Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
Community Resource Newsletter
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
Bellingham Goodwill Job Fair - July 12, 2021
Our friends and community partners at the Bellingham Goodwill Job Training and Education Center are hosting a FREE job fair on 07/12/2021 from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Attendees can meet employers ready to hire in a variety of jobs. Email Bea Bowen to learn more!
GEAR Up Scholarship Bulletin
SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships and our list of scholarship search engines and databases.
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Jack Cooke Kent College Scholarships. Rising high school seniors can sign up here to receive notifications about the next application cycle, which will open on Sept. 1, 2021 and close on Nov.18, 2021.
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
Community Resource Newsletter
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
WCC Funding Workshops!
Do you a current or upcoming WCC student? If so, great news! These workshops can help you secure your funding and get your questions answered! Our FNW crew will be there to support your FAFSA/WASFA completions as well. https://www.whatcom.edu/get-started/campus-visits-engagements
GEAR Up Scholarship Bulletin
SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships .
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Scholarship
Brief Description
Due
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
For HS graduates continuing their education in the aviation industry.
6/25
In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: If you could get one 'do-over' in life, what would it be and why?
6/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Fall Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
6/30
To apply, students need to write an essay on the topic "How does art affect culture and society?"
7/1
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Use your imagination to create Duck Tape prom fashions in either the "Dress" or "Tux" category for a chance to win $10,000!
7/21
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
Kyla and Sebastian graduated too!
We have so much to celebrate at FuturesNW! Kyla and Sebastian just graduated this week from SQHS and we are so beyond proud of their hard work and determination to get across the finish line in what has been an incredibly challenging year. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you both as part time staff with our organization and I feel so excited for your future chapter in Oregon! The talent in this power couple is fierce and the world is better place with them shining their gifts in it. Kyla is an incredible artist in every way shape and form, and Sebastian is a talented voice actor inevitably making us laugh at every meeting. Thank you both for the gifts you shared with us this year and for the way you showed up- even when it was difficult. You both have a very special place in our hearts and we hope to watch you grow and flourish for years to come.
GEAR Up Scholarship bulletin
SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships and our list of scholarship search engines and databases.
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Scholarship
Brief Description
Due
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
For HS graduates continuing their education in the aviation industry.
6/25
In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: If you could get one 'do-over' in life, what would it be and why?
6/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Fall Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
6/30
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Use your imagination to create Duck Tape prom fashions in either the “Dress” or “Tux” category for a chance to win $10,000!
7/21
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
Kallie's story
My name is Kallie Karlsvik and I am a DVR intern at Futures NW. I wanted to share my story of how I got here. I had a pretty typical childhood until I turned 16. When I was 16, my parents who were commercial fisherman at the time, lost their tribal spousal permits. This meant that they were not able to run their own boat anymore due to other people breaking our treaty. One person ruined this for the entire fleet. My parents lost their house, boat, vehicles, and everything they knew. I then had to fully financially support myself while in high school. I started attending running start as a junior, worked full time, and finished high school credits as well.
By then, my parents only had enough money to support themselves and my younger brother. I had to fully make those ends meet at sixteen. By then, my most cost efficient option was to do running start. Running start is when you can take college classes in high school. The high school usually pays for this and everything is paid for. By my senior year, I was graduating with my diploma and my Associate’s Degree of the Arts and worked a full time job. I felt like I was ready to take on the world, except I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I realized there was nobody in high school who talked to us about post-secondary plans after high school. I ended up taking a gap year to explore different college and different career paths on my own. Once the year ended, I discovered my ultimate goal is to become a substance use disorder counselor and work for Indian health services. I started my journey by attending Western Washington University. I am currently a human services major and will be graduating by spring of 2022. After I graduate, I plan on going to Northwest Indian College to pursue a degree in substance use disorder counseling.
I am now juggling the difficulties of going to university and the struggle of the Covid-19 pandemic. I wanted to share my story to show other Native Americans and all other students that they can do anything they set their minds to. Anything is possible if you work hard enough, and I wanted to share my living proof of that. Thank you!
Community Resource Newsletter
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
More to celebrate!
At FuturesNW we are not only fortunate to have an incredible crew of interns but we also have amazing volunteers who help support students in our organization! Just this weekend we watched the virtual graduation at WWU and cheered on three of our wonderful volunteers: Edson, Johana and Renee’! We are so grateful to their service to our community and are beyond proud of their accomplishment and the hard work they each put into becoming human services professionals. Our community is so lucky to have such incredible humans in it and we are lucky to work alongside them. Congratulations Edson, Johana and Renee’- you did it!!!
Congrats, Sandra! You Did It!
It has been a privilege working with Sandra the past few months and watching her grow in her abilities. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to have her on our team for a longer amount of time! Sandra graduates this Spring from Western Washington University and it is with great pleasure we are able to exclaim, “Way to go! You DID it!!” Sandra spent her days with us in our DVR, grants, and operations arena. She is a logistical pro, a wonderful organizer, and always chimed in with the best ideas and processes to keep the whole team running on a smooth schedule. Workshop presentation and public speaking was her area of growth, and we were thrilled to witness her progression into a confident and capable workshop facilitator. Her grant writing abilities are superb, and she possesses a keen eye for details and technical writing. Whatever the task, she will complete it with professionalism, confidence, and a wonderfully kind and gentle spirit. Her next step after graduation is job hunting for a human services position. She will be a huge asset to her future employer and they will be the lucky ones to get to work with Sandra! We sat down with her to hear her reflections, thoughts and advice to future college students.
Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?
It feels surreal when I think about it. I remember my first day of the quarter of my first year at Western and thought that four years would feel like an eternity to finish. It truly felt like a blink of an eye, and boom, graduation is this weekend. Thinking back at the different experiences I’ve gone through and seeing how I’ve grown as a person and student.
Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?
My biggest piece of advice is to take care of yourself and find a good support system. Navigating higher education is hard but having a good group of friends makes it better. I know at least for myself there were times when I thought that I couldn’t keep going. My friends were the ones who supported me through that and encouraged me to continue. Also, to listen to your body and take time to take care of yourself. Give yourself breaks and times to enjoy being a student.
Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?
I wish I would have known how quickly the years go by and how important it is to find your community. Also, to not take myself so seriously all the time and to appreciate the small joyous moments.
Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?
I was able to attend Western because I got financial aid. There was no way that me or my family could afford for me to go into higher education without going into massive debt. As a first-generation student I did not know what financial aid looked liked for higher education and I’m grateful that I had a support system that helped me navigate that.
Q: What will you miss the most about college?
I’ll miss getting together in the ethnic student center and just talking to people. Finding conversation with people in the most random places and sparking a friendship from there. I will miss the community I gained in my time there.
Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?
My favorite memory from my time at FuturesNW has been the team meetings. It was a great space to find support and talk through things. I would say that I especially liked our Skribblio team games were especially eventful.
Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?
My next chapter will consist of job hunting and continuing to work at my family’s business until I find the right job.
Congratulations Peyton! You did it!
It has been a sincere honor watching Peyton thrive and grow in her roles within our organization this year and it’s with HUGE pride that we say “congratulations Peyton! You did it!” Peyton is graduating this summer from Western Washington University, completing her internship with us, and is starting a brand new career adventure! Peyton has been pivotal in our organization’s success in incorporating new workshops with DVR, virtually mentoring students, and tackling some of the less glamorous tasks such as grant-writing and data entry. In fact, Peyton shines in everything she does, and constantly leaves us in awe as we watcher her lead and organize many teams with confidence. Peyton is also fun (serious Skribbl.io skills), a great team player, and someone who currently does and will continue to do amazing work in our community. We sat down with Peyton to talk more about this giant milestone and her thoughts on everything from feelings of completion to next steps. We are so excited to cheer on Peyton as she takes her next steps into her career and know we will see the wake of her impact in our community for years to come.
Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?
Every time I reflect back on all that I have accomplished and have done over the past two years it feels surreal. It has all become a blur but standing where I am right now I am feeling happy, energized, and excited about where life is going to take me next.
Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?
For those thinking about college, please do not listen to the societal pressures to jump into a program that you do not feel fits what you want to do. Community college is a great place to try something new and discover what might fit best for you, and even if that doesn’t provide answers, there is no shame in taking time off to figure out your next steps. Knowing that you have your life ahead of you to try multiple careers and new things takes the pressure off and allowed me to enjoy the process and know that human services was the right major for me.
Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?
I wish I would have known all my different options for financial aid and what supports were out there within the school systems to not feel alone. Being an only child with not a lot of support on navigating higher education, I had to search far and wide for answers and stumbled hard along the way figuring everything out. FAFSA is something that allowed me to pursue education and I learned about that through friends.
Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?
I would not have been able to pay for school without Financial Aid. Although it still means loans it means that I was able to shoot my shot and go for a career that I didn’t know was even possible.
Q: What will you miss the most about college?
The community. Covid really shook up the dynamics of the classroom and the college experience, but all the amazing people that I have met along the way and the community that we have built is something that cannot be recreated.
FNW Teammates Stefanie, Peyton and Cynthia jump for joy, graduating this Spring and Summer from WWU.
Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?
My favorite memories from FuturesNW are our team meetings and Fun Time Fridays. The amounts of love, joy, and laughter that we shared made me feel less alone and made me feel that I was doing what I was meant to be doing. That leads me to a specific memory where I was helping a student in Tuesday Pathways Support where I was helping her figure out how to sign up for classes and see what registration looked like at WCC, and that is when it clicked for me that my passion is to work in enrollment and admissions at a Community College.
Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?
My next chapter will definitely include working with underrepresented populations in some capacity whether that be career exploration, basic housing and food support, education pathways, you name it. I love working with high school students and college students and I hope to be working with this population for a long time to come. They are our future, how amazing is that!
Congrats, Cynthia! We're So Proud of You!
Wow- where do we even start?! Cynthia has been a trailblazer this year with our organization developing/leading new programs; hosting our First Gen Fridays podcast and lead of the First Gen Navigators Program. Cynthia is a thoughtful leader and advocate, and when supported will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. In all the work she does, Cynthia centers student experiences in our community and helps them find resources and support to achieve their dreams. Cynthia’s vision for the future and drive for creating better systems will make her an asset to any team she joins. We are excited to see where Cynthia ends up after graduation, but one thing is certain- she will make a positive impact wherever she goes. In addition to this beautiful interview, Cynthia is also a featured student on the Ready WA blog (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) if you want to learn even more about her experience! Below, Cynthia has been generous to share her experiences with us, leaving another piece of her legacy for us to celebrate.
Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?
Knowing that I actually went to college, am getting a degree and graduating is crazy! I was never able to envision myself going to university so it is a surreal feeling. It is a huge accomplishment and I am super excited but I am also scared of the unknown, this is something I highlight in the First-Gen Fridays podcast. I have had jobs before but now I feel that I am equipped with skills to go into my career which is something completely new to me. Since I am a first-generation student I feel like I am doing the process of going to college all over again but this time it's getting into the world of working. There will be so many things that I do not know but I am excited about the new things I learn along the way.
Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?
If you are a student interested in going to college, definitely do your research. Look into the schools you are interested in and look at what majors they offer and the classes with that major. You want to look into their dorms if you are interested in living there, clubs or an ethnic student center for community, and the requirements of that college in order to attain a degree and graduate. An important thing to remember is that different majors, colleges, or programs have different requirements so it's crucial to look into those requirements and talk it over with the department head/adviser of the program you are interested in. Many students worry about the pricing of university, in my circumstance I am low income and did struggle financially my first year at university. If I were to do things differently I would have definitely gone to a community college first to knock out the core class requirements and then just transferred over to a university, it would have saved me a lot of money and better prepared me. One thing I did during my process of completing my degree is getting a second opinion. I utilized my adviser when I came in asking about classes I still needed and what I should be taking the next quarter. I often felt confused or would catch something that didn’t make sense so I would ask another faculty member in the department to look over my schedule. Other faculty members would find mistakes so I am glad I trusted my gut instinct, I saved myself from taking pointless classes and prolonging my time at university.
Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?
Everything! Coming into college I had no idea how college worked, how they assigned classes, what classes look like. I wish I had someone who was a current student to talk about their experiences and the things they learned along the way. I also wished the university would have advertised their services better, like resources for first-generation students, BIPOC students, mental health, and financial support. As a first-generation student and having no knowledge at all, I didn’t know where to go for these resources or if they existed. I think universities should improve their outreach and advertising of resources to first-generation students. First-generation students will not seek out support if they don’t know what they are supposed to be looking for.
Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?
Without filling for FAFSA my senior year in high school and every year I was in college, there would be no way I could have afforded to go to college. I was fortunate to receive the College Bound Scholarship and a bunch of other grants to pay for most of my education, the rest I paid out of pocket but it was an amount that I could manage. Completing a financial aid application can be crucial for many students, even if you don’t think you will get anything it doesn't affect you in any way to just apply and see if you receive some form of money.
Q: What will you miss the most about college?
What I’ll miss most is springtime on campus. The flowers and cherry blossoms start to bloom and the sun is coming out. Walking after class with music playing was one of the most relaxing parts of my days.
Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time FuturesNW?
The supportive environment with the Futures NW team is something I will always cherish. I have never been in a position where my input and ideas were taken seriously. Everyone was so supportive and amazing to work with, our meetings were always the best to attend and was something I always looked forward to every week.
Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?
I have learned so much through my internship and the lasting connections I have made with my students. I am currently struggling with job searching as there are not many positions that are opened due to the pandemic, but I remain hopeful that I can continue supporting students in reaching their educational dreams through college and career readiness.
