The Al-Shammari family was welcomed to the U.S. by the JFS resettlement team on January 26, 2016. Shortly after arriving,14-year-old Ali and 15-year-old Maryam, enrolled in the Kent School District. These refugee children were beginning their careers as American students. The Al-Shammaris, a family of five, were forced to flee Iraq in 2014. As a…
Breakfast After the Bell
Did you know that Washington State ranks 45th in the nation for serving breakfast to low income students? Breakfast After the Bell is a modest way to change this sorry fact. That’s why JFS volunteers wrote 124 letters to state legislators asking them to support HB1295 (companion bill to SB5437). Check out our slide show…
Do-It-Yourself Volunteer Ideas
These do-it-yourself volunteer ideas can really make a difference for the vulnerable people we serve, and you don’t even have to look for Capitol Hill parking to be able to help! There are plenty of projects that can be completed at home, in your classroom or your own neighborhood.Check out some ideas below: Create welcome baskets…
Ending the Mental Illness Stigma
In my 15 years of working with mental illness, I see how unwelcoming society can be towards people who live with these disabilities. Sometimes the mental illness stigma is overt, like a potential employer choosing a candidate without a disability over a qualified person who has one. Other times, it’s more subtle, such as someone using…
The Importance of Play to a Child’s Development
The importance of play is so widely recognized as critical to a child’s development that it is guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Playing is more than “just” fun. It builds cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral skills which children benefit from their whole lives. Play as the Child’s Lab Albert…
7 Tips for Breaking Bad Habits
Many of us choose the new year as a time to set intentions to address unhelpful habits and return to our more healthful selves. Here are seven strategies for helping you stick to this year’s resolutions. Set an intention daily. Identify the habit you want to change and set an intention to notice when it…
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