November is busy! We just wrapped up the Winter Warm Wear Program a few days ago, Toy Chest is just around the corner, and of course, we're already halfway through our Give to the Max Campaign! Read about the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program below, and learn why we need to raise $40,000 this Give to the Max.
Childcare & Academic Assistance Program
Every year, organizations across the state raise money for the first two weeks of November through the Give to the Max Campaign. This year, we are raising funds for the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program. This program provides a 50% grant to qualifying families for childcare and tutoring options.
This program is critical to our community. Through it, we support families and parents like Sarah.
Sarah works two part-time jobs to provide and take care of her two daughters. Due to her schedule, she needs before-school-care for both her children. This costs $600 a month – which was expensive, but Sarah could make it work.
But this fall, Sarah’s rent increased. The additional $150 she now needed for her rent turned her tight but manageable budget into something she couldn’t sustainably afford.
With increased rent, rising costs of groceries and gas, and an expensive monthly childcare payment, Sarah couldn’t afford everything she needed for her and her daughters.
So, Sarah reached out to ResourceWest to see how we could help. Through the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program, we were able to provide a 50% grant for Sarah’s children to continue their before-school-care.
Sarah’s $600 childcare payment became a $300 payment. Now she can afford her increased rent, and has a little extra money each month that she can put toward other bills, a savings, or other needs her family may have.
Many families in our community are in a situation similar to Sarah, where the rising cost of near everything is putting a significant strain on their budgets. Our Childcare & Academic Assistance Program helps create an affordable monthly childcare payment for families. Children can then learn and play in a safe environment, while their caregivers can maintain their employment, allowing them to continue providing for their families.
We need your help to raise $40,000 for the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program. To max out your generosity, several anonymous donors have decided to match up to $17,000 in donations! This means that your donation today will have double the impact!
Interview with Staff
Kirsten Anderson, Licensed Social Worker
Kirsten shares more about the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program, and what she's enjoying outside of work.
Why is the Winter Warm Wear Program important?
The Childcare and Academic Assistance program provides a scholarship that covers 50% of the cost of before and after-school care in the Hopkins and Minnetonka districts. Families reach out to us when they are interested in the scholarship. I complete an application with the family and verify that they qualify based on their income. The scholarship makes the care more affordable for families so they can keep their kids in quality care. Parents can obtain or maintain employment.
When someone reaches out to you for support for something ResourceWest doesn’t offer, how does the referral process work?
When someone reaches out for support for something that ResourceWest does not offer I have conversations with the participant about what resource would be the best fit for them. Each situation is unique, and the level of referral varies. For example, sometimes someone may just need a phone number and the next participant may want more in-depth collaboration on accessing services with more follow-up communication.
What was something you enjoyed this summer, and what are you most looking forward to in the next months?
This last summer I enjoyed time at state parks and spending as much time outside as possible. I look forward to spending time outside when it is not too cold and playing board games inside when it is.
TOMORROW - Open House!
We are having an Open House at our office, tomorrow, Thursday Nov. 9th, from 3-5pm. Stop by our office and see our space, learn about our programs, and get to know the staff better! Light refreshments will be provided, including cupcakes from Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe!
DOUBLE your Impact!
It’s Give to the Max!
We’re raising $40,000 for the Childcare & Academic Assistance Program. Make your donation today so families can have affordable childcare!
Make your donation today and double your impact! With a generous $17,000 match from several anonymous donors, your donation can make an even bigger impact.
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