Evelyn Molina (R) FRC Coordinator, with Daniela Pearson (L), Translation and Interpretation Coordinator for Bellingham Schools
Q & A With Evelyn Molina, Family Resource Coordinator
Q: How many people depend on the Family Resource Center for weekly basic need bags?
A: Between Shuksan and Cozier, we hand out about 200 bags a month. The bags include food, hygiene products, or just common household products. So that’s 200 families in the district relying on us every month – and that’s just care bags!
Q: Beyond care bags, does the FRC help families in other ways?
Absolutely! Every day, we see five to 10 families for drop-in requests or appointments. That could mean translation support, job applications, finance issues, medical issues, insecure housing, an attendance issue – any basic need or school-related request.
Q: How have needs changed over the last couple years?
Our phone hours are way, way up. Some populations are much more hesitant to go anywhere, out of fear of ICE raids. We’re very busy. Last week, we had two mothers in ICE ankle monitors come in who are
restricted from working. So it’s a matter of finding food and rent assistance, figuring out discounts on PSE, Xfinity, and others.
"This is home for our families. They feel seen and heard."
Q: What would surprise people about how the FRC supports families?
Before working for the FRC, I never imagined a student in our district having to live and sleep out of a car, or doubled up, or in a shelter. Another thing that may come as a surprise is that we do need to help
families with beds and everyday household items. We don’t often think of children having to sleep on the floor because they finally have been able to find housing, but don’t have a bed.
Q: As summer approaches, what changes do you see? What needs arise?
As school lets out, parents make sure to come in for their care packages – we provide them all through the summer. With students being at home this means household items are being used much faster than throughout the year. Just today a mom shared how grateful she is that we help provide deodorant for her son because he tends to go through them so quickly! We also see an increase in bed requests; families are working hard to find stable housing and be settled before the next school year begins.
Q: It’s so many families, but you know them so well!
Yes! Someone the other day was shocked because I look at a phone number and know immediately who it is! There is a family who speaks Arabic, and they come in without requesting a translator now because
we’ve just gotten comfortable with each other. There might be language barriers, but we’re able to get them the answers they need. This is home for our families; they feel seen and heard. Parents call me
“mi Evelyn” – “my Evelyn.” ✱
You can find out more about the Family Resource Centers including location, hours, and more here.
