Join us for one of our annual events and help us continue our mission in Washington State’s South Sound Region!
Family Education & Support Services’ special events help raise much-needed funds that support our vital programs and services, and increase our exposure to the community, to educate and promote the valuable work we do.
Join Us!
We love our sponsors and volunteers! If you would like to volunteer at or sponsor an upcoming event, please contact Lynsi Polanco at lynsip@familyess.org
Upcoming Events
Join us for a FREE 3-Week Series discussing topics affecting our community.
In an effort to reinvent the Strengthening Families annual conference, FESS will be doing something a little different this year. We will not hold an all-day conference, but rather host a three-part series of community conversations discussing the challenges of raising school-aged children.
Strengthening Families: Community Conversations provides an opportunity to discuss best practices and tools for parents, kinship and foster caregivers, early childhood, home visiting, family support and other human service professionals. Add to your repertoire of tools and strategies, discover new ideas and make new contacts.
October 23
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Addressing Stressors In The School
November 6
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Tackling Anxiety & Depression
November 20
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Positive Childhood Experiences
2025 marks 25 years of Family Education and Support Services serving our community.
Come celebrate with us and help us hit our ambitious goal of raising $250,000 in 2025.
Save the Date!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
South Puget Sound Community College – Olympia Main Campus
2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512
Building 27 – Student Union
More details below and tickets on sale this fall
Past Events
Our annual Seeds of Hope Fundraiser was held on April 6 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey.
With your help, we were able to meet our fundraising goal, and beyond! Over $100,000 was raised, and we could not have done it without you.
Strengthening Families Conference
Friday, November 3, 2023
Our conference was held Friday, November 3, 2023
The Strengthening Families Conference provides an opportunity to discover the latest research, best practices and tools for parents, kinship and foster caregivers, early childhood, home visiting, family support and other human service professionals. The 2023 Virtual Conference is open to anyone who is interested in the health and well-being of children, youth and families. Add to your repertoire of tools and strategies, discover new ideas and make new contacts.
Family Cornhole Challenge
Ghostly Gathering
Saturday, October 28, 2023
This event was held Saturday, October 28, 2023
Join us at the Thurston County Fairgrounds for a spooky good time! Win prizes at our Cornhole Competition, join in on a costume contest, kid’s activities, Trunk-or-Treat for kids, live music, food trucks, adult libations, a drag show, and more!
Reunification Day 2023
– Mason County
June 22, 2023
Reunification Day 2023
– Lewis County
June 23, 2023
Reunification Day 2023
– Thurston County
July 21, 2023
Pinwheels for Prevention
April 2023
Join us throughout April as we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and be part of the Family Education & Support Service’s campaign to plant Pinwheels of Hope and grow a better tomorrow for children in Washington. Pinwheels of Hope Partners showcase the value of prevention by planting pinwheel gardens and sharing prevention messages with their community.
Seeds of Hope
March 31, 2023
Our Seeds of Hope Luncheon and Fundraiser was a great success! We were able to raise over $26,000 and had over 150 community member attendees. Thank you to everyone who came out to join us!
Epic Cornhole Challenge
January 28, 2023
Your Warm up with a night out and enjoy some friendly competition with FESS’s EPIC CORNHOLE CHALLENGE!
Challenge another team, win prizes and warm-up this winter as you play with a purpose!