Washington Initiative for Boys and Men
Advocating for improved outcomes for boys, men, and communities
This is part two of a two-part piece by Belinda Olvera-Jovanovich, a mom of a 12-year-old boy who lives in Port Orchard. | In my earlier article I praised the CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Washington for participating in political advocacy on behalf of girls alongside the Washington State Women’s Commission…
This is guest-written piece by Belinda Olvera-Jovanovich, a mom of a 12-year-old boy who lives in Port Orchard. Belinda runs the Facebook page Mothers Advocating for Washington’s Sons.
“I’m requesting a no [vote] on this amendment, but I do want to preface that by saying that the work that the good lady is suggesting is good work. We do need to have conversations and potentially some more formal infrastructure around our help and understanding of the issues affecting boys and men.”
Plus: Legislature frowns on mutual protection orders, and marriage license fee goes up to fund domestic violence response programs
A program helping mothers and fathers in prison with their dependency cases will end on June 30, 2025. Lawmakers did not renew funding for the two staff positions during the 2025 legislative session, despite the pilot program’s apparent success in keeping parents connected with their children.
Representatives Julia Reed, Davina Duerr, and Timm Ormsby co-sponsored both the Women’s Commission bill (which passed) and the Commission on Boys and Men bill (which has not yet passed).
A devoted father of four, Toby Johnson delivers exceptional service at his South King County barber shop—and far beyond. He brings his skills to Boys and Girls Clubs, high schools, prisons, and retirement homes, and he shares his craft by teaching the next generation of barbers.