Author: Joe Hunich

Jun
30

This Could Not Have Been An Email: Social Emotional Learning Makes Meetings Meaningful

Filed Under: Expanded Learning - Posted @ 11:38pm

A common complaint heard after many work meetings is, “This could have been an email”. For Expanded Learning providers participating in Tacoma’s Whole Child partnership under COVID-19 conditions, virtual team meetings have been something they actually look forward to.  > Continue Reading

Apr
5

Listening to Youth Helps Drive Racial Equity At Pierce County Nonprofits

Filed Under: Philanthropy,Strengthening Pierce County,Vibrant Community - Posted @ 7:44am

  Jonathan Jackson, Palmer Scholars’ Executive Director, runs an organization that supports underrepresented Pierce County students of color to overcome financial, cultural, and social barriers in their pursuit of higher > Continue Reading

Mar
4

COVID-19 Conditions Strain School Districts and Nonprofit Partners as More Youth and Families Experience Homelessness

Filed Under: Housing,PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED,Strengthening Pierce County - Posted @ 4:44pm

Elementary students walking away from a bus, wearing COVID-19 masks.

    Marilee Hill-Anderson, Directory of Community Engagement of the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District paints a picture of the staggering need families in the district are facing right now, “We > Continue Reading

Nov
12

Youth Hunger For Connection Served Up By Online Expanded Learning Opportunities

Filed Under: Expanded Learning - Posted @ 12:24pm

With the music pumping and blue disco lights flashing (well…in one kid’s room, at least) students and instructors from Tacoma Arts Live’s Hip-Hop Movement class moved together, via webcam, through > Continue Reading

Nov
12

Make Civic Engagement Personal To Make It Last

Filed Under: Census 2020,Civic Engagement - Posted @ 11:58am

Jennifer Keating, Land Use Planner for Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and her family maintain a family tradition during election season, “My significant other and I, we’ve created a tradition with > Continue Reading

Oct
8

The Legacy of Mr. Rogers In Tacoma’s Whole Child Virtual Expanded Learning

Filed Under: Expanded Learning - Posted @ 2:21pm

For more than 30 years Mister Rogers used his groundbreaking PBS television show to make a personal connection with millions of children.  Speaking directly into the camera, he invited his viewers to join him in learning new things, playing together, and reflecting on what it means to be a good > Continue Reading

Oct
8

Technology and Internet Access Are Essential Needs Under COVID-19 Conditions

Filed Under: PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED,Strengthening Pierce County - Posted @ 11:20am

  Arriving to work one day at Tacoma’s Peace Community Center, Development Director, Lianna Shepherd met a mother in desperate need of reliable internet bandwidth in order to work from > Continue Reading

Aug
13

Local Online Learning Adapts For Youth Who Don’t Want To Feel Alone

Filed Under: Expanded Learning - Posted @ 12:31pm

‘I just don’t like feeling alone.’ The youth Choreographer’s Workshop at Tacoma Arts Live looked a lot different this summer.  Gathering on screen via Zoom, instead of in a dance > Continue Reading

Aug
12

PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED Extends Funding For Urgent Needs Under Persistent COVID-19 Conditions

Filed Under: PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED,Strengthening Pierce County - Posted @ 4:45pm

“We just started taking kids and told parents, we know that there is money coming and we’re going to use the daycare grant to pay for the kids.” Located in > Continue Reading

Jul
8

Partnering for Experiential Learning: Fort Nisqually Foundation, GTCF Agency Fundholder

Filed Under: Strengthening Pierce County - Posted @ 6:46pm

Over the past 38 years, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation has seen Pierce County grow and change, but what has remained constant is the passion people bring to building a thriving > Continue Reading