YES Cards

YES Cards give teachers a way to directly help students in need.

Teachers are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. It might be a child without a warm coat, a teen with worn-out shoes, or a family quietly facing hunger or illness. They see these needs up close every day, but too often they are left without the means to respond.

That is why the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation created the YES Card program. A YES Card is a $100 mini-grant that allows teachers to step in immediately and meet urgent needs. The process is simple: applications take just minutes, approvals happen quickly, and funds reach teachers within a day or two.

For many families, a YES Card is more than short-term relief. It is a lifeline that provides immediate support in a moment of crisis while giving counselors and social workers time to connect families with longer-term resources.

YES cards in Action

417 Yes Cards

were funded last year

$53k in direct aid

in direct aid given to students and families last year, including Yes cards

27% increase

in Yes card requests annually as inequality has risen in recent years

Are you an educator wanting to say YES to a student in need?

Moments When Support Matters Most

Because Yes Cards are extremely flexible they are used in all kinds of ways to support kids in need. Here are a few recent requests from teachers that Yes Cards have helped fund.
Student names and identifying details have been changed to protect their privacy.

Samantha is a freshman here at Sehome. She is very engaged and hopes to pursue engineering, unfortunately she misses his first period (engineering class) frequently. Upon checking in I learned that she has to walk near 40 minutes and/or ride a few city buses to get to school. She is hoping to be able to purchase a bike so that she can ride a bike rather than walk the long distance.

There was a sudden, unexpected death in this student's family. Her grandmother asked for help with funds because they had to use money set aside for food for gas back and forth to Seattle to the hospital when this family member was in crisis.

This student came to me today and explained that their house flooded, and that they've had to get rid of everything. She and her brothers and sisters are all huddled together with one blanket and are really struggling to stay warm.

We have 3 newcomer students who are Muslim. They pray during lunch every day. We have 1 prayer rug (previously purchased by staff out of pocket), but need 2 more to accommodate their needs. Staff would purchase on behalf of students using YES card; rugs will be stored in spaces that students use for private prayer.

Matthew is new to Sunnyland and often comes to school with clothes that are not appropriate for the weather or not the right size. We are trying to help him get more comfortable in school by getting him clothes and personal hygiene items that will help him be successful and regulated in school.

Emmy is a junior at Bellingham HS. She lost her housing with her mother and moved into an apartment that she is sharing with her sister in downtown Bellingham. Her mother is no longer providing for her and she is now supporting herself. She could use extra help to get gas, food, and supplies from Fred Meyer.

Say YES to a student in need today

Students can’t begin to succeed without the basics in place: a snack when there’s no breakfast, a warm coat when they’ve outgrown their last one, or transportation to needed medical care. Your gift gives teachers the power to say “yes” right when it matters, turning small needs into big moments of hope and confidence.

The support from the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation has helped me foster a greater sense of belonging and community in an environment that, for many of these students, is the most consistent educational experience they’ve ever known. This support has enabled me to demonstrate that their lives and education matter to people outside these walls. While YES cards might appear to be a minor gesture, they convey a profound message to every child who receives one: You are loved, you are valued, and you belong.

Hailey H., Behavioral Specialist & Teacher

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