The power of a single relationship
At the end of March, Northwest Education Access convened a small group of leaders, advocates, and community members for an intimate salon conversation: The Power of a Single Relationship.
At the center of the evening was a simple but profound truth: one relationship can change everything.
Featuring Claudia Rowe, Seattle Times editorial board member and 2025 National Book Award Finalist for Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care, NWEdA Deputy Director Jeff Corey, and NWEdA alumna Kristine Walker, the conversation, moderated by NWEdA Executive Director M. Yvonne Taylor, Ph.D., brought together research, practice, and lived experience in a powerful way.
Claudia spoke to the life-changing and even brain-changing impact of a positive, sustained relationship. Jeff shared what it looks like to show up consistently as an Education Advocate. And Kristine offered a powerful reminder of what becomes possible through that relationship, having experienced it firsthand through her relationship with Jeff.
One of 18 siblings in the foster care system, Kristine earned a full scholarship to Grambling State University in Louisiana, an opportunity she ultimately lost after being unable to pay a fine. She later made her way back to Seattle, enrolled in Seattle Central, where she met Jeff, and has since earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from University of Washington. She currently works with veterans to help them secure housing.
What stood out most was the level of engagement throughout the evening. Thoughtful questions during the Q&A carried into conversations before and long after the program, with guests lingering in the Kinetic West space well beyond the closing time. The intimacy of the setting created space not just to listen, but to connect—to share perspectives, ask questions, and build relationships across sectors.
The evening brought together philanthropic leaders and community partners committed to expanding opportunity for young people across our region. We were honored to be joined by representatives from organizations including The Mockingbird Society, Allen Family Philanthropies, Treehouse, Casey Family Programs, AHSHAY, the Ellison Foundation, Stand for Children Washington, Building Changes, TeamChild, and the Schultz Family Foundation, as well as our host, Kinetic West. We were also grateful to be in community with advocates like Dr. Ben Danielson and Alex Hur, along with prospective and current board members, and NWEdA staff.
We are especially grateful to Kinetic West for generously hosting the event and to Tinte Cellars for their in-kind support, which helped create a welcoming and memorable space for conversation.
This conversation is just the beginning. We are already thinking about how to continue bringing people together in meaningful ways, including a future salon later this year that will build on this momentum and deepen our shared commitment to Opportunity Youth.
