Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $30,000 during the End-of-Year Giving Season! Your generosity helps us continue building meaningful connections within the FOCS community. Thank you for making this work possible! Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community for families of color.
In this Newsletter:
Hear From Our Community
Fall Program Success: Building Connections and Strengthening Families
Winter Programming: Upcoming Parent Groups & Advocacy Opportunitiess
Spread the Word: Seeking FOCS- Friendly Spaces
Hear From Our Community!
Check out this video where FOCS Parents and Parent Group Facilitators share their powerful stories about connecting with other families, finding support, and navigating the joys and challenges of parenting in the Seattle metro area.
Fall Program Success: Building Connections and Strengthening Families
Photo from FOCS Family Fun Workshop in partnership with the Seattle Art Museum
Our core parent groups continue to thrive, consistently filling to capacity! Our Fall offerings included affinity groups such as:
Single Moms of Color
Parents of Neurodivergent Children
Indigenous Parents of Children 0-5
This year, we also brought families together through impactful and community-centered events, including:
Workshop on Reparenting Ourselves: A transformative session focused on parenting and breaking generational cycles of trauma.
Halloween Block Party in Seattle: A fun, family-focused event where we connected with BIPOC families in celebration of the season.
FOCS Family Day at the Seattle Art Museum: A collaborative day of art, connection, and culture.
FOCS at Garden d’Lights: An enchanting evening for families to experience the beauty of the season together.
Post-Election Community Care Check-In: A supportive space for parents and families to share resources, foster resilience, and build a stronger sense of community.
Winter Programming: Upcoming Parent Groups & Advocacy Opportunitiess
Winter Parent Groups are Starting Soon!
Do you know a family that could use some FOCS community?
Explore our Parent Group offerings and register now at: focseattle.org -------------------------------- Expecting BIPOC Birthing Parents
Tuesday 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm February 11 - April 1
Hybrid - 6 sessions online and two in-person (first and last in-person)
(location disclosed after registration)
Parents of North Seattle BIPOC Newborns Tuesday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm February 11 - April 22
*No Meeting on 2/18 & 4/15
In-Person- Rotating Homes
(location disclosed after registration)
Parents of North Seattle BIPOC Waddlers Thursdays 10:30 am - 12:30 pm February 13 - April 10
*No Meeting on 2/20
In-Person- Rotating Homes
(location disclosed after registration)
Parents of South Seattle BIPOC Newborns Wednesdays 10 am - 12 pm February 12 - April 16
*No Meeting on 3/26
In-Person- Rotating Homes
(location disclosed after registration)
Parents of South Seattle BIPOC Waddlers Mondays 5 pm - 7 pm February 10 - March 31
In-Person- Rotating Homes
(location disclosed after registration)
FOCS parent groups are open to parents living or working in the Seattle metro area and surrounding Native reservations. --------------------------- Indigenous Parents of Children (0-5)
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
(Ongoing- Register to Attend)
Register at: bit.ly/Jan2025ipg
January’s theme will be Traditional Plant Medicines. We will be meeting on January 15th and 29th from 5:30-7:30pm!
Jan. 15th- Fire cider making with Montana Honeylion at Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services Offices. 3703 S Edmunds St, Seattle, WA
Jan. 29th- Learn-Along Elderberry Syrup Making at Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington offices. 33710 9th Ave S Suite 1, Federal Way, WA
Is the group you're interested in not listed?
More parent groups will be announced soon, including:
Mixed-Race/Multiracial Families with Children 0-5 yrs old
Mixed-Race/Multiracial Families with Children 6-18 yrs old
2SLGBTQ+ Parents
Check our website at focseattle.org for the most up-to-date information.
Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities
Advocacy is at the heart of building stronger, more equitable communities. This year, several important advocacy days offer opportunities to speak up for the issues that matter most to children, families, and students. Join us in making an impact!
The People’s March (Saturday, January 18, 2025)
Join a feminist-led day of action starting with a rally at Cal Anderson Park followed by a march to Seattle Center. 9:00 AM: Rally at Cal Anderson Park. 11:00 AM: March begins. Learn more at: peoplesmarchseattle.org
MLK March and Rally (Monday, January 20, 2025)
Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, 11:00 AM: Indoor rally, 12:30 PM: March starts. Learn more at: seattlemlkcoalition.org
Child Care Advocacy Day (January 24, 2025)
Hosted by Child Care for Washington, this day brings parents, providers, and advocates together in Olympia to push for affordable, accessible, and high-quality child care. Participants can attend workshops, meet with legislators, and make their voices heard on critical early learning issues.
Children’s Alliance Advocacy Day (Tuesday, February 11, 2025)
Hosted by the Children’s Alliance, Have a Heart for Kids Day brings families and advocates together to Olympia to meet with legislators and advocate for policies that promote the well-being of children in Washington state. Learn more at: childrensalliance.org
These advocacy days are excellent opportunities to engage in civic action and amplify community voices on key issues affecting children, families, and students. Stay tuned for updates and ways to participate!
Spread the Word
Seeking FOCS-Friendly Spaces!
As we move back to in-person parent groups and offer more events for families to gather, we are currently searching for free or low-cost meeting spaces in the King County area and surrounding Native reservations. Preferably kid-friendly spaces!
If your organization or business is open to having FOCS families come to your space, contact us!
For over a decade, FOCS has grown from a small community of mothers seeking connection into a thriving network, thanks to your support! Your contributions allow us to continue to offer free parent groups, connect families, and advocate for racial justice. As we gear up for our fall programming and continue our advocacy work, we invite you to become a FOCS monthly donor. Your generosity sustains our current efforts and helps build a future where all families can thrive in supportive, empowering spaces.
About Families of Color Seattle
(FOCS- pronounced "folks")
FOCS connects families, caregivers, and children of color through peer-led parent support groups; spaces to share culture, skills, and resources; and racial justice education and advocacy. Our vision is that children of color are born into a loving community that is racially and economically just. Visit focseattle.orgto learn more about our programs.
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