We are pleased to share that we are expanding our support for local families through the new Family Support Program. This comprehensive approach is designed to equip Bellevue families with the tools, resources, and sustained support needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve lasting stability.
For years, Bellevue LifeSpring’s Emergency Assistance Program has provided vital support for families in their time of need, offering rent assistance to avoid eviction and keep families in their apartment homes.
While this program will continue to assist families in immediate crisis, the new Family Support Program takes the next step forward, walking alongside parents as they build progress toward financial stability. The new program represents a significant shift from one-time emergency assistance to long-term empowerment.
How it works: compassionate, goal-oriented support
Designed in response to the evolving and growing needs in the Bellevue community, the Family Support Program is grounded in a philosophy of accountability, collaboration, and compassion.
Parents enrolled in the program meet with a dedicated Bellevue LifeSpring Family Support Administrator to identify a goal or goals that, when met, will bring more stability to their family’s lives.
Once set, parents work one-on-one on a weekly cadence with their Family Support Administrator to work on progress toward meeting their goals. Their administrator provides support, guidance, and connections to community resources.
“The family support sessions provide parents with the opportunity to reflect, problem solve, and make measurable progress,” shared Bellevue LifeSpring Programs Director Rahima Somji. “We aim to help transform overwhelming challenges into manageable, meaningful action.”
Each goal a family sets falls into one of the program’s six core focus areas: 1) goal setting and motivational coaching, 2) career building, 3) financial education, 4) housing stability, 5) navigating public benefits and community services, and 6) family rights education. All these components work together toward a single outcome: to support more self-sufficiency for families and build healthy, stable households for children.
Take Casey, for example, a Bellevue mother of three. Casey is struggling to make ends meet and hopes to find a higher-paying job that will provide more financial stability for her family. With the support of her Family Support Administrator, Casey will focus on the steps needed to achieve this goal, such as building a resume, exploring employment opportunities, filling out applications, and practicing interview skills.
Or Maria, a mom of two Bellevue School District students. Maria had her first child as a teenager, which made finishing high school difficult. Maria is joining the program with the goals of getting her GED, securing affordable housing, and finding mental health counseling services for herself and her child.
Parents like Casey and Maria commit to consistent attendance and are encouraged to maintain open communication with their Family Support Administrator. The aim is not to penalize participants in the program when progress falls short, but to understand and address barriers to success.
“We recognize that progress isn’t always linear,” said Rahima. “Our goal is to provide individualized support that meets families where they are and empowers them to envision a future beyond immediate needs and toward lasting stability.”
Why one-on-one support matters
Emergency financial assistance can be a lifeline for families navigating the challenges and chronic stress of financial instability. When that assistance is paired with consistent, individualized support, the impact can be transformational.
Every family’s situation is unique, as are their challenges. One-on-one support allows the Bellevue LifeSpring team to tailor the approach for each family based on their individual needs.
Whether helping a parent navigate a job search, access childcare, or find care for mental health struggles, personalized assistance ensures that families receive the support they need when it matters most.
The dedicated time spent working toward goals is crucial. Often, when a parent is experiencing poverty, just getting through the day can feel overwhelming.
When you’re focused on how you will put food on the table for your children or worried about eviction, it’s hard to think beyond an immediate crisis. Weekly check-ins with their Family Support Administrator give parents a chance to breathe, reflect, and celebrate small wins, replacing panic and uncertainty with progress and confidence.
Over time, this approach lays the foundation for something just as important as financial stability: trust and connection. The Family Support Administrators become consistent, reliable, and trusted partners for parents, offering encouragement and accountability and creating a safe, judgment-free space to discuss personal challenges and goals.
A pathway to possibility
Imagine a single parent in Bellevue juggling two part-time jobs, trying to keep up with rent and utilities, and worrying about how to pay for groceries. In the past, they might have received one-time emergency assistance to stay housed. However, with the Family Support Program, they now have more: a guide, a plan, and resources to help them through today’s crisis and build a stronger foundation for tomorrow.
“I have high hopes about what this program can accomplish,” Bellevue LifeSpring Program Manager Lucy Garcia shared. “I have seen the relief and progress that just one month of rent assistance has provided for families. Imagine what we can do in six months with weekly guidance and motivation. Many families we serve express that they want to find a way out of poverty; they just don’t know where to start. Parents are often overwhelmed with the stress of financial insecurity, and they don’t have the tools or the resources they need. This program is going to be the tool.”
To support Bellevue children and families enrolled in our Family Support Program, join our mission and invest today.
