Judy Drake
Boeing Company
P.O. Box 3707
M/C 17-MP
Seattle, WA 98124-2207
Dear Judy,
The WorkFirst program is a public assistance program that provides cash, medical benefits, training and support services to families while they seek work. The program is based on the belief that everyone has abilities needed in today's workforce, and those who can work should.
I serve as a WorkFirst Program Specialist in Bellingham, Washington. In March 2003, the Community Service Office in our county served 1,378 families. Of that, 1,086 were adults participating in the WorkFirst program and 2,355 were children. One hundred and twenty of those were families I worked with directly.
There are many obstacles for these families on the way to becoming employed and self-supporting. One of the obstacles is a lack of education. The other is the use of a computer. If we can provide the necessary education and the ownership of a personal computer we can make a wonderful difference in the ability of these families to be successful.
Currently the Bellingham Community Service Office has 55 clients enrolled and making satisfactory progress in completing a General Educational Development certificate (GED) or in a Customized Jobs Skills Training (CJST) program. I am requesting Boeing's help in a project that will provide computers to the clients who successfully complete their GED or a CJST program.
The Whatcom Opportunity Council has agreed to sponsor this project. They are a 501(c)(3) organization. The Opportunity Council strongly supports helping families reach self-sufficiency and they agree this project is a way to facilitate that.
Having a personal computer for continued use would be invaluable in the lives of these families. With Boeing's program of seed money (one-time grants) for new programs and a donation of 55 computers there is no question this project can become a reality. The grant money needed for this project is estimated at $300.00 for pick up and delivery of the computers. Volunteers from the Colleges and the Opportunity Council will provide computer support and any necessary set up.
The completed application to Boeing is attached. Please let me know if there is additional information you may need to consider this request. I have every hope that Boeing will consider this proposal favorably.
You can reach me at:
The Computer Project
C/O DSHS
PO Box 9706
Bellingham, WA 98227-9706
Or please call (360) 714-4094 at any time.
Sincerely yours,
Sharon Wood
WorkFirst Program Specialist
Bellingham Community Service Office