240K grant from Whitehorse Foundation expands family support across Edmonds schools

The Foundation for Edmonds School District has secured a $240,000 grant from the Whitehorse Foundation to enhance its Whole Families, Whole Communities (WFWC) program. This funding will sustain 2. 5 family resource advocate positions in district elementary schools and initiate a pilot afterschool program at Alderwood Middle School. The WFWC initiative addresses critical issues like housing instability and food insecurity that hinder student success. Since 2018, the Whitehorse Foundation has supported WFWC, which has assisted over 1,100 families, including nearly 200 students experiencing homelessness, in the past year.

The afterschool program will provide tutoring, mentoring, and leadership development, while also offering resources for parents, such as counseling and parenting classes. Deborah Brandi, executive director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Their investment has made real, lasting change possible. ” The renewed funding will significantly enhance family support in the Edmonds School District, creating a more stable environment for students. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to addressing the needs of families in poverty.