You Belong!
Check out this WIN BRG-produced video that raises awareness about Washington State as an employer of choice for immigrant communities, showcases the diversity of the state workforce, and promotes the State as a welcoming environment where immigrants can feel valued and appreciated.
2022-2023 WIN Annual Report - Now Available!
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Commerce awards $15.4 million in grants to expand legal aid to low-income immigrants. |
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project among organizations receiving funding to provide legal aid in communities across Washington state
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $15.4 million in grants to eight organizations across the state, expanding access to legal aid services for low-income immigrants. The 2023-25 appropriation from the Washington Legislature enables nearly a doubling of previous annual funding levels.
Read more: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news/commerce-awards-15-4-million-in-grants-to-expand-legal-aid-to-low-income-immigrants/
Inslee appoints Megan Matthews director of the Washington State Office of Equity
Gov. Jay Inslee today named Megan Matthews director of the Washington State Office of Equity. She has served as acting director of the agency since May. Matthews has worked with the Office of Equity since April 2021 as the assistant director for shared power, leading multiple aspects of the agency's work. Her portfolio includes driving the agency's overall strategy, developing and implementing budgets, legislative and public relations, developing and publishing the community compensation guidelines as directed by ESSB 5793, and working with the governor's office to craft executive orders promoting equity in employment opportunities across Washington.
Read more: https://governor.wa.gov/news/2023/inslee-appoints-megan-matthews-director-washington-state-office-equity
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WIN NEEDS YOU!
Seeking Volunteers
WIN is seeking a volunteer to be our new Social Media Guru. This position will be in charge of posting updates and information on WIN’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please email:
There are many opportunities to get involved in helping grow the Washington Immigrant Network. Please consider sharing your talents with the community. Click the link below for info about volunteering for one or more of WIN's Subcommittees
Thank you!
September 15 - International Day of Democracy
September 15-October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
September 21 - International Day of Peace
September 29 - World Heart Day
October 2 - International Day of Non-Violence
October 5 - Word Teachers' Day
October 10 - World Mental Health Day
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Share Your Immigrant Story
We are collecting immigrant stories to highlight in our newsletter, social media, YouTube, and website. If you would like to share your own immigrant story, you can submit it by completing this form. You can also email your story or send a video recording to: WIN@ofm.wa.gov. We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
Please visit our Immigrant Stories page to read other people’s immigrant experiences.
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 In times of crisis or disaster, the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) will post relevant information to help you support communities in need through contributions to verified nonprofits.
Many of us have friends and family impacted by the recent wildfires in Eastern Washington and on Maui. Recovery efforts continue and resources are needed, as many families and businesses have been displaced.
You can learn about ways to help by clicking the link below.
 Left: Trees burning in the Gray Fire in Eastern Washington; Right: Aerial photo of the damage to Lahaina, Maui
Why Do You Need a Mentor?
Research says a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions. The Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program's goal is to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community. The program establishes and facilitates direct, trusting relationships between volunteer mentors and their assigned mentees. Please take a look at our Mentee-Mentor Partnership Roadmap.
How can I connect with a mentor? For current or prospective state employees, visit Meet our Mentors. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, submit your mentoring request here.
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WIN's Mentoring Program Now Accepting New Mentees & Mentors
Become a WIN Mentee
- Are you new to state service?
- Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
- Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
If yes, then WIN's Mentoring Program maybe a good resource for you. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. You can view WIN's list of eligible mentors to see if there is someone whose career experience and background would be a good match. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, you can submit your mentoring request here. Questions about the Mentor Program?
Please reach out to Christina Pourarien, Chair & Mentoring Program Administrator at Washington Immigrant Network, at win@ofm.wa.gov.
Become a WIN Mentor
The WIN Mentoring Program supports immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community at large. Learn more about becoming a mentor at: WIN's Mentoring Program.
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Do you have interest in a statewide mentorship program?
Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is partnering with Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) to gauge interest in a statewide mentorship program.
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Mentorship programs provide mentees with opportunities to learn and grow while providing mentors with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills. A statewide mentorship program would be open to all state employees and could address the following:
- Support personal and professional development.
- Address talent shortages, increase employee retention and job satisfaction.
- Create relationship-building opportunities.
- Provide support for goal setting and career planning.
- Increase inclusion and break down barriers for marginalized groups.
The following survey is intended to help DES and ICSEW learn what mentorship opportunities already exist across state agencies and the potential interest in a statewide mentorship program. Your time and answers are appreciated. Please contact masozi.nyirenda@des.wa.gov with questions.
Survey link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7447501/DES-Statewide-Mentorship-Program-Survey
 Job Fair September 12, 2 to 7 p.m. at L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries provides great pay, benefits, and paid time off; a work-life balance that puts your life first; and the opportunity to help people and your community. Register via Eventbrite to receive information and reminders. It’s not required; you can just show up on Sept. 12. Check out our current openings at www.Lni.wa.gov/Jobs.
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Free Webinar - September 12th @ 12pm
Did you know a 529 plan can cover more expenses than just tuition and support a variety of academic pathways across the country and even abroad?
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Learn how the Washington 529 College Savings Plans help families save for a variety of college and career training expenses. This 30-minute webinar will guide you through the details of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program and DreamAhead College Investment Plan. Q&A is provided to help you get your savings started today. This webinar is scheduled for September 12th at 12 pm.
Register for this online webinar HERE
Or if you are having trouble with the link cut and paste the below URL:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hFE7UObsTQq76QaiGZXD5g#/registration
Office of Equity Presents: Real Talk!
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Register for Real Talk! 2023
The Office of Equity invites you to join us in 2023, beginning September 13, from 11:00 –12:00pm for our Real Talk! sessions and from 12:00–12:30 pm for our Post Talks, where we will have an interactive discussion on the Real Talk! Topic.
Centered in belonging, we will unpack truth, reconcile the past, learn from one another, connect, and together, experience healing from harm. We encourage you to lean in, be curious, and explore experiences different from your own.
This is the moment and place to have real talk to truly transform our agencies into places where real people experience equity, justice, and belonging every day, now and for generations to come.
Register for Real Talk and Post Talk 2023 Series
Subscribe to monthly Real Talk news
Watch the Real Talk Introduction for more background.
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2023 LLN Hispanic Heritage Month
Virtual Lunch and Learn Events
To celebrate the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Leadership Network is organizing a series of three lunch and learn Zoom webinars. These webinars are open to all; you don't have to be Latine nor a member of LLN to participate.
You will need to register for each lunch and learn separately at least 24-hours in advance to be able to access the meeting link. We encourage you to register early as space is limited.
Go to the WIN Events Page to register for these events.
We encourage you to share these events with other members of your agency and organizations.
If you have any questions, please contact lln@ofm.wa.gov
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The Office of Equity is excited to invite you to save the date for our 2023 Washington State Equity Convening:
October 24th & 25th, 2023
Greater Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA
See the below flyer for more information. More details & registration information to follow.
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  Text Reads: The Washington State Office of Equity's Annual Convening. Save the Date. October 24-25, 2023. Greater Tacoma Convention Center. 1500 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA. Washington state agencies and communities working together to achieve equity in public contracting, education, employment, and services so everyone has a fair chance to live out their dreams and thrive in business, school, work, and life. We the People. More details coming soon. Visit us at www.equity.wa.gov. Want to be a sponsor? Contact us info@equity.wa.gov.
Image Description: A group of people of different races face away from the viewer with their arms over each other's shoulders in a sign of solidarity and community. They are wearing many different muted colors and are surrounded by a weaving graphic of bright blues, yellows, greens, and purples. The Office of Equity dove logo is in the corner of the flyer.)
Career Opportunities
Share job postings with all BRGs
Employers can now submit job announcements by completing the BRG Job Posting form. By submitting this form, you will be notifying all the BRGs at once that the job posting is open at your agency. (One job announcement per form submission). Since each BRG has different ways and times of sharing open job postings with their members, it is best to submit a job announcement as soon as it opens, to provide ample time to be shared within the BRG networks.
Employers are also invited to attend an upcoming WIN BRG General Membership meeting, to learn more about WIN and to share hiring opportunities with our members. If interested in attending, please contact us at: win@ofm.wa.gov.
Working for Washington State is work that matters!
For a complete listing of Washington State career opportunities, go to:
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Get Involved with a BRG
 Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
See Business Resource Group Events Calendar
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