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ABOUT US
Washington Family Engagement is a nonprofit organization that takes immense pride in providing free, accessible programs for families and educators. We support school-family partnerships that impact student academic achievement, and we develop leaders who become civically active in their neighborhoods and engaged in the schools their children attend.
Washington Family Engagement is a nonprofit organization that takes immense pride in providing free, accessible programs for families and educators. We support school-family partnerships that impact student academic achievement, and we develop leaders who become civically active in their neighborhoods and engaged in the schools their children attend.
MISSION
Washington Family Engagement fosters social transformation by developing multigenerational leaders and providing opportunities for the voices and experience of Washington parents and family members to be heard and included in systemic and organizational change.
VISION
We envision our state as a community where families are fully engaged in their schools and neighborhoods and are seen and valued as important contributors to positive change. We believe that empowering families with the tools and knowledge they need to become effective school and civic leaders is critical to positive outcomes for Washington state.
Foundational Beliefs
Washington Family Engagement was founded on the following beliefs:
- Families, educators, and other professionals serving children and youth are equal stakeholders in children and youth positive outcomes.
- The academic, emotional, social, and physical development of children and youth is the shared responsibility of families, schools and the community at large.
- The voices families and youth must be heard to build relevant, and effective education, governmental, health, and social systems.
- No law or policy should be developed without the voices of those it impacts.
Values
Integrity
Respect
Accountability
Innovation
Compassion
Inclusion
Our story
Washington Family Engagement was created over a decade ago by a group of visionary parents, educators, and professionals working in the Family Engagement in education field. Their vision was to create an organization that offered free programs to prepare parents to become engaged in their children’s education, learn civic skills, and contribute to the improvement of laws and policies affecting Washington children and families. Today, WAFE serves parents across the state and has graduated over 800 parents from its parent leadership programs. Learn more about its signature course, The Washington Institute for Parent Leadership (IPL).
WASHINGTON FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
STAFF
Adie Simmons
Founder and Executive Director
Linda Slater
Curriculum Director
April Eslami
Program Manager
Magdalena Martinez
Communications Manager
Michelle Harris
Parent Engagement Coordinator
Board
Dr. Carmela Maxell-Runyan, PsyD, MA, LMHC
Board President
WAFE Parent Leadership Program Graduate and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Adjunct Professor – Antioch University
Linda Slater
Vice-president
Curriculum Specialist (Ret.)
Cultivate Learning,
University of Washington.
Cathy Liu Scott
Treasurer
President of the Snohomish County League of Women Voters
Margo Siegenthaler
Secretary
WAFE Parent Leadership Program Graduate, Leadership Facilitator and Former Special Education Ombuds/Family Engagement Manager – Seattle Public Schools.
Nadia Carriedo
Board Member
WAFE Parent Leadership program graduate and Everett School District, Dual-language teacher.
Elizabeth Meza
Board Member
WAFE Parent Leadership Program Graduate and and former Northshore School District ELL Program Administrator.
Dr. Angela Notari Syverson
Board Member
Former Senior Curriculum Content Developer – University of Washington.
Iris Okimoto Nielsen
Board Member
CRRC Research Coordinator, University of Washington.
Michelle Stewart
Board Member
WAFE Parent Leadership Program Graduate and Planner -The Tulalip Tribes of WA.
timeline
2025
November
We welcomed our first Power Parent Builder Fellowship cohort: 14 dedicated parent leaders and graduates of our WAFE Leadership Institutes. This fellowship offers graduates a new pathway to deepen their civic engagement and advocacy work, strengthen their voices, and build collective power.
2024
June
Washington Family Engagement celebrated its 10th anniversary with the 2024 Parent and Youth Leadership Forum. Over 100 parents, youth, and distinguished guests came together to learn new skills, celebrate achievements, and strengthen connections within the WAFE community.
February
WAFE graduates participated in the ‘Have a Heart for Kids’ advocacy day at the Olympia Capitol, engaging with district representatives and senators, where our parent leaders addressed vital community issues.
2023
June
The Washington State PTA awarded Washington Family Engagement their annual Friend of Children’s award.
2021
September
The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County awarded Washington Family Engagement their 2021 Democracy in Action Award.
2020
June
Seattle Times – Adie Simmons, Founder and Executive Director of Washington Family Engagement, speaks about the newfound admiration for teachers and the challenges families face with at-home schooling. Read more.
February
Washington Family Engagement wins the first Maddy Metzger-Utt Leadership Award from the Snohomish County Community Foundation. The award recognizes Metzger-Utt’s long-time service to CFSC as president and CEO and WAFE’s focus on creativity, innovation and leadership. Maddy Metzger-Utt helped CFSC select this year’s recipient. “Adie Simmons and her staff worked tirelessly in the community to support families and help them engage in civic life,” said Metzger-Utt, “they are an inspiring team!”
2019
October
Adie Simmons, WAFE founder and Executive Director, was inducted into the University of Washington School of Communications Hall of Fame. Read more.
2016
August
Washington Family Engagement Trust receives the Organization of the Year Award from the Latino Community Fund – Accepting the award on behalf of WAFE, Adie Simmons, founder, and Executive Director, said: “We are humbled and very grateful for this award and are committed to continue working to ensure a better future for Washington Children and Families.”
2014
July
Washington Family Engagement launches as a nonprofit, focusing on parent leadership.
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