In this week’s Community Corner newsletter:
Time to apply for 2022-2023 financial aid: Financial aid applications for the 2022-23 school year are now being accepted. This year, a family of four making up to $102,000 can qualify for financial aid in Washington state. There are two ways to apply for financial aid in Washington. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens apply for federal and state aid with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). People who can’t file the FAFSA due to immigration status can apply only for state aid with the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid), as can other select applicants. Students who submit a FAFSA or a WASFA are far more likely to attend college. It is best to apply for financial aid as soon as possible. Some types of aid are first-come, first-served, and colleges have different deadlines. Applicants need to know the deadlines for the colleges or programs they want to attend. For more information, visit the Washington Student Achievement Council’s Plan Your Future page.
Capitol Hill men’s recovery program now accepting participants: UGM’s Men’s Recovery Program in Capitol Hill is now accepting applications from men coming out of incarceration, and/or living with co-occurring issues related to addiction and mental health.
Program eligibility:
- At least 18 years old
- Desire to change
- History of homelessness/justice-involvement
- Experiencing substance use/mental health challenges
Call (206) 322-6801 Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM to be screened for the program. For more info, visit ugm.org or contact Program Administrator Mark Birrittier at(206) 432-8367 or mbirrittier@ugm.org.
Retrain for a new career virtual event: October 12, 2021 at 1 PM via Zoom, join free virtual information session for unemployed workers interested in learning about worker retraining funding available at local community and technical colleges that can pay up to 100% of the tuition and fees to retrain for a new job or career. Register here. For more info, contact Russell Dorsey at connect@shoreline.edu.
Apply for Food Equity Fund: The City of Seattle’s Food Equity Fund is a new grant program that prioritizes projects led by and for communities most impacted by limited access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food. Applications are now open. Community-based organizations working to address food education, access, and security in Seattle are encouraged to apply for the fund by November 30, 2021.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: October 11 marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle, the 7th in the city’s history. Across Seattle, there are many ways you can celebrate and honor Native people, including Indigenous People Festival which is a celebration of Indigenous creativity, brilliance, and resilience. This year, Seattle Center Festál partners with Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) to present four exciting days of virtual performances and panels featuring locally and nationally recognized Indigenous artists and advocates. This event is free and open to the public.
Funds raised through Indigenous People Festival 2021will help Seattle Indian Health Board expand their culturally attuned services, open new locations, and renovate their Leschi Center to include upgraded medical rooms, 100 affordable housing units, and new spaces for our Elders’ Program and cultural gatherings. Learn more.
ABOUT SIHB: Seattle Indian Health Board is a community health clinic that provides health and human services to its patients, while specializing in the care of Native people. The organization is recognized as a leader in the promotion of health improvement for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives, locally and nationally. Today, SIHB operates two sites and is in the process of opening two more. The organization serves approximately 6,000 patients annually in King County, and more than 4,000 of those identify as American Indian and/or Alaska Native, and employs more than 200 people. Learn more about SIHB. For individuals seeking SIHB services, call 206-324-9360 to speak with SIHB’s licensed medical, dental, nutrition and WIC, behavioral health, and substance use disorder professionals.