The Mockingbird Society

09/28/2026

Chapter's topic highlight from the 2026 Youth Leadership Summit is here! Today, let's watch the Central Chapter's video about why they want to advocate for abuse awareness!

More questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to Central Engagement Coordinator Eduardo at [email protected]!

09/23/2026

We couldn't be more excited about this upcoming Co-Design Conference from SDMC & The Co-Design Institute on October 14! You can register until the date of the conference here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-national-co-design-conference-virtual-tickets-1990021694458

Hope to see you there!

Announcing the 1st Annual National Virtual Co-Design Conference

📆October 14th, 2026
🕰️10am-3pm PST, 1:00pm-6:00pm

Over the last 5 years, our team has had the amazing privilege of working alongside communities, nonprofits, government agencies, libraries, advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience across the US to advance the practice of Co-Design.

Engaging communities is personal to me, I’ve seen it done well and sometimes not so good. When we began this work it became clear that intentional community engagement was still lacking in many spaces. Today, we see more organizations sharing power and creating the space for lived experts to share ownership in decision making.

To continue building this momentum, I am excited to announce the 1st Annual National Virtual Co-Design Conference.

This convening is designed to bring together service designers, co-designers, community engagement professionals, public sector leaders, researchers, advocates, and lived experts from across the country to share lessons learned, explore emerging practices, and strengthen our collective impact.

The theme of the year is:

🏗️Strong Foundations Build Strong Futures

At a time when programs, services, policies, and institutions face increasing challenges, we believe the best solutions are built WITH communities…not for them.

We are also thrilled to share that KA McKercher, author of Beyond Sticky Notes, has confirmed to speak as our closing Keynote speaker.

We are currently seeking:
✅Attendees
✅Sponsors and Conference Partners
✅Volunteers interested in helping build the Co-Design community

Whether you are new to co-design or have been practicing for years, we hope you’ll join us as we create a space to learn, connect, and inspire one another.

If you are interested in attending please use the link.
Let’s continue building the future of co-design together.

09/21/2026

Chapter's topic highlight from the 2026 Youth Leadership Summit is here! Brian from King County will tell you what their chapter is working on to make sure there are no barriers for YYA to access housing.

More questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to King County Engagement Coordinator Jalayna at [email protected]!

09/18/2026

Chapter's topic highlight from the 2026 Youth Leadership Summit is here! We have Eastern Chapter kicking us off! This year, they are advocating for disability justice. Find out more in this video!

More questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to Eastern Engagement Coordinator Taylor at taylor[at]mockingbirdsociety.org!

09/10/2026

If you are a nonprofit, government, or child placement agency with a goal to transform the foster care or child welfare system, we'd love to connect! We are looking for partners who share our commitment to creating a system that is more sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of young people and families.

Let's explore how we can do this together. Send us a comment, direct message, or email our team at [email protected].

09/07/2026

Subscribe to our mailing list today at mockingbirdsociety.org/subs to stay connected with our advocacy work! No spam, only young people's stories, legislative news, events, and leadership insights about foster care and youth homelessness.

mockingbirdsociety.org/subs
mockingbirdsociety.org/subs
mockingbirdsociety.org/subs

09/02/2026

FRESH FROM THE OVEN!! The Mockingbird Times September 2026 (Q3) issue was just published today!!!!! The Times features stories and perspectives from youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care and/or youth homelessness.

In this issue, you'll find stories, articles, poems, and artwork from young people with lived experience in foster care and/or youth homelessness across Washington State. Check it out at mockingbirdsociety.org and spread the word!

Are you a young person with lived experience in foster care and/or youth homelessness interested in submitting your artwork? DM us or email our Youth Programs team at [email protected]. Your work will be compensated!

08/31/2026

Closing out this month by celebrating and appreciating our partners for supporting the Youth Leadership Summit 2026 earlier this month! Thank you to each and every one of these incredible supporters for ensuring that young people's advocacy work is heard.

Systemic change is a collaborative effort. We are honored and deeply grateful to partner with organizations that share our commitment to centering the voices of young people with lived experience.

08/26/2026

Meet your ! It’s Alix, our Northern Regional Engagement Coordinator. He joined Mockingbird in August last year and has been amazing leading the Northern Chapter. Want to know more about him? Find out in this post!

08/17/2026

The Youth Economic Empowerment Collective (YEEC), hosted by the National Homelessness Law Center, is embarking on a new project called the Event Accessibility Guide.

It will include tools, guidance, and standards to make youth homelessness events and convenings more accessible for everyone. But first, they want to hear from YOU!

If you are:
• A youth or young adult with lived experience of homelessness (ages 16-29) who has attended events or summits
• A provider, advocate, or other professional who plans or attends youth homelessness events

This survey is for you! Please fill it out no later than September 4, 2026. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, reach out to Katie Meyer Scott at [email protected].