Nonprofit Agencies Establish "Mini Relief Fund" for People with Developmental Disabilities in Washington
The Foundation For the Challenged, working in collaboration with three Arc Chapters in Washington has acted upon its mission to ensure people with developmental disabilities have access to basic living necessities. The nonprofit collaboration created a “mini stimulus fund” for individuals in need of basic living necessities not available from other sources.
The Arc of King County, The Arc of Snohomish County and The Arc of Yakima County have stepped up to raise matching dollars for the Community Living Fund of Washington. “Each Arc Chapter was challenged to match a $5,000 donation made by Foundation For the Challenged dollar for dollar with donors from within their respective communities,” said Fran Wesseling, Executive Director of Foundation For the Challenged. One hundred percent of dollars raised through the challenge match this year will be distributed to people with developmental disabilities who have a demonstrated financial need and are living in King, Snohomish and Yakima counties.
Distribution of relief dollars is done through an application process administered by each of the three county Arc Chapters. Applicants must be qualified to receive up to $1,000 of relief dollars for the cost of such things as wheelchair ramps, home furnishings and other basic living necessities not covered by other sources.
Sylvia Fuerstenberg, Executive Director of The Arc of King County explains “each Arc Chapter raising match dollars will have $10,000 for distribution in the communities we serve. Our objective is to have Arc Chapters around the state working to raise more dollars from generous donors each year.”
Although there are governmental and social service agencies providing various means of support there remains thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities living in the state of Washington still in need of basic necessities that can improve their quality of life. This is why Arc Chapters and Foundation For the Challenged are working to forge additional donor support for this grass root relief fund.
Information pertaining to the Community Living Fund of Washington’s application process can found on the following websites: www.arcofkingcounty.org, www.arcsno.org, www.ffcohio.org, or by calling these Arc Chapter offices.
