Spirit of 12 Partners

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is a true change agent, committed to providing an adult mentor for every child who needs or wants one. Mentoring is a proven strategy that changes how our children grow up in America by meeting critical needs of our region’s children and engaging all levels of community. We help children build the attitudes and behaviors needed to stay in school, succeed academically, make healthy choices, and create promising futures. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is the largest mentoring organization in Washington State, serving 2,500 children in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. By matching children with adult mentors in one-to-one relationships, we transform the life of a child (a Little), transform the life of an adult (a Big) and together transform our schools, our neighborhoods and our communities for the better. www.bbbsps.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs Washington State Association

The Boys & Girls Clubs Washington State Association serves over 87,000 members between the ages of 6 and 18 and benefits an additional 94,000 youth through outreach services. Programs are offered within 126 branch Clubs including 5 military bases, as well as over 100 outreach sites throughout the state. The Clubs offer programs designed to enhance personal growth and education, tutoring, computer skills, the arts, athletic involvement and much more. During the summer months the Clubs provide regular "drop in" programs, summer day camp, field trips, computer technology classes and much more. Through quality professional staff and a fun positive environment, the Boys & Girls Clubs Washington State Association assist thousands of kids to develop much needed life skills, self-esteem and positive values. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs Washington State Association and their programs, please contact Matt Watrous, Executive Director at mwatrous@positiveplace.org.

Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council

Camp Fire USA Snohomish County is a 501©3, non-profit youth organization serving Snohomish County and Camano Island. Since 1930, Camp Fire has provided youth development programs throughout Snohomish County. Members include boys and girls, preschool through High School, and families. Through a program of informal education, recreation, and social interaction, Camp Fire provides opportunities for youth to realize their personal potential and to function effectively as adults. Our programs include: Day Camp and Resident Camp at Camp Killoqua; after school Club Program for youth and families; Inclusion Camp for youth with developmental disabilities; Mega Club program for children living in low-income housing; community projects by "Teens In Action"; Self Reliance Education Classes; and Camp Willie Grief Camp for children that have recently lost a loved one due to death. www.campfireusasnohomish.org.

Girl Scouts of Western Washington

Girl Scouts is the world’s pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls. Girl Scouts is, as it always has been, the organization best positioned to offer girls the tools they need to be successful leaders now and throughout their lives. We develop leaders who value diversity, inclusion, and collaboration and are committed to improving neighborhoods, communities and the world. Girl Scouts of Western Washington serves more than 26,000 girls throughout Western Washington with the assistance of over 12,000 adult volunteers. In Girl Scouts, girls design fun and challenging activities that empower them to discover their world, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place. www.girlscoutsww.org.

Special Olympics Washington

There are over 190,000 state residents with intellectual disabilities (ID). They can still face sexual, mental, emotional abuse and neglect, and often suffer severe and chronic health problems. They have a 40 percent greater risk for preventable secondary health conditions such as obesity, poor fitness, nutritional deficits, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems; and a shorter life expectancy. They often fall into lower income brackets due to high medical expenses and low earnings potential. These adults and children are especially hard hit during economic downturns, and often don’t have a voice. Special Olympics Washington is more than just Summer Games, more than a child with Down syndrome crossing a finish line. We provide critical services no one else in the community does: free programs for those with intellectual disabilities--who often suffer severe and chronic health problems--so they may build motor skills, self-confidence, social skills, and skills to become more independent. Although our mainstay is our year-round sports training and competition programs in 16 different sports, we provide other services as well: free health screenings by doctors, early childhood intervention, leadership training, and programs for the severely impaired. www.sowa.org.