LYNNWOOD—The Foundation for Edmonds School District has received a generous grant of $240,000 from the Whitehorse Foundation to support Whole Families, Whole Communities (WFWC), a wraparound program connecting families to critical resources that helps students overcome barriers to academic success.
This renewed funding from the Whitehorse Foundation will sustain 2.5 Family Resource Advocate (FRA) positions in district elementary schools and launch a pilot afterschool program at Alderwood Middle School. This investment will strengthen direct support for families experiencing housing instability, food insecurity, and other factors that impact their confidence, wellbeing and future opportunities.
The Whitehorse Foundation has supported the program for seven years – since its launch in 2018.
“The Whitehorse Foundation’s steady, heartfelt support, along with our dedicated collaborators, has helped to grow Whole Families, Whole Communities into a pillar of family assistance in the School District,” said Deborah Brandi, Executive Director, Foundation for Edmonds School District.
Whole Families, Whole Communities connects families to critical services through a coordinated network of community partners and school-based staff. Since August 2024 alone, FRAs have supported more than 1,100 families, including nearly 200 students experiencing homelessness. From assistance with housing and legal advocacy to food access and mental health referrals, WFWC is a coordinated, compassionate response to the complex challenges facing students and families in poverty.
The new afterschool pilot at Alderwood Middle School will provide tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, and enrichment activities, along with evening programs that support parents through ELL, parenting classes, counseling and assistance in navigating resources.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this enduring partnership. The Whitehorse Foundation’s belief in this work has allowed us to meet families where they are, with the right resources, at the right time. Their investment has made real, lasting change possible,” said Deborah Brand, Executive Director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District.
The Edmonds School District is Snohomish County’s largest public-school district, serving more than 20,000 students across 35 campuses. Boundaries span five communities including Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier and part of Bothell. On average, 33 percent of the district’s students are eligible for the federal free or reduced lunch program.
For 41 years, the Foundation for Edmonds School District has worked in partnership with the District to ensure that every student has the resources to learn, thrive and contribute to our vibrant community. With an all-volunteer board and active community participants, the Foundation provides supplemental funding to support students, families, and educators in the pursuit of educational excellence. www.foundationesd.org
Source: Edmonds School District
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
