Voices of Tomorrow

Voices of Tomorrow (VOT) is a community-based organization serving childcare providers and families in King Countyʼs East African immigrant and refugee community. VOT was founded in 2012 by two of East African teachers because we saw inequities in the early learning system that deeply impacted the growth, development, and academic performance of our communityʼs children.

VOT aims to reduce disparities for East African immigrant and refugee children in King County. The African proverb, “We desire to bequest two things to our children—the first one is roots; the second is wings” reflects the dreams we hold for our children. A strong connection to culture and heritage language is a critical protective factor that forms a healthy identity. Thus, VOT creates early learning programs that preserve childrenʼs culture and language while preparing them for success in mainstream English-language schools.

VOT also centers East African parenting practices and promotes community-driven narratives. We will consider our work successful when the children we serve are proudly bicultural and bilingual, rooted in the strengths of their family and community, and when they face the future with hope and resilience, without being held back by inequity.