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The What & Why

The 

WHy

WHy

We believe that words,

well written and well-spoken, can create opportunity, invite possibility and empower young people to be the authors of their own futures. When we share our stories and listen to others with genuine interest, we gain understanding, build empathy, and the world becomes a better place. 

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Learn About

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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're based in yesler terrace,

and we work in and with schools, libraries, and other organizations across the Greater Seattle area.

The

WHaT

WHaT 

Fearless Ideas

The Bureau of

is a non-profit learning organization where young people ages 6-18 are inspired by words and discover their creative voice.

The Where

Keep up-to-date with our programs and activities.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

Yesler terrace bureau office

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.

The When

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 (not the band)
Staff + Board

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.)

Board

Our

Staff

Staff

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ROBERTO ASCALon

he/him

Program Manager

Roberto is a poet, writer, arts educator, spoken-word performance artist, and manager of Fearless Ideas' programs at Yesler Terrace. He previously taught at Nova High School, participated in the Seattle Arts and Lectures Writers in the Schools program, and worked as a teaching artist and mentor for Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, and the Service Board.

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Matt Gano

he/him

Program Manager

Matt is a poet, performer, lyricist, and teaching artist who manages Fearless Ideas' Greenwood 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 PNW, 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

Jamie Campbell

President

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.

AUrora PaRrish

Vice 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.

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. 

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.

Kate Newman

Board Member

Marketing and Communications Associate at KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio; former National Board Certified high school English teacher and department head; dog mom, concert lover, traveler, and champion of all forms of storytelling.

Caroline Tilton

Board Member

Software Development Engineer at Amazon Web Services; president of Amherst College Northwest Alumni Association; amateur painter, reader, and writer.

Chelsea Yates

Board Member

Content director at the University of Washington; lover of art, music, books, and museums; creative nonfiction writer; advocate for storytellers of all ages and backgrounds.

Rekha Bhatt

Board Member

Chief Program Officer for Washington State Charter Schools Association; advisory board member for Bellevue College's Design Thinking Program; volunteer for Startup Weekend Seattle EDU; and former high school English teacher.

Sheryl Rothmuller

Board Member

Content strategist at Fred Hutch; host of house concerts; clarinet player in a concert band; and backyard hops and veggie gardener. 

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.

Contribute to our community

Volunteer with us!

Make a Dontation

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Yesler terrace
Hoa Mai Gardens building

Mailing address

and other contact info

221 10th Ave. S. #174

Seattle, WA 98104

P.O. Box 30764

Seattle, WA 98113

Enter Hoa Mai Gardens Building

from S. Washington St.

The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization 

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