The
WHy
WHy
We are dedicated
to creating equitable learning communities that encourage and amplify youth as writers, storytellers, scholars, and leaders to reimagine our world.
Learn About
The What, Why, Where, When, & Who
Our Story
Our Story
"We want students to own their learning;
You don't learn anything unless you decide to learn it."
–Teri Hein, Founder
The
WHere
Where
We are based in yesler terrace,
where we host in-person, after-school programs. We continue our legacy of after-school programming in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood as well, through a partnership with the Seattle Public Library. We also work in the classroom during school hours in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, and collaborate with other community organizations across Greater Seattle, and beyond!
The
WHaT
WHaT
Fearless Ideas
The Bureau of
is a non-profit arts and learning organization for young people ages 6-18 to discover the power of storytelling and their own unique creative voice.
Keep up-to-date with our programs and activities.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!
Yesler terrace office & Classroom space
221 10th Avenue South, #174
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 712-2445
We are on the ground floor of Hoa Mai Gardens Building (enter off S. Washington St.) We have 1,300 square feet of learning space for youth from community households and nearby schools.
Wherever our doors open,
inside is a space that belongs first and foremost to the students who fill it; different from school, different from home, it's a place that's theirs.
While the mission remains the same wherever we go, each surrounding community has its own unique stories and style. By being attuned to and engaging with the surrounding community, we make a space where families and community leaders are welcome, and students can feel fully supported.
To the past
To the future
The
WHEN
WHEN
USE THE ARROWS TO SLIDe through time!
Use the arrows to slide through time!
The
Who
WHo
Families, Teachers,
Volunteers, & Donors
Each school year our tight-knit staff, dedicated board, and generous donors team up with over 200 talented volunteers, and teachers from over 120 schools to support more than 2,000 students across Greater Seattle.
As part of what makes Seattle one of the most literate and creative cities in the country, we are able to forge fantastic partnerships with the Greater Seattle's biggest thinkers, boldest artists, and most innovative educators.
We love listening to the stories that define our communities and are grateful to be contributing to new ones every day. As a result, a wonderful diversity of like-minded people come together to build our community because of the role we play in theirs.
(Plus, our potlucks and BBQs totally rock.)
Our
Staff
Staff
ROBERTO ASCALon
he/him
Program Manager
Roberto manages Fearless Ideas' Yesler Terrace programs. He is a Kundiman, Jack Straw, and Artist Trust fellow, a Seattle Slam Team member, City of Seattle Poet Planner, and recipient of the Rattle Poetry Prize. He's taught with Seattle Arts & Lectures and Hugo House and co-founded FEEST Seattle. Roberto's multimedia exhibitions and poetry commissions have shown at the Frye Are Museum, SAM, MOHAI, and the Henry Art Gallery. Somewhere along the way, one of his classes earned a trip to the White House, where he and his students had the honor of shaking hands with President Obama.
Matt Gano
he/him
Program Manager
Matt is a poet, performer, lyricist, and teaching artist who manages Fearless Ideas' in-school programs and North Seattle after-school programs. Co-founder of the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate program, Matt brings two decades of experience as a youth worker and creative writing teacher. His work spans multiple organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including Seattle Arts & Lectures: Writers in the Schools, Hugo House, The University of Washington, the Skagit River Poetry Foundation, Abbey Arts and many more.
Our
BOARD
BOARD
of Directors
aurora Parrish
President
Senior Director of Strategy and Operations at Summit Public Schools; former youth development and education partnership director; crafter and gardener of perennials; problem-solver and systems thinker.
Chelsea Yates
Vice President
Higher ed content strategist and communications director; lover of art, music, books, and museums; creative nonfiction writer; advocate for storytellers of all ages and backgrounds.
Jeffry LiNdstrom
Secretary
Consultant at the Seattle firm Intentional Futures, advising clients on business strategy and emerging technology; volunteer advisor for Northwest social impact organizations; and amateur cook and music lover.
Jamie Campbell
Treasurer
Avid reader, music listener, overly optimistic Mariners fan, and stay-at-home dad of a BFI student; formerly Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft and Tableau.
Jeremy Gregersen
Board Member
Executive Director of Camp Fire Snohomish County; former independent school leader, administrator, and award winning teacher of English and Creative Writing; and published poet, runner, and outdoorsman.
ERIN SANCHEZ
Board Member
Copywriter and content strategist for global technology brands; founder of StorytellingU; speaker and creative nonfiction writer inspired by nature, travel, and the stories that connect us.
Austin Sargent
Board Member
Arts advocate, nonprofit professional, pursuer of joy. When not working to better the culture, can be found in the garden, musing into his poetry notebook, or out at a concert / art gallery / drag show. Proud queer author.
Caroline Tilton
Board Member
Senior Software Engineer in Security at Apple; president of Amherst College Northwest Alumni Association; amateur painter, reader, and writer.
Yoshi Tummala
Board Member
Hiker, gym regular, live music lover, aspiring yogi, and emotionally invested Philly sports fan; former Operations and Senior Program Manager at Amazon.
Teri Hein
Advisor • Founder
Author, nonprofit consultant, and flower farmer; founding Executive Director of 826 Seattle, subsequently the Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas; Fearless Ideas volunteer mentor and workshop leader.