Resources and Events Supporting Inclusion and Social Justice

Eastside For All: BIPOC Community Live Chat In Person and Online

Drop in for casual conversation and connections!  Eastside For All invites our BIPOC community members to meet up at the Together Center or join online. [English y en Español] ¡Ven a Platicar! No need to register.

Disability Empowerment Center: Oct Eastside Peer Group for People With Disabilities @ Together Center Oct 22, 2024

Welcome to our new Eastside-based Peer Group, meeting the fourth Tuesday of every month in a hybrid fashion. In October we will talk about communication and setting boundaries with caregivers. You'll get to create a care map and identify your circle of support. Our Monthly Peer Groups are FREE for people ages 14+ with a disability in King County. This peer group meets in person and virtually (hybrid) in Redmond. RSVP and request accommodations by Oct 15: info@disabilityempowerment.org. More events: disabilityempowerment.org/events

The Circle: Day of the Dead Celebration Sun., Nov 3, 2024

We are excited to invite you to a spectacular Day of the Dead celebration! Come and enjoy a unique experience full of tradition, culture and fun. This year we will highlight the culture of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This event will be full of exciting activities including: Games, Art workshops, Face painting, Delicious snacks, Traditional dancers

KCLS: Accessibility: Make Your Tech Device Work Better for You Wed, Nov 13, 2024 2:00pm–3:00pm Online event

Explore general settings that allow you to change your phone or computer to work with your specific hearing, vision and other needs. Presented by Bridget of Gentle Tech Help. This program will not be recorded.  Please register

KCLS & The Garage: Rainbow Connections - An Intergenerational Pride Celebration! Nov 16, 2024 12pm - 3pm Blakely Hall, Issaquah

Join us for a vibrant LGBTQIA+ event that bridges the gap between generations! Celebrate the wisdom of the past, the energy of the present, and the vision for the future as the queer community comes together for an afternoon of connection, resources, and food. Let’s learn from each other, celebrate our diversity, and strengthen the bonds that unite us across all ages! Activities will include: - Community mosaic project - Remembrance Wall - Resource Fair - Catered food from queer-owned businesses - Friendship bracelets - Discussion panel with queer community representatives - Games, activities, crafts, and more! Sponsored by the KCLS Foundation, In partnership with King County Library System, Eastside Pride PNW, The Garage, Pride Across the Bridge, and Highlands Council.

KCLS: Adaptive Solutions Mini-Hackathon Sat, Nov 16, 2024 1:00pm–5:00pm Bellevue Library

Join the Bellevue Library Makerspace and HuskyADAPT, from University of Washington to learn about accessibility challenges facing the disability community. Then hack on solutions! Work with a diverse team of makers, researchers, disability professionals and volunteers to build custom adaptations for people with disabilities. Gain prototyping skills and experience working with a team to solve real-world challenges! Participants with disabilities who are interested in learning Maker skills are especially encouraged to attend.

Outdoors For All Foundation: Now at Lake Sammamish State Park! 

This new location is a huge step in expanding adaptive recreation opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy the great outdoors and we are thrilled to be on the Eastside.  Daily through Sept. 30 (with limited operation in October) and starting back up next May, the popular state park and Outdoors for All will offer more opportunities to ride and paddle for people with disabilities. As the first Eastside branch, the site will provide for cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding and summer day camp

Eastside For All and Pride Across The Bridge: QTPOC Collective Monthly Social Group Interest Form

 Welcome to our QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color) Interest Form! We welcome you and invite you to join us in creating a safe space for QTPOC folks on the Eastside. It is an opportunity learn more about yourself, others and have direct access to advocacy and support.  

This form is designed to help us better understand your needs, passions, and goals so that we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Your voice matters, and by sharing your thoughts and preferences with us, you are contributing to a brighter and more diverse future. Thank you for taking the time to connect with us and be part of this important conversation. Together, we can make a difference. Start Date: February 2024 Location: The Together Center Redmond, WA 16305 NE 87th St. Any Questions? Contact: info@prideacrossthebridge.org

King County Coalition Against Hate and Bias To anonymously report hate and bias incidents

Hate and bias incidents against Asian Americans have risen since the emergence of the coronavirus. To provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support for the community, CISC and its Coalition partners are administrators of the Hate and Bias Incident Response Survey to collect data from communities affected by hate and bias. No personal or identifying information is shared with OESJ or any governing body, nor collected in the administration of the Coalition’s survey. Visit website to learn how to anonymously report hate and bias incidents.

The Circle: Community Navigation

The Circle provides a safe space where individuals and families come together to learn, celebrate, and contribute boldly to their communities. We welcome and help individuals and families to get the resources that they need and to become active community members while building cultural competence. We offer community navigation services, events, and educational workshops.

  • Inclusive Circle: This circle is for kids of all abilities. Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm in Issaquah

  • Giving Circle: This is a program where neighbors help neighbors with clothing, furniture, household items, etc. If you are in need of help, send us an email to contact@thecircle-wa.org. And if you would like to help a neighbor, visit the Sign Up page here

  • Latino Circle: This is a circle for anyone who is interested to create events to celebrate Latino traditions. For more information, visit their Facebook page

  • Heritage Playgroups: Come to meet other parents, make music, and play with your children. The Circle offers English, Spanish, Russian and Indian Heritage playgroups.

Lambert House

Lambert House has ongoing programs 7 days a week on 5 different platforms. Upcoming events include a discussion of the Americans with Disabilities Act and intersectionality with LGBTQ rights), Coming Out, and an LGBTQ joint book club event with KCLS teens. For more information email: onlinegroups@lamberthouse.org

Cultural Bridges

is a program of Issaquah Schools Foundation that helps build relationships between families from diverse cultures and languages, their children, the ISD, and the broader Issaquah community through outreach, events, mentoring, translation services and a magazine published in 7 languages.

Cultural Bridges Number 27, English Edition: Some topics include ISF Academic Enrichment Grants, School Safety and Security, High School and Beyond Plan, World Language Class, School Attendance Policy, Student Volunteer Opportunities, and Issaquah Food Bank Summer Program, etc.

King County Library System:

Language Interpreters: Get an interpreter in your language for library service. American Sign Language is available at some locations. Ask staff for Language Line, a company that provides interpreters by phone and online. When you call the library, you can talk with an interpreter by phone.  When you visit the library, you can talk or sign with an interpreter by video or audio on an app. Or, you can talk with an interpreter by phone.

Online: Join Talk Time Classes Thursdays 10-11am Practice speaking English with other English language learners online! Learn about American culture and meet people from around the world, while connecting from home! Register with your email and we will send you the link to join the Zoom meeting. View all dates

Talk Time Class Practice speaking with other English language learners. Learn about American culture and meet people from around the world. Registration not required. Sign-up if you would like an email reminder.

  • Sammamish Library Wednesdays 1:00pm - 2:30pm View all dates

  • Issaquah Library Thursdays 3pm - 5pm View all dates

    Basic and Beginning ESL Class Renton Highland Library View all dates Improve your English language reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Hosted by Renton Technical College. Class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-4pm, excluding holidays. Registration not required. Walk-ins welcome

The Welcoming Center: For immigrants, refugees and new arrivals. Connect to the people and resources in the area you live.  Are you an immigrant, refugee or new to the community and need help finding resources? Connect with a Welcoming Ambassador, a friendly person who can help you find information and services.

Eastside For All

We Are a Racial Equity Advocacy Organization Based In East King County Focused on Advancing Social Justice For Our Local Communities.

Indian American Community Services: Pop-Up Community Centers @ Beaver Lake Lodge, Sammamish

IACS follows a model of community outreach that makes taking part in community activities accessible for members who live in various cities across the Pacific Northwest. Our pop-up centers are conveniently located in various community centers including Issaquah, Kent, Snoqualmie, Bothell, Redmond, North Bellevue and Northshore. These centers not only allow community members to better connect with each other but also opens up connection with other communities as well who may share the same space. Communities are transformed by the energy and passion of the people who visit these centers — staff, volunteers, parents, children and youth. Beaver Lake Lodge, Sammamish: Mon, Wed, Fri For further information on our pop up community centers, please contact us at directorcommunity@iacswa.org or call us at (253) 234-9989 (Ext. 5)

TechConnect: Tech Help in Multiple Languages

TechConnect provides basic technical assistance to the diverse Seattle area. TechConnect helps with Internet connectivity, Basic technical support, Learning Management System support, Provide connections for hardware fixes, Connect to community resources. Languages Spoken: Spanish * Khmer * Tigrinya * Afaan * Oromoo * Amharic * Sidamo * Wolaytta * English. You can call or email to get support: 800-216-1132 or contact@techconnectwa.com 

Open Doors For Multicultural Families: Professional Webinar Series

Working Effectively with Diverse Youth & Families in Transition: This webinar series is offered in collaboration with Center for Change in Transition Services as part of Open Doors’ Multicultural Parent Information and Training Center Project funded by Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA).

WA State Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance:

The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is part of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, within the agency’s Economic Services Administration and Community Services Division. Our goal is to help refugee and immigrant families and individuals succeed and thrive in Washington state.