One of our favorite things about publishing Macaroni Kid is the chance to connect with other parents in our community. Often times these connections inspire us and remind us of the ability of one person to make a difference. In September 2015 we launched the Mom on a Mission series as a way to share those stories. In fact, we shared the stories of 20 incredible local moms!
This year - in 2017 - we've decided to expand and re-brand and launch a new article series called Parent with a Purpose. Our hope is to introduce you to some amazing moms and dads living right in our communities who not only are doing unique and wonderful things but also deserve to have some attention brought to their mission.
Our first Parent with a Purpose happens to be the mom behind Plateaupians for Peace, a Sammamish-based organization promoting a united, supportive, and inclusive community. According to their mission statement, the group aims to "support and act in solidarity with their LGBT+, Muslim, immigrant, disabled and other neighbors who feel marginalized. Hugs not hate. We welcome people of any political party, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, wealth status, age, disability, or veteran status."
You can get our mission statement and other info from our website at www.pforpeace.com
What is your PURPOSE? What do you want to accomplish?
I was looking for a way to bring community together after such a divisive election. My desire was not to focus so much on politics, but on the health and well-being of my marginalized neighbors. I grew up in a neighborhood that brought each other casseroles during tough times; I wanted my neighbors to know that this support still exists regardless of religion, gender identity, disability, political views, etc. I felt strongly that we, as a society, have to figure out how to work to move forward with out so much vitriol. How to pick up the pieces after a difficult election season.
What inspired/encouraged you to create Plateaupians For Peace?
November 9th I woke up and felt drained, defeated and worried about the future. At about noon, I couldn't take it anymore and I needed a hug. I put it out on a neighborhood board, that anyone who needed a hug could come meet up. That night we had 30-40 people show up. From that initial meeting, we formed a Facebook group that gained traction rather quickly. The group decided to meet again that Saturday and twice the number of people participated, mostly all strangers. We lit candles, we talked, we cried, we sang. Many of us just needed to regain our sense of community and try to figure out how to move forward. Now we are 530 members and growing everyday.
And what was the motivation to organize the buses to the Women's March?
And what was the motivation to organize the buses to the Women's March?
On Saturday, January 21st, 2017, there will be multiple marches happening across the nation. Plateaupians for Peace are encouraging all people of Sammamish and neighboring areas to come together on that day in a display of community and solidarity. In support of the Women’s March on Seattle, Plateaupians for Peace has chartered 6 buses that will leave Sammamish, Issaquah, and Bellevue to go to Seattle as an Eastside convoy for those who want to attend.
As far as the bus, initially, a friend and I just wanted to get a bus going from Sammamish. Then another person found out about our plans and suggested she knew people from Issaquah and Bellevue that would also like to go. Now we have a team of 4 mother volunteers coordinating this gargantuan convoy. The whole thing took on a life of its own. Our bus charter company, Beeline, has been so accommodating as we keep adding buses to our order. We are now working to fill our eighth bus! So far we have 181 signed up from Sammamish, 76 from Issaquah and 134 from Bellevue. If you'd like to ride the bus to the Women's March, the cut off for registration is Monday, January 16, 2017. Information can be found at our website at www.pforpeace.com.
How did your life before children influence the mom you are today? What part do your children play in your current mission?
I have always worked at a local level, for non-profits and local governments. It's been my passion to work at the ground level where I can help neighbors, and cultivate a sense of community. It is important to me that my children inherit a fair and equitable community, while teaching them a sense of responsibility toward humanity. I also want them to learn how to disagree with grace and without personal attacks.
What lessons/values are you learning through this process? What lessons/values do you hope your kids are learning?
This is a practical lesson in community building, how to affect social change and citizen engagement. I am hoping my children see that one can't sit by and wait for other people to fix problems and to do the right thing. When something is not right, I hope that my children find their voice to speak up and actively partake in making the world a better place.
What do you do to take care of yourself and how do you make time to do it?
I am still figuring this out. I am a social media consultant who works from home, this bus charter and Plateaupians for Peace gig has really taken off and I also volunteer for the PTSA. Lately, I am trying to do some emailing from the treadmill at the YMCA to get a bit more exercise in. Since I teach Yoga once a week, you'd think I'd be better at life-balance, but it is a constant, day-by-day effort. Sometimes, I turn off all the social media and try to zone out with Netflix.
What can we do to support you and and Plateaupians For Peace?
There are a few things. We are growing and would like to incorporate into a 501(c)3 at some point, we'd love someone familiar with that process to advise us. We'd love people to join our Facebook group, and share content with us and from us to help spread the word of great community projects. We need leaders to step up and lead community service projects. You can purchase Plateaupians For Peace gear at Zazzle, proceeds from which support our administrative costs, unforeseen expenses due to the bus charter, etc.
In our group we have three main guidelines: 1. Keep it peaceful. 2. Keep it inclusive. 3. Keep moving forward. We don't post political rhetoric in our group from either side of the political aisle, because it's not moving forward.
