June 2023 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser   FOCS Newsletter June 2023 Here comes the sun!  Upcoming programs and events (scroll below for more details) FOCS Summer Park Day, 6/23 at Hamlin Park, 3 - 6pm Stroller Days at Gates Foundation Discovery Center, Thursdays 11am - 12 noon starting 6/7 Visit the FOCS Table at 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, 6/24 at Othello Park Summer Parent Groups to Begin in July Enter to Win: Samish Island Adventure Camp with Bronze Chapter, 7/7 - 7/10 FOCS Updates Upcoming Programs and Events Summer Park Days are back! SAVE THE DATES! FOCS Summer Park Days are here! Kickoff: FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 3 - 6pm Hamlin Park,  16006 15th Avenue NE Shoreline, WA 98155 Games and snacks will be provided! 🤸‍♀️⛹️‍♂️🤹‍♀️ All families of color and all ages welcome! Those of you who have joined us before know: there's nothing better than summer in the PNW, connecting with with other families of color, making new friends and seeing long-time friends. ⛱ See you there! Other Summer 2023 Park Days: July 16, Carkeek Park, 11am - 2pm August 20, Judkins Park, 11am - 2pm September 24, Jefferson Park (10th Anniversary Celebration), 10am - 2pm Stay connected through our Facebook Community Page and Instagram to get notified of all FOCS family events! Stroller Days at Gates Foundation Discovery Center! Every Thursday 11am - 12noon starting June 7! In partnership with Gates Foundation Discovery Center, please join Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) for a FREE stroller-friendly tour through the Discovery Center's newest exhibition, "Designing Motherhood: Things That Make and Break Our Births." This exhibition explores the arc of human reproduction through the lens of art and design. The exhibition examines the evolution of rights and societal norms connected to contraception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences over the last 150 years, highlighting that birth—and the culture that surrounds it—impacts every living person. While being born is a universal human experience, the designs that shape it are not. "Designing Motherhood" invites you to consider why and how we have developed designs to facilitate reproductive health. Featuring over 200 objects, this exhibition brings together a unique collection of contemporary artists and designers whose work helps us ponder the political, economic, and social implications of how we all relate to repoduction, juxtaposing photography with product design, innovations in material and newborn health, maternity fashion, and much more. RSVP: https://airtable.com/shrXMSKMQVBjuAzCn Info about the exhibit at discovergates.org Visit the FOCS Table at 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, 6/24 at Othello Park! Come celebrate at the 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on 6/24 at Othello Park! The gathering is organized by It Takes a Village -- AMSA Edition. It will feature great Soul Food, entertainment for the whole family, and other free activities. Stop by the FOCS table to say hi!  p.s. If you want to learn more about Juneteenth, check out this treasure trove of knowledge from the National Museum of African American History and Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth Also, follow FOCS on Instagram and Facebook where we will be sharing more knowledge and useful information about the history of Juneteenth, and how to celebrate this important holiday. FOCS Programs Updates Summer Parent Groups to Begin in July! Register Now In many ways, FOCS Parent Groups are the heart of our community, often the way that families connect and stay connected. As people have shared, "It takes a village. This is my village." Parent groups are facilitated gatherings to increase parenting skills and provide a space to discuss identity and race. Gatherings are eight to ten weekly, two-hour sessions. FOCS curriculum includes dialogue on racism, identity, and the tools to best support raising strong and compassionate children of color. Facilitators are parents themselves with lived experience specific to the group. Connect with your village!   Register Now Enter to Win! Samish Island Adventure Camp July 7th to July 10th Are you ready to create unforgettable Summer memories with your family? Families of Color Seattle, in collaboration with The Bronze Chapter, is offering a unique opportunity for five Puget Sound area families of color to attend the Samish Island Adventure Camp from July 7th to 10th, absolutely free! This incredible offer holds a value of up to $500, and we don't want you to miss out. To enter for a chance to win - click the following link and complete the registration form: https://forms.gle/k47AXjwLKcsdk4Ch6 by 9am Tuesday June 13th. Applications received after this time may not be considered, so if you want to go, don't delay. [Update: the winners have been selected! Thanks for all the interest!] At the Family Adventure Camp, you'll experience an all-inclusive, three-night, all-age, all-gender camp like no other - meals included! Nestled within the breathtaking Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center, the adventure camp is designed to provide historically underrepresented people of color with an enriching summer experience, led by Black and Brown leaders. Choose your preferred camping style, whether it's a cabin, tent, or RV with full hook-up, and immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings of the 80+ acre campground. Enjoy tasty and nutritious meals prepared by renowned Chef Wayne Johnson, a former Iron Chef challenger. With open spaces, forests, walking trails, and saltwater beaches, this serene environment offers the perfect setting for exploration, rejuvenation, fellowship, and skill-building. As we come together at this special location, we honor the ancestral land of the Coast Salish people, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. Our program themes for this gathering revolve around Community, Water, and Land, ensuring an immersive and culturally significant experience. The Bronze Chapter and Families of Color Seattle have curated a lineup of programs and activities for everyone to enjoy. Here are the essential details you need to know: Date: July 7-10, 2023 Location: Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center Address: 11633 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232 Check-in: Friday, July 7th at 12:00 pm Check-out: Monday, July 10th at 12:00 pm Enter to Win! Happy Pride Month! Families come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! We celebrate your authentic famil(ies): the ones we are born into, as well as the ones we create and choose. We celebrate the courage and freedom to be our genuine selves, and believe all humans deserve safety, belonging, and dignity. Follow FOCS on Instagram and Facebook where we will be sharing more knowledge and useful information about the history of Pride Month, and how to celebrate with our families -- regardless of whether you or someone in your family identifies as LGBTQIA2S+   Thank you to our Donors! Your donation helps foster community amongst BIPOC Parents in the Seattle area and ensures that we can continue to offer parent groups and family programming free of charge to families of color.   Thank you for supporting BIPOC family connections and community building! Become a Monthly FOCS Donor Resources   Resources for Parents B.I.PoC. Provider Directory- developed and maintained by Deconstructing The Mental Health System (DMHS), a group for Mental Health Professionals who are actively increasing access to mental health & wellness services for the BIPOC community. 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. 4 Tomorrow- Latino and Youth-focused organization offering support & coordination to households in King County. Services include Mental Health Services (Coordination, Referrals, Education, Events & Gap Therapy) as well as Life Services (resource navigation, Financial assistance, Goal Planning, Racism, hate and bias reporting, Systems navigation) and Basic Needs Services (housing stability, basic needs, education, public benefits, immigration, healthcare, life obstacles and more).  UTOPIA WA- basic needs, support groups, and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community Y-WE (Young Women Empowered)- Mentorship-based empowerment programs serving diverse young women ages 13-26 DMHS: Deconstructing the Mental Health System- 250+ Mental Health & Cultural Wellness Professionals who are Black, Black Indigenous, Indigenous, People of Color, and QTPOC & LGBTQIA+ & Affirming Providers serving our communities   Community Resources Alternatives to calling 911 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 Puget Sound. Northwest Vipassana Center- Free 10-day Meditation Retreats for individuals. Affinity courses including Black Heritage Course, and Bilingual/Thai and Spanish courses.  COVID & Monkeypox Resources Current COVID Guidance in King County Current Information about Monkeypox Resources for Families Impacted by COVID Eviction Assistance  City, County, State & Federal Resources Small Business Support Free Internet Access and Hotspots  Free and low cost internet access for low-income families More Ways to Stay Connected! Become a Monthly Donor! Host a Race Equity Workshop Join the Facebook Community Group Follow us on Facebook! Find us on Instagram! Stay connected on LinkedIn! Learn more on our Website! Copyright © 2023, Families of Color Seattle, All rights reserved. Our email address is: info@focseattle.org  Want to change how you receive these emails? 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