03 Nov 2020 |
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Dear Launch Families, Partners, Staff, and Supporters,
Today is Election Day, and I hope all those eligible to vote are able to fully exercise their right to participate in our democratic process. You can find information about voting on the King County Elections website, including a list of ballot dropboxes and information about in-person Voting Centers.
Elections can be a huge source of anxiety and stress for people because they have a very real impact on our lives through the laws and policies that elected officials enact. And the 2020 election has been particularly difficult for many of us due to the intense political divide in our country and the increasingly combative public discourse. At the same time, our community is dealing with the effects of the pandemic and an uprising against police violence and systemic racism.
The anxiety and fear that people may be experiencing has the potential to be compounded by a prolonged vote counting process. Voting experts expect that given the sheer volume of votes by mail across the country, we may not know the results of the elections for days or even weeks.
Regardless of the outcome of this election, I want to make it clear that Launch’s values and work will remain unchanged. Launch’s mission is to lead the charge to brilliant outcomes for the children of our community by ensuring equitable access to the highest quality learning and care. Living our mission means that our programs are and always will be a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
No matter what, Launch will continue to do everything we can to support children and families. We will continue to be a place where children and families of all races, nations of origin, religions, genders, sexual orientations, languages, and immigration statuses are welcome. We will continue to be an organization that centers the needs of those furthest from educational justice. We will continue to believe that Black lives matter, and will fight for racial justice as we work to eliminate the opportunity gaps caused by historical and on-going systemic biases. And we will continue to advocate fiercely for our children and families.
We believe wholeheartedly that all children have the right to a high quality educational experience regardless of who they are, what they believe, or where they come from. In partnership with many other community organizations who also believe so deeply in this work, it is our mission to ensure that these rights are protected.
In solidarity,
Angela Griffin
Executive Director