These programs, organized by SESEC members, are preventing summer learning loss and building community in the Rainier Valley.
As summer comes to an end, SESEC is highlighting three member organizations and their youth programs, which have supported students in gaining new skills. Below are descriptions of each program, provided by the organizations.
Filipino Community of Seattle: Summer Youth Program
School Level: K – 12 grade
The FCS Summer Youth Program is free with a curriculum made by our program teachers. Each week has a different subject to offer, from nature and tech to art, justice, and even cooking! All of these are explored through projects, activities, guest speakers, and field trips every week. The program also tries keep in mind best practices when it comes to social-emotional learning, so that the connections built with students throughout the summer stay strong and relevant!
Together, program participants will test their cooking skills, explore the nature all around them, and learn more about their heritage and culture in ways meant to deepen their appreciation and encourage identity formation.
Want to learn more?
- Follow: FCS Youth Development Program on IG here
- Check out: their website here
- Contact: Thomas Abalahin, Outreach Coordinator at [email protected]
WA-BLOC: Freedom Schools
School Level: K-5 grade
WA-BLOC’s Freedom Schools is a free, five-week summer learning program rooted in the legacy of the 1964 Freedom Schools of the Civil Rights Movement and the Children’s Defense Fund model for youth learning and social action. Designed for Black and brown youth in Rainier Beach, the program creates a joyful, restorative, and literacy-rich environment during the critical summer months. Our dual-generation approach supports elementary students (proudly called “scholars”), as well as middle school interns and young adult educators who guide them.
Want to learn more?
- Read: A one pager about the summer Freedom Schools program and a feature from the Seattle Times
- Watch: A recorded webinar on the program
- Follow: WA-BLOC on IG here
Asian Counseling and Referral Service: Pathways to our Future
School Level: 9-12 grade
Pathways To Our Future is a youth empowerment program dedicated to serving Southeast Asian and Chinese immigrant high school students. The program focuses on building career and job readiness skills while fostering civic engagement and advocacy. Through a combination of hands-on training, mentorship, and educational workshops, students gain valuable tools to navigate their future academic and professional paths.
A key component of the program is the summer internship experience, where youth are placed in a variety of professional settings. During these internships, students develop essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving. Just as importantly, they build meaningful relationships with mentors and peers, strengthening their sense of identity and belonging.
Want to learn more?
