Graduate Strong: News You Can Use Commmunity Support Edition
Greetings Graduate Strong Network partners,

This edition of "news you can use" is earlier than normal given the current challenges of navigating our ever-changing circumstances related to impacts from Covid-19. There is so much information swirling about which can be overwhelming and add to the anxiousness that many of us are feeling right now. We have been compiling resources, websites, apps, etc., offer this newsletter as a central place to locate many of the things you'll want to access now and in the coming weeks.

We thank you for your continued support! Please enjoy a recent  Op-Ed  published in the Kitsap Sun from the Kitsap Strong Executive Director, Kody Russell. Resilience is a community experience we can achieve- We truly are stronger together! 
Important Sources of Information and Assistance:

  • Not everyone is online or using social media so please remember to share with your friends and neighbors to call 211 or listen to public radio 94.9 weekdays at 6pm for dedicated Covid-19 coverage.
We are so grateful to the empathic leadership of our funding partners Kitsap Community Foundation and the United Way of Kitsap for establishing a response fund to help combat the COVID-19 crisis. As community leaders and philanthropists, they are focused on protecting and aiding those who are most vulnerable.

We know that existing challenges in our community will exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our communities, which is why Kitsap Community Foundation and the United Way of Kitsap are stepping up to help Kitsap and North Mason nonprofits and those who are impacted during this time.

If your organization would like to join the coalition as a funding partner, contact Kol Medina, CEO of Kitsap Community Foundation, at 360-698-3622, or Carl Borg, CEO of United Way of Kitsap County at (360) 377-8505.
Virtual "Future Bound" Assistance?
Do you or someone you know need help filing filing a FAFSA or WASFA? We are working on plans for virtual assistance through "drop in" hours and a "make an appointment" feature using phone and online platforms.

Check the Calendar of Events starting next week as we get that feature up and running!
Emergency Meal Services
Each school district is providing meal service (lunch and breakfast) during the week. Use the link below to access a pdf with hyperlinks to each district's current meal information.
  • Free
  • No registration or forms required
  • All children and youth under 18
  • 18-21 if receiving special education services
Community-based meal service:

If you are in need of food assistance and not eligible for the services provided by local school districts, there are many community organizations providing food and other assistance to individuals and families. To access a chart for Kitsap County, click here.

If you have children and are in need of food assistance on the weekends, contact the school district your children are enrolled in to connect with community partners filling that need.
Remote Learning Opportunities
Children and Youth
Our local school districts are coming up with such innovative and creative ways to engage with students during this time.

While most are not implementing any "formal" learning requirements, they are providing many online learning opportunities or packets to download/print for skills practice. We have compiled links to each district's resources and created some of our own favorites- check them all out for a bigger list of options!
Staff (Educators or other adults)

Many educators and other school staff may enjoy some of these independent learning opportunities that we shared with local districts last week:

  • Trauma-Sensitive Schools
  • Social Emotional Learning
  • Brain Development
Coping with Stress
In this period of uncertainty and anxiety, now is the time to put all of our mindfulness and compassion practices into action to take care of each other. Even as we are practicing social distancing, it's important to remember to lean into compassion and empathy for each other, and to remember that the fear we may be experiencing is rooted in how much we care. 
Connectedness During Social Distancing
Working Remotely?
Working remotely can be challenging in a lot of ways. Here are some resources you may find helpful:


Connecting with Students, Family and Friends
We've enjoyed seeing so many creative ways of connecting with others over the last week from "going live" to teach preschool on social media, creating posts about connection, virtual "happy hours" and morning meetings. Here are some platforms to check out if you haven't discovered one yet:
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