thank you to our heroes the the march 20, champions for
TRANSCRIPT
Treehouse is committed to achieving our
2017 goal: Foster youth in King County
graduate high school at the same rate
as their peers with a plan for their future.
Currently, foster youth graduate high
school at approximately half the rate of
their peers.
To create a change in the graduation rate of
this magnitude, Treehouse is in the process
of doubling the number of youth served
in King County to more than 800 middle
and high school students in 17 school
districts by 2017. Our Graduation Success
program provides a comprehensive suite of
individualized education support services
to King County foster youth including
educational planning, coaching, and
supports to keep them on track to graduate.
This includes support from the Wearhouse
Treehouse unveiled a new look and announced a program expansion
25 years in the making at the Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon
on March 20th.
and Little Wishes programs, which
provide youth with essentials to help
gain confi dence and improve academic
performance.
Treehouse’s new contemporary visual
identity enables us to project our
commitment to the 2017 goal to the
community with a “grown up” look that
represents the diverse mix of youth
that we serve. As part of the rebrand,
Treehouse has developed a new, user-
friendly website with improved navigation
and functionality. If you haven’t had a
chance yet, be sure to check it out at
www.treehouseforkids.org. Now you can
easily access new detailed King County
and statewide program information and
engage with or help support the organization.
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Charles entered foster care in the third
grade and spent his childhood years
moving from placement to placement. For
as long as he can remember he has turned
to Treehouse for the support that he has
never found at home. Throughout the years
he has shopped for free at the Wearhouse,
enjoyed enrichment activities covered
by the Little Wishes program, and received
educational support from his Education
Specialist and the Treehouse Learning
Center (TLC).
Charles was determined to follow in his
older brother’s footsteps and overcome his
seemingly insurmountable obstacles at
home and successfully graduate high school.
Due to all of the moves in his early years,
Charles was constantly playing catch up
at school. Fortunately he had his Treehouse
team supporting and empowering him
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Regence
PREMIER SPONSOR:
OneEighty Foundation
SUPERHERO SPONSOR:
Costco Wholesale
HERO SPONSOR:
PwC, Expedia, Weisman Design
Group
CHAMPION SPONSORS:
Starbucks, Russell Investments,
KPMG, Nintendo, Deloitte, Bank
of America, Revel, United States
Seafoods
CHALLENGE SPONSORS:
Booz Allen Hamilton, Casey
Family Programs, Cobalt, Columbia
Bank, Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Edelman, Ernst & Young, inome,
Seattle University, University of
Washington Marketing
SUPERHERO CHALLENGE POOL:
SUPER SUPERHEROES
($25,000 or more):
Eve & Chap Alvord
Alexandra Brookshire & Bert Green
Ashley O’Connor McCready & Mike
McCready
Bruce & Lynn Gibson
Jim & Jan Sinegal
Anonymous
SUPERHEROES
($10,000 to $24,999):
Bill & Janette Adamucci
Tracy & Ron Bundy
John & Christine Enslein
Juli Farris
Kellanne Henry
Matt & Barb LePage
Joseph & Carolyn Mallahan
David & Linda Wilson
Anonymous
CHAMPIONS
($5,000 to $9,999):
Janis Avery & Mary Kabrich
Judi Beck & Tom Alberg
Dean & Vicki Allen
Karyl & Elias Alvord
Nichole & Mike Bockner
Brettler Family Foundation
Jack Brookshire
Paula & Bill Clapp
Clara & Nathan Codsi
In Memory of Muriel Diamond
Froley Family
Peg & Rick Young Foundation
The Oki Foundation
Bradley Fowler & Linda Pedersen
Fowler
Jane & Jim Fredricksen
Lynn & Michael Garvey
Lucy Helm
Linda & Philip Hunter
Judy & Steve Marczewski
Alison & Glen Milliman
Grace Nordhoff & Jonathan Beard
Dawn Rains & Heather Laird
Shelley Brown Reiss & Michael
Reiss
Maggie & Douglas Walker
Anonymous
HEROES
($2,500 to $4,999):
Carol & Paul Abodeely
Chris & Meghan Allison
Bobbe & Jon Bridge
Kathryn & Christopher Brumme
Kelly & Eric Burke
Mitzi & Chris Carletti
Dr. Jennifer Love Crowell
Timothy & Helene Davis
Jeff Chen & Jill Denny
Doug & Jeri Donnelly
Jack & Suzanne Edwards
Kathy Elias
Pamela & Robert Eshelman
Linda & Terry Finn
Tana & Andrew Gall
Carlene Gaudette
Heather Giacoletto & David DeVisser
Pauline & Vince Godfrey
Suzanne Greer
Steve Grieger
Ann Hayes
Margot Kenly & Bill Cumming
May McCarthy
John & Jackie McGlynn
Mr. & Mrs. Menashe,
Menashe & Sons Jewelers
Todd & Mimi Menenberg
Patti & Mike Meyers
Alana & Peter Morris
Amy & Mark Mullins
Fred & Ashley Northup
Paracle Advisors LLC
Steve & Becky Petersen
Tim & Sandra Premselaar
Susan Shanbrom-Krabbe & Moe
Krabbe
Sheri & Greg Stephens
James & Shelby Stokoe
Wendy & Jim Truitt
Eden & Hank Waggoner
Ruth & Todd Warren
Linda & Tony Whatley
James F. Williams
Anonymous
TREEHOUSE IS GROWING UP WITH A NEW LOOK & RENEWED FOCUS
including the Treehouse Learning Center
(TLC) staff, his in-school mentor and
Sandy and Mike, his Education Specialists.
In high school, Mike organized daily
check-ins between the in-school mentor
and all of Charles’ teachers to track his
progress on outstanding projects. He
ensured that the TLC staff was looped in
and could support Charles in completing
these projects after school. He also worked
with the school to remove barriers to
Charles’ success. Treehouse made its
favorite Little Wishes purchase for Charles
in 2012, a cap and gown.
Charles’ goals went beyond high school
thanks to Mike’s support. Mike encouraged
Charles to start applying to colleges.
Together, they created a list of prospective
colleges and sources of fi nancial aid.
Charles was successful in his efforts and
was accepted at Everett Community College.
Then, just as soon as he had succeeded
in attaining his goal, Charles was thrown
a curveball. As is the case with many
18-year-old youth in foster care, he found
himself unexpectedly homeless.
Treehouse provided him with clothes and
supplies to get back on his feet. He turned
to his friends to provide a roof over his
head and moved from couch to couch until
fi nally resorting to living out of his car.
His car was subsequently broken into and
he found himself losing hope.
Charles turned to his Education Specialist
Mike for support. “I knew that I could not
solve all of his problems, but I helped him
recognize the existing supports he already
had in his life and would be able to lean
on in the future,” stated Mike. Empowered
once again, Charles secured the material
goods and fi nancial assistance he needed
to fi nd stability in an apartment of his own.
He could now once again focus on his
education. We are proud to report that
Charles is now in his third quarter of
college working towards a degree in
social work and is dedicated to making a
meaningful difference in the world!
AAAAA RRRRREEEEECCCCCOOOOORRRRRDDDDD-BBBBBRRRRREEEEEAAAAAKKKKKIIIINNNNGGGGG YYYYEEEEEAAAAARRRRR:::::
On Wednesday, March 20th, Treehouse held its 12th Annual Champions
for Foster Kids Luncheon at the Seattle Sheraton. During the inspiring
hour, more than a million dollars was raised thanks to a packed house
of nearly 1,200 supporters, setting a new bar for Treehouse’s largest
annual event.
Brave 16-year-old singer songwriter Treasure set the stage performing her moving song
“Skyscraper,” followed by a warm welcome by event co-chairs Linda Whatley,
Ann Doherty and Cindy Brettler. CEO Janis
Avery presented awards to volunteer Amy
Faulkner, founder of the “Beard & Stache
Fest,” corporate partner Cobalt, and
community partner, University of Wash-
ington’s Alpha Gamma Delta Chapter, for
their outstanding support of Treehouse
and youth in foster care.
A strong line-up of foster youth presenters
and performers followed, sharing their
stories of strength to a visibly moved audi-
ence. Nineteen-year-old Charles thanked
Treehouse for a lifetime of support, from
clothing at the Wearhouse, to sports fees
covered by Little Wishes, to tutoring in
the TLC that paved his way to high school
graduation and beyond. Twenty-year-old
spoken word poet, Kristine, set off oratory
fi reworks with her poem “To Bloom,”
painting a vivid picture of her heartbreaking
story of survival, as well as the inner
strength she found with the help of
Treehouse. Kristine shopped at the Wear-
house and took aerial silk classes through
Little Wishes prior to graduating high
school in 2011. Charismatic 15-year-old
Frankie performed an original rap called
“I Can Remember,” sharing how a loving
foster family, Treehouse supports and
sheer determination changed his future
trajectory. Frankie is fully engaged with a
Treehouse Education Specialist who helps
him stay on track to graduate and
achieve his goal of becoming a therapist.
Special guest speaker Sade Daniels,
foster care alum, inspired all with the
stories of her own champions.
Thank you Treehouse champions for
such a successful kick-off to our 25th
Anniversary year!
TREEHOUSE NEWS - SPRING 2013
THE
LADDER
Let’s Stop Duplicate Mailings
If your household receives more than one copy of this publication, please contact Sara Taylor at
[email protected] or 206-267-5143. Thank you for helping us spend money wisely.
2100 24th Avenue S. / Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98144-4643
TREEHOUSEFORKIDS.ORG
THANK YOU TO OUR HEROESThe March 20, Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon was a record-
breaking success due to nearly 1,200 caring and committed members
of our community supporting youth in foster care. The support that
Treehouse receives from our corporate sponsors and Superhero
Challenge Pool donors made it possible for Treehouse to ensure that
every dollar raised goes directly to supporting programs for foster youth.
Thank you to our sponsors and challenge pool donors for leading the
way in being champions for kids in foster care!
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA
PERMIT NO.6100
With your support, foster youth
in King County will graduate high
school at the same rate as their
peers in 2017.
Spring 2013
GIVE FOSTER KIDS A CHILDHOOD AND A FUTURE
MAY 15GiveBIG
GIVING THE GIFT OF TIMEIF YOU HAVE A MINUTE:
IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS:
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:
STAY CONNECTED FOR TREEHOUSE UPDATES
May is National Foster Care Month,
a time when we give special
acknowledgement to the people
who make a difference in the lives
of foster kids by serving as foster
parents, relative caregivers,
mentors, advocates, social workers,
and volunteers. It’s also a time
when we are often asked our
favorite question: how can one
person make a meaningful impact
on the life of a foster child?
Here’s how you can make a
difference:
FORE! FOSTER KIDS
July 18, 5:30-9:30PM
Interbay Golf Center
It’s where happy hour meets mini-golf all for a good cause.
Team up with four to six of your friends to raise money and
compete for awesome prizes and that warm fuzzy feeling
of helping foster youth.
There is a $50 entry fee per player which includes: fi ve
drink tickets, live music, good grub, and admission to
one very happenin’ shindig. There is one wave of golf at
6:30 pm. Space is limited! You must be 21 or older to
participate. For more information contact Shaunessy Jones
at [email protected] or 206.267.5112.
TREEHOUSE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
SILVER SOIREE
October 5, 5:30PM Reception / 6:30PM Dinner
Paramount Theatre
Join as we celebrate all that Treehouse has achieved and
look forward to all that is to come.
Tickets are $250 per person, $500 VIP.
RSVP by September 20. For more information contact
Shaunessy Jones at [email protected]. For a
complete list of events, please visit our website at: www.
treehouseforkids.org/get-involved/events
HOST A PARTY
• Throw a theme party to collect items
that foster kids need most, like “Jeans
for Teens”
• Host an informational event or name
Treehouse the benefi ciary of
your event
WRITE A LETTER
• Write your congressperson or
newspaper editor asking them to
support foster kids
ATTEND A TREEHOUSE EVENT
• See our current event calendar at
www.treehouseforkids.org/
get-involved/events/
SPREAD THE WORD
• Like us on Facebook, Follow us on
twitter and sign-up for eNews on
our website
GO SHOPPING
• Pick up an extra outfi t for a foster
youth and donate it to the Treehouse
Wearhouse
VOLUNTEER
• Tutor foster kids or work at the front
desk. For information on how to get
involved, visit: http://www.treehouse
forkids.org/get-involved
COLLECT CLOTHING AND TOYS
• Host a summer or back-to-school
donation drive
STAY INFORMED YEAR-ROUND
• Be a change agent and join leading
child welfare agencies and individuals
across the country in improving the
lives of youth in foster care.
BECOME A FOSTER OR
ADOPTIVE PARENT!
We also encourage you to visit www.fostercaremonth.org to learn more about National Foster Care Month, and how you can make an impact in your community.
TRENDS FOR TREEHOUSE May 4, 1-6PM
Southcenter Mall in Tukwila
Presented by Westfi eld Southcenter
Join us for this fashion-forward event! Spring style sessions
are at 1pm and 4pm in Macy’s Court hosted by Darcy Camden
and Shellie Hart from Warm 106.9FM. The private, ticketed
VIP Lounge will be open from 2-6pm on Level 2 directly
above Macy’s Court. Each ticketed guest will receive a swag
bag, delightful refreshments, and an opportunity to meet
the stylists. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Get them while they last at http://trendsfortreehouse2013.
eventbrite.com/#. 100% of ticket sales benefi t Treehouse!
GiveBIG
May 15, MIDNIGHT-MIDNIGHT
The Seattle Foundation Website
(www.seattlefoundation.org)
Join The Seattle Foundation and Treehouse in a community-
wide online giving challenge. The Seattle Foundation and
generous local sponsors will match part of every Treehouse
contribution made through The Seattle Foundations’s
online Giving Center from midnight to midnight. Watch
your donation grow throughout the day! Donors will also
be entered to “win” an additional $1,000 donation to
Treehouse from GiveBIG sponsors. For more information,
contact us at [email protected] or
206.267.5143.
TOWN HALL MEETING:
FOSTERING YOUNG BRAINS
May 29, 7:30PM
Town Hall in Seattle
Join us for an educational evening at Town Hall. Renowned
molecular biologist and bestselling author John Medina, and
Casey Family Programs CEO William Bell will explore the
impact of childhood trauma on a child’s ability to learn, and
how we can ensure that all of our community’s children,
including the most vulnerable kids in foster care, can
overcome their educational challenges and have the stability
they need to thrive.
Advance tickets are $5 at www.townhallseattle.org or
888/377-4510 and at the door beginning at 7 pm.
.
TREEHOUSE SPONSORED EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Like us!
facebook.com/treehouseforkids
Follow us!
twitter.com/TreehouseTweets
Subscribe to us!
youtube.com/treehouseforkids
Pin with us!
pinterest.com/treehouseSEA
TREEHOUSE EVENTS
May
15 July
18
May
4
October
5
May
29
Senior year can bring change and uncertainty for all
students, but for youth in foster care, the added stress
of home and school changes can create added pressure.
For Anna, a senior, transitioning in and
out of foster care placements left her
behind in her coursework. Luckily, Anna
and other Treehouse youth work with
Treehouse Education Specialists to help
navigate the obstacles in their education
plans. Anna’s Education Specialist,
Katy, has helped her get on track to
graduate and pushed her to pursue her
ultimate dream--becoming a chef.
When Katy fi rst started working with Anna,
she arranged a meeting with her caregiver,
social worker, and school counselor to
talk about Anna’s strengths and needs.
Partnering with her existing support system
helped Katy identify the specifi c areas
where Anna needed encouragement
and guidance.
Anna always planned on graduating high
school, but the barriers in her home life
affected her in the classroom. In order
to graduate high school, Anna needed to
make up missing credits and complete a
senior project. As part of Treehouse’s
2017 goal to make sure all foster youth
graduate high school with a plan for their
future, Katy helped Anna form a student-
centered plan to make sure these
obstacles didn’t prohibit her from getting
the diploma she desired.
Katy set up weekly meetings with Anna
and enrolled her in a credit retrieval
program. For her missing PE credits, Katy
connected Anna to Little Wishes, which
covered the fees for Anna to take Zumba
classes that counted towards her
graduation requirements. Katy also became
the mentor for Anna’s senior project and
helped her to meet deadlines for assign-
ments. Katy was especially proud of Anna
when she came up with an idea to give
back to Treehouse through her senior proj-
ect by hosting a “Jeans for Teens” donation
drive. She ended up collecting 13 bags
of teen clothing to stock the Wearhouse,
a place where she’s shopped for clothes
many times before. For Katy, the most re-
warding part of her job is seeing students
like Anna “identify their strengths and
goals, and turn them into drive for their
future successes.”
As her senior year comes to a close, Anna
is “looking forward to being free and
pursuing my interests. I want to go to New
York and go to college for culinary arts.”
As she gets ready to graduate, Katy is
helping Anna make a plan for the future
by exploring options to continue cultivating
her culinary skills.
In celebration of National Foster Care Month, Treehouse is partnering with Amara Parenting & Adoption, Casey
Family Programs and Town Hall in presenting a thought provoking educational event on May 29, featuring
renowned brain researcher Dr. John Medina, author of best-sellers Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby, as well
as Dr. William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs and national thought leader in child welfare.
Dr. Medina’s talk will focus on the relationship between living in a stable, permanent family and brain development,
and how stress and trauma impact a child’s ability to grow, develop, and thrive—in particular—at school.
Dr. Bell will speak to the importance of permanence and educational outcomes for children in foster care. He
will explore the ways that we can ensure that all of our community’s children, including the most vulnerable kids
in foster care, have the stability and educational supports they need to thrive.
This event is an excellent opportunity to learn more and introduce your friends and family to the challenges
foster youth face. Learn how we can help them to succeed and how their success is critical to our community.
Advance tickets are $5 at www.townhallseattle.org or 888/377-4510 and at the door beginning at 7 pm.
The event will be held at Town Hall in the Great Hall located at 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
JOIN US FOR AN EVENING AT TOWN HALL : FOSTERING YOUNG BRAINS
Wednesday, May 29, 7:30pm
Town Hall, Seattle
Alexandra Brookshire, President
Linda Hunter, Past President
John Enslein, Treasurer
Juli Farris, Secretary
Tim Davis, Audit Committee Chair
Paul Abodeely
Rachel Antalek
Jill Ashton
Nichole Bockner
Kelly Burke
Kathy Elias
Jane Fredricksen
Tana Gall
Heather Giacoletto
Treehouse Board of Directors
Suzanne Greer
Kellanne Henry
Lisa Hoyt
Jacques Le
Carolyn Mallahan
Amy Mullins
Maria Olagunju
Steve S. Petersen
Steve Reed
Shelby Stokoe
Tess Thomas
Peter True
Wendy Truitt
Eden Waggoner
Larry Ward
Linda Whatley
James Williams
Ken Withee
COOKING UP A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
A MESSAGE FROM JANIS AVERY, CEO
With graduation season just around the
corner, spring is always a time for celebration
at Treehouse. Each week we hear a
success story of one of our youth receiving
a college acceptance letter. This year we
have an additional reason for celebration.
After 25 years, Treehouse is embarking
on its most important work yet. In setting
our 2017 graduation goal we are taking
an ownership interest in ensuring that all
King County foster youth get the essential
educational supports, basic material
needs, and important childhood experiences
that they equally deserve and that will
enable them to graduate high school and
become productive members of our
community. Our expansion to serve youth
enrolled in 17 school districts will enable
Treehouse to not only continue fi lling the
gaps for youth in foster care, but also
make a measurable impact leveling the
playing fi eld for educational success.
Treehouse is committed to achieving our
2017 goal: Foster youth in King County
will graduate high school at the same rate
as their peers with a plan for their future.
At the 12th annual Champions for Foster
Kids Luncheon last month we had the
honor of hearing from three Treehouse
youth whose stories exemplify the power
of educational supports in improving the
future trajectory of our community’s youth
in foster care. Their words of courage,
strength and resilience moved us all and
brought us to our feet cheering them on
to future success. I want to express my
deepest thanks to our event co-chairs,
Superhero Challenge Pool Donors, event
sponsors, table captains and 1,200 guests
who helped us raise a record-setting
$1,043,425 investing in the future of our
community’s youth in foster care.
If you were unable to attend this year’s
event, I invite you to learn more about how
Treehouse is pursuing equity for youth in
foster care this year by viewing the videos
from the Champions for Foster Kids
Luncheon, which you can access by clicking
the YouTube icon on the homepage of our
website. I also invite you to consider new
ways that you can engage with Treehouse
in the coming year. In May, we celebrate
National Foster Care Awareness month.
Whether you are a donor, volunteer or
general supporter, there is a multitude of
meaningful and rewarding ways that you
can join us in making a difference in the
life of a foster child. Visit the Get Involved
section of our website to get inspired and
select the activity that is the best for you.
Thank you again for your continued
involvement and investment. Together, we
are leveling the playing fi eld for kids in
foster care.
Blessings,
Janis Avery, CEO
GIVING THE GIFT OF TIMEIF YOU HAVE A MINUTE:
IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS:
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:
STAY CONNECTED FOR TREEHOUSE UPDATES
May is National Foster Care Month,
a time when we give special
acknowledgement to the people
who make a difference in the lives
of foster kids by serving as foster
parents, relative caregivers,
mentors, advocates, social workers,
and volunteers. It’s also a time
when we are often asked our
favorite question: how can one
person make a meaningful impact
on the life of a foster child?
Here’s how you can make a
difference:
FORE! FOSTER KIDS
July 18, 5:30-9:30PM
Interbay Golf Center
It’s where happy hour meets mini-golf all for a good cause.
Team up with four to six of your friends to raise money and
compete for awesome prizes and that warm fuzzy feeling
of helping foster youth.
There is a $50 entry fee per player which includes: fi ve
drink tickets, live music, good grub, and admission to
one very happenin’ shindig. There is one wave of golf at
6:30 pm. Space is limited! You must be 21 or older to
participate. For more information contact Shaunessy Jones
at [email protected] or 206.267.5112.
TREEHOUSE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
SILVER SOIREE
October 5, 5:30PM Reception / 6:30PM Dinner
Paramount Theatre
Join as we celebrate all that Treehouse has achieved and
look forward to all that is to come.
Tickets are $250 per person, $500 VIP.
RSVP by September 20. For more information contact
Shaunessy Jones at [email protected]. For a
complete list of events, please visit our website at: www.
treehouseforkids.org/get-involved/events
HOST A PARTY
• Throw a theme party to collect items
that foster kids need most, like “Jeans
for Teens”
• Host an informational event or name
Treehouse the benefi ciary of
your event
WRITE A LETTER
• Write your congressperson or
newspaper editor asking them to
support foster kids
ATTEND A TREEHOUSE EVENT
• See our current event calendar at
www.treehouseforkids.org/
get-involved/events/
SPREAD THE WORD
• Like us on Facebook, Follow us on
twitter and sign-up for eNews on
our website
GO SHOPPING
• Pick up an extra outfi t for a foster
youth and donate it to the Treehouse
Wearhouse
VOLUNTEER
• Tutor foster kids or work at the front
desk. For information on how to get
involved, visit: http://www.treehouse
forkids.org/get-involved
COLLECT CLOTHING AND TOYS
• Host a summer or back-to-school
donation drive
STAY INFORMED YEAR-ROUND
• Be a change agent and join leading
child welfare agencies and individuals
across the country in improving the
lives of youth in foster care.
BECOME A FOSTER OR
ADOPTIVE PARENT!
We also encourage you to visit www.fostercaremonth.org to learn more about National Foster Care Month, and how you can make an impact in your community.
TRENDS FOR TREEHOUSE May 4, 1-6PM
Southcenter Mall in Tukwila
Presented by Westfi eld Southcenter
Join us for this fashion-forward event! Spring style sessions
are at 1pm and 4pm in Macy’s Court hosted by Darcy Camden
and Shellie Hart from Warm 106.9FM. The private, ticketed
VIP Lounge will be open from 2-6pm on Level 2 directly
above Macy’s Court. Each ticketed guest will receive a swag
bag, delightful refreshments, and an opportunity to meet
the stylists. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Get them while they last at http://trendsfortreehouse2013.
eventbrite.com/#. 100% of ticket sales benefi t Treehouse!
GiveBIG
May 15, MIDNIGHT-MIDNIGHT
The Seattle Foundation Website
(www.seattlefoundation.org)
Join The Seattle Foundation and Treehouse in a community-
wide online giving challenge. The Seattle Foundation and
generous local sponsors will match part of every Treehouse
contribution made through The Seattle Foundations’s
online Giving Center from midnight to midnight. Watch
your donation grow throughout the day! Donors will also
be entered to “win” an additional $1,000 donation to
Treehouse from GiveBIG sponsors. For more information,
contact us at [email protected] or
206.267.5143.
TOWN HALL MEETING:
FOSTERING YOUNG BRAINS
May 29, 7:30PM
Town Hall in Seattle
Join us for an educational evening at Town Hall. Renowned
molecular biologist and bestselling author John Medina, and
Casey Family Programs CEO William Bell will explore the
impact of childhood trauma on a child’s ability to learn, and
how we can ensure that all of our community’s children,
including the most vulnerable kids in foster care, can
overcome their educational challenges and have the stability
they need to thrive.
Advance tickets are $5 at www.townhallseattle.org or
888/377-4510 and at the door beginning at 7 pm.
.
TREEHOUSE SPONSORED EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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TREEHOUSE EVENTS
May
15 July
18
May
4
October
5
May
29
Senior year can bring change and uncertainty for all
students, but for youth in foster care, the added stress
of home and school changes can create added pressure.
For Anna, a senior, transitioning in and
out of foster care placements left her
behind in her coursework. Luckily, Anna
and other Treehouse youth work with
Treehouse Education Specialists to help
navigate the obstacles in their education
plans. Anna’s Education Specialist,
Katy, has helped her get on track to
graduate and pushed her to pursue her
ultimate dream--becoming a chef.
When Katy fi rst started working with Anna,
she arranged a meeting with her caregiver,
social worker, and school counselor to
talk about Anna’s strengths and needs.
Partnering with her existing support system
helped Katy identify the specifi c areas
where Anna needed encouragement
and guidance.
Anna always planned on graduating high
school, but the barriers in her home life
affected her in the classroom. In order
to graduate high school, Anna needed to
make up missing credits and complete a
senior project. As part of Treehouse’s
2017 goal to make sure all foster youth
graduate high school with a plan for their
future, Katy helped Anna form a student-
centered plan to make sure these
obstacles didn’t prohibit her from getting
the diploma she desired.
Katy set up weekly meetings with Anna
and enrolled her in a credit retrieval
program. For her missing PE credits, Katy
connected Anna to Little Wishes, which
covered the fees for Anna to take Zumba
classes that counted towards her
graduation requirements. Katy also became
the mentor for Anna’s senior project and
helped her to meet deadlines for assign-
ments. Katy was especially proud of Anna
when she came up with an idea to give
back to Treehouse through her senior proj-
ect by hosting a “Jeans for Teens” donation
drive. She ended up collecting 13 bags
of teen clothing to stock the Wearhouse,
a place where she’s shopped for clothes
many times before. For Katy, the most re-
warding part of her job is seeing students
like Anna “identify their strengths and
goals, and turn them into drive for their
future successes.”
As her senior year comes to a close, Anna
is “looking forward to being free and
pursuing my interests. I want to go to New
York and go to college for culinary arts.”
As she gets ready to graduate, Katy is
helping Anna make a plan for the future
by exploring options to continue cultivating
her culinary skills.
In celebration of National Foster Care Month, Treehouse is partnering with Amara Parenting & Adoption, Casey
Family Programs and Town Hall in presenting a thought provoking educational event on May 29, featuring
renowned brain researcher Dr. John Medina, author of best-sellers Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby, as well
as Dr. William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs and national thought leader in child welfare.
Dr. Medina’s talk will focus on the relationship between living in a stable, permanent family and brain development,
and how stress and trauma impact a child’s ability to grow, develop, and thrive—in particular—at school.
Dr. Bell will speak to the importance of permanence and educational outcomes for children in foster care. He
will explore the ways that we can ensure that all of our community’s children, including the most vulnerable kids
in foster care, have the stability and educational supports they need to thrive.
This event is an excellent opportunity to learn more and introduce your friends and family to the challenges
foster youth face. Learn how we can help them to succeed and how their success is critical to our community.
Advance tickets are $5 at www.townhallseattle.org or 888/377-4510 and at the door beginning at 7 pm.
The event will be held at Town Hall in the Great Hall located at 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
JOIN US FOR AN EVENING AT TOWN HALL : FOSTERING YOUNG BRAINS
Wednesday, May 29, 7:30pm
Town Hall, Seattle
Alexandra Brookshire, President
Linda Hunter, Past President
John Enslein, Treasurer
Juli Farris, Secretary
Tim Davis, Audit Committee Chair
Paul Abodeely
Rachel Antalek
Jill Ashton
Nichole Bockner
Kelly Burke
Kathy Elias
Jane Fredricksen
Tana Gall
Heather Giacoletto
Treehouse Board of Directors
Suzanne Greer
Kellanne Henry
Lisa Hoyt
Jacques Le
Carolyn Mallahan
Amy Mullins
Maria Olagunju
Steve S. Petersen
Steve Reed
Shelby Stokoe
Tess Thomas
Peter True
Wendy Truitt
Eden Waggoner
Larry Ward
Linda Whatley
James Williams
Ken Withee
COOKING UP A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
A MESSAGE FROM JANIS AVERY, CEO
With graduation season just around the
corner, spring is always a time for celebration
at Treehouse. Each week we hear a
success story of one of our youth receiving
a college acceptance letter. This year we
have an additional reason for celebration.
After 25 years, Treehouse is embarking
on its most important work yet. In setting
our 2017 graduation goal we are taking
an ownership interest in ensuring that all
King County foster youth get the essential
educational supports, basic material
needs, and important childhood experiences
that they equally deserve and that will
enable them to graduate high school and
become productive members of our
community. Our expansion to serve youth
enrolled in 17 school districts will enable
Treehouse to not only continue fi lling the
gaps for youth in foster care, but also
make a measurable impact leveling the
playing fi eld for educational success.
Treehouse is committed to achieving our
2017 goal: Foster youth in King County
will graduate high school at the same rate
as their peers with a plan for their future.
At the 12th annual Champions for Foster
Kids Luncheon last month we had the
honor of hearing from three Treehouse
youth whose stories exemplify the power
of educational supports in improving the
future trajectory of our community’s youth
in foster care. Their words of courage,
strength and resilience moved us all and
brought us to our feet cheering them on
to future success. I want to express my
deepest thanks to our event co-chairs,
Superhero Challenge Pool Donors, event
sponsors, table captains and 1,200 guests
who helped us raise a record-setting
$1,043,425 investing in the future of our
community’s youth in foster care.
If you were unable to attend this year’s
event, I invite you to learn more about how
Treehouse is pursuing equity for youth in
foster care this year by viewing the videos
from the Champions for Foster Kids
Luncheon, which you can access by clicking
the YouTube icon on the homepage of our
website. I also invite you to consider new
ways that you can engage with Treehouse
in the coming year. In May, we celebrate
National Foster Care Awareness month.
Whether you are a donor, volunteer or
general supporter, there is a multitude of
meaningful and rewarding ways that you
can join us in making a difference in the
life of a foster child. Visit the Get Involved
section of our website to get inspired and
select the activity that is the best for you.
Thank you again for your continued
involvement and investment. Together, we
are leveling the playing fi eld for kids in
foster care.
Blessings,
Janis Avery, CEO
Treehouse is committed to achieving our
2017 goal: Foster youth in King County
graduate high school at the same rate
as their peers with a plan for their future.
Currently, foster youth graduate high
school at approximately half the rate of
their peers.
To create a change in the graduation rate of
this magnitude, Treehouse is in the process
of doubling the number of youth served
in King County to more than 800 middle
and high school students in 17 school
districts by 2017. Our Graduation Success
program provides a comprehensive suite of
individualized education support services
to King County foster youth including
educational planning, coaching, and
supports to keep them on track to graduate.
This includes support from the Wearhouse
Treehouse unveiled a new look and announced a program expansion
25 years in the making at the Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon
on March 20th.
and Little Wishes programs, which
provide youth with essentials to help
gain confi dence and improve academic
performance.
Treehouse’s new contemporary visual
identity enables us to project our
commitment to the 2017 goal to the
community with a “grown up” look that
represents the diverse mix of youth
that we serve. As part of the rebrand,
Treehouse has developed a new, user-
friendly website with improved navigation
and functionality. If you haven’t had a
chance yet, be sure to check it out at
www.treehouseforkids.org. Now you can
easily access new detailed King County
and statewide program information and
engage with or help support the organization.
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Charles entered foster care in the third
grade and spent his childhood years
moving from placement to placement. For
as long as he can remember he has turned
to Treehouse for the support that he has
never found at home. Throughout the years
he has shopped for free at the Wearhouse,
enjoyed enrichment activities covered
by the Little Wishes program, and received
educational support from his Education
Specialist and the Treehouse Learning
Center (TLC).
Charles was determined to follow in his
older brother’s footsteps and overcome his
seemingly insurmountable obstacles at
home and successfully graduate high school.
Due to all of the moves in his early years,
Charles was constantly playing catch up
at school. Fortunately he had his Treehouse
team supporting and empowering him
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Regence
PREMIER SPONSOR:
OneEighty Foundation
SUPERHERO SPONSOR:
Costco Wholesale
HERO SPONSOR:
PwC, Expedia, Weisman Design
Group
CHAMPION SPONSORS:
Starbucks, Russell Investments,
KPMG, Nintendo, Deloitte, Bank
of America, Revel, United States
Seafoods
CHALLENGE SPONSORS:
Booz Allen Hamilton, Casey
Family Programs, Cobalt, Columbia
Bank, Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Edelman, Ernst & Young, inome,
Seattle University, University of
Washington Marketing
SUPERHERO CHALLENGE POOL:
SUPER SUPERHEROES
($25,000 or more):
Eve & Chap Alvord
Alexandra Brookshire & Bert Green
Ashley O’Connor McCready & Mike
McCready
Bruce & Lynn Gibson
Jim & Jan Sinegal
Anonymous
SUPERHEROES
($10,000 to $24,999):
Bill & Janette Adamucci
Tracy & Ron Bundy
John & Christine Enslein
Juli Farris
Kellanne Henry
Matt & Barb LePage
Joseph & Carolyn Mallahan
David & Linda Wilson
Anonymous
CHAMPIONS
($5,000 to $9,999):
Janis Avery & Mary Kabrich
Judi Beck & Tom Alberg
Dean & Vicki Allen
Karyl & Elias Alvord
Nichole & Mike Bockner
Brettler Family Foundation
Jack Brookshire
Paula & Bill Clapp
Clara & Nathan Codsi
In Memory of Muriel Diamond
Froley Family
Peg & Rick Young Foundation
The Oki Foundation
Bradley Fowler & Linda Pedersen
Fowler
Jane & Jim Fredricksen
Lynn & Michael Garvey
Lucy Helm
Linda & Philip Hunter
Judy & Steve Marczewski
Alison & Glen Milliman
Grace Nordhoff & Jonathan Beard
Dawn Rains & Heather Laird
Shelley Brown Reiss & Michael
Reiss
Maggie & Douglas Walker
Anonymous
HEROES
($2,500 to $4,999):
Carol & Paul Abodeely
Chris & Meghan Allison
Bobbe & Jon Bridge
Kathryn & Christopher Brumme
Kelly & Eric Burke
Mitzi & Chris Carletti
Dr. Jennifer Love Crowell
Timothy & Helene Davis
Jeff Chen & Jill Denny
Doug & Jeri Donnelly
Jack & Suzanne Edwards
Kathy Elias
Pamela & Robert Eshelman
Linda & Terry Finn
Tana & Andrew Gall
Carlene Gaudette
Heather Giacoletto & David DeVisser
Pauline & Vince Godfrey
Suzanne Greer
Steve Grieger
Ann Hayes
Margot Kenly & Bill Cumming
May McCarthy
John & Jackie McGlynn
Mr. & Mrs. Menashe,
Menashe & Sons Jewelers
Todd & Mimi Menenberg
Patti & Mike Meyers
Alana & Peter Morris
Amy & Mark Mullins
Fred & Ashley Northup
Paracle Advisors LLC
Steve & Becky Petersen
Tim & Sandra Premselaar
Susan Shanbrom-Krabbe & Moe
Krabbe
Sheri & Greg Stephens
James & Shelby Stokoe
Wendy & Jim Truitt
Eden & Hank Waggoner
Ruth & Todd Warren
Linda & Tony Whatley
James F. Williams
Anonymous
TREEHOUSE IS GROWING UP WITH A NEW LOOK & RENEWED FOCUS
including the Treehouse Learning Center
(TLC) staff, his in-school mentor and
Sandy and Mike, his Education Specialists.
In high school, Mike organized daily
check-ins between the in-school mentor
and all of Charles’ teachers to track his
progress on outstanding projects. He
ensured that the TLC staff was looped in
and could support Charles in completing
these projects after school. He also worked
with the school to remove barriers to
Charles’ success. Treehouse made its
favorite Little Wishes purchase for Charles
in 2012, a cap and gown.
Charles’ goals went beyond high school
thanks to Mike’s support. Mike encouraged
Charles to start applying to colleges.
Together, they created a list of prospective
colleges and sources of fi nancial aid.
Charles was successful in his efforts and
was accepted at Everett Community College.
Then, just as soon as he had succeeded
in attaining his goal, Charles was thrown
a curveball. As is the case with many
18-year-old youth in foster care, he found
himself unexpectedly homeless.
Treehouse provided him with clothes and
supplies to get back on his feet. He turned
to his friends to provide a roof over his
head and moved from couch to couch until
fi nally resorting to living out of his car.
His car was subsequently broken into and
he found himself losing hope.
Charles turned to his Education Specialist
Mike for support. “I knew that I could not
solve all of his problems, but I helped him
recognize the existing supports he already
had in his life and would be able to lean
on in the future,” stated Mike. Empowered
once again, Charles secured the material
goods and fi nancial assistance he needed
to fi nd stability in an apartment of his own.
He could now once again focus on his
education. We are proud to report that
Charles is now in his third quarter of
college working towards a degree in
social work and is dedicated to making a
meaningful difference in the world!
AAAAA RRRRREEEEECCCCCOOOOORRRRRDDDDD-BBBBBRRRRREEEEEAAAAAKKKKKIIIINNNNGGGGG YYYYEEEEEAAAAARRRRR:::::
On Wednesday, March 20th, Treehouse held its 12th Annual Champions
for Foster Kids Luncheon at the Seattle Sheraton. During the inspiring
hour, more than a million dollars was raised thanks to a packed house
of nearly 1,200 supporters, setting a new bar for Treehouse’s largest
annual event.
Brave 16-year-old singer songwriter Treasure set the stage performing her moving song
“Skyscraper,” followed by a warm welcome by event co-chairs Linda Whatley,
Ann Doherty and Cindy Brettler. CEO Janis
Avery presented awards to volunteer Amy
Faulkner, founder of the “Beard & Stache
Fest,” corporate partner Cobalt, and
community partner, University of Wash-
ington’s Alpha Gamma Delta Chapter, for
their outstanding support of Treehouse
and youth in foster care.
A strong line-up of foster youth presenters
and performers followed, sharing their
stories of strength to a visibly moved audi-
ence. Nineteen-year-old Charles thanked
Treehouse for a lifetime of support, from
clothing at the Wearhouse, to sports fees
covered by Little Wishes, to tutoring in
the TLC that paved his way to high school
graduation and beyond. Twenty-year-old
spoken word poet, Kristine, set off oratory
fi reworks with her poem “To Bloom,”
painting a vivid picture of her heartbreaking
story of survival, as well as the inner
strength she found with the help of
Treehouse. Kristine shopped at the Wear-
house and took aerial silk classes through
Little Wishes prior to graduating high
school in 2011. Charismatic 15-year-old
Frankie performed an original rap called
“I Can Remember,” sharing how a loving
foster family, Treehouse supports and
sheer determination changed his future
trajectory. Frankie is fully engaged with a
Treehouse Education Specialist who helps
him stay on track to graduate and
achieve his goal of becoming a therapist.
Special guest speaker Sade Daniels,
foster care alum, inspired all with the
stories of her own champions.
Thank you Treehouse champions for
such a successful kick-off to our 25th
Anniversary year!
TREEHOUSE NEWS - SPRING 2013
THE
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2100 24th Avenue S. / Suite 200
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TREEHOUSEFORKIDS.ORG
THANK YOU TO OUR HEROESThe March 20, Champions for Foster Kids Luncheon was a record-
breaking success due to nearly 1,200 caring and committed members
of our community supporting youth in foster care. The support that
Treehouse receives from our corporate sponsors and Superhero
Challenge Pool donors made it possible for Treehouse to ensure that
every dollar raised goes directly to supporting programs for foster youth.
Thank you to our sponsors and challenge pool donors for leading the
way in being champions for kids in foster care!
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEATTLE, WA
PERMIT NO.6100
With your support, foster youth
in King County will graduate high
school at the same rate as their
peers in 2017.
Spring 2013
GIVE FOSTER KIDS A CHILDHOOD AND A FUTURE
MAY 15GiveBIG