Funding of Emerging Grassroots Efforts that
Support Families in South King County

Startup Projects

Para Los Ninos

This grassroots community organizing group seeks to foster academic success for every Latino student in Highline and Tukwila schools.  Started by Latino parents who came together to support a school levy, it has earned a solid reputation for community organizing among Latino families;  yet, only has bare minimum of funding for several efforts to serve their population.

Believing that parents and children have a great need for academic support Para Los Niños:

Aprendamos Juntos this multicultural after school program extends throughout the school year two afternoons a week. This program focuses on the entire family. To date we have four distinct learning groups.

English Language Learners for Parents: This ELL class strengthens parents English skills and enables them to become full participants in school life. Without English it is difficult for parents to navigate the school system and monitor their children's education. Para Los Niños partners with Highline Community College and the Highline School District to build a unique curriculum that is tailored to parents needs. The program currently operates in three schools (Mount View Elementary, Hilltop Elementary, and Bow Lake Elementary School). Each term approximately 150 parents are enrolled in these classes. 

Early Learning (childbirth to two): This program focuses on basic child development and school readiness. In this learning group, both children and parents are engaged. Parents gain skills in preparing their children for learning and continue actives in their home.

School Readiness (three to five years old): This group introduces children a structured class setting and prepares them for kindergarten. The program focuses on developing the vocabulary and academic skills needed to succeed in kindergarten. In addition, the program focuses on the full development of children, including their emotional and social development and prepares them for a school setting. Parents are asked to spend twenty minutes a day with their children to do “homework”, building this practice into their families lives.

School Age Tutoring: Students first through sixth grade come to this program to get assistance with their homework, and address any area where they need extra help or tutoring. This program uses accredited teachers who are hired by the Highline School District to stay late and teach this group.

Kenyan Women Association

This grassroots group of immigrant/refugee Kenyan women was organized to provide support to newly-arrived African immigrants to attain a successful transition from one culture to another.  Their mission is “empowering others to empower others”. 

They  provide housing services, transportation information, skills training for employment, English as a second language,  educational workshops to families and youth, orientation to parents about the American school system, spiritual needs, after school care, tutoring, college visits, legal assistance referrals, healthy care referrals etc. These activities are provided in collaboration with  Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instructions, United Way, Highline Community college, South Seattle Community College, Federal Way school district, Puget sound training center, Rota free medical care, Working Wheels, Non Profit Assistance Center, City of Renton. Families benefit from the activities provided by, being able to access transportation to work and getting to services, being able to find jobs, they are able to access a familiar healthy environment for their children after school, students receive tutoring, the community spiritual needs are met, parents  understand the school system and are able to participate in their children’s education, students are prepared for WASL and College, community is made aware of their legal rights and can access legal assistance in challenging issues such as immigration, work injuries and others.