Fall Parent Groups
We are so excited launch three new groups centering families of color in Redmond!
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Fall 2021 Schedule
Redmond* Black Moms, Fall 2021
Wednesdays, 5 – 7 pm
September 29 – November 17
North Seattle Newborns, Fall 2021
Thursdays, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
September 30 – December 9
South Seattle Newborns, Fall 2021
Mondays, 11 am – 1 pm
September 27 – November 29
Redmond* Newborns, Fall 2021
Fridays, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
October 1 – December 3
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North Seattle Waddlers, Fall 2021
Tuesdays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
September 14 – November 9
South Seattle Waddlers, Fall 2021
Tuesdays, 5 – 7 pm
September 21 – November 16
Redmond* Waddlers en español, Fall 2021
Thursdays, 1 – 3 pm
September 23 – December 2
*Redmond groups are brought to you in partnership with the City of Redmond. While we welcome other Eastside families to join, half of the spots in the group will be reserved families living in Redmond.
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Briton (she/her): Briton is so excited to be joining FOCS as a Parent Educator! She wants to help bring families of color together in community is so needed in today's world. She hopes to help others not feel so alone in their journey of parenting. Briton spends most of her days chasing after her little one, painting, trying new recipes, and going on long walks all over Western Washington.
Menzeba (she/her): For 7 years, Menzeba has lived in West Africa studying as a journalist, healer, and prenatal/postpartum traditionalist. She is a postpartum doula, blogger, and entrepreneur. Her techniques and philosophy surrounding motherhood are rooted in her exposure to traditional, naturopathic practices and values. Menzeba’s passion lies in understanding women’s issues as they evolve and reshape the individual, the community, and global civilizations. She has organized, led, and participated in dozens of workshops, and public speaking events surrounding traditional healing and the journey of womanhood as a leader in the non-profit organization, The Earth Center of Maanu, Inc. She is a published editor and an advocate for cultural preservation. She has assisted dozens of women and children throughout all stages of their growth and development. Menzeba is a proud mother of two and an entrepreneur. After participating in one of FOCS’s 8-week sessions, she knew that the organization aligned with her values and personal vision. FOCS has offered tremendous support and introduced her to sisterhood during a time she needed it most. When she is not busy homeschooling her children, she is working on her natural body care line or working on her blog. She currently lives in Renton, WA.
Stephanie (she/her): Stephanie is navigating pandemic life as a first time parent with her partner Mike and just-turned one-year-old, Josie. When not chasing after the new waddler, she spends her week as an HR Professional dismantling and rebuilding equitable and inclusive workspaces for journalists and weekends exploring Seattle's parks and playgrounds, playing board games or cooking. She has chosen to be a Parent Educator because she experienced the magic of community in her Newborn group, and wants to carry the torch forward for growing families of color.
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Welcome, Cricket!
Join us in welcoming our newest addition to our Board of Directors! Interested in serving families of color in the Seattle area? Visit focseattle.org/board to learn more about joining
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Maria Cristina (Cricket) Limlingan (she/her) is an applied researcher at the University of
Washington and has over fifteen years of experience in early childhood education research
related to home, school and community partnerships, family engagement and dual language
learners’ (DLLs) school readiness. Her research interests focus on improving the quality of
educational experiences for linguistically and ethnically diverse young children in the United
States and in low- and middle-income countries. She is particularly interested in the environmental and cultural influences on immigrant children’s experiences and interventions that may improve their school readiness outcomes. She is also one of the co-founders of Filipino Storytime Time – Seattle and Campfire Crates. Cricket received her Ph.D. in Child
Development from Tufts University. She was born and raised in the Philippines and has lived in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Chicago, Boston and now calls Seattle her home with her two
daughters, Hanna and Emi. Cricket is looking forward to sharing and learning more with the
FOCS Board and community.
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Entering its sixth year, Best Starts for Kids is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey gathers information from families in King County on the health of their children, including family strengths, basic needs, childcare and school experiences, overall wellbeing, and community & parent supports. Information gathered in this survey will guide the direction of Best Starts for Kids programs and initiatives, ensuring the needs of diverse communities are centered in the development of programs and allocation of resources.
All parents in King County with kids elementary-age and younger are invited to participate. The survey is available online, and offered in seven languages. It will take no longer than 15-20 minutes to complete. Click here to share your feedback and ensure the needs of our thriving, diverse LGBTQ+ families in King County are heard!
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