The Washington State legislative session wrapped up on March 7, 2024. Treehouse was proud to support our community partners in pursuing legislation to promote stability and well-being for students experiencing foster care throughout the state. It takes all of us to address the intersectional issues that come from encountering the foster care system — issues like K-12 and higher education access, economic instability and the transition into adulthood. This is why Treehouse supported our advocacy partners this session on bills that aimed to create more equitable opportunities for youth who’ve ..read more

By Lupe, Launch Success participant I always felt like I had to put on a fake smile, or a mask, around people while growing up in the foster care system. For me, surviving in the system meant becoming a people pleaser. I was that shy little girl who just wanted to be liked. You learn not to express yourself because if you do, you basically get reprimanded. Never in a million years did I think I could stand up for myself. Once I learned that I have that power though, it changed everything. It opens more doors for you. I didn’t benefit from the change that was supposed to happen in my life ..read more

This past summer, 179 Treehouse participants packed up their sleeping bags and backpacks and headed off to the summer camp of their choosing through the Just-in-Time Funding program. Whether it’s sports, arts, specialty, adventure or traditional marshmallows-around-the-campfire camp, summer camp is an opportunity for Treehouse participants to make new friends, develop and refine their skills and have fun in a new environment. While many camps are geared toward elementary-aged youth, an increasing number cater to middle and high school students, with focuses ranging from cheer and sports to S ..read more

By McKaylie, Launch Success participant McKaylie’s new car. Growing up in foster care wasn’t entirely a negative experience, thanks to the support that was provided to me by Treehouse. Losing the support from your parents is a very lonely feeling; it almost feels like there is not a lot of hope for a positive future anymore. However, thanks to Treehouse, that feeling quickly subsided. Getting my license was my dream from a young age — the thought of being able to take myself anywhere I wanted sounded very freeing. However, I was in no place financially to cover my car insurance due to my po ..read more

By Lexie, Launch Success participant When I got my driver’s license at 16, it made me feel a sense of power and freedom that I didn’t have before. When I was 14 years old, I came to America through an international adoption agency. At the time, I didn’t know English or how to talk to my adopted mother; she didn’t even understand my home language. There was miscommunication, culture and language differences, which made me feel isolated and alone. After nine months, the adoption failed and I entered the foster care system, since I had nowhere to go and had to be 18 to return to my family in ..read more

While we all share the joy of the holidays with loved ones, many youth in foster care face the season without their parents, brothers and sisters. The KIRO Newsradio Holiday Magic campaign helps make the holidays brighter for children and youth in foster care and helps provide support for additional Treehouse programs and services provided throughout the year. On Wednesday, December 13, KIRO Newsradio had 13 hours of stories, guests and reasons to give to Treehouse this holiday season. Each hour a different incentive item (or two!) was announced, ranging from restaurant gift cards to KIRO Ne ..read more

The holiday season is here, and for many, it’s a time to create cherished memories with loved ones. For youth in foster care, however, this time of the year can be particularly challenging. You can help make their holidays a little bit brighter by giving back with your time, money and energy. The holidays are also a great time to have meaningful conversations with your children about the importance of giving back and developing habits that can extend all year round. Here are four ways you can involve your family and create new traditions together this holiday season: Set up a peer-to-peer ..read more

On Shalynn’s graduation day, she received a call from her Treehouse Education Specialist Jonathan while in the midst of celebrating her graduation with her family. He asked her where she was because her graduation ceremony was about to begin.  Having lost track of time, she and her family quickly rushed out the door to her ceremony, making it just in time to walk.
 That day – her high school graduation – was emotional and significant for her, her family and Jonathan. When he first met her a year ago, she had no desire to keep going with school. As part of the Graduation Success progr ..read more

From left to right: Christine Trujillo (former Community Resource Manager at the Bellevue DSHS office), Winnie Wiatrak (retired DSHS Regional Administrator), Mary Lou Dickerson (Treehouse founder and retired Washington State Representative). Dinah Martin (retired Community Resource Coordinator) and John Birnel (social worker involved in the early days and husband of Mary Lou Dickerson). As Treehouse turns 35 this year, we look back at the people, passion and progress of Treehouse and our community to create a world where every young person in foster care has a chance to pursue their dreams an ..read more

Each fall, we look forward to supporting youth in foster care as they head back to school and start a new school year. The excitement during a back-to-school season is palpable. We can sense the excitement from our students as they pick out a new outfit for the first day or admire their brand-new school supplies, excited for a fresh start. We know that for students to thrive academically, they require not only positive relationships and stability but also continued access to materials, resources and opportunities, including clothing, books and extracurricular activities to enrich their overa ..read more