Congratulations to our New FOCS Board Members and Fellows!
We are honored to have you and benefit from your expertise and passion! Learn more about our new Members here
Latima Charbonneau, MA (she/her), Board Director Bethany Doran, M.D., MPH (she/her), Board Director
Alexia Clayborne, J.D. (she/her, x), Board Director Anthony Gasero (He/Him), Board Fellow, UW MBA Student
Bob Agiro (He/Him), Board Fellow, UW MBA Student
A BIG THANK YOU! to our outgoing Members
Former Board Director, Nicole, and Former Board Fellow Heather
FOCS Office Updates
We're Hiring!
FOCS is at a pivotal stage in 2022. Building off of organizational stability and history, FOCS board and staff have heard from our community that there is a desire to deepen and grow our impact for BIPOC families.
We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:
In addition to Parent Groups for families with Newborns and Waddlers, we also have multiple Affinity groups open to families with children of all ages!
Fall Dates Coming Soon!
Fill out our interest form to let us know which groups you are interested in seeing for the Fall!
FOCS Programs Updates
Summer Park Days are Here!
Park Days are an opportunity for families to connect, play games, get to know FOCS staff! This is also an opportunity for FOCS families to provide valuable input to our Programs team so we can be sure to offer programming that meets the need of our community!
Join our Facebook Community Page to see updates, pictures, and get notified of future events!
For the safety of our community and its most vulnerable members, please stay home if you or your family members are ill or not feeling well, and observe respectful hygiene practices, e.g. clean hands, covered mouths when coughing, etc.
FOCS Staff Spotlight
FOCS Parent Group Facilitator
Meet Briton!
My name is Briton. I'm a FOCS Parent Educator and have been with FOCS since Fall of 2021.
How did you first get involved with FOCS?
I started off as a Parent Group attendee when I was pregnant. During the summer of 2020 with the pandemic and BLM protests in full swing, I was in my second trimester of pregnancy. I wasn't doing well mentally. One of my medical providers handed me a pamphlet for FOCS and a few other peer support groups. I did not have any sort of Black community ties and no one could understand my feelings during that time of the fear and exhaustion of being a Black woman. Especially as the future mother to a biracial Black son. I joined a Rapid Response Zoom call and immediately felt a sense of community and understanding. After that I joined a Black Moms group. Then an Expectant Parents group and on from there. I have participated in four groups as a parent and two as the parent educator/co-facilitator.
What do you look forward to in your job?
I love providing a space for parents to find community amongst one another. It was what I needed so desperately when I was starting my parenting journey as a BIPOC in the very white spaces of Western Washington. I joined a PEPS-type group after my son was born where the first rule was we couldn't discuss anything political. My immediate thought was: "My skin IS political."
I felt alone and silenced in that group. Now I'm able to help create a space where people of color can come together as our authentic selves to share our experiences, support, and learn from each other.
What’s your best advice to a new birth parent or partner of a birth parent?
Ask for help when you need it. I struggled with a severe postpartum mental illness. Luckily, I asked for help before it was too late. My advice is to ignore the online forums full of strangers who don't know your health or circumstances and reach out to a qualified healthcare professional. Bring in trusted friends or family if you have a support system available to you. You are not a bad parent for needing help at any stage of your parenting journey.
If your kids were a food/animal or cartoon, who would they be?
My son would absolutely be Pop Rocks. He is bold and sweet, with an explosively energetic personality.
Who is your personal hero, and why?
Right now, I'm looking up to all the Black women in or involved with government who are boldly standing up to injustices, like Representative Joanna McClinton and Nekima Levy Armstrong. They aren't afraid to speak out and call things as they are regardless of the predictable response of being called an "angry black woman." I dream of having that much boldness one day.
Are you interested in becoming Parent Group Facilitator? Sign-up to attend our next info session! Contact bo@focseattle.org for more information.
FOCS Community Partner Spotlight
Global Perinatal Services
This month we want to highlight the amazing work that our friends at Global Perinatal Services are doing to support Black Parents!
The Black Bundles of Joy Program aims to assist expecting first time Black parents with transitioning to their role into parenthood.
UTOPIA WA- basic needs, support groups and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ community
Seattle Green Book- Seattle’s Black business directory. Free and open to Black-owned and co-owned businesses and people holding space for the Black community around the Puget Sound.
Young Women Empowered - Mentorship-based empowerment programs serving diverse young women ages 13-26
Global Perinatal Services- Birth Doulas services are free to low-income, immigrant, and refugee families living in King County. Services are available in various languages including Somali, Arabic, Hindi, and more.
Northwest Vipassana Center- Free 10-day Meditation Retreats for individuals. Affinity courses including Black Heritage Course, and Bilingual/Thai and Spanish courses.
Summer Community Events
Loving Room Community Opening, August 21st, 12pm- 4:00pm- A diaspora books + salon community opening! Come celebrate Black literature with us as we officially open our doors!
Black & Tan Hall Block Parties- Monthly from June through September — 1–6 p.m. Black & Tan Hall, 5608 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA
