By Norah McLaughlin | FāVS News Reporter
On Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Launch Northwest (LaunchNW) and Spokane Public Schools (SPS) will be hosting Northwest Winterfest, where families can get connected and be engaged with their communities through activities and community performances.
Launch Northwest (LaunchNW) is a public initiative of Innovia Foundation. Its mission is to bring together communities and make every child feel a sense of belonging, explained LaunchNW Executive Director Ben Small. To complete their mission, they have a partnership with SPS to implement programs such as Engage in Real Life.
This program helps provide students with clubs or activities to participate in to get them engaged in our community, according to Sandra Jarrard, chief of communications and governmental affairs for SPS. When students feel a sense of belonging, it improves their grades and attendance, she said.
Winterfest is an opportunity for families to “connect with community organizations, discover out-of-school opportunities and enjoy downtown attractions,” according to LaunchNW. SPS has the day off on Jan. 30, which is why the event is this day to provide students with something to participate in.
“We really hope to create this notion of connection with families, connection with other students in community, other children in community and really create a sense of belonging for children and families here in Spokane,” Small said.
This event has many engagement opportunities for students and families. In the Pavillion, there will be community youth serving organizations where families can learn more about them and sign their students up for groups such as the Girl Scouts or River City Youth, explained Jarrard. Popular downtown Spokane attractions such as the Looff Carousel and Mobius Discovery Center will be free for participants of Winterfest, according to Small.
“For us, it’s really wanting to provide that opportunity on a non-student day to give students and families a time and a way for them to come together in community and really enjoy what downtown has to offer and just really have a fun day,” Jarrard said.
The local high schools will also be participating in the events. Students from SPS high schools will be throwing a thrift fashion show, and Global Neighborhood Thrift & Vintage will have a pop-up where people can purchase thrifted clothes. There will also be community performances from groups such as the Shadle Park High School Dance Team and the Lewis and Clark High School Drill Team, Jarrard said.
The keynote speaker of this event is Emmy-nominated educational speaker and best-selling author, John Gaines, Ph.D., who is the CEO and Founder of his non-profit organization PUSH For Dreams.
“I think his story is one that will resonate with our youth serving organizations,” Small said. “I also think his ability to say here’s what we can do as a community, as a supporter of people, is a really important message.”
Families will need to check into The Pavilion at 574 N. Howard S., Spokane to get their wristbands for free admission to downtown attractions. If they pre-registered for the Lion King meet and greet, Small recommends families arrive at 8:30 a.m. to get their tickets.
“I really encourage our families to be active … to be in community. This is one of the ways we can do that,” Small said. “Join us in the movement of limiting screen time and getting kids engaged in real relationships face to face so we can improve the trajectory of our youth outcomes.”
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