Dear Stand Supporters,
2021 has been quite a year, to say the least. It has been marked by events that left us in righteous rage and despair, but not without hope and progress. With just a few short days before we close for business until the New Year, I’m struck by all the good work we’ve been able to do together, even amidst so much uncertainty, heartache, political division, and loss.
Despite and in some cases because of the challenging conditions we’ve navigated, we’ve been fortunate to be in community with you. Throughout the year we’ve taken multiple opportunities to lock arms while we learned the skills of storytelling in Advocacy Trainings, engaged in collective efforts to write our representatives, participated in community listening sessions, and shared testimony at legislative hearings. We’ve seen students, families, and educators serve as leaders, supporters, space-holders, advocates, and co-designers of solutions to the challenge of ensuring that every child receives the high-quality, relevant education they deserve. 2021 taught us that even amidst the deepest of crises, we can make progress, innovate, and rebuild.
Together, we were able to:
pass our signature bill protecting students’ access to comprehensive counseling services;
support an important bill increasing Cultural Competency and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings for educators;
create much-needed resources for families of students in special education;
secure much-needed funding for research-backed programs that keep students on track for high school graduation and help them access challenging coursework and college credit; and
build a stronger community of advocates for Washington students and their families.
You can read more about our biggest wins this year and plans for the future in our 2021 annual report:
With an awareness that there is still so much work to be done, we will launch into 2022 with ambitious and energized commitment to more deeply investing in young people, their leadership and their voice. Will you join us by making your tax-deductible donation to Stand for Children before the end of the calendar year?
Given the powerful community we are, I know we can do this. I hope that you are able to find moments of rest, relaxation, family, and community over coming days, and I can’t wait to get back to work with you in 2022!
Standing with you,
Kia C. Franklin
Executive Director
Stand for Children Washington
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