Group 2 3 min Read

Addressing the Growing Needs in Bellevue With Bellevue Family Hubs

Bellevue is a city known for its vibrant economy and community. Yet, beneath the prosperity lies a startling truth: more than 4,726 children in our community face food insecurity, and more than 708 children are experiencing homelessness. In fact, every school in the Bellevue School District has students enrolled in the free and reduced-price meal program.

These facts underscore the widespread need for basic needs support across our community.

“2024-25 Demographics at a Glance,” Bellevue School District

At Bellevue LifeSpring, we envision a community where the basic needs of all children are met so they can focus in the classroom, succeed in their education, and thrive. In response to these growing challenges, we operate two family resource centers called Bellevue Family Hubs, where families can visit and receive in-person emergency support in their time of need.

In partnership with the Bellevue School District, the Hubs are located directly in two of the district’s schools. One is located at Stevenson Elementary School, where more than 257 children face food insecurity, and one at Highland Middle School, where more than 343 students need nutrition support.

What We Hear From Families at the Hub

The stories and feedback we receive from families who visit the Hubs paint a clear picture of the challenges facing our community:

  • The Need for Affordable Housing: Families share that as housing costs in Bellevue continue to rise, they struggle to find affordable places to live. This has led to an increase in families visiting the Hub seeking resources and emergency support. We have also seen a rise in families experiencing homelessness and having to live in their cars due to financial instability.
  • Multiple Jobs To Make Ends Meet: We’ve seen an increase in families seeking and taking on multiple jobs to cover the costs of living.
  • Immediate eviction notices: Families report receiving eviction notices after being behind on rent for just one month. This swift move towards eviction leaves families with little time to recover from short-term financial setbacks.
  • Mental Health Challenges: At the Hub, our team prioritizes creating a safe space for families to come and share. Many families, when talking one-on-one with our staff, express how they and their children experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

The Role of Bellevue Family Hubs

The Hubs are a compassionate response to the mounting pressures facing many Bellevue families. Located within schools, the Hubs make receiving assistance more accessible for families. Families experiencing financial hardship can visit the Hub without an appointment to receive in-person support with nutrition, clothing, rent assistance, and other emergency financial assistance.

Our team also connects families to other vital support services and organizations on the Eastside. From free legal aid to domestic violence resources, our goal is for families to leave the Hub with more knowledge about all our community has to offer regarding support and services.

We partner with other local organizations and companies to host free educational workshops at the Hub. All workshops are free for families to attend and offer childcare and snacks. This month, we are hosting Money Management Basics with our partners at Hopelink. Other past workshops have included an informative session with Puget Sound Energy on their discount programs and services, workshops on paying for college, and workshops geared toward finding affordable or free healthcare options.

More than just a source of assistance, the Hubs create a caring and safe environment where families feel heard, supported, and respected.

We remain committed to meeting the challenges in our community head-on, working to break the cycle of poverty for children and students and providing them with the resources they need to reach stability.

Join our mission and help build a stronger Bellevue.

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