We began in 2009, then known as the Coalition for Refugees from Burma. Our work at that time centered around helping refugees from Burma survive the trauma of resettlement from a jungle war zone or detention camp to an extremely dissimilar urban culture. Over time, we found that our work was deeply needed within many newcomer communities, so our mission adapted, and we changed our name to Communities of Rooted Brilliance to better reflect our partnerships.
CRB helps newcomer communities heal, grow, and thrive through our early learning, youth engagement, and family support programs. Our work is centered around three foundational concepts. The families we serve are partners in our work, and we continually seek out their knowledge and wisdom on the services we offer.
Our programs are always education-based because we believe that education is the way to a healthier and happier future. We honor and recognize that dedicated leadership exists within each community, and we partner with these leaders to serve their communities in culturally responsive ways. Since 2009, we have proudly partnered with about 500 South King County residents annually. Today, we continue to provide programming to engage the whole family, from pre-kindergarten to adulthood.