Treehouse, a Rainier Valley nonprofit serving kids in foster care, has recently received nearly half a million dollars to help achieve graduation equity for high school fosters in King County. According to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the average graduation rate for foster students in King County is about 35%, compared to 80% of their peers. The investments come from One Eighty/Leisure Care, a private Seattle-based business that gave $250,000 and Regence BlueShield who committed $200,000.

One Eighty/Leisure Care announces the formation of the One Eighty Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children and families in the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation’s initial commitment is $250,000 to Treehouse. The donation to Treehouse will support the organization’s most ambitious goal: to double the rate of high school graduation for King County foster youth by 2017. The Foundation’s gift will be used to provide tutoring, college and career readiness, and education case management for over 1,000 foster youth in the system.

On December 9th the One Eighty Foundation, in conjunction with Leisure Care and One Eighty, hosted the 8th Annual Treehouse Pajama Party and collected more than 2,000 pairs of pajamas for Seattle-area foster children. This more than doubled the donations collected in 2009 and far surpassed the goal that was set forth. The One Eighty Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Pajama Party. Because of you, area foster children will be cozy and warm this winter.

The One Eighty Foundation gave $15,000 to the Special Olympics of Washington on October 8, 2010, at the Special Olympics’ 2010 Tasting Room Dinner and Auction. The One Eighty Foundation is proud to partner with the Special Olympics of Washington, and the $15,000 donation will provide year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.