FOCS' purpose is to bring parents together in loving community to raise children of color who are healthy, loved, and justice-oriented. We connect families, caregivers and children through peer-led parent support groups, cultural resource sharing, and racial justice advocacy. This past year we have had many accomplishments, including:
We filled our core Newborn and Waddler groups EVERY quarter!
We added a new Affinity Group for Pacific Islander and Asian Parents
FOCS continued to bring Families together! We supported Black Maternal Health Week in person and virtual programming, help a virtual community check-in, hosted four Park Days throughout the Seattle area, moderated a Virtual COVID Vaccine Teach-in, and tabled at a Taking B(l)ack Pride and the Open Arms Summer Resource Fair
We increased our social media reach by over 100% on Instagram and Facebook, and have over 3,787 members in our Facebook Community group, 290 new members in this year alone!
We filled all staffing roles within the organization as we we welcomed our newest hires this year: Communications Manager, Norma Gonzalez, Community Engagement and Advocacy Manager, Abbie Altamirano and Development Director Sarah Kim Park.
Because of your support in 2022, FOCS was able to offer 24 free virtual parent groups serving 169 families of color in the Seattle area!
Please consider making a gift to continue FOCS' free programming. All donations - no matter the size - from people like you mean we can continue to gather in community and raise our children to be healthy, loved and justice-oriented!
Thank you to everyone that donated, shared our emails, social media posts, and told friends and community about FOCS!
Your efforts helped us EXCEED our goal of raising $4,000 this year for Giving Tuesday!
FOCS is Accepting Race Equity
Workshop Requests!
FOCS leads interactive dialogue workshops for a wide range of participants including public and private educators and staff, PTAs and parent-led groups, student groups.
We customize our workshops to be developmentally appropriate for various age groups from preschool to college. Our workshops include:
Undoing Racism & Teaching Equity to Our Children
Positive Racial Identity Development & Race-Based Conversations with Kids
Recognizing, Interrupting and Resolving Microaggressions
Resolute Conversations about Race
Intersectionality: Children of Color with Disabilities
Intersectionality: Queer & Trans Children of Color
Our friends at Town Hall and Seattle Urban Book Expoinvite FOCS families to come meet 18 BIPOC children's authors as they share their work and passion for literature.
Bring your children to enjoy snacks, games, activities and books!
Children's Book Day Kick-off Event: Jessixa Bagley with Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II: Lit for Kids: A Peek at Children's Publishing When: Friday, December 2nd
Where: Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101
Children's Book Day weekend kicks off with Seattle Urban Book Expo organizer, Jeffrey Cheatham II, hosting a sit-down Q&A with award-winning children's book author, Jessixa Bagley at 6pm at Town Hall Seattle.
Check out our latest YOUTUBE VIDEO where FOCS staff members Hafidha and Abbie talk about 5 Tips for Dressing and Getting Ready for Wet, Fall Weather.
Do you have some ideas on outdoor family activities for the winter? Send us your suggestions and ideas via email to Programs@focseattle.org
Don't forget to invite your FOCS friends to connect with us! Join our Facebook Community Pageto see updates, pictures, and get notified of future events!
FOCS Staff Spotlight
An Interview with Latima,
FOCS Board Vice-President
Meet Latima!
How did you first learn about FOCS?
I first heard about FOCS through their Facebook group. I was looking for a community to connect with and other families of color. I found friends for myself and for my child by just saying “I’m looking for other moms to connect with.” I found local BIPOC owned businesses. I didn’t know FOCS had parenting groups but when I found out, I joined the Black mom’s group and later when I was pregnant with my second child, I joined the Expecting Parents group, and now I’m part of the Board.
Why did you join the Board?
I was completely blown away by the support we got from FOCS as a nonprofit so I knew I wanted to get more involved with FOCS early on. I joined the Black Moms in the Summer of 2020, during a time when life was hard and we were all quarantined and a time when I needed connection. My family is all on the east coast so I didn’t have people around me to support me during that time- that group helped me navigate raising a young child during a difficult time. We had conversations about mothering, conversations about what was happening and how to connect with each other. Having a group of Black women who were able to give support and help me navigate it all was amazing. I found connection with other moms and still have friends through this experience. But it wasn’t just the group, it was the fact that FOCS as an organization was trying to uplift everyone in their community. We got two different care packages during that time. I didn’t have to fill out a form or give out all of my information, it was blanket support for everyone! It’s hard to explain the value that that support had in my life, but and from that point on, I knew I wanted to be more involved.
How have your thoughts on Social Justice and identity changed through your involvement with FOCS?
It's evolved and changed. FOCS groups brought diversity into my space because there are people from all walks of life and cultures that come to group. There are specific topics around diversity and equity and they invite conversations about what’s happening around the world and country. Engaging with other people allows me to understand that the fight I’m fighting is not isolated to my people- all people of color are dealing with things in different ways- it allows me to open up my heart and mind and see how I’m interacting with people- how I may be perpetuating things and how I’m using my voice and power to support others in their struggle. It shows me that the difference between us as people of color is very small- we’re all dealing with inequities in different ways but we're all dealing with it. We don’t often think about how other people have to deal with racism- so when you hear someone else’s story and you can validate and show up for them, then you’re more likely to have an open heart and mind. I think it’s important in our fight for social justice to come together and be in community.
What is your best advice for new parents?
My best advice for a new parent is to let the pressure go! Mom guilt is so real, it is so serious and it is so hard! No matter how much you think you’re messing up, or how much you think you’re not doing something right or not providing something, just know that your kid loves you no matter what and you are seriously doing the best job you can, you are awesome and that is okay.
What do you look forward to in your job as Vice President for FOCS?
My favorite thing about being a board member is finding ways to support the organization, as Vice President my job is to support the President and ED in whatever they may need so I just try to do the best I can to give support and advocate for the organization.
I remember I went to an event with FOCS when I was pregnant and I showed up hungry, I was talking to my husband on the phone telling him I hoped they had snacks and there was pizza there! Every event that I have participated in- everything that FOCS does, they do it 100%. The org does so much for the people they’re serving and you can really tell how much they care. I’m just always so blown away by level of intentionality that is put into the activities that FOCS does, like this summer we had summer park days and they were at various locations across Seattle to make it accessible and welcoming for everyone. Even through social media, we get asked to post and support BIPOC businesses. They are always uplifting and sharing what’s happening in Seattle and in our community and people are showing up!
FOCS Community Program Spotlight
Y-WE (Young Women Empowered)
This month we want to highlight the amazing work that our friends at Y-WE are doing to empower young people!
Y-WE’s mentorship-based empowerment programs serve diverse young women, non-binary, and gender expansive youth ages 13-26. They are an intersectional feminist organization that welcomes youth of all racial identities, but centers the experiences of BIPOC women. Participants hold a wide variety of identities, many of whom are queer, trans, BIPOC, first or second generation immigrants, and more.
United Indians Native Art Market Dec. 17–18, 10am - 4pm at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, 5011 Bernie Whitebear Way, Seattle. Jewelry, crafts, food, prints, artwork, drums, and baskets are just a handful of handmade, Native-made, artisan goods you can find at the United Indians Native Art market. With affordable and unique pieces from many different tribes, finding holiday gifts here is a must. The event is free to the public.
ALMA Tacoma Native Art Market Dec. 10–11, 11am - 4pm
1322 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma
Local Indigenous artists and makers will be selling handmade jewelry, original art, prints, tea, ribbon skirts, Pendleton bags, floral wreaths, body butters, and more.
Sacred Circle Gifts, Ongoing Online Market
Sacred Circle Gifts and Art is the artisan gallery and shop of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and the proceeds from purchases go to funding the nonprofit. Sacred Circle Gifts and Art brings together Native American art and specialty items designed by Native artists
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 EmpoweredMentorship-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.
