From Seattle Times
As soon as school breaks for summer, Stephanie Nguyen begins to field calls from anxious parents — up to 10 per day — requesting help with school supplies.
Back-to-school signs are displayed in a Target store. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
Nguyen, a case worker with the YWCA’s Greenbridge branch office in White Center, helps low-income residents in South King Countyfind jobs. Most clients are recent immigrants.
All of them live in subsidized housing. In the process of polishing their résumés and connecting them to work training opportunities, she sees firsthand the struggles they face before school begins in the fall.
“If we have school supplies to give to the kids, it relieves the burden for the parents. … When they don’t have the money, they get so stressed out and can’t concentrate on the job search,” she says.
In her caseload this year, 113 kids need help with backpacks and school supplies. Distribution began this week. As of Wednesday, Nguyen still needed about 40 more backpacks. She can only help her own clients. Other case workers and many kids need assistance in the region.
Read the full article from Seattle Times.
