On February 3, 2024, we hosted our annual STEAM Day at the Seattle Public Library in Downtown. STEAM Day is one of our biggest annual community events, and the intention is to provide an opportunity for young people to be exposed to new things and make meaningful connections with adults and each other. Women, trans, and gender expansive folks, especially BIPOC and queer folks, are historically underrepresented in STEAM fields, so it’s valuable for our youth to see themselves represented in adults from these professions. This year’s theme was “STEAM for social change,” focusing on how we can us ..read more

Written by Y-WE’s Co-Executive Director, Reagan Jackson Originally published on the South Seattle Emerald Growing up in my household, MLK Day was a day on, not a day off. It was a time to honor the legacy of a great leader and get inspired for the year of activism to come. In addition to founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, some of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s achievements included organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott, helping to get segregation laws changed in Birmingham, and standing strong in his commitment to nonviolence in the face of virulent racism ..read more

This past Friday night we hosted our second annual holiday party at the Y-WE office! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and joined in the fun. We had a blast celebrating another amazing year at Y-WE with staff, mentors, volunteers, facilitators, and community members. We played games, shared delicious food and drinks, and had a heated dance battle tournament! P.S. If you have serious FOMO looking at these pictures, we hope you’ll join us next year! Photos by Munoz Motions Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) cultivates the power of diverse young women and gender expansiv ..read more

Our Purpose is a six-week storytelling and fundraising campaign with the goal of connecting to the core of Y-WE’s transformative work with youth. To help advance our collective vision and reach our fundraising goal of $150,000 to power our programs, make your gift today! Wingale Teferi (she/her) discovered Y-WE though our BIPOC Horse & Survival Camp and is now enrolled in our Nature Connections and Create programs. Reflecting on a liberated future, Wingale says that an essential “to become free is opportunity to see that freedom.”  “With this program, I’ve gotten so many opportunities ..read more

Our Purpose is a six week storytelling and fundraising campaign with the goal of connecting to the core of Y-WE’s transformative work with youth. We are decoding what it means to build a community of belonging, sharing the perspectives of Y-WE participants, and centering our vision of building a just and liberated future. To help advance our collective vision and reach our fundraising goal of $150,000 to power our programs, make your gift today! At Y-WE, we are building toward a just and liberated world because we believe in a future where all young people are free to pursue their dreams witho ..read more

Our Purpose is a six week storytelling and fundraising campaign with the goal of connecting to the core of what Y-WE does. We are decoding what it means to build a community of belonging, sharing the perspectives of Y-WE participants, and centering our vision of building a just and liberated future. To partner with us in this shared vision, make a gift and help us reach our goal of raising $150,000 before the end of 2023. Art by Esmeralda Vasquez Since our inception, Y-WE has been devoted to helping young women* to find their voice and claim their power. Every fall, your support has a direct i ..read more

As an organization committed to fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and dismantling barriers, Young Women Empowered acknowledges the systemic violence endured by the Palestinian people over the past 75 years. Although we cannot guarantee safety, we strive to cultivate a safe and inclusive space where our intergenerational community can discuss, address, and heal the traumas of colonization, genocide, slavery, forced migration, experienced by our own communities. The parallels between the historical forces that have shaped our country and the realities faced by Palestinians since the Nakba in 1 ..read more

Right now, the City of Seattle is determining how they will distribute funds in our city for 2024. During this process we have an opportunity as residents of Seattle to influence these decisions. At Y-WE we often talk about building the future we want to see in the world, and while this may seem like a small step, this is one way to help shape the future of Seattle. These tips are brought to you by Y-WE’s Programs, Outreach, & Advocacy Manager, Karisa Morikawa!  How does the Seattle City budget process work? Every other year, the City of Seattle creates a budget for the upcoming two y ..read more

Earlier this year, Y-WE launched the Healing Justice Collective, an initiative that connects current and past Y-WE participants to trusted mental health practitioners and covers the cost. In this series we are highlighting the partners and practitioners who make the Healing Justice Collective possible. Claudia Lineras, Associate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (she/herella) of Girasol Counseling, is one of the therapists actively holding spots for Y-WE clients. She provides case management, family/community advocacy, and therapy for marginalized populations and communities of color.  List ..read more

We are coming to the end of our summer programs, as well as our summer campaign. It’s been an incredible season full of memory-making and friendship-building, and it’s been a joy to share stories from our young participants. Before we wrap up, we’re excited to share Gabi’s experience with Y-WE programs, where she learned to prioritize her wellness and express herself authentically. Gabi (left) at Y-WE’s 2023 Spring Celebration Gabi first came to Y-WE last summer in Y-WE Create. Since then she has participated in Y-WE Grow, Y-WE Write, and is now completing our summer internship at Marra Farm ..read more