When Covid-19 struck the region, life for many slowed almost to a halt. Schools and offices closed. Restaurants were restricted to takeout and delivery orders. Sporting events were canceled. But for many, life kicked into high gear. Essential services became no less essential, and hardworking, dedicated individuals put in extra effort to keep things moving. That is why, this year, the Puget Sound Business Journal is honoring six essential workers as our Front-line Heroes. When businesses were closing, these individuals
As the new school year begins with remote learning, the new normal has left many working parents scrambling to find child care options. This fall, the Boys and Girls Club of King County will open their doors to 800 students per day at all 35 clubs serving students from seven different school districts. "Some families need all day care, some families want care during school time, and then some families are looking for the normal after school care," said Laurie
It’s a rare sight lately to see kids not related to each other in one room playing. For the group at the Boy & Girls Club in Kirkland, it’s out of necessity. They are kids of essential workers who never stopped working amid the pandemic. “I wouldn’t be able to work,” Linda Bunn said. Bunn is a nurse on the front lines, and every morning she drops off her grandson Joe. "Joe has been coming here for 4 years and they have been
When University of Washington graduate Delannah Collins-Wright started her new job as a Microsoft contractor last month, it was the culmination of years of hard work. In fact, when the longtime Rainier Valley resident approached the tech giant last winter, she presented the kind of resume rarely seen by those fresh out of college. It showcased an apprenticeship at Microsoft, an internship at Google, a long-term position at a Microsoft store, where she worked through college, and a contract job
The Future of Policing: As protesters across the country demand sweeping changes to law enforcement, The Seattle Times begins an examination of what that future could look like and the hurdles ahead. Today, Seattle community leaders offer differing views on reimagining public safety. When thousands of people marched through the Seattle’s South End in one of the city’s largest demonstrations over law enforcement brutality and the death of George Floyd, police had remarkably little presence. That doesn’t mean no one was around to
As the end of the school year inches closer, kids and parents in the Seattle area are left planning for a summer that will likely look very different from years' past. The future of many summer camps this year remains up in the air as the state moves forward with its gradual reopening plan during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Some organizations have already canceled their summer camp sessions, while others are moving forward with plans in place to ensure the health and safety of
SEATTLE — With all of Washington’s 1.2 million students now sitting out school for the next six weeks amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many parents are likely racing to figure out what to do when it comes to child care. In King County, Boys and Girls Clubs will be extending hours and programs at 12 of its centers as an option to families looking for a place to turn. “For those families that need us most or for first responder families. we’ll
Governor Inslee’s proclamation to close all schools for six weeks in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties left working parents of more than 600,000 students scrambling to solve an unexpected, and historic burden: What am I going to do with my kids? Inslee suggested some schools would continue to provide free breakfast and lunch, and some would provide child care, but not all schools would have the abilities to provide services. Enter the Boys & Girls Clubs, where each location is
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County are open, accepting new members, extending programs, and serving hot meals while keeping a close eye on the number of kids who come through the doors, the organization said Friday. “We want to support those families who may be experiencing challenges due to school closures in our area,” said Laurie Black, president, and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of King County, which has 10 locations: Bainbridge Island, Ballard, Kirkland, Mercer Island,
