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Fiesta Latina 2022!

October 8
6:00 PM - 9:00 p.m.
Kittitas Valley Events Center,
Teanaway Hall

Amigos Atleticos

Build healthy habits and relationships with new friends through fitness! For students in grades 6-10.

Register now by calling 509-201-1820 or emailing Jesus.Erasto-Garcia@apoyo-community.org

Mission

APOYO has been at work in central Washington since 1995. Our mission is to help anyone who needs it, however we can. We promote community cooperation, provide outreach and advocacy to Latinx communities, act as a liaison between Latinx communities and private and governmental organizations, and empower Latinx communities to promote, celebrate and honor their diverse cultures and histories in Central Washington and beyond.

APOYO is known for its service as a food pantry and clothing bank where everyone is welcome. We provide healthy, ethically-sensitive food. We also empower people by connecting them with essential services for such things as housing, health care, education, and childcare. We can help people with English and Spanish translation. We can help families communicate with health care providers and teachers. We can help people find legal assistance. Find out more about our history and our team.

How You Can Help

Make A Donation

Giving online has never been more secure, convenient, and hassle-free. We also accept in person donations of cash or check at our physical location: 1320 E. 18th Avenue. Or you can mail a donation to P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Become a Volunteer

Join with us to become part of a network strong enough to affect a positive change in the lives of the local Latinx community. Or if you need community service hours please feel free to contact us for more information.

CWU Students & Faculty

APOYO has partnered with CWU since 1998. We give students opportunities for internships and projects. To learn more, contact Dr. Hope Amason, APOYO's Academic Connections Team leader, at hope.amason@cwu.edu.

Support APOYO

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon Donates.

Our Services

Food Pantry

Clothing Bank

Internet Access

Workshops

English and Spanish Instruction

Translation Assistance

Referrals to Other Resources

Exciting News

APOYO is building a community center. We are in the process of constructing a passive-solar, straw bale building that will serve as our new food pantry and become a community center, too!

Straw bales for construction

Working Partnerships

Northwest Harvest

APOYO has been a Northwest Harvest partner since our founding. Northwest Harvest partners with 375 food programs throughout Washington to create a Hunger Response Network. For more information, visit Northwest Harvest.

HopeSource

APOYO helps get people connected to services through HopeSource. To address housing insecurity, we partnered with HopeSource December 2020 to March 2021 as a sub-contractor in the Washington State Department of Commerce Eviction Rental Assistance Program. APOYO was awarded $27,830.25 to distribute to landlords.

CWJFON

In November 2020, we partnered with Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors to offer a workshop to help people apply for Washington Covid-19 Immigrant Relief Funds.

Kittitas County Health Network

APOYO is a member of the Leadership Council of the Kittitas County Health Network.

Kittitas County Health Department

Partnering with Kittitas County Health Department, we have organized Covid-19 vaccination clinics at APOYO and provided health care supplies to APOYO members.

Others

Over the years, APOYO has partnered with other organizations in Kittitas County and beyond to serve needs that arise. In 2020-22, we have received support from Yakima Valley Community Foundation, United Way of Central Washington, the Latino Community Fund and the Kittitas County Covid Community Recovery Fund to help the people we serve who are experiencing hardships related to the pandemic. If your organization would like to propose a partnership that will help us serve, please contact us!

Know Your Rights

All immigrants, undocumented and documented, in the United States have certain rights under the Constitution. Learn about your rights and how your family can better prepare for an encounter with immigration law enforcement.

APOYO Food Bank

Food distributions at
1320 E 18th Ave., Ellensburg
Wednesdays
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Phone
509-201-1820

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Allied People Offering Year-Round Outreach

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October 86:00 PM - 9:00 p.m. Kittitas Valley Events Center, Teanaway Hall Build healthy habits and relationships with new friends through fitness! For students in grades 6-10. Register now by calling 509-201-1820 or emailing Jesus.Erasto-Garcia@apoyo-community.org APOYO has been at work in central Washington since 1995.

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Early Connections Play and learn program is giving away free math activities for children 3-5. Families with children in this age need to send a text to this number (509) 285-1451 and ask for math activities. Thank you!

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Catholic Charities is hosting an Open House event for our Early Learning Programs on September 21st. Please see the attached flyer.

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West Valley Early Learning Workshop
Social-Emotional Foundations for Learning

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Wide Hollow Elementary (72nd & 🤬 Hill)

All workshops will be held:
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
STARS/MERIT or Clock Hours Available.

Dates/Topics for Future Workshops:
Thursday, February 23, 2023 to be determined
Thursday, April 20, 2023 to be determined

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here is the image my group was asking for!

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What fashion trend do you wish would come back?

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What fashion trend do you wish would come back?

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What food or beverage reminds you of Fall?

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What food or beverage reminds you of Fall?

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“The Investing in Children Coalition Equity Action Team recognizes that Equity is an ongoing process that involves input from recipients, continued evaluation, and shared accountability. We further understand that equity is an assessment-based process and outcome that must be open to the truth.

We believe in creating environments where success is unavoidable.”

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88199731378

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2022 Beyond Connections Conference -  Sept 28-30

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2022 Beyond Connections Conference -  Sept 28-30

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WCFC's Early Childhood
Virtual Conference

Join us for Beyond Connection, the first-ever WCFC Conference. During this 3-day virtual event, choose from more than 15 sessions that will connect you to innovative ideas that are impacting children and families across Washington. The conference will redefine what it means to be an expert by spotlighting the champions that live and work among us.

Topics sessions align with the six WCFC Learning Networks: Policy & Advocacy, Health Provider Voice, Family Voice, Equity, Resource Navigation & Access, and Data. The conference is designed for anyone with a passion for supporting children and families, including educators, child care providers, public health experts, elected officials, social workers, child welfare advocates,
pediatricians, nurses, parents and caregivers, and others!

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION BELOW

To foster meaningful relationship-building amongst session participants,
the number of registrations per session will be limited. Registration Questions? Please contact us at beyondconnection@washingtoncfc.org.

SPONSOR THE INAUGURAL
BEYOND CONNECTION
CONFERENCE!

Click below for more information on
Sponsorship Levels & Benefits:

THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT
CONFERENCE SPONSORS:

Born and raised in southwest Florida, Josh Pray quickly proved that his type of comedy was far-reaching. He has toured and made appearances in the contiguous United States, as well as and.

Josh is a multi-faceted comedian who produces online content daily on , , , and . Viewers can watch him learn dances, perform skits with his children, react to movies and music, and share his signature "5 things." Although he faces the challenge of producing engaging content in a saturated age, he continually rises to the occasion and continues to surprise and entertain his loyal fan base.

Facebook: @JoshPray

YouTube: @JoshPray

Instagram: @JoshPray

TikTok: @JoshPray239

Twitter: @_JoshPray

Friday, September 30
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening of food and dialogue, where nothing is off the table!

We're ending our virtual conference with some in-person fun! On the Table: Dinner Gatherings are designed to connect early childhood champions through a shared meal and stimulating conversation. Anyone can sign up to attend a dinner gathering in their local community. Rather than a large event in one location, we're hoping to host hundreds of small events all across Washington. This will help us to connect in a safe, healthy, and accessible way.

For a small portion of the evening, groups across the state will connect via Zoom to experience the size and scope of the Washington Communities for Children network. Guests will also be given an opportunity to support the work of WCFC through a financial contribution. Join us for an evening of food and dialogue, where nothing is off the table!

Interested in hosting a dinner?

Dinner hosts are essential to making this event a success. It has been proven over and over again that the majority of guests attend fundraising events because they have been personally invited by a friend, family member, or colleague.

The primary responsibilities of dinner hosts are to gather a small group of people-friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who considers themselves a community champion-for a shared meal and conversation. We encourage you to think creatively and do what is simple and fun for you! Check out the Dinner Host Guide for more information.

If you are interested in hosting a dinner, contact rachelh@first5fundamentals.org.

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Beyond Connection - Washington Communities For Children

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WCFC's Early Childhood Virtual Conference Join us for Beyond Connection, the first-ever WCFC Conference. During this 3-day virtual event, choose from more than 15 sessions that will connect you to innovative ideas that are impacting children and families across Washington.

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Please follow this link to sign in for today's meeting!

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Please follow this link to sign in for today's meeting!

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FACEBOOK: @WashingtonCFC

INSTAGRAM: @washington_cfc

TWITTER: @washington_cfc

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https://www.washingtoncfc.org/fair-start-for-kids-act-communication-toolkit

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Big Thanks!

This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills. Special thanks to the following individuals who participated on the Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Workgroup:

Toolkit design & content creation

Colleen Condon, Molly Curtiss, Molly Draben, Cadie Dye, Debbie Ham, Brittany Hartikainen, Katie Maisch, Eiledon McLellan, Melissa McPheeters, April Messenger, Linden Obel, Nancy Spurgeon

Toolkit translation

Marina Medrano

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Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Toolkit - Washington Communities For Children

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This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills.

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borrowed from ESD 105

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Reconocimiento de Tierra
"Nos gustaría reconocer que venimos a ustedes desde las tierras tradicionales de los primeros habitantes de nuestro valle, las 14 Tribus y Bandas Confederadas de la Nación Yakama, y honramos con gratitud a la tierra misma y a la Tribu Yakama.”

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National Equity Project: Liberatory Design Training

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National Equity Project: Liberatory Design Training

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Why Early Learning is Important:

Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness:

Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

Physical - The early years are important for the development of fundamental gross-motor and fine-motor skills needed to be active learners.

Language - Children need to understand increasingly complex language and use language to express their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings.

Cognitive - Children are more successful in school when they have positive approaches to learning, and are able to attend, engage, and persist to solve problems.

Literacy - A child's progress in reading and writing is one of the best predictors of whether the child will function competently in school and in life.

Math - Research shows that math is the number one predictor of future success in reading and math.*

*Duncan, Greg. University of California, 2007. Early Childhood Longitudinal studies. "The strongest predictors of later achievement are school-entry math, reading, and attention skills. Early math skills have the greatest predictive power."

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Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness: Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Why Liberatory Design?
We are all living in challenging times that our past experience and training has not sufficiently prepared us for. Too often, well intentioned equity efforts do not succeed-and even produce unintended consequences. This can lead to frustration, hopelessness and cynicism.
It's important to consider why so many equity efforts stall or fail to achieve intended outcomes:

They do not employ a deep enough equity lens-for example, a diversity and inclusion focus as opposed to interrogating deeper causes produced by systemic oppression.

They take the form of traditional linear, hierarchical plans that focus on strategies, goals, timelines, metrics and accountability. These efforts don't recognize the messiness and complexity of the challenge, so they often are ineffective and, sometimes, even backfire.

They are created in the context of dominant white culture, in traditional structures (e.g. committees, task forces), or in teams that don't have an effective approach to the work. Common problems include:

group members unable to engage in authentic critical dialogue;

lack of trust, especially across role/power and identity difference, that undermines team efficacy;

the process doesn't bring forward sufficiently creative thinking;

urgency leads to hasty, misguided decisions;

creative and potentially powerful solutions are not accepted by leadership.

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Addressing equity challenges and change efforts in complex systems with liberatory design. Learn more about this process or register for an upcoming course.

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by the Legislature in 2007.

ELAC representatives from around the state meet regularly to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) so our strategies and actions are well informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts and interested members of the public.

Governor Jay Inslee holds final authority for policy decisions.

The council has adopted a Racial Equity Framework through which it conducts its business as an advisory board to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Members

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) members are a diverse group of people whose role is to provide DCYF with input and recommendations to inform DCYF's work.

ELAC includes parents, child care providers, health and safety experts, legislators, representatives of Tribal Nations, independent schools, K-12 and higher education, and others who are interested in creating a statewide early learning system that helps all children realize their full potential.

Some ELAC members are appointed by the Governor. Others are appointed by various entities as required in the legislation that created ELAC.

Meetings

The Early Learning Advisory Council has six regular meetings each year, held on the first Tuesday of odd months. At each meeting, ELAC members get updates on DCYF's work and provide input and recommendations to DCYF.

Members of the public are welcome to attend ELAC meetings. Public comment periods are offered throughout each meeting. The locations and times vary for each meeting.

2022
December 6, 2022 August 2, 2022 October 4, 2022 June 7, 2022 April 12, 2022 February 1, 2022
At the time of the meeting, please join the Zoom meeting via the link below.

9:00am-3:00pm

Meeting number (access code): 824 9183 1069
Meeting password: 904723

Join by phone: 1 253 215 8782 US Toll
Passcode: 904723

2021
December 7, 2021 October 5, 2021 - Joint Early Learning Advisory Council, Provider Supports Subcommittee, and Parent Advisory Group Meeting August 3, 2021 June 1, 2021 - Joint Provider Supports Subcommittee Meeting March 30, 2021 - Joint PAG Meeting February 2, 2021

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Department of Children, Youth & Families

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The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by the Legislature in 2007. Read the statutory language ELAC representatives from around the state meet regularly to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) so our strategies and actions are well informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts and interested members of the public.

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@forthekidswa

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2022 Early Learning Conference - October 15th at Heritage University

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Calling for Executive Committee Nominations! 

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Calling for Executive Committee Nominations! 

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For more information please see the Executive Committee section of our website

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Executive Committee | Investing in Children Coalition