(Este mensaje también está publicado en español AQUI)
Hi RA Families - please read the below updates regarding the Washington Governor's "Stay-at-Home" order as well as new information regarding resources and services in the community!
We understand you may be receiving a lot of information right now so we have consolidated everything into a questions and answers format:
What does the Stay Home policy mean for me?
This new policy reinforces the bans on all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes, whether organized by public or private groups and includes weddings, funerals parties, and sporting events. This policy also requires that any nonessential businesses must close, though remote work can continue. The Governor explained that you can still go outdoors to go for a walk or run but need to practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet from others. This policy is expected to last for at least two weeks. Technically this means no hanging out with friends (other than family who lives with you), no sleepovers, no dinner parties with anyone other than those who live with you.
What does the Stay Home policy mean for Rainier Athletes?
Rainier Athletes is continuing to focus on supporting connections between RA students and mentors over online video calls. Hopefully you and your RA student have connected with your RA mentor and if not, we encourage you to reach out directly to your student's mentor and/or let George and Peter know so we can support! This connection with you mentor is still a required part of being a Rainier Athlete!
With the new Stay Home policy, Rainier Athletes will not be sponsoring any sort of group activities in an effort to encourage everyone to stay safe. RA staff will be continuing to work and we will continue to post updates like this about resources in the community. Please reach out if you have questions or comments about anything and we will do our best to answer or connect you to someone who can answer!
What food resources are available to me and my family?
Bellevue School District
Grab & Go Free Meals: available for any child age 18 and under (even if they are not enrolled in BSD) at Lake Hills and Stevenson Elementary Schools from 11AM to 12PM and at Sammamish High School from 11AM to 1PM Monday through Friday. Kids should be present to receive meals!
Meal Pre-Order and Delivery: Meals for children 18 years old and younger, even if they are not enrolled in BSD. Meals can be pre-ordered to be picked up at 31 different locations. To do this, you must pre-order every day between 6PM and 9AM by filling out the order form HERE.
Hopelink Pre-packed boxes of food will be available for pick up at the Bellevue Hopelink location (14812 Main St #5245, Bellevue, WA 98007) during the following hours: Tuesday 12PM-4PM, Wednesday 3PM-7PM, Thursday 10AM-2PM. Each household will be able to pick up enough food for 21 meals per person. No paperwork or preregistration required! Of course this is while supplies last.
Salvation Army is serving free meals to anyone Mon-Fri from 6-7pm at their Bellevue location. The address is 911 164th ave ne Bellevue, WA 98008.
Bellevue LifeSpring provides Safeway food vouchers to all families who are registered for the Breaktime-Mealtime program at school. If you are registered for Breaktime-Mealtime, you should have already received a giftcard to Safeway that can be used for food and other goods. You will also receive vouchers through the mail that can only be used for food at Safeway and have a 2 weeks expiration date.
If you are registered for Breaktime-Mealtime but did not receive vouchers, please contact the Family Engagament Specialist at your student's school and/or let Jacob know!
If you are not registered for Breaktime-Mealtime and need support with food/other essential household items, please let Jacob know right away. Our Rainier Athletes team will work with our community partners to ensure you have what you need.
Are there resources to support bill payments for thing like electricity, water, and rent?
Yes!!! Please keep in mind the City of Bellevue is NOT expected to shut off any essential utilities and have banned evictions during this time.
Hopelink: provides support for bill payments. Please see information for Energy HEREand for Rent HERE.
Bellevue LifeSpring: provides a variety of assistance and more information can be found HERE. If anyone is worried about possible eviction please contact us immediately and we will work with Bellevue Lifespring to make sure you are in their system and eligible to receive rent assistance once eviction notices start to appear. *The State Government has said they will not be enforcing evictions for at least 30 days and if your landlord is backed by the federal government, they cannot issue an eviction for at least 120 days.
Jubilee REACH: the Jubilee center remains open to provide Community Care to the community. They are extending the amount of financial support to help families pay utility bills, rent, and basic needs to up to $300 per family during this period. In addition, they are providing grocery store gift cards, food boxes, vouchers for their Thrift Store, etc. To access these Jubilee REACH resources, please call (425) 746-0506 or email daniala@jubileereach.org and kenc@jubileereach.org.
I lost my job. Are there resources for unemployment?
Anyone eligible for unemployment through their work and who has lost their job due to coronavirus or has had to take time off to self-quarantine or care for a sick relative (and does not get paid sick time from work) should apply for Unemployment Insurance. You can apply online at any time HERE or can apply by phone at 800-318-6022 between 8am-4pm. *The federal government has increased payment for unemployment by $600 per week.
For all Spanish speakers, Casa Latina held an online information session discussing support for undocumented workers, unemployment, paid family and medical leave, sick time, and safety and health last night. To watch this video please click here
I am undocumented or need support specifically for immigrants. Who can help?
More information about healthcare, DACA, unemployment for undocumented population and can be found HERE
I need a job. Are there organizations that are hiring?
There are organizations hiring! We have seen availability at Trader Joe's (see jobs available HERE) and at Amazon (see jobs available HERE). If you know of other organizations hiring, please let Jacob know and we can share with the community!
Is there childcare support still available?
The Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue have closed for the rest of this week and are planning to reopen on Monday, March 30th with limited space specifically for children of those that are still required to go into work and aren't able to remain at home. If you are interested in childcare and please contact childcare@bsd405.org or at (425) 454-6162.
What if I know of other information about resources or something else that is not explained here?
Please let Jacob know ideally over a Basecamp ping!
What if I have other questions?
Please Basecamp ping George and Peter. We also encourage you to discuss with your RA student's mentor who can help make sure RA staff follow up with any additional questions or concerns.
We continue to be inspired by the general positive attitude from this amazing community and the focus in coming together in spirit and through calls and videos, even if we can't get together in person. It proves that as always, WE ARE ONE TEAM!!
Much love,
The RA Team