KENNEWICK, Wash. – A nonprofit in the Tri-Cities called Treehouse is making sure kids have everything they need to put their best foot forward as we get closer to school starting up.
According to Treehouse, many foster care youth move around quite a bit. Brian Reese, the regional manager, says it’s important for them to ensure that those in foster care are successful right off the bat.
The weeks leading up to the first day of school are busy for everyone. Reese said having a place where foster families can go and get items ready for school makes it a little easier for everyone. So, they are asking for help getting supplies for its back-to-school drive.
“We’re really looking for folks to either help us collect binders, notebooks, pencils,” said Reese. “All those back-to-school supplies that come out on your list that you get at Walmart.”
Reese said foster families are opening their hearts and homes, so the least Treehouse can do is provide support. They also offer services by advocating for foster kids. According to Reese, more than 50 kids of middle school to high school age are in foster care in our area.
He said it’s normal for foster kids to move two to three times a year from one house to another as well as schools, putting a significant burden on their mental health, according to Reese.
Things like starting all over again, meeting new friends, and starting class in a new school all have an effect. Reese said Treehouse is there to help lighten the stress.
“We provide advocacy services and one-on-one mentoring with high school youth,” said Reese. “Career path help. We prepare them to graduate on time with their class, get them into college, and figure out what they want to do afterward.”
Reese started in education advocacy six years ago. According to Reese, foster care kids are a hidden population that strongly needs an advocate to guide them to success.
Reese says Treehouse has a lot of support from local businesses and schools to assist with setting the kids up for a bright future even after high school. Donating school supplies means a lot, considering Treehouse is the only non-profit in the state dedicated to helping foster kids in school.
If you want to donate here in the Tri-Cities just reach out to Treehouse staff. Reese said there is also an online wish list on their website where you can go to purchase the needed school supplies.
