Since 2020 generous donors have provided more than 1500 Yes Cards to students in need
Yes Cards give teachers a way to directly help students in need
The teachers in our district are often the first to notice when a child is in need. They see when a student doesnt have a coat or shoes, they hear from kids when they are hungry or when someone in the family is sick. They are face to face with the hardships that students and families face on a daily basis but often they are left without a way to help.
The Bellingham School Foundation started the Yes Card program to give teachers a way to help those students. A Yes Card is a $100 grant that any teacher can apply for on behalf of one of their students. Because teachers time is precious, the application takes only minutes to submit and virtually all applications are funded. Teachers receive the money within a day or two.
Frequently Yes Cards act as a lifeline, providing immediate help to a family while counselors and social workers are able to find long term options to help support them.
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
“One of my students did not come to school yesterday, because he could not find his shoe. I asked if he only had one pair of shoes, and he said that he had more, but they were all too small now. Having another pair of shoes that fit will make it so that he can come to school each day , and remove that stress from him and his family”
“I have a student whose family came to the U.S. under political asylum, and who are currently experiencing homelessness. The parents are doing their best to take care of their three little boys and new baby, and they are such a kind, loving family who just want a fresh start in Bellingham. They are living in a motel on Samish, and I would love to be able to give them a gift card to Haggen and one to Rite Aid (within walking distance) for them to purchase food and basics.”
“I am working with a senior student who is in need of clothing to wear for a work-based learning experience. His clothing tends to be worn, dirty and not the right size for him. He could also use a haircut in preparation for his work based learning experience which starts in February.”
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Give the gift of a YES Card
When you give a YES Card, we have beautiful honor cards that you can use to share the news of your gift!
GIVE THE GIFT OF A YES CARD