Eastside Pathways was awarded a $30k grant and, even more excitingly, a dedicated researcher through October of 2020 from the University of Washington Unite:Ed Seed Grant. These resources will help continue the work of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Collaborative to be newly rolled out as MESH (Mindsets, Essential Skills and Habits).
The grant will help research how schools and out-of-school providers’ programs impact social emotional learning and academic outcomes for youth aged 9-12th grade into post-secondary.
The project will allow partnering agencies including Eastside Pathways partners Bellevue School District and Youth Eastside Services to gather information and evaluate the impacts of current programming for youth — both in and out-of-school — to learn essential skills and habits related to social emotional well-being in their high school years.
Through this work, organizations will develop a stronger understanding of how to support youth in their ability for self-care and agency leading into their post-secondary years. In addition, the project aims to understand and measure how community stakeholders and organizations are working together differently to build a better system of support.
The University of Washington’s, Dr. Angel Fettig, will partner with the Eastside Pathways partnership to provide expertise and guide the research. “Supporting the social emotional development and wellbeing of individuals is a commitment of mine and well aligned with the mission and vision of Eastside Pathways. I am excited to collaborate with the organization, engage in the community, and carry out the important work of building systems capacity for youth and young adults in our community.”
Stephanie M. Cherrington, Executive Director of Eastside Pathways expressed gratitude for the support of the University of Washington and Unite:Ed and the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Fettig.
“There are many organizations which already exist to support youth and young adults in their social emotional well-being. With the research support provided by this grant, we’ll have the expertise to better understand if the existing system builds the essential skills and habits necessary for youth to persist. If there are necessary changes suggested by this work, organizations which are part of this partnership are committing to make the necessary adjustments to ensure youth and young adults get what they need.”
Adds David Downing, COO, Youth Eastside Service. “I see this as a significant opportunity for the youth and young adults in our community. We’re very excited about this partnership and our opportunity to participate, learn and collectively align service providers to have the optimal impact on supporting our community’s children and youth.”