Written by Sheila Kavanaugh, Visions for Early Learning

Elevating Local Voices to Shape Collective Vision

At the June 10, 2025, Visions for Early Learning (VEL) retreat, coalition partners from across the region came together to reflect, connect, and plan starting with the simple yet powerful act of storytelling.

Participants were invited to share their coalition’s journey in the style of a children’s book, offering two bright spots and one challenge from their local work. These stories sparked laughter, vulnerability, and insight, creating space for deeper connection and cross-county understanding.

As each story unfolded, common themes began to emerge: the power of relationships, the need for responsive systems, and the importance of honoring local knowledge. From these shared reflections, something new took shape - a unifying purpose to guide our collective work moving forward. Together, we defined the mission of Visions for Early Learning:
To provide an intentional space for the organic unfolding of partnerships and connections so that we can respond to emerging community needs effectively.

Here’s a glimpse into each county’s “storybook” moment:

Grays Harbor County

Sung to the tune of - B*I*N*G*O*

E*C*D*H*S* and Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems was its name – o!

E - Early 

The ECDHS: Evidence to Impact Center supports states and communities to build early childhood systems that work to secure the health and well-being of young children and their families.

E*C*D*H*S* and Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems was its name – o!

C - Childhood

Success - we are here because we support children, families and early learning.

Challenge -  during these difficult financial times how do we support early childhood organizations whose funding has been cut. 

Pacific County

Once upon a time, there was a community filled with helpers; North Pacific County. They loved taking care of each other and wanted all families to feel safe and supported. One day, the helpers heard something that made their hearts hurt. 👶 “Waaa!” – Babies were crying. 😞 “Sigh…” – Grown-ups looked worried. They listened closely and heard voices of their community say: 🗣️“There are not enough diapers!” 😢 “Families are using only one diaper a day.”

Mason County

Good morning, sunshine! Wake up and stretch! Let's start our day with a cozy tale from a wonderful place called Mason County. Imagine Mason County as a bustling beehive, where every single bee works hard to make delicious honey for everyone. And guess what? Each little bee is a person or group doing their best to help our community thrive! Once upon a time, not so long ago, the thoughtful folks in Mason County had a truly heartwarming idea! They wanted to give a huge, sparkly "thank you" to all the amazing people who take care of our littlest treasures – the wonderful child care providers! These are the superheroes who teach our toddlers their ABCs, help our preschoolers paint colorful pictures, and make sure our babies are safe and happy while grown-ups are at work.

Lewis County

Believe it or not, the Coalition managed to host several events—actual events, with people, tables, and hand sanitizer! There were story times, resource fairs, and one unforgettable puppet show where a raccoon accidentally stole someone’s lunch (it was in character, thankfully).
Parents smiled. Kids laughed. A volunteer dressed as a giant pencil became a local legend.
The Coalition was starting to feel like Beyoncé-level famous—if Beyoncé wore a name tag that said “Ask Me About Early Learning.”

Thurston County

They knew that the more people who joined, the stronger their work could be. They wanted all voices at the table, especially people who worked with children, families, or communities.

Still, they didn’t give up. “Let’s make it easier to join, let’s show them how fun and welcoming TECC really is!” said Anne. So, they added More family fun events, more educational classes. More community resources, More info on their FB page, More stories. and More ways to say, “You belong here.”

From Individual Stories to Collective Themes

After listening to one another’s stories, we paused to reflect. Common themes began to emerge: the importance of culturally responsive engagement, creative outreach strategies, transportation and workforce barriers, and the critical need for sustainable funding. These threads wove together into a vibrant regional tapestry.

In pairs, participants matched these themes to strategies from the Washington State Early Learning Coordination Plan (ELCP), identifying where local insights aligned with statewide goals. This exercise built a bridge between community-driven work and policy-level change.

Looking Ahead: Storytelling as a Strategy

This retreat reminded us that storytelling is more than reflection - it’s a strategy for building relationships, identifying patterns, and grounding decisions in lived experience. By listening deeply to one another, we strengthened our regional community and clarified our path forward.

As we carry this shared narrative, we remain committed to ensuring that what’s happening in our communities’ shapes what’s possible across the state. Because when we start with story, we end with stronger systems.

Storytelling in Action