By Aaron Allen
The Seattle Medium
The holiday season often highlights the power of giving and community. For many, it is a time to reflect on the people who dedicate their lives to creating brighter futures for others. In Seattle’s Southeast and Central Area neighborhoods, one such individual is Teresa Everett, a tireless advocate for children and families whose work has quietly shaped generations.
As the Director of Public Relations & Resource Development at Atlantic Street Center, Everett has spent over two decades championing the well-being of young people and families. Her passion and persistence have made her an essential force behind the organization’s mission to support healthy, successful youth through advocacy and direct services.
“I think one of the main reasons that I even work at Atlantic Street Center and got into this job is because of the work we do for children and families,” Everett said. “Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time of family, love, joy, and uplifting each other. Even if you’re going through a hard time, you should still be able to feel those things. Being able to help people and uplift them is really powerful and important to me.”
Born in East Texas, Everett moved to Seattle with her family when she was a teenager. She attended Rainier Beach High School and later enrolled at South Seattle Community College. In 2000, she joined Atlantic Street Center, as she was drawn to the organization by its mission to work with children and families in the community she calls home.
“I started researching and found out that Atlantic Street Center served primarily Central and South Seattle. Being a kid that grew up in South Seattle, that really piqued my interest. Also, the fact that they work with children,” recalled Everrett. “When they had an entry-level position, I jumped on it, and 24 years later, here I am.”
Atlantic Street Center’s mission centers on equity and opportunity. The organization provides programs and resources for no- and low-income families, primarily African American families and other families of color in Greater Seattle, South King County, and North Pierce County.
Everett is deeply committed to the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive. For her, Atlantic Street Center represents the “village” needed to help families overcome obstacles and build a better future.
“That old saying, ‘it takes a village,’ that’s the type of community that I grew up in,” says Everett. “The neighbors cared about the kids. They all looked out for the kids, and they took care of the kids. Atlantic Street, to me, is that village in the community. They help support families where they are and help them move forward. It may be a small obstacle that they’re trying to overcome, and Atlantic Street Center is there to help remove barriers so that they are successful.”
Over the years, Everett has seen countless children grow, graduate, and return to Atlantic Street Center to give back, and it this cycle of growth and giving that continues to inspire her.
“Seeing the kids then and now is probably what really inspires me,” Everett said. “We’ve seen kids that were two- and three-year-olds that are now graduating from college. We see families that were struggling that are now whole and keeping in touch with us. Many of our youth participants have moved on and been successful in life, and they come back and volunteer at Atlantic Street Center. It’s inspirational to see young people grow up, become productive members of society, and pay it forward.”
Everett attributes much of her dedication to the examples set by her mentors, particularly Edith Elion, a former Executive Director of Atlantic Street Center. Elion, who has seen much of the evolution professional evolution of Everett in her professional career, has nothing but high praise for Everett’s dedication and contributions to the overall success of the organization.
“There are so many adjectives I could think of that would describe her,” Elion said. “I can’t think of a more committed, dedicated, loyal, fierce advocate for our community—especially for children, youth, and families. Teresa is very faithful to the mission, which is helping raise healthy children, youth, and families in our community.”
“Atlantic Street Center and this community should be grateful that she is where she is and doing what she’s doing,” she added.
One of Everett’s significant contributions has been educating the community about Juneteenth. In 2001, she launched Atlantic Street Center’s first Juneteenth celebration, addressing a lack of awareness about the holiday among local Black residents.
“In 2001, we started our Juneteenth celebration,” Everett said. “It was primarily because people in the community said they didn’t know what Juneteenth was about. So, we targeted and educated people about Juneteenth. But we also targeted a lot of the small businesses in the community as well.”
The holiday season is another busy time for Everett, who oversees Atlantic Street Center’s Holiday Assistance Program. The centerpiece of this initiative is the Holiday Toy Store, which allows families to select gifts for their children with dignity and care.
“During the holiday season, we do something called our Holiday Assistance Program,” Everett explained. “One of those programs is the Holiday Toy Store. What I tell donors is you won’t pull up and see a line of people waiting to get toys with their kids. But if you come inside, you’ll see a lot of activity where we’re allowing parents or caregivers to come in and select toys for their kids.”
“We feel like it’s not our job to decide what toys the kids want,” she continued. “We allow families to come in by appointment, select toys for their children, and avoid standing out in the cold. It gives them dignity and choice.”
Everett’s selfless advocacy is rooted in the belief that no child should be left behind. For 24 years, she has worked tirelessly to provide resources, guidance, and hope to children and families in need.
“There’s just been so many countless things that she’s done that has helped inform the community, inspire the community, raise children, and support parents and families,” Elion said. “I mean, she is one of the strongest advocates you’re going to find in the community, and I’m so glad that she’s still there.”