Meet TaAni and Faith

Who knew Hopelink's "Kids Need School Supplies" program would benefit a third-grader and a college student?

Eight-year-old TaAni Bush picked up a backpack full of supplies last August, just in time to start third grade fully equipped. She didn't need the three-ring binder inside, but another school-bound student in the family was anxious to have it: her mom.

"I've used the heck out of that thing," Faith George proclaims. "I couldn't stay organized in my Business Technology classes at Shoreline Community College without it."

TaAni (pronounced tay-AH-nee) has made good use of the rest of the supplies this school year. The pencils are nubs and the crayons are now too short or broken from vigorous coloring, but she still has the ruler.

"It's cool," TaAni says. "It's red and yellow and has rubber stuff on one side and hard plastic on the other side, and the scissors match.

"The best thing," TaAni adds, "is that my mom didn't have to buy them, because then she wouldn't be able to buy me any school clothes, like the shirt I have on. She got it for me in the middle of the year because I've been growing a lot."

This is the first year that TaAni and her mom and 17-year-old brother, who also received a backpack, have turned to Hopelink for school supply assistance. It is also the first time in 15 years that Faith has needed help of any sort. Last summer, when Faith lost the retail supervisor job she had held for 10 years, and couldn't find a job that would pay the household bills, she came to Hopelink for rental assistance, gifts at holiday time and, occasionally, food from the food bank.

"I was a supervisor and trainer for the company and rotated working at five different stores," Faith says. "As a supervisor with seniority, I could pick my shifts, so I just worked days. Then I was laid off. I didn't have any computer skills so I couldn't find a nine-to-five job that paid enough. Going back to retail was out because it's too unpredictable. I have to be home for TaAni when she's out of school, so I needed to figure out something different."

Faith fortunately qualified for a WorkSource work-study program and that's how she became a binder-needing college student. She is enrolled at Shoreline Community College to build her computer and general office skills in the Business Technology program. In the fall, Faith plans to start taking classes toward a Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist Certificate of Proficiency. Once she gets a job in that field, she can do the work from home.

To fulfill the work requirement of her work/study program, Faith has a job internship at Hopelink's Shoreline center.

"It worked out so great!" Faith exclaims. "There were two jobs available, and before they could explain about the other one, I jumped at the Hopelink opening. I already knew about the great things Hopelink does because they've helped me. Working at the front desk and answering phones at Hopelink, I thought I could be helpful to people like me. I know what they're up against. So I interviewed and got the job.”

While her mother is working hard to succeed at school, so is TaAni. She loves art and math, as well as science.

"Last year in science we grew plants," TaAni explains. "This year, we have a container of worms and a container with just dirt on our desks. We put stuff in both containers, like carrots and leaves and banana peels, and the worms are turning it into dirt. In the container without worms, all that's happening is the carrots are getting all smooshy," she adds, wrinkling her nose. "But it's pretty cool."

It's a good thing that TaAni likes science so well. Many of her potential career paths require that background. So what does TaAni want to do when she grows up?

"I have about 20 things," TaAni said, grinning and rolling her big brown eyes as she ticks off careers on her fingers. "A doctor, a dentist, a hair stylist and also own my own hair salon, a singer who writes songs, a teacher, a veterinarian…."

The list goes on as her mother sits by, smiling and nodding her approval.

"TaAni is an amazing child, so smart," Faith says proudly. "She tested into the accelerated learner program for next year. Every day when I see her walking into that elementary school, I think 'one of these days, she'll walk out being able to do anything she wants to do because of an education.' Education brings so many opportunities. It wasn't a big deal in my family when I was growing up, and I want to make sure TaAni has more opportunities than I had. Hopelink has been a lifesaver, in helping all of us receive the tools we have to have to get a good education."