A message from Sean Goode
Community,
For the past six years I’ve had the honor and privilege of stewarding CHOOSE 180 and after careful consideration I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step down and make way for a new phase in leadership for our cause. I’m grateful beyond words for what we’ve built together and I can’t thank you enough for your support.
As of February 20th, I will transition out of CHOOSE 180 and as you can imagine this was a difficult decision to make. That said, I am extremely proud of and confident in the amazing leadership team we have in place. CHOOSE 180 is in capable hands that will move the mission forward, open new doors and create new possibilities. Further, because of your consistent support of our cause, we are blessed to be positioned well financially as we continue this journey towards justice. I’m confident that the organization will continue to grow and thrive while transforming systems that cause harm and supporting the young people who have been impacted by them.
Our Board of Directors will lead a search for the new Executive Director and they will keep you updated on this transition.
We’ve come a long way together over the past six years. With your support, we have been able to amplify young people as possibilities and not problems, demonstrate that our youth and young adults thrive in communities and not courtrooms, while transforming systems and lives through the power of grace. Together we have:
Diverted over 2500 young people from the criminal legal system, serving them instead with community based restorative practices
Built and expanded our School-Based Diversion program from 3 schools into 10 middle and high schools in both the Highline and Seattle Public School Systems to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline
Created mental health programs for participants offering both counseling and expressive art therapy
Provided national support to non-profit organizations in effort to help them establish their own restorative justice programs
Supported 4 cohorts of young people on their entrepreneurship journey through our summer program
Launched a Youth and Young Adult Advocacy program to empower young people to advocate for systems change
Built CHOOSE Freedom to support young people impacted by violence and those returning to the community after living incarcerated.
Provided more than $400,000 in basic needs and COVID-19 relief funds directly to local families
This was possible because of our dedicated staff, partners, and our community of support. I appreciate you and your commitment to CHOOSE 180.
As we continue to build toward a future where we no longer criminalize youthful behavior, I couldn’t be more excited about the direction of our cause. We have accomplished so much together over these past 6 years and I can’t wait to see what will be accomplished with your support in this next chapter of CHOOSE 180.
With Gratitude,
Sean Goode