We hope you are staying warm, connected and in community (socially distancing), and practicing self-care, whatever that might look like for you.
In these challenging times, we know that our collective work is our contribution to the world we want to live in, which feels grounding, even energizing.
We want to share a few updates. We have been increasing our capacity and ramping up our thought leadership work; our fellows and partner organizations continue to provide critical community-centered leadership.
Can’t stop, won’t stop—we are growing!
Welcome the newest additions to our team, Johnny & Bianca!
We are excited to welcome our newest additions to our team, Johnny and Bianca. As you know, we have been engaged in an exciting transition for a while. Increasing our capacity to better serve our organization and partners has been a priority, and we are thrilled to have two new amazing leaders on our team. Get to know them more below!
Bianca Barnes (she/her), Operations Associate
Bianca was born and raised in the Seattle area. Before coming to RVC, she worked at Pacific Science Center for fourteen years as an educator and teen program coordinator.
In addition to her role as Operations Associate, Bianca is also currently pursuing degrees in psychology and education at the University of Washington. When she isn’t working or in class, she loves to kick box, watch Lifetime movies, and cancel plans.
Johnny Fikru (he/him), Fellowship Program Coordinator
Raised by Meseret and Fikru, Johnny is a proud Black Ethiopian. His passion for social movements come from the combination of student-led movements and inspiring mentors who loved him into being who he is today.
After school, Johnny moved to Philadelphia and spent a year working with folks from formerly incarcerated backgrounds as well as folks going through recovery. He previously worked at Got Green serving as the Young Leaders organizer. Johnny also has a background in worker rights, food sovereignty, and climate justice.
When he’s not at RVC, you can find him running around the city, listening to hip hop and eating at Chuminh Tofu.
Read SSIR Transformational Capacity Building Article by RVC leaders On Our Website
The Transformational Capacity Building article by RVC leaders was originally published in the Fall 2020 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review and has recently been republished on the RVC website.
In this groundbreaking work, RVC leaders share seven key approaches to support capacity building for people of color-led nonprofits and their leaders. Read the article at the link above!
A chance to hear from the authors—join us!
Transformational Capacity Building-Webinar on Thursday, December 10, 2020 11-12:30 PM
At the upcoming webinar hosted by WA Nonprofits and RVC, the Transformational Capacity Building authors will discuss topics from the article, including the role of grassroots organizations and capacity building for community-based nonprofits. Learn more about the event at the link above and register.
Join the Movement to Demand Equitable Funding for BIPOC-led Organizations
We are proud to be a part of the growing BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition of WA State. Our Interim Executive Director Ananda Valenzuela helps lead this timely effort to secure more resources for BIPOC led nonprofits throughout WA State.
Read the coalition’s Open Letter to Funders to equitably #FundBIPOC communities. And please sign the letter and the pledge to demand #EquityInFunding
RVC Fellows & Partner Updates
RVC is powered by our partners and fellows, who tailor their work to the strengths and needs of the communities they serve. Every month, we highlight their amazing work.
Green Pathways Fellow Cly Samson On Food Security vs. Food Sovereignty
RVC Green Pathways Fellow Clyzzel Samson (Cly) is based out of King Conservation District (KCD) as Community Agriculture Fellow. Cly hails from a family lineage of fishermen and farmers from a small province in the Philippines. She believes that access to healthy food is a human right, not a privilege.
In a true demonstration of her passion, Cly explains the differences between Food Security and Food Sovereignty in a recent video for King County’s CHOMP.
“Hunger is not the real problem. It is a symptom of a much larger problem: the overproduction of food and unequal access to food.”
Cly Samson
We are proud to have transformative leaders like Cly working on these systemic issues that have great impact on our communities. Learn about the complexities of the food system and the differences between food sovereignty and food security by watching this short but powerful educational video.
Through conservation, education, and responsible stewardship, King Conservation District (KCD) promotes sustainable uses of natural resources. Learn more about KCD’s work on their website.
Be a Changemaker
RVC Changemakers are folks who believe that leadership development and capacity building in communities of color should be spearheaded by the individuals working within these communities. By committing to giving $80 or more a month, you will be making a pivotal impact in communities of color in the Greater Seattle area.
Changemakers will get a shoutout in our annual report, be invited to our special events, be invited to further engage in other ways, such as through volunteering, lunch and learns, or maybe even mentoring. Our Changemakers will also just be lavished with so much appreciation for their commitment to social justice at the grassroots level!
Job Opportunities In Our Network
- Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is hiring a Career & Technical Scholarship Advisor
- Communities Rise is hiring an Attorney
- The Capacity Collective is hiring a Program Analyst
- Progress Alliance of Washington is hiring for an Executive Director
- Casa Latina is hiring for a Homeless Employment Specialist
- Oxfam America is hiring for multiple positions
- Solid Ground is hiring for multiple positions
- United Way of King County is hiring for multiple positions
Community Resources
- United Way of King County, Food Lifeline, the City of Seattle, and Metro Access are offering home delivery of emergency food boxes across Seattle, North King County, and East King County during COVID-19. To order a food box, fill out this online form, or call Toll-Free at 833-540-0800, Mondays to Fridays from 11am-4 pm.
- Communities Rise is offering COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic. Register at the link below: https://bit.ly/2CezVtH
- Free testing is available in King County regardless of immigration status. Find a testing site near you at the link below: https://bit.ly/3faKlcA
RVC Stuff To Read
Transformational Capacity Building, (SSIR article) written by April Nishimura et al. (2020)
Community Care During the Pandemic: We Are in This Together, written by RVC
What my work at Got Green taught me about environmental justice, Written by Shaylea Pilarski, RVC Green Pathways Fellow
Reflection on Ramadan During Quarantine, by Anbar Mahar Sheikh, RVC Capacity Building Lead
How do we support ourselves and our communities during COVID-19?, written by Tracey Wong, 2019-2021 RVC Community Impact Fellow
We need to retain and invest in our staff during this crisis, Written by Ananda Valenzuela, Interim Executive Director of RVC
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If you have job postings or events that you would like mentioned in our newsletter, please email the details to Saida. We do our best to fit everything in, but we may not always be able to.
