have been creating connections of education and Black Excellence for over two decades. This year was no different!

Over 600 people came out to the Rainier Beach Community Center to watch incredible performances, dine on great food, take part in family fun, and get to know local organizations and business owners. Rainier Avenue Radio also streamed the entire day, interviewing prominent people with powerful messaging about the importance community togetherness.

Juneteenth honors the history of Black Excellence in the United States. So much of American culture – from music to clothing, and resources to the expansion of human rights – stems from African American influence. It is an honor to continue that that legacy with cultural performances, speeches, and artistry. This year, our stage saw Dolls & Gents Drill Team, the Double Dutch Divas, spoken word poets, Boots on the Ground and so much more.

Thank you to our sponsors: Seattle Parks & Recreation, King County of Public Health, Bellwether Housing, Rainier Beach: A Beautiful, Safe Place for Youth, the Rainier Beach Action Coalition, Wellpoint, and the Rainier Beach Community Center.

Photos by Hjaltalin Imagery

A Jazzy Kinship Celebration

May 29, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

Here at Atlantic Street Center (ASC), we make sure our participants get their flowers. Especially for our older caregivers who raise young children, we recognize those we serve push against complex challenges just to provide basic needs.

For three decades, our Kinship Care Support Group has been providing assistance and resources to local families to help them thrive. During this time, ASC and participants have also been pivotal in advocating for local kinship care. This includes going to Olympia in 2023 to support Senate Bill 5151 which grants DCYF the ability to issue a child-specific license to a relative or other suitable person to provide foster care in order to keep children close to family in the absence of a parent. A recent victory was also seen in 2024 with King County, and now this year state-wide, where May 21st is officially recognized as Kinship Caregiver Day. This validation is important not just to current families, but to those who may find themselves as older caregivers in the future.

ASC decided to celebrate this massive achievement by giving our kinship caregivers an evening honoring them, with a side of jazz. In an homage to the Central District’s famed Jazz Alley, the Youth Development & Education Support team turned a classroom into a darkened jazz club complete with a local band and singer, red carpet entrance, mocktail bar, and table service. We also heard from Youth Development Director Michelle Mitchell-Brannon about her passion for the Kinship Care Support Group and its importance.

“This program has a special place in my heart,” she said to a room of caregivers and supporters. “I was raised by my grandmother. She didn’t have to – and I wasn’t easy – but she stepped up to care for me just like you with your babies.”

Also in attendance were Barbara Taylor of Catholic Community Services, a longtime champion of ASC, and Michael Bailey, the Director of Adults Services Division of Community & Human Services.

“Thank you for all you do,” said Bailey, “and we are always looking for new ways to collaborate and support!”

In addition to the elegant dinner and some dancing, the event gave caregivers access to new clothes, purses, and shoes. One grandmother was even looking for a specific black purse for an upcoming event and we are happy to report she walked out with a brand-new BeBe purse!

And, of course, everyone really did get their flowers!

Learn more about our Kinship Care Support Group here.

Flower Power

May 12, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

Our After-School Program had the special opportunity to arrange bouquets, thanks to the Women’s University Club Foundation. They generously brought flowers and vases for our kiddos to use in creating heartfelt gifts for the important women and people in their lives.

Just before everyone sat down to cut stems, tie bows, and craft their arrangements, the After-School kids were outside soaking up the early spring sunshine—playing kickball, running through the grass, and just being kids. Energy levels were high! Outside time is crucial to youths’ experience with the program as that time gives them the opportunity to socialize and target any stress from the day into being physically active.

Our volunteers arrived ready to set up a classroom inside. “Can I help?” one of the boys asked a volunteer as she unpacked buckets of flowers from her car. Without any staff prompting him, the young man inspired several of his peers to come forward and offer similar help. From that moment on, each child went inside and listened attentively as volunteers from the Women’s University Club showed them how to use garden shears, arrange flowers, and bring their creations to life.

This afternoon was about more than making gifts—it was about building community. Some people have skills and talents to share, and others are eager to learn, especially young people.

Thank you to the Women’s University Club for such a rosy, hands-on, and unforgettable experience!

From Participant to Role Model Volunteer

April 4, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

One great part of being an organization that is over 100 years old (115 to be exact) is that we have seen generations of participants flourish, even after they move on. Many of those we serve actually come back to Atlantic Street Center as employees, board members, parents enrolling their own children, and volunteers. Rutha is one such an example: a volunteer who is determined to mirror her own wonderful ASC experience back at those currently in our programs.

Fun question: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? What is your job now?

As a child, I was mesmerized by learning new things, so I wanted to be a teacher, a businesswoman, and a leader. I am now a program manager in Azure at Microsoft – and still love learning just as much!

How were you involved with Atlantic Street Center (ASC) as a participant? What program(s)?

I enjoyed a wide variety of programs at ASC, from foundational learning to hands-on workshops and community service initiatives. As a participant in the Teen Technology and After School programs at the Teen Center, I gained valuable social skills and built lasting relationships. I also liked taking part in a wide variety of classes such as Cooking and Sewing, Poetry and Tennis Club, Entrepreneurship, and Soap Making. I remember initiatives such as creating hygiene packs for women’s shelters; looking back, I realize they instilled in me a lasting sense of leadership, responsibility, and giving back.
My involvement with ASC was so active that it’s hard to single out one program or event. But some of my most memorable experiences from that time include community events like Beach Family Days, Multicultural Food Days, Jazz Alley Fridays, and Columbia City Movie Theater Nights, because they all focused on connection and cultural appreciation. Ultimately, being a part of ASC as a teen made me who I am today.

What is a fond memory or skill you learned from your time with ASC that now serves you in adulthood?

One of my fondest memories from my time with ASC is participating in mentorship and leadership programs. Those programs enabled me to gradually step out of my comfort zone and realize the importance of effective communication and advocacy, the skills I’ve since been using to navigate professional spaces, lead discussions, and support others in meaningful ways. Having once benefited from these programs, I take pride in giving back by using my experiences to uplift and mentor others in my community.

How are you involved with Atlantic Street Center now as a volunteer and what motivated you to get started in that?

I got started with Atlantic Street Center when my manager, Jennifer—a true Give champ—brought forward an initiative to begin hosting monthly give-back events and encouraged me to get more involved. That initial spark led to a growing partnership with ASC.
Today, I continue to volunteer, mentor, and support ASC’s mission by encouraging others to get involved, identifying new opportunities for collaboration, and helping grow the impact of their programs. As our collaboration deepens, it’s inspiring to see how much more we can do together—a true testament to the power of strong leadership and community connection.

What is/are the benefit(s) that come with volunteering at a local organization? They can be personal benefits or a benefit that the community experiences.

I believe we are all individually shaped by how strong our community is. Volunteering at a local organization is especially meaningful to me because I benefited from this program as a teen, and it’s only natural for me to give back now that I have the capability and the ability to do so. Volunteering helps us build meaningful connections with community members while helping strengthen support systems for those in need. I find that empowering others, promoting social equity, and fostering a stronger community creates a lasting impact on my life and those around me.

Volunteer Appreciation: Todd Obilor

March 27, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

A Sleep Study with Renewed Energy

Part of our Young Professionals Advisory Council since its inception, Todd Obilor has been volunteering and raising awareness for Atlantic Street Center for almost three years now. He is currently working towards his PhD in child clinical psychology, specifically in how sleep (or lack thereof) can be impacted by societal prejudices and racism.

Todd recently collaborated with our Youth Development team to interview young people in our program for a study. Through careful interviews in person and virtually, our youth were able to give Todd more insight into how they process their surroundings and how it may affect their sleep.

Having young professionals who are passionate about their own ambitions, as well as the potential of their community, is a steadfast way to keep Atlantic Street Center pointed towards the future. Also, Todd represents another amazing adult our kids can look up to. Thank you, Todd!

If you are between 21 – 39, consider joining Atlantic Street Centers Young Professionals Advisory Council.

A Reminder to Love Myself

March 27, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

Celebrating Mother’s Day is a big deal at Atlantic Street Center. Because we support so many families, it is important our team creates opportunities to build community. This includes reminding our participants that they have value and deserve to honor themselves.

For Mother’s Day 2024, our Teens as Young Parents Program and Kinship Care Support Group were given days of beauty. We had aestheticians come in to apply eyelashes and make up, as well as administer facials. Holistic Coalition, a local spa, also gave out massages, including pre-natal.

“Thank you kindly for all the beautiful work you put into making us Moms feel special,” said a Teens as Young Parents participant. “It was the first time I’ve ever had my lashes done in my lifetime. It gave me a totally different, positive look. I felt happy and cute for a day. The magical relaxing facial and hand massage was a reminder how I need to love and care for myself more!”

The support that Atlantic Street Center provides to youth and families is fluid and flexible. Of course, we work with participants to help them with objectives like job hunting, finding open and equitable preschools, and even with food accessibility. There is still a need to create comfort and a sense of community. These programs are a safe haven for our participants to honor themselves and intentionally slow down.

A Place to Grow

March 27, 2025 Nora Uncategorized

The After-School Program offers local youth a place to create meaningful relationships with peers as well as take part in enriching activities and, of course, finish their home work. Under the guidance of our dedicated Youth Coordinators, our kids find comfort in playing outside, enjoying a snack, and then using their brains to stay engaged even though the school day is over.

The program follows the Seattle school calendar, which means we also take a break during the summer time but not before we celebrate our youths’ success with an annual moving on ceremony. Families are invited to watch performances, enjoy a barbeque, and listen to small commencement-like speeches from our kids. Every child that goes through the program gets the chance to talk about the growth they have seen in themselves and their friends throughout the year.

Moses took to the mic to tell everyone, including his parents, just how much value he gets from the After-School Program. “I love ASC because it helps me build grown-up skills!”

He couldn’t be more correct! We have seen Moses expand his talents tremendously with Atlantic Street Center. In addition to collaborating with his peers over shared home work and countless rounds of trivia, Moses signed himself up for our Slam Poetry Night. He got dressed up alongside his brother and sang his heart out. That kind of fearlessness and confidence is something we love to see and help nurture. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Moses!