Marcus is in the sixth grade and a member of Kids Co., an organization in Western Washington that advocates for childcare that enriches daily experiences after school. Marcus found a knack for fixing other children’s bikes while at Kids Co. Because of your contributions, Peggy, Patricia, Jack and Shana, Marcus has the equipment and aid to continue helping others with their bikes. Marla, Marcus’s mom, wants to express her gratitude for your support:

I would like you to meet my son Marcus, a sixth grade student and Kids Co. as South Shore’s resident “bike mechanic.” When Marcus started at Kids Co. he noticed there were a few bikes that needed work. After participating in a bike camp at Bike Works early last summer, Marcus came back to Kids Co. and said “I can fix that bike for you.” Kids Co. and the Bike Armada provided Marcus with a way to practice his new skills, as well as a way to build confidence in himself and his ability to help others. According to Marcus, his favorite part about repairing the bikes is that, “after I work with the bikes, people use them and I see that they enjoy riding bikes.” He has also learned, “about being careful with what you do and [that] you should never rush.” This is a valuable lesson not only in bike repair, but also in school and life in general. Thanks to your support of Kids Co. and the Bike Armada, all the kids here will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy riding bikes, and Marcus will continue to learn new lessons and help his fellow students.

We are truly blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people that care about children and want to see the youth succeed in whatever they decide to take on. When Marcus graduated from 5^th to 6^th grade, Kids Co.’s staff was at the graduation with congratulation signage. It is a blessing to see this type of caring and supportive attitude. This is Marcus’ home away from home and we are thankful to have Kids Co. on our team.

Once again, thank you, Peggy, Patricia, Jack and Shana, for making Marcus’s endeavors possible. He finds happiness in helping people that you enabled him to aid. Thank you for supporting Kids Co.’s mission to support children outside of school and making Marcus a happy child.

Every day during the ride home from child care, my youngest daughter, Nyah’Lynn, tells me an elaborate story about who her favorite teacher is and why that is the case. To my delight, every teacher at Kids Co. at Graham Hill has been mentioned. That’s when you know your precious cargo is in good hands!

Nyah’Lynn began attending Kids Co. at Graham Hill in July of this year. She previously attended a licensed home care facility that we also loved but could no longer afford. My longtime partner and I recently bought a home in the area, and with his hours being suddenly reduced and my recent car accident, we found ourselves facing tough times financially. The Kids Co. scholarship allowed us to have a better quality of life. What’s more, the high quality child care provided by knowledgeable and caring staff meant that I could focus on my job and not our pocketbook.

Nyah’Lynn is now with other toddlers in her age group and is getting the amount of intentional programming she needs to keep her engaged and challenged developmentally.

I can’t begin to express my gratitude for your support in donating to the Kids Co. Virtual BBQ! You made a huge impact in the lives of hardworking families.

Sincerely,
Sherrie

Meet Aldo, a five-year-old Kids Co. at South Shore scholarship recipient whose life (along with those of his two brothers) you have changed for the better. A while ago Aldo’s mother was detained by immigration and was unable to see or communicate with him for over a week. This was a terrifying time since the security and unity of the family was on shaky ground. She was returned to her family after she cleared a rigorous interrogation process, but like so many legal immigrants, she was required to do volunteer work in order to make up the cost of detainment. On top of this, she also had to work full-time, which left little time for Aldo who needed love, security, and care. A Kids Co. scholarship was the solution! The freedom to have Aldo and his brothers in a safe and nurturing environment gave his mother the time and flexibility to complete her volunteer expectations and continue working.

Aldo barely spoke English and was very shy when he first came to Kids Co. Through daily exposure to teachers and peers he’s speaking more and more and using English to communicate with the other kids in our program. In school, Aldo’s teacher says he is speaking more often too, even in front of the class. This past summer, Aldo also learned how to ride a two-wheeler after just a few days of help from one of the older students; a major milestone in any child’s life!

Thank you for supporting Kids Co.’s scholarship fund through your Virtual BBQ gift and giving Aldo the chance to receive the care and community he needs to succeed.

With the warmest of appreciation,
Elinor – Kids Co. at South Shore Interim Program Manager

It was my second year working at Kids Co. at South Shore and also a time of personal upheaval and pain. My marriage of nine years ended and I was suddenly a single dad of two. Working as an after-school childcare director meant I REALLY needed childcare–the exact service I provide for dozens of families in Southeast Seattle! It also meant I couldn’t afford it. Two children (one in pre-school and one in after school) would have cost around $1,200 a month, or roughly half my salary. Even sharing the cost with my ex was more than we could afford.

I spoke with the City of Seattle childcare subsidy caseworker and discovered that I qualified for the city subsidy! The bad news was there was (and still is!) a year long waiting list. I turned to my cohorts and mentors at Kids Co. for guidance and found out, due to my financial circumstance, my family was eligible for the Special Case Subsidy Plan until my number came up with the City. This meant my youngest got to be in a high-quality preschool program at Kids Co. at Graham Hill and the other could catch the school bus to my site at South Shore every day after school.

I cannot begin to describe the positive impact having my boys at Kids Co. has had in our lives. While they were there they were able to learn powerful social skills, take field trips all over the city, make friends, and discover new activities and passions. Ezra discovered Tae Kwon Do in one of our summer camps (he’s now a green belt!) and Maceo learned to overcome his fear of bike riding and learned to ride a two wheeler just last summer!

Thank you for making stories like this possible!

John

Alejandro is an eight-year-old Kids Co. student at John Muir who lives with his dad, a man who has been fighting for him for years. After an unhealthy marriage filled with ugly scenes and domestic violence, his father finally won custody, though at great cost both emotionally and financially. These costs forced him to take out extensive loans that put a financial stranglehold on the family. To make ends meet he works extra hours, far more than the average 40 hour work week. In turn, the extra dollars make it impossible to qualify for a City of Seattle Childcare Subsidy. He turned to Kids Co. for support and was awarded a scholarship for his young son.

Alejandro’s time at Kids Co. is lively, educational, and fun — it is a place full of play designed to draw out the creativity and intellect in a child. It has been even more for Alejandro. Children of lengthy custody battles are often ridden with guilt and emotional instability. They are prone to self-esteem issues, shyness, and low performance in school. The Kids Co. team recognized the signs and developed a plan to help him overcome these obstacles. Today, Alejandro is a confident kid with a lot of potential and a great outlook on life.

Dad was a foster child himself and truly wants an easier life for Alejandro — it seems to be going in that direction! Thank you for supporting Alejandro and kids like him by investing in the Kids Co. Virtual BBQ!

Warm regards,
Tim
Kids Co. at John Muir Program Manager

Every evening I go to pick up my five-year-old son Jaylen from Kids Co. at South Shore and he cries, but not because he doesn’t like being there. On the contrary! He cries because I’ve come to take him home. You know you have found the right child care center when your son cries when you pick him up and tries to negotiate a later time.

My partner and I are two very hardworking people. We recently became homeowners but because of a series of unfortunate events–including a death in the family, reduction in hours, and a car accident–we found ourselves living paycheck to paycheck, something I haven’t had to do since I was in college.

Child care expenses were breaking my families already delicate finances. I turned to my employer, Kids Co., for help and we were awarded scholarship funding. Because of this support my son Jaylen has been having the time of his life learning how plants grow, exploring the city around him, participating in the Bike Armada, and creating beyblades out of Lego’s. He gets the opportunity to do what’s best for him, which is be a child without worries and responsibilities, and my partner and I get to focus on being loving parents.

I can’t begin to express my gratitude for your support in donating to Kids Co.’s Virtual BBQ! You made a huge impact in the lives of hardworking families, including mine.

Sincerely,

Sherrie

I’d like to introduce you to six-year-old Romelito, whose mother has been struggling to pay her bills and needs Kids Co.’s help to cover the cost of Romelito’s out-of-school-time care. Even with a full-time job, his mom has a tough time balancing everyday expenses, which includes the care of raising two young boys. Here is her story.

Since Rome has been going to Kids Co at John Muir, he receives the attention that he needs between the time school gets out and when I return from work. I do not have family in the area so the only other option available would be to send my son home alone after school — a dangerous situation for any little boy. This is a risk I choose not to take and a Kids Co. scholarship makes this happen!

The Kids Co. experience not only provides a safe home-away-from-home but enables Romelito to learn, socialize, and gain positive experiences. Many of these experiences and activities are things he normally would not be able to do. Knowing he is at Kids Co. gives me assurance that he is being well taken care of while I am at work.

I thank you and every person who is involved in making this program possible. It makes a world of difference to my family.

Ever so grateful,

Lilibeth, mother of Romelito

Meet Celso, an eight-year-old Kids Co. at South Shore scholarship recipient whose life (along with those of his two younger twin brothers) you have changed for the better. A while ago Celso’s mother was detained by immigration and was unable to see or communicate with him for over a week. This was a terrifying time since the security and unity of the family was on shaky ground. She was returned to her family after she cleared a rigorous interrogation, but like so many legal immigrants, she was required to do volunteer work in order to make up the cost of detainment. On top of this, she also had to work full-time, which left little time for Celso who needed love, security, and care. A Kids Co. scholarship was the solution! The freedom to have Celso and his brothers in a safe and nurturing environment gave his mother the time and flexibility to complete her volunteer expectations and continue working.

Although his English is limited, Celso loves playing with his Kids Co. friends, especially playing outside – something that he can’t do in his own neighborhood, which is prone to violence. While at Kids Co., before he goes outside, he starts his afterschool time by doing his homework and is not shy to ask for help when necessary. In return, he is an incredibly helpful child and often goes out of his way to take care of the classroom and others without needing to be asked.

Thank you for supporting Kids Co.’s scholarship fund through your Virtual BBQ gift and giving Celso the chance to receive the care he needs to succeed.

With the warmest of appreciation,
Elinor – Kids Co. at South Shore Interim Program Manager

Emmanuel, a Kids Co. at John Muir student, has more stories packed into his 5-year-old life than most people 10 times his age. His mother, an African refugee, lost both her father and husband to the civil war in Sudan. In spite of this trouble and trauma, she will tell you that she will “never give up.” She is relieved to have her family living in America where she and Emmanuel have a safe home away from the violence. It is also a place where both can go to school.

Still, displacement and relocation are tough and the challenges facing refugee children are many. These kids often find themselves swept up in conflicts, intolerance, and cultural differences in their new country — challenges that they don’t necessarily understand.

Emmanuel’s time at Kids Co. at John Muir has helped ease this transition. As a matter of fact, he has found a second home among his new set of friends and the Kids Co. scholarship he received made it possible for him to attend both the before school and after school program. His time with us also gives his mother the opportunity to attend college. She dreams that their access to education will help secure opportunities that they would not have had elsewhere. Our dream is that this comes true.

On behalf of Emmanuel, his mother, and all of the families who we serve, thank you for participating in the Kids Co. Virtual BBQ. Your support makes it possible for kids like him to attend our program.

Warm regards,
Tim – Kids Co. at John Muir Program Manager

Meet Osvaldo, a five-year-old Kids Co. at South Shore scholarship recipient whose life (along with those of his two brothers) you have changed for the better. A while ago Osvaldo’s mother was detained by immigration and was unable to see or communicate with him for over a week. This was a terrifying time since the security and unity of the family was on shaky ground. She was returned to her family after she cleared a rigorous interrogation, but like so many legal immigrants, she was required to do volunteer work in order to make up the cost of detainment. On top of this, she also had to work full-time, which left little time for Osvaldo, who needed love, security, and care. A Kids Co. scholarship was the solution! The freedom to have Osvaldo and his brothers in a safe and nurturing environment gave his mother the time and flexibility to complete her volunteer expectations and continue working.

Osvaldo barely spoke English and was very shy when he first came to Kids Co. Through daily exposure to teachers and peers he’s speaking more and more and using English to communicate with the other kids in our program. In school, Osvaldo’s teacher says he is speaking more often too, even in front of the class. This past summer, Osvaldo also learned how to ride a two-wheeler after just a few days of help from one of the older students; a major milestone in any child’s life!

Thank you for supporting Kids Co.’s scholarship fund through your Virtual BBQ gift and giving Osvaldo the chance to receive the care and community he needs to succeed.

With the warmest of appreciation,
Elinor – Kids Co. at South Shore Interim Program Manaager