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OUR TEAM
Our Histoy of Excellence

About Us

Odyssey World International Education Services has served select communities in Washington and abroad since 2006. This Black-led, family-operated organization was started by Karen Morrison and Loveita Morrison, a mother-daughter team, in Spokane (WA). Today, it operates out of Vancouver, WA and through its multiple partnerships, it’s able to continuously provide opportunities that strengthen, highlight, and support BIPOC communities.  

What We Do

We work in partnership with non-profit community organizations, government offices, and educational institutions to address issues impacting the resiliency of  BIPOC communities. When BIPOC communities are impacted by poverty or discrimination, we leverage our network of partners to raise awareness of issues through organizing events and advocating for equitable treatment in public and government spheres. In the realm of education, we engage youth through coordinating experiential learning opportunities, field trips, and camps. In addition, we connect their families to resources such as school supplies, clothes, and other household goods.  To promote resiliency among BIPOC communities, we also coordinate events that highlight positive contributions, promote Black and Brown owned businesses, and connect families to housing and health resources.  By fostering relationships with the communities that we serve, we work to make sure they are invited and represented when policies and action plans are being discussed. Our boots-on-the-ground approach ensures that our services remain flexible and responsive to the ever-changing needs within our community.

Non-Discrimination Clause

Odyssey World International Education Services prohibits discrimination in its programs, services, policies, hiring practices and administration on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

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Our Team

Volunteer Staff

  • Angelou's Angels Facilitator, Theresa Johnson

  • Disability Specialist, Abby  Griffith

  • IT High School Service Learning Volunteer, ​Sidney Exum

Directors

Karen Morrison, Founder/Executive Director (2006-now)

Loveita Morrison, Deputy Director (2006-now)

 

Staff

Miracle Joslin, Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors 

Rheta Rubenstein, PHD- Secretary and Editor

Jennifer Wyld, PHD- R & D Scholar, Event Manager 

Pandora Pierce, Treasurer      

Sarah Chivers, PHD- Curriculum Advisor & Researcher

Gabriella Ewing, Community Engagement

Recognition

Washington Low-Income

Housing Alliance Advocacy

Award Winner  2021

Children's Alliance:
Brewster Denny Rising Advocate Award Winner 2020

Chase Youth Award: Community Asset Builder Award Winner 2012

NAACP Northwest Regional Chapter:
Community Leader of the Year Award Winner 2012

Bonner Leader Partner of the Year Award Winner 2009 & 2010, Whitworth University

Youth Advocate Award 2009, Links Incorporated

Community Service Award 2008, NAACP's Spokane Chapter

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Mission, Vision, Values

Our Mission

Our mission is to collaboratively and compassionately advocate for social justice while serving marginalized people that are impacted by poverty and discrimination.

Our Vision

We envision safe, inclusive, and compassionate communities where marginalized people are empowered to create equitable opportunities for themselves and others. 

Our Values

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Social Justice

We are committed to raising awareness, holding leaders accountable, and coordinating community efforts to fight against systematic policies that oppress marginalized members. 

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Collaboration & Service

No single organization can alleviate the challenges that poverty and systematic discrimination bring to communities of color . We value collaboration with organizations that raise awareness about social issues and participate in efforts that safeguard our basic human rights.

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Equity in Education

We value partnerships with educators, families, and community-based organizations whose work reduces barriers for low-income, BIPOC, and other marginalized students.

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Inclusive Communities

We value the different perspectives and insights that come directly from the people that we serve. By being inclusive in our connections through boots-on-the ground relationship building, we are empowered to better understand the context of social challenges and advocate for  more sensible solutions.

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Diversity

We value the opportunity to embrace, highlight, and celebrate the richness that diversity brings into our communities. We strive to promote awareness and compassion in helping those who are underrepresented.   

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