Creating Together

Creativity in Action for Healthy Communities

When thousands of people gather to strengthen communities they have an opportunity to strengthen one too.

This fall, the ISM Education Conference & Expo, produced by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) will bring public service leaders from across North America to Spokane.

Spark Central is inviting conference participants, businesses, neighbors, and community members to help transform that gathering into a lasting gift for Spokane's youth and families.

Together, our goal is to raise $15,000 to create art, stories, welcoming community spaces, and creative resources that will continue serving children and families long after the conference ends.

Because healthy communities aren't only built through policy.
They're built through belonging.

Sharing lived experiences in community.
Healing happens when we share our stories.
Art shifts culture.

Spark Studio: Create Together

Creativity doesn't end when the conference sessions begin.

Throughout the ISM conference, visit Spark Studio in the Registration Area to take a creative pause, connect with colleagues, and leave your own lasting imprint on Spokane.

Add your spark of creativity to collaborative fabric and tiles that will become part of lasting community artwork. Create a page for a community zine while networking with friends and colleagues. Add a word, pattern, symbol, or story that represents what healthy thriving communities mean to you.

Every contribution becomes part of something greater.

What We're Creating Together

Collaborative Community Artwork

Hundreds of participants will add symbols, words, patterns, and stories expressing hope, joy, compassion, curiosity, and care.

Community Zines

Original artwork will become printed community publications shared with conference attendees, youth, educators, and community partners.

Creative Spaces

Collaborative textile artwork will be transformed into functional furnishings—including artist-fabricated beanbag chairs, designed for reading, writing, and restoring at Spark Central.

Creative Silhouettes

Life-sized figures inspired by local youth will become collaborative works of art representing the many people who help communities flourish.

Create & Care Kits

Your support helps assemble 400 Create & Care Kits filled with creative materials and healthy snacks for Spokane youth and families.

Help Us Reach $15,000

Every gift helps transform conference participation into lasting creative impact.

Continue the Story

$25 - One Young Creator:

Provides creative supplies for one youth participating in Spark programs.

$50 - A Family Creates Together:

Supports community art experiences that bring families together.

$75 - Creativity Across Generations:

Provides shared materials for neighborhood storytelling, writing, and collaborative art making.

$100 - Stories Create Community:

Supports Create & Care Kits, healthy snacks, collaborative art experiences, and free creative opportunities for Spokane youth and families.

$250 - Creative Belonging:

Helps create welcoming spaces where children, families, artists, and neighbors gather to learn, create, and build community.

$500 - Ignite Community Innovation:

Help Spark Central expand creative learning experiences that build problem-solving, collaboration, and belonging for youth and families.

Why Spark Central?

Spark Central believes creativity belongs to everyone.

Every day, children, teens, adults, educators, artists, and neighbors gather here to read, write, invent, make art, and build community together.

Your gift ensures those opportunities remain free and accessible for everyone.

Stories Create Community

Let's create one together.

Donate today and help the ISM community leave a creative, living legacy in Spokane, Washington with Spark Central (46-5367850).

Creating Together

The IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo in Spokane