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Good news happens. This episode features poetry, prose, and perspective from Maven Gardner, a 2016 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate, whose writings have shed light on what it means to grow up in foster care and then experience homelessness as an adult in our region.

Maven read some of their poetry during a 2022 United Way Advancing Racial Equity Series event, and they gained some stability during homelessness via Seattle’s youth shelters, many of which were funded by United Way’s work to address homelessness.

United Way recently caught up with Maven, who now lives in Los Angeles and is active in Southern California’s creative circles. They spoke with Hourglass about relocating from the only place they’ve called home and continuing to use poetry to explore issues of race, class, gender identity, foster care, and houselessness.

We will also spotlight United Way’s Free Summer Meals program for school-age youth and discuss a local volunteer opportunity.

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Good news happens. This week’s episode features a conversation with Michele Storms, the executive director of the ACLU of Washington.

Since 1935, the ACLU of Washington has served as one of our state’s most formidable civil rights and civil liberties organizations. Much of its work aligns with United Way of King County’s efforts to address issues such as housing insecurity and education disparities.

In this episode, we will chat with Michelle about the ACLU’s work in those and other areas, the organization’s origins, and the things that give her hope amid the nation’s turbulent political climate.

We will also discuss United Way’s Free Summer Meals program for school-aged children and a local volunteer opportunity.

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Good news happens. In this episode, we’re talking baseball with Bookie Gates of Baseball Beyond Borders, a Kent-based organization that provides baseball and softball access for communities of color.

United Way of King County is proud to support Baseball Beyond Borders and its efforts to help student-athletes of color connect their passion on the field with their academic futures off the field.

We’ll also discuss our Free Summer Meals program for school-age youth and a local volunteer opportunity.

Thanks for tuning in.