|
 News For You!
Re-Building Amongst the Fires
The Washington State Office of Equity feels heavy. Like many of you, our friends, family, and staff have been personally affected by the fires ravaging the state. The people of Washington have lost homes, businesses, community spaces, and parks. Families have been hit with sudden evacuation notices, with little time to grab important items and leave. The smoke has hit surrounding communities, reminding us all that our state is burning and our neighbors are suffering.
|
|
Want to Help?
Looking to volunteer? Spokane Public Schools, Innovia Foundation, the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and the American Red Cross are compiling local resources available to support staff and families impacted by recent wildfires. Visit their website to learn more on how to help.
Stay tuned for how to support the Spokane, Colville, and Yakama tribes. More info to come!
[from left] Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools Dr. Adam Swinyard and Shelly O'Quinn CEO of the Innovia Foundation speaking at the Spokane Community Convening
|
Hope & Collaboration
Despite all the damage done to Washington, we have found glimmers of hope, resilience, and community strength. Those glimmers have shown up in the gymnasium of a Spokane high school, in shaky phone calls with loved ones, or in donation drop-off locations around the state.
Our own Access & Accessibility Director, Jordan Feyerherm, and Immigration Subcabinet Engagement Specialist, Naghmana Sherazi, were a part of the Community Convening in Spokane this past week. “This is truly the strength of the Spokane community - we show up for each other in times of tragedy and the reason why I love this community,” shared Naghmana, “We were there to help ensure that language access and accessibility resources are available so that everyone—including people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities—can receive timely, accurate information and connect with critical services during this emergency.”
The Office of Equity is still available for non-profits or agencies looking for translation services. They have limited availability to translate WA fire resource documents into other languages. Reach out via access@equity.wa.gov.
|
|
Thoughts from EQUITY
“This has already been a challenging fire season, even before the Spokane complex fires began. Since then, Spokane has received national media attention for the destruction across our community. The effects of these fires have reached nearly everyone in the region in some way. For many, this disaster has deepened existing challenges and made access to housing, transportation, information, and other essential resources even more difficult.
Yet, in the face of this tragedy, I have also seen the strength of our community on full display. Even though the fires are still burning, people keep asking, 'How can we help? What can we do?’ Nonprofits, state and local governments, businesses, and residents came together quickly, ready to give what they had; be it time, resources, supplies, expertise, logistics, care, to support their neighbors.
This type of community response is just another reminder that when we work together and care for those around us, we can weather any storm.”
Jordan Feyerherm | Spokane,WA
Director of Access & Accessibility
[from left] Naghmana Sherazi, Karen Stromgren of Muslims for Community Action and Support, & Jordan Feyerherm sharing a meal after the Spokane Community Convening
|
|
|
|
|
