We have all heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But when it comes to youth in foster care, the phrase takes on a new meaning. When a young person enters the foster care system, their health and wellbeing becomes the shared responsibility of our community. Unfortunately, youth in foster care often find themselves with many unmet needs as they move through a challenging and complicated legal system.
Equitable access to academic services and support is one area where youth in foster care are especially underserved. Treehouse is an organization working to meet that need, and help each young person in foster care get the support they deserve.
According to Treehouse, “High school graduation rates for youth who have experienced foster care are below 50% in Washington state…, and less than 3 percent will earn a bachelor’s degree.” Through their Graduation Success and Launch Success programs (as well as several other services like Holiday Magic, the Treehouse Store, and Just-in-Time Funding), Treehouse aims to improve those odds and help young people transition more smoothly into adulthood and independence. With Treehouse’s help, youth in foster care have an extended graduation rate of 82%.
At SGC, we recognize that we are a part of a larger community than just our chorister families. We are part of a system that needs to work harder to ensure all youth in our community are cared for, regardless of their life circumstances. All youth deserve equitable access to the resources, the power to write their own narrative, and the opportunity to engage in a rich creative life.
That’s why we offer the proceeds of our holiday singalong Make the Season Bright to Treehouse each year. We know we have a responsibility to engage with our broader community, and partner in these efforts in the ways that we can as a youth choir.
With that in mind, we do hope that you’re inspired to join us at this benefit concert. Make the Season Bright is a wonderful afternoon of winter holiday classics. You’ll hear from our two senior ensembles Prime Voci and Cantamus, and have a chance to sing along with your favorite carols. (Or if singing in public isn’t your thing, just sit back and revel in the festivities! No judgement.) This is a concert you can bring your whole family to, all while knowing that you are supporting many more youth and foster families in our community. That’s just the kind of thing we want to be doing this holiday season. See you there!
Make the Season Bright
December 7, 2019
4:00 PM
First United Methodist Church of Seattle
180 Denny Way
Seattle, WA 98109
Buy your tickets: https://mtsb.brownpapertickets.com/
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