For Immediate Release
Date: September 4, 2025
Dear Community,
TOGETHER! and North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) are proud to announce selection by Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program for Cohort 20, track B, for multi-year grant funds to establish a TOGETHER! Club House after school and summer enrichment program at Mountain View Elementary and continue the same services at Lydia Hawk Elementary at no cost to students or families. It is important to not that the full funding requested was not awarded; all grantees selected for funding were offered 90% of the requested amount. Further, renewed funding for years 2-5 of this grant are contingent upon federal education funding to Washington State.
TOGETHER!’s Club House program provides safe, welcoming, and culturally responsive learning spaces for students. The program emphasizes project-based learning, STEM and arts education, and bilingual programming in English and Spanish. It also integrates social-emotional learning, case management, and support for basic needs, creating a holistic, student-centered environment.
Offered from October through June, Club House will serve Lydia Hawk Elementary and Mountain View Elementary after school as well as Chinook and Nisqually Middle schools via a separate OSPI grant; all sites will offer summer sessions. The program is 100% free, includes transporation, and is staffed by a highly trained, often bilingual and bicultural, team of youth development professionals.
For over two decades, NTPS and TOGETHER! have collaborated to deliver Club House programming at half a dozen schools utilizing the invaluable support of OSPI’s 21st Century grant funding to enrich the lives of students, families, and our local communities together. Schools must meet academic and income criteria to be considered for funding.
Anyone wishing to learn more or view the grant can reach us at info@watogether.org.
Sincerely,
TOGETHER!
Notice of Intent to Apply
Date: July 2, 2025
Dear Community,
TOGETHER! intends to apply for funding from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program cohort 20, track B, in collaboration with North Thurston Public Schools and RGI Corporation, due July 25, 2025 by 4pm, to fund expanded Club House extended day after school and summer school program services for students and families of Lydia Hawk and Mountain View elementary schools. Anyone wishing to learn more may contact Deputy Director Meghan Sullivan at msullivan@watogether.org or reach us at 360-493-2230 or info@watogether.org.
Sincerely,
Meghan Sullivan, MPA, CHES
Deputy Director
NEW: View and Read our FY 2023-2024 Annual Report
Notice of Intent to Apply
Date: July 10, 2023
Dear Community,
TOGETHER! intends to apply for funding from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program cohort 19, track B, in collaboration with North Thurston Public Schools and RGI Corporation, due August 1, 2023, to fund continued and expanded Club House extended day before school and summer school program services for students and families of Chinook Middle School and Nisqually Middle School. Anyone wishing to learn more may contact Interim Executive Director Meghan Sullivan at 360.999.0539 (work cell) or info@watogether.org.
Sincerely,
Meghan Sullivan, MPA, CHES
Interim Executive Director
Meagan Darrow's Farewell letter June 2023
Dear TOGETHER! Supporters,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce I have taken a new position and will be moving on from TOGETHER! this June. I will serve as the Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association of the Pacific North West, taking my passion for health equity and connecting people to mission driven organizations to a regional level. I am excited for a new adventure after nearly 12 years of services at TOGETHER! and know that TOGETHER! will thrive in a new chapter of leadership.
At TOGETHER! I served as a program manager, deputy director and executive director over my 12 years. I can confidently say that the organization’s program & staff leadership are stronger than ever. TOGETHER! is in a strong financial position and has huge collective dreams for what’s next.
Meghan Sullivan (she/her) will serve as the interim executive director until the next leadership is established with the Board of Directors.
In the past 12 years the organization has accomplished so much:
*partnership with North Thurston Public Schools to steward 21st Century Community Learning Center programming for over 200 students per year – now evolving into a fully multi-lingual, multi-cultural space for students and families to celebrate their language, culture and identities
*Founding the Tumwater Community Schools work in partnership with Tumwater School District & City of Tumwater – the initiative earning state wide and national attention for it’s leadership in helping close the opportunity gap
*Surviving the COVID-19 pandemic with our values at the center and never closing our services.
*Founding our County’s first ever Host Homes housing solution for teens experiencing houselessness without an adult in deep partnership with many other organizations
*Standing in solidarity with our friends, neighbors and community who face marginalization and victimization
*Beginning a journey to center Racial & social justice in our work but also in our leadership structures and ways of operating in the community
Some of my favorite moments have been times of joy with the team. Our silly icebreakers, the success stories and laughing at our mistakes and failures. I am deeply grateful for the 12 years of heart and humanity centered work. I have learned so much and have grown as a person. Thank you to staff, partners, friends, donors and the Board of Directors. AND: Thank you, Kahlo, Kaira, Tami, Sierra, Meghan, Brandy, Azadi & Kate. You all are TOGETHER!.
In solidarity and with love,
Meagan Darrow