Day of Caring
provides love and support

Family Center gets a makeover BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Visit the Lake Stevens Family Center and you’ll notice quite a difference inside. The walls have been newly painted and new carpet is on the way.
Thanks to the United Way Day of Caring program and the many hands of the volunteers from Sno-Isle libraries, the Family Center is now in tip-top shape and ready to welcome all of those families in need of the many services the Center provides.

One of those volunteers is Tona Khau, the Team Leader and employee of the Sno-Isle Libraries.

“I read the description of the project and I was so excited that it was close to the library and that they provide so much to the community,” Khau said. “I really wanted to help give this place a facelift.”

Many hands make light work, as they say, so 10 Sno-Isle employees showed up last Friday donating their time to help better the community and the Family Center.

“This is my second year and I really enjoyed the experience last year,” Kate Johnson, a Monroe Library employee said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved in the community.”

Others took the time to share what they could to make this project easier.
Dan Cookston, a regional Pratt and Lambert representative, donated all of the paint.

The City of Lake Stevens helped gather ladders, brushes, and other painting supplies while Vic Chaloupka, of Windermere Real Estate, loaned the Family Center his moving van to load up all of the office items and move them outside.

Both Mayor Vern Little and Police Chief Randy Celori visited the Family Center and could see that there was need for some change.

“The Family Center is in need of some updates,” Mayor Little said. “The linoleum, carpet and paint are in very poor condition.  After my walk through with the Chief I allocated money to make the upgrades.  Most all of the work will be done with volunteers and the city will pay for the material.  The city will also look into minor upgrades to the computing system.  This was long overdue. “

Kathleen Friend, Director of the Family Center and Linda Rudat, Program Coordinator, even made the volunteers chili and cornbread to warm them up on such a rainy and cold day.

"We felt very encouraged by the caring, focused attention these volunteers gave to our office spaces,” Rudat said. “I can only hope that this is the same way people feel who come to the Family Center for our assistance. Coming in contact with people who care can be life-changing!"
The Family Center provided services to over 1,177 people in August of this year alone and is a great asset to hundreds in this community. Shawna Landwehr, a single mom, and her three children have been obtaining services from the Family Center for the last six years.

“There’s a lot of support here,” she said. “They always listen and if they can’t help me they find someone who can.”

Landwehr and her family have enjoyed the many social events the Family Center provides. They have also used the Center’s computers to search for jobs and housing and her son was provided a scholarship to day camp last summer all because of the generosity of the Family Center and its staff.

Having entertainment opportunities for her children that are no cost or very low cost helps Landwehr to provide her kids with fun they can enjoy together as a family.

“It’s nice to go to all of the events because it’s usually always free and a lot of fun,” Landwehr said.

The Family Center now offers applications for DSHS services including food stamps, basic needs, child healthcare and more.

For more information on services and other ways to help the Family Center call 425-397-7433.

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