together! bringing hope during the pandemic

Over the last 30 years, TOGETHER! has adapted into “a grassroots campaign to mobilize the communities of Thurston County into a coordinated effort to support kids and families to reach their goals through basic needs support, collaboration between schools and community organizations, and efforts to advance social, health and educational equity.”

During the COVID-19 restrictions, they have been working hard on behalf of Thurston County’s children. “When the government issued the stay-at-home notice, many nonprofits, government agencies, and medical centers closed when people needed them the most,” says TOGETHER!’s Director of Community Schools, Michael Dennis. “With the support of our community partners, TOGETHER! Community Schools program is able to provide food and housing support for hundreds of families in the cities of Yelm and Tumwater.”

TOGETHER! also traditionally offers programming in local schools. “Since the COVID-19 shutdown, the program has done our best to adjust to the new realities of providing wraparound services to students and families in need,” says Dennis. For many, the pandemic has intensified their challenges and/or disconnection. Families are faced with unprecedented choices around childcare, education and making an income. While some higherincome families are able to stay home to work, many families have to leave home to keep our grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals and farms sustained, leaving families with very little support, time or choices.

“TOGETHER! is at the heart of ensuring that youth in our community have advocates, mentors, and supporters working hard to provide educational opportunities that create brighter and healthier futures. Olympia Federal Savings is honored to be one of TOGETHER!’s longtime partners collaborating to raise responsible and compassionate leaders that will continue to make the South Sound an even better place to work and live for generations to come,” says Sandy DiBernardo of Olympia Federal Savings.

To get involved, contact your local Club House team or donate online to the organization as a whole. There are many ways to become involved and future generations will need extra support to grow through these challenging times. vJORDIN MCRAW

SHOWCASE MAGAZINE 19