Youth & Family Empowerment

Written By Guest User

Peyvand Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) seeks to create a virtual and in-person safe, supportive, community of youth. Peyvand youth community members learn to successfully navigate cross-cultural communication, feel pride in their cultural heritage, and are inspired to become leaders in the global community. Our members are committed to the importance of meaningful diversity, inclusion, and representation. Community members find a sense of belonging within Peyvand youth. The aim of this program is to bring awareness, through general presentations and activities facilitated by volunteer professional staff to both parents and children.

Peyvand Family Empowerment supports families by providing parenting workshops, presentations from school faculty and counselors, and opportunities for networking and community building through cultural events and activities.

“Peyvand has created a safe space for youth to learn about diverse cultures.”

- Parent, Youth Empowerment Program (YEP)

Youth & Family Events

Bringing virtual and in-person Arts, Cultural & Educational events to our youth and their families

Upcoming Events

Past Events

Featured
موسیقی تلفیقی در ایران و دیاسپورا / "Intercultural Music in Iran and its Diaspora"
Oct 14
موسیقی تلفیقی در ایران و دیاسپورا / "Intercultural Music in Iran and its Diaspora"

This talk examines how Iranian musicians have turned to intercultural collaborations—since the aftermath of the 1979 Revolution and into the present—as a way to connect with the wider world. Through examples from Iran and its diaspora, it explores whether these encounters reflect modernization, inclusiveness, or both, and considers the line between cultural exoticism and genuine artistic exchange.

Hesam Abedini is an Iranian–American composer, performer, improviser, and educator whose work explores intercultural dialogue between classical Persian music, jazz, Western contemporary traditions, and computer music. A founding member of the Sibarg Ensemble, he is recognized for a polystylistic approach that integrates diverse musical languages through improvisation and new composition. His works have been performed by ensembles including the JACK Quartet, Del Sol Quartet, Eclipse Quartet, Hypercube, and loadbang.



Dance Summer Camp July 7-July 12
Jul 7
Dance Summer Camp July 7-July 12

This summer, Peyvand is proud to offer a unique opportunity for children to move, create, and connect through dance.

The Peyvand Summer Dance Camp is a week-long program designed for children ages 7–12, blending ballet, modern, and Persian dance in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Led by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Soraya Arjomand, students will engage in daily movement sessions and prepare for a celebratory performance at the end of the week.

NAMAD Ensemble at Bellevue Performing Arts Center
Jun 7
NAMAD Ensemble at Bellevue Performing Arts Center

Peyvand NPO in collaboration with the Bellevue High School MENA Club proudly present an evening of classical Persian music with the renowned NAMĀD Ensemble, featuring distinguished vocalist Mahbobe Golzari.

This special performance brings together four master artists whose musical dialogue bridges centuries of tradition with contemporary sensibility. The ensemble includes:

Tasnif-Khaani, تصنیف خوانی A Sing-along Night
Jun 6
Tasnif-Khaani, تصنیف خوانی A Sing-along Night

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience! Join Namad Ensemble's master musicians for an unforgettable, hands-on musical gathering. Sing along with beloved Persian songs, learn the secrets of classical Persian music, and experience the pure joy of making music together. This event is informal, interactive, and open to everyone. Don’t miss it!

Event in Persian. Registration Required.

The Crowd
May 23
The Crowd

Come see The Crowd at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.

"A sweet tribute to those leaving and those who have left." —Michael McKinney, The Stranger

Since the rise of recent social movements in Iran, there has been a new wave of filmmaking characterized by films that openly challenge the rules of state censorship. Such is The Crowd, a first feature from director Sahand Kabiri, who drew on his own experience to create this vibrant portrait of a younger generation who are determined to live life on their own terms.

2025 NOWRUZ WITH SIRIYA AT SEATTLE TOWN HALL
Mar 23
2025 NOWRUZ WITH SIRIYA AT SEATTLE TOWN HALL

Join us for a joyous Nowruz celebration as we welcome the Persian New Year with community, culture, and the electrifying rhythms of Siriya Ensemble—bringing the vibrant and soulful music of Southern Iran to Seattle!

Brought to you by Early Music Seattle and proudly sponsored by Peyvand Nonprofit and SISCA.

Youth Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Newcastle Library
Mar 14
Youth Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Newcastle Library

A Youth Empowerment Event

Nowruz, an ancient celebration of nature’s rebirth, the first day of Spring. It is a time of renewal, joy, and community! 🌿

We invite you and your youth to celebrate with us through the cherished tradition of egg painting, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. Let your creativity shine as we decorate colorful eggs together, embracing the spirit of spring!

This is a free, youth event. Whether you're familiar with Nowruz or discovering it for the first time, we welcome you to join us in this vibrant celebration of culture, art, and togetherness.

Youth Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Issaquah Library
Mar 14
Youth Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Issaquah Library

Nowruz, an ancient celebration of nature’s rebirth, the first day of Spring. It is a time of renewal, joy, and community! 🌿

We invite you and your youth to celebrate with us through the cherished tradition of egg painting, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. Let your creativity shine as we decorate colorful eggs together, embracing the spirit of spring!

This is a free, youth event. Whether you're familiar with Nowruz or discovering it for the first time, we welcome you to join us in this vibrant celebration of culture, art, and togetherness.

Youth Empowerment Event: Nowruz Youth Storytelling at Lynnwood Library
Mar 11
Youth Empowerment Event: Nowruz Youth Storytelling at Lynnwood Library

Join us for a storytelling session at the Lynnwood Library

We will share the story of Nowruz, an ancient secular holiday celebrating the first day of Spring by 300 million people across the globe.

We will have children art and culture activities following the storytelling session.

Nowruz at the State Capitol
Mar 4
Nowruz at the State Capitol

You are invited to join us for Nowruz in Olympia as we celebrate the New Year.

We are gathering at the Capitol Building in Olympia to advocate for the recognition of our collective identities.

We will enjoy traditional food and refreshments alongside a display of the traditional haft seen table, performances of dance by Soraya Arjomand and Parmida Ziaei , and an exhibition of visual art by Peyvand Artists and other local community artists. Come dressed in your cultural attire to proudly showcase your heritage, and enjoy Hanif Zarrabi-Kashani dressed as Baba Nowruz.

Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Renton Highlands
Mar 3
Nowruz Celebration & Activities at Renton Highlands

Nowruz, an ancient celebration of nature’s rebirth, the first day of Spring. It is a time of renewal, joy, and community! 🌿

We invite you to celebrate with us through the cherished tradition of egg painting, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. Let your creativity shine as we decorate colorful eggs together, embracing the spirit of spring!

This is a free, adult only event. Whether you're familiar with Nowruz or discovering it for the first time, we welcome you to join us in this vibrant celebration of culture, art, and togetherness.

Legislative Education & Advocacy Day
Feb 27
Legislative Education & Advocacy Day

Speak Up! Take Action! Create Change!

NAAPR (New American Alliance For Policy & Research), in collaboration with Peyvand nonprofit, Kabul Washington Bridge and a coalition of other community-based organizations, will convene the New Americans Legislative Education and Advocacy Day at the Washington State Capitol on Thursday, February 27, 2025. We hope you'll be able to join us to advocate with and on behalf of our refugees and other displaced people.

Our goal is to increase refugees’ visibility, contributions and challenges.

Know Your Place Director Meet & Film Screening-A NOMAS UW Event
Feb 20
Know Your Place Director Meet & Film Screening-A NOMAS UW Event

Know Your Place is a slice-of-life drama set in present-day Seattle. Robel Haile (15, Eritrean-American) and his best friend Fahmi Tadesse (15, Ethiopian-American) embark on a journey to drop off a suitcase with medicine and cash to a friend traveling back to Eritrea because of a family member’s sudden illness. An unexpected turn transmutes Robel’s simple errand into an odyssey across the rapidly gentrifying city, navigating directions to make his delivery on time, along with the challenges of familial responsibility, self-identification, and dislocation amid the ongoing redevelopment and displacement of the only community he’s ever known as home.

The Dawn is Too Far Stories of Iranian-American Life
Feb 19
The Dawn is Too Far Stories of Iranian-American Life

In “The Dawn is Too Far: Stories of Iranian-American Life” we share the powerful narratives of individuals from the Bay Area Iranian diaspora community, who contribute to and creatively respond to their history, and indeed add to the richness of this region.

At a time when immigrants, primarily from black and brown communities--from Mexico, to the Caribbean, and the Middle East-- have been vilified and stereotyped as criminals, drug-runners and terrorists, it is especially important to hear the real story of immigrants.

Q & A with the director following the show.

The Dawn is Too Far Stories of Iranian-American Life
Feb 18
The Dawn is Too Far Stories of Iranian-American Life

In “The Dawn is Too Far: Stories of Iranian-American Life” we share the powerful narratives of individuals from the Bay Area Iranian diaspora community, who contribute to and creatively respond to their history, and indeed add to the richness of this region.

At a time when immigrants, primarily from black and brown communities--from Mexico, to the Caribbean, and the Middle East-- have been vilified and stereotyped as criminals, drug-runners and terrorists, it is especially important to hear the real story of immigrants.

Q & A with the director following the show.

THICKER THAN PAINT
Feb 9
THICKER THAN PAINT

This documentary is about the life of “Habibeh”, a self-taught painter who, according to her, has created 4000 works with her special tools and techniques during seven years. For “Habibeh”, art is a medium to endure the imposed and unwanted sufferings of her life. Habibeh’s works had not been widely displayed until the making of this film.

There will be a discussion session following the film.

MOUTH HARP IN MINOR KEY
Feb 8
MOUTH HARP IN MINOR KEY

A timely documentary film about exiles in America and the families they left behind, MOUTH HARP IN MINOR KEY sheds light on the dynamics of our contemporary times, beset by globalization and consolidation of capital and media, on the one hand, and by fragmentation and disruptions of nation-states, on the other.

In this film, Iranian filmmaker Maryam Sepehry follows the eminent film scholar Hamid Naficy in the United States and his family in Iran. It is a documentary portrait that elucidates the complexities of personal identity in a globalized world, where individual, national, and transnational forces interact.

Q & A with the director following the show.

Gallery

Recorded Youth & Family Support Session by Gazalle Willecke

Meet the Team

The team is dedicated in creating a safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate space for youth ages 12-18. Peyvand YEP is a space where youth can learn about their cultural heritage, explore their identity, and find community. 

People
Shahrzad Shams, President</a>
Shahrzad Shams, President
Leyla Salmassi, Vice President
Leyla Salmassi, Vice President
Sarah Manesh Berger
Sarah Manesh Berger
Desmond Holiday
Desmond Holiday
Elicia Nasrin Jonson
Elicia Nasrin Jonson
Hamid Attar
Hamid Attar
Kiana Rashidi
Kiana Rashidi
Join Our Team
Guest User
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Art and Culture