Youth Community Resource Exchange

United Way and New Horizons Ministries are partnering to present the Youth Community Resource Exchange on Thursday, January 28. This event is dedicated to connecting youth and young adults ages 12 to 26 to the resources and services that they need while experiencing homelessness. 

Attendees of the Youth Community Resource Exchange will receive a meal and a care package as well as access to free dental and eye care, haircuts, resources to get a job or education as well as loads of fun stuff. The event will be held on January 28 from 4-7pm at New Horizons Ministries, 2709 3rd Ave in Seattle. For more information, call 206.461.5096 or email mridgeway@uwkc.org.

Free Summer Meals for Kids

Could your kids (or children you know) use more food this summer? We want to let you know about  the free Summer Meals Program.

The Summer Meals Program is one of the federal nutrition programs that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months (June through August). Summer Meals, also known as Summer Sack Lunch, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established in 1968 to respond to growing research that correlated a child’s nutrition with academic success and concerns about the lack of nutrition resources for children during the summer months. There are over 100 summer meal sites in King County, located in schools, parks, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. In addition to meals, many sites provide fun activities for kids. Sites may be open from June through August, depending on your community.

All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program. No proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

To find the location and time of Summer Meals sites nearest you:

• Visit ParentHelp123.org to find your Summer Meals sites online
• Call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA (1-888-436-6392) 
• Call the Summer Food Service Program office at 206-386-1140
• Text FoodWA to 877-877 to have them text you your nearest meal site 

YWCA Young Parent Parenting Group 10/15-11/19

Are you 15-25 years old?  Are you interested in learning about resources for you and your child?

The YWCA is now registering parents for the upcoming Young Parent Program Parenting Group starting on Wednesday, October 15^th running through November 19^th.  The class runs for 6 weeks every Wednesday night from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. The topics covered include:

•         Chemical Dependency among families

•         Early Literacy

•         Domestic Violence

•         Age Appropriate Discipline

•         Healthy Communications with your children

•         Speech and language Development

Dinner, childcare and transportation home (via taxi or bus depending on the distance) are provided.

The final day to register will be October 15, 2014.

Contact Tamarack Randall, Program Manager, at 206-709-7408 or at trandall@ywcaworks.org.

Located at YWCA East Cherry Branch

2820 East Cherry Street, Seattle, WA

Family Resource Fair - Saturday 9/20

If you or someone you know are looking for free resources for families and/or free health screenings, we want to let you know about the Family Resource Fair this Saturday, the 20^th from 10-2 at International District/ Chinatown Community Center.

The Family Resource Fair will include the following activities:

·       Over 20 information booths for families

·       Free blood glucose screenings

·       Free mammograms

·       Carnivals

·       Lucky draws

·       and much more

Note that Mammograms must be scheduled prior to the event.

For registration, to schedule mammograms, and for more information, contact Karia Wong at 206-957-8538.

The Family Resource Fair is sponsored by Chinese Information and Service Center and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Family Resource Fair

Saturday, September 20^th

10:00 am -2:00 pm

International District/ Chinatown Community Center

719 8th Ave S, 98104

Metro bus routes 7, 9, 14, 36, 41, 49, 60, 71, 72, 73, 76, 99, 101, 106, 150, 255

Recovery Walk and Community Resource Fair 9/13

If you or someone you know are in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse we want to let you know about the 11th annual Recovery Month celebration next Saturday September 13th from 12 to 5 pm at Judkins park in Seattle.

People of Color Against AIDS Network is sponsoring the 11th Annual Join Voices for Recovery Event along with other contributors. The day will start with a rally and recovery walk at 11am, starting at Walgreens – 2400 S Jackson St, 98144.

The event will be held Saturday Sept. 13, from 12-5pm at Judkins Park, 2150 S Norman St Seattle, WA 98144 and will enhance community connections to make treatment, supportive services and information more accessible to those that may otherwise not have a resource. This is free event with resource tables, information on mental health and addiction, free food, games, entertainment, family- friendly and children’s activities.

This year’s Recovery Month theme, “Speak Up, Reach Out,” encourages people to openly discuss or speak up about mental and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery.  It aims to foster public understanding and acceptance of the benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery from behavioral health conditions.  The observance also promotes ways first responders, faith leaders, youth and young adults, and policymakers can recognize these issues and reach out to help others, as well as themselves. Each September, thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and services around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about recovery, how it works, for whom, and why. There are millions of people whose lives have been transformed through recovery. These successes often go unnoticed by the broader population; therefore, Recovery Month provides a vehicle to celebrate these accomplishments.

For more information, contact Nature Carter, nature@pocaan.org

Free School Supply Events

If you or someone you know have school age children and can’t afford to buy school supplies this year, many organizations offer free school supplies to families in need.

Here are some one-day free school supply events with no pre-registration necessary:

Atlantic Street Center is coordinating a Back to School Bash with the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition at the Plaza at the corner of Rainier and Henderson. This event focuses on serving families living in ZIP codes 98118, 98108 and 98178. The fair will be Saturday, Aug. 9, 11am-4pm at 2103 S Atlantic St, Seattle.

Auburn Youth Resources – Enumclaw Youth & Family Services coordinates a back-to-school fair each year with Plateau Outreach Ministries. Fair will be Aug. 22 from 9am-12pm at J.J. Smith Elementary School at 1640 Fell St, Enumclaw.

Center for Human Services helps coordinate a resource fair for the Northshore area at Maywood Hills Elementary. Event includes free school supplies, haircuts, free children’s ID cards, children’s activities and community resource information. Fair will be Aug. 13, 4pm-6:30pm at 19510 104th Ave NE, Bothell.

Eastridge Church coordinates a yearly school supplies event with free backpacks and kid activities as part of Delridge Days. The event will be Aug. 9 at 4500 39th Ave SW.

King County Fire District 20 provides new backpacks and school supplies during a fair Aug. 23, 10am-2pm at 12417 76th Ave S, Seattle. The event will include health screenings, food, games, safety information, prizes, races and a firefighter challenge.

Kirkland Teen Union Building, 348 Kirkland Ave, will have two events for middle and high school students. Thursday, Aug. 21, they will have hair stylists, barbers and makeup artists offering free services to local teens to help them get ready for the new school year. Also provides a “thrift shop” with racks of clothes. Friday, Aug. 22, teens can stop by and pick up school supplies including backpacks and calculators.

Lutheran Community Services Northwest – Angle Lake Family Resource Center coordinates a back-to-school backpack giveaway each year for SeaTac families with students who attend the Highline Schools District. Event also has food, games and prizes. Walk in Aug. 14, 10am-2pm at 4040 S. 188th St. Ste 100, SeaTac.

NWLife Church coordinates a back-to-school event with 2,000 backpacks, food and activities for children. Saturday Aug. 16, 11am at 13120 SE 192nd St, Renton. Arrive early.

Storehouse coordinates a yearly back-to-school event with school supplies, backpacks, haircuts and a resource fair for Covington residents only. Saturday Aug. 23, from 3pm-7pm at 26201 180th Ave SE, Covington, WA.

List of school supply programs courtesy of King County 211 Resource Talk.

Free School Supplies Programs

If you or someone you know have school age children and can’t afford to buy school supplies this year, many organizations offer free school supplies to families in need.

For children attending the Lake Washington, Riverview, Skykomish, Snoqualmie Valley, or Sultan School Districts,  find out more information here or complete a registration form at any Hopelink Center, you can find your nearest Hopelink center by calling 425.869.6000.  Child must also be entering grade K-12, and not be receiving school supply assistance from another program.

Bellevue School District provides school supplies to all students in need. Sign up is done by the school district before the end of the previous school year. Email info@congregations4kids.org if a student did not get on the list or is new to the Bellevue School District and needs school supplies.

Black Diamond Community Center coordinates a one-day event, providing area families with free backpacks and school supplies. Walk in to the main office at 31605 3rd Ave to fill out an application to register by Monday, Aug. 4.

Center for Human Services helps coordinate a program for Shoreline School District students with free school supplies and clothes. Register by Aug. 15. Call (206) 362-7282.

FamilyWorks provides backpacks and school supplies to families in the Wallingford/ Fremont area. Signup in July. Distribution in late August. Call (206) 694-6727.

Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank helps children in the Issaquah School District who need extra assistance. Fill out an application before July 31. Call (425) 392-4123

Maple Valley Food Bank & Emergency Services provides backpacks filled with school supplies to school-age children living in the city of Covington and the Tahoma School District. Pre-registration will be during food pantry hours from July 8 through Aug. 21 at 21415 Renton Maple Valley Rd SE.

Salvation Army – East King provides school supplies to low-income children of families in East King County. Accepting applications through early August. Call (425) 452-7300.

Salvation Army – Federal Way/ Des Moines offers limited school supplies for children in Federal Way and Des Moines, south of 216th. Apply after Aug. 11. Call (253) 946-7933

Salvation Army – Kent provides school supplies to children in Kent, Auburn, Covington, Algona and Pacific. Sign-up currently open. Call (253) 852-4983.

Salvation Army  – North Seattle offers limited school supplies for children in North Seattle. Families must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Sign-up currently open. Call (206) 783-1226 Ext.13

There are also a number of one-day free school supply events with no pre-registration necessary in August, which we will post next week.

List of school supply programs courtesy of King County 211 Resource Talk

Summer Food Service Program Kickoff

The free summer food service program is having a kickoff event this Friday 6/27 12-2 at Jefferson Community Center (3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle 98108). There will be Free Food - Come try the lunches your kids will eat this summer! Plus Radio Disney Seattle: Music, Dances, Family-friendly games, Crafts and Exclusive Disney Prizes.

Also,  Bruce Irvin, a linebacker for the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks will be speaking, posing for pictures and signing autographs! And, although the event starts at noon, the program, which now includes Mr. Irvin and Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim, will begin at 12:30pm.

The Summer Food Service Program provides no-cost breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for kids and teens ages 1 through 18.The meals are served at approved sites where at least half the children are eligible for free or reduced price school lunches. In 2014, the program will run from June 25-August 22 at participating parks, community centers, and other sites throughout Seattle. More information at seattle.gov/summerfood or 206-386-1140.

Free summer meals for kids

Could your kids (or children you know) use more food this summer? We want to let you know about  the free Summer Meals Program.

The Summer Meals Program is one of the federal nutrition programs that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months (June through August). Summer Meals, also known as Summer Sack Lunch, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established in 1968 to respond to growing research that correlated a child’s nutrition with academic success and concerns about the lack of nutrition resources for children during the summer months. There are over 100 summer meal sites in King County, located in schools, parks, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. In addition to meals, many sites provide fun activities for kids. Sites may be open from June through August, depending on your community.

All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program. No proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

To find the location and time of Summer Meals sites nearest you,

Call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA (1-888-436-6392) Monday through Thursday between 8 am and 5:30 pm or 8 to 5 on Fridays, or text ‘meals’ to 96859 to have them text you your nearest summer meal site, or visit ParentHelp123.org to find your local Summer Meals sites online.

Latina Health Fair: Saturday 5/17

If you or someone you know are seeking free health services and information, I want to let you know about the 12^th Annual Latina Health Fair, this Saturday, May 17th from 10 to 2 at South Park Community Center.

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is hosting a health and resource fair on Saturday, May 17^th at the South Park Community Center located at 8319 8th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98108.  The fair will take place inside the community center from 10am to 2pm.  The fair will offer a variety of free health screenings such as Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Dental, Diabetes, BMI, Infant & Child Developmental Screenings and HIV testing. Women will also have the opportunity to participate in health education consultations and visit the resource fair.

Come enjoy free food, health screenings, resource information, children’s activities and more!

And remember, receiving important screening tests and routine care is one step you can take to live a healthier life!

Toys for Tots 2013

If you or someone you know have children under 14 and receive benefits from DSHS such as food stamps or TANF, I want to let you know about Toys for Tots, a program which distributes free new toys as holiday gifts to needy children in the community.

Toys for Tots is partnering with King County DSHS Community Service Offices to distribute toys this holiday season. King County families receiving cash, food, medical or childcare benefits through DSHS are pre-registered to receive toys. Toys are for DSHS clients with children, ages birth through 14.

Families may receive toys once during the holiday season. Toy distribution will be at select locations Dec. 9 – Dec. 18, 2013. Proof of identity required.  Families receiving assistance through the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) are pre registered to receive toys. Families may receive toys once during the holiday season

.

There are 2 events each day at different locations. All events are from 9am to 3pm. Here is the schedule of distribution events for the 2013 Toys for Tots campaign:

Monday 12/9:

Lake Samm Foursquare Church: 14434 N.E. 8th Street, Bellevue  

And Auburn Community Service Office: 810 - 28th Street NE Auburn

Tuesday 12/10:

Capitol Hill Community Service Office:1700 E,. Cherry Street, Seattle      

And King North Community Service Office: 9600 College Way North, Seattle (NSCC)

Wednesday 12/11:

White Center Community Service Office: 9650 15th Ave. S.W., Seattle    

And Rainier Community Service Office: 3600 S. Graham Street, Seattle

Thursday 12/12:

White Center Community Service Office: 9650 15th Ave. S.W., Seattle    

And Belltown Community Service Office: 2106 2nd Ave. Seattle

Monday 12/16:

Renton Community Service Office: 500 S.W. 7th Street, Renton   

And King South Community Service office: 1313 W. Meeker St., Kent

Tuesday 12/17:

Federal Way Community Service Office: 616 348th St., Federal Way       

And King South Community Service office: 1313 W. Meeker St., Kent

Wednesday 12/18:

Federal Way Community Service Office: 616 348th St., Federal Way       

And White Center Community Service Office: 9650 15th Ave. S.W., Seattle

For more information about the 2013 King County Toys for Tots campaign please visit our website at www.ToysforTots.org

Baby Boost Info Fair: Saturday 10/19 10-noon

If you or someone you know are pregnant or have children under age 5, I want to let you know about the free Baby Boost Info Fair this Saturday the 19th at International Family Center from 10 to noon. This FREE event is especially for parents on a limited income!

At this Baby Boost Information Fair, you can…

• Learn about health and nutrition resources for you and your children.
• Connect with important parenting programs and social service agencies.
• Get free items for infants & toddlers (including feeding and hygiene products).

Baby Boost Information Fairs provide low-income parents with important nutritional and health information and one-on-one connections to service providers and community resources. Families coming to Baby Boost Fairs receive free useful items like diapers, baby bottles, food grinders, sippy cups, and baby hygiene products.

Typical Baby Boost presenters include:
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
• Child Care Resources
• Head Start
• NISSA –SIDS - (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Connect Up
• Financial Fitness
• Public Health
• Amerigroup 
• Parent Trust
• Lettuce Link – seed distribution

Baby Boost Info Fair 
Saturday, October 19th
10AM - 12 PM
International Family Center 
(at Chinese Information & Service Center) 
611 South Lane St
Seattle, WA 98104
(In downtown Seattle's International District—numerous buses go there)

Free School Supplies Events

Hi. If you or someone you know have kids in school and can’t afford to buy school supplies this year, there are many free back to school events where kids can get free school supplies. Last week I sent a message about back to school programs that require registration, the following are free school supply events with no registration necessary.

·                     This Saturday, Aug. 10, noon-4pm, Atlantic Street Center is coordinating a Back to School Bash with the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition at Beer Sheva Park, 8650 55th Ave S.

·                     Saturday Aug. 10, 11am-5pm, Work It Out Seattle coordinates an Educational Resource Street Fair in Seattle’s Central District, at 159 24th Ave, which is designed for people to access resources such as books, parenting tools and school supplies.

·                     Wednesday Aug. 14, 4-6:30pm, Center for Human Services helps coordinate a resource fair for the Northshore area at Maywood Hills Elementary. Event includes free school supplies, haircuts, free children’s ID cards, children’s activities and community resource information at 19510 104th Ave NE.

·                     Thursday Aug. 15, 10am-2pm Lutheran Community Services Northwest – Angle Lake Family Resource Center coordinates a back-to-school backpack giveaway each year for SeaTac families with students who attend the Highline Schools District. Event also has food, games and prizes at 4040 S. 188th St.

·                     Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11am, NWLife Church in Renton coordinates a back-to-school event with 2,000 backpacks, food and activities for children at 13120 SE 192nd St. Arrive early.

·                     Thursday August 22, 10am-noon Auburn Youth Resources – Enumclaw Youth & Family Services coordinates a back-to-school fair each year with Plateau Outreach Ministries, at J.J. Smith Elementary School at 1640 Fell St.

·                     Saturday Aug. 24, 10am-2pm, King County Fire District 20 provides new backpacks and school supplies during a fair, at 12424 76th Ave S. for Bryn Mawr, Lakeridge and Skyway. The event will include health screenings, food, games, safety information, prizes, races and a firefighter challenge.

·                     Saturday Aug. 24, 3-7pm, Storehouse coordinates a yearly back-to-school event with school supplies, backpacks, haircuts and dental screenings for Covington residents only, call (253) 631-3038 for location.

Take care!

Content courtesy of 2-1-1 Resource Talk

Free School Supplies Programs

Hi. If you or someone you know have school age children and can’t afford to buy school supplies this year, there are a number of free back to school events and programs where kids can get free school supplies.

The following programs require registration; There are also a number of one-day free school supply events with no registration required in mid August, which I will send out next week.

• Hopelink has free school supplies for children attending the Lake Washington, Riverview, Skykomish, Snoqualmie Valley, or Sultan School Districts. Register online here or complete a registration form at any Hopelink Center. Register by August 6^th.
•  Black Diamond Community Center coordinates a one-day event, providing area families with free backpacks and school supplies. Walk in to their main office 31605 3rd Ave. to fill out an application to register by Monday, Aug. 12.
• Center for Human Services helps coordinate a program for Shoreline School District students with free school supplies and clothes. Register by Aug. 13. Call (206) 362-7282.
•  Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank helps children in the Issaquah School District who need extra assistance. Fill out an application before July 31. Pick up date is Aug. 24. Call (425) 392-4123
• Maple Valley Food Bank & Emergency Services provides backpacks filled with school supplies to school-age children living in the city of Covington and the Tahoma School District. Pre-registration will be during food pantry hours from July 29 through Aug. 22 at 21415 Maple Valley Hwy.
• Salvation Army – East King provides school supplies to low-income children of families in East King County. Accepting applications through mid. August. Call (425) 452-7300.
• Salvation Army – Federal Way/ Des Moines offers limited school supplies for children in Federal Way School District and Des Moines, south of 216th. Apply after Aug. 10 call (253) 946-7933.
• Salvation Army – Kent provides school supplies to children in Kent, Auburn, Covington, Algona and Pacific. Call (253) 852-4983 in early August.
• Salvation Army – North Seattle offers limited school supplies for children in North Seattle. Families must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Sign-up currently open. Call (206) 783-1226 Ext.13

Take care!

Content courtesy of 2-1-1 Resource Talk

Baby Boost Info Fair 7/18

If you or someone you know are pregnant or have children under age 5, I want to let you know about the free Baby Boost Info Fair next Thursday July 18th at West Seattle Food Bank from 930 to 1130.

This FREE event is especially for parents on a limited income!

At this Baby Boost Information Fair, you can…

• Learn about health and nutrition resources for you and your children.

• Connect with important parenting programs and social service agencies.

• Get free items for infants & toddlers (including feeding and hygiene products).

Baby Boost Information Fairs provide low-income parents with important nutritional and health information and one-on-one connections to service providers and community resources. Families coming to Baby Boost Fairs receive free useful items like diapers, baby bottles, food grinders, sippy cups, and baby hygiene products.

Typical Baby Boost presenters include:

• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

• Child Care Resources

• Head Start

• NISSA –SIDS - (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• Connect Up

• Financial Fitness

• Public Health

• Amerigroup

• Parent Trust

• Lettuce Link – seed distribution


To register for the event, please call Mary at 206.694.6755.


South West Seattle Baby Boost Info Fair

West Seattle Food Bank,

3419 SW Morgan St, Seattle, 98126

Metro Bus routes 21 and 128 will get you there

Thursday, July 18th

9:30am – 11:30am

Take care!

Could your kids (or children you know) use more food this summer? We want to let you know about  the free Summer Meals Program. 

The Summer Meals Program is one of the federal nutrition programs that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months (June through August). Summer Meals, also known as Summer Sack Lunch, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established in 1968 to respond to growing research that correlated a child’s nutrition with academic success and concerns about the lack of nutrition resources for children during the summer months. There are over 100 Summer meal sites in King County, located in schools, parks, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. In addition to meals, many sites provide fun activities for kids. Sites may be open from June through August, depending on your community.

All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program. No proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

To find the location and time of Summer Meals sites nearest you,

Call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA (1-888-436-6392) Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5:30 pm or visit www.ParentHelp123.org to find your Summer Meals sites online.

Toys For Tots Free Holiday Toy Distribution

If you or someone you know have children under 14 and receive benefits from DSHS such as food stamps or TANF, I want to let you know about Toys for Tots, a program which distributes free new toys as holiday gifts to needy children in the community.

Toys for Tots is partnering with King County DSHS Community Service Offices to distribute toys this holiday season. King County families receiving cash, food, medical or childcare benefits through DSHS are pre-registered to receive toys. Toys are for DSHS clients with children, ages birth through 14. Families may receive toys once during the holiday season. Toy distribution will be at select locations Dec. 10 – Dec. 19, 2012. All events are from 9am to 3pm.

Here is the schedule of distribution events for the 2012 Toys for Tots campaign:

Monday 12/10

Lake Samm Foursquare Church:
14434 N.E. 8th Street, Bellevue 


King South Community Service Office:
1313 W. Meeker St., Kent

Tuesday 12/11

Belltown Community Service Office: 
2106 2nd Ave. Seattle

King South Community Service office:  
1313 W. Meeker St., Kent

Wednesday 12/12

White Center Community Service Office: 
9650 15th Ave. S.W., Seattle

Rainier Community Service Office: 
3600 S. Graham Street, Seattle

Thursday 12/13

King North Community Service Office: 
9600 College Way North, Seattle

White Center Community Service Office:
9650 15^th Ave. S.W., Seattle

Monday 12/17

Federal Way Community Service Office: 
616 348th St., Federal Way

Renton Community Service Office: 
500 S.W. 7^th Street, Renton

Tuesday 12/18

Auburn First United Methodist Church: 
100 N Street S.E., Auburn

Federal Way Community Service Office: 
616 348th St., Federal Way

Wednesday 12/19

White Center Community Service Office: 
9650 15th Ave. S.W., Seattle

Capitol Hill Community Service Office: 
1700 E. Cherry Street, Seattle 

All Toys for Tots distribution events are from 9am to 3pm.

For more information contact Sgt Kurt Chmielewski 253-968-7115. For questions concerning toy distribution, please contact Gary Hartline at hartlgw@dshs.wa.gov.
Happy Holidays!