Submitted by DEB STENBERG
The evolution of the North Beach Children and Family Care Alliance has been rapid and remarkable, and it continues to expand its services to local students and their families.
It started with a school-based Clothing Closet, the brainchild of Rettai Bruni, who joined the North Beach School District as mental health and wellness coordinator last August. She brought a passion for kids and families, and a history of hard work on behalf of kids living in tough circumstances.
She hit the ground running, starting with the Clothing Closet at North Beach Junior/Senior High School. Its purpose is to provide clothing and other personal items needed by students. Then, in September, a post in the North Beach Classifieds Facebook page appealing for needed items set something bigger in motion.
The post caught the attention of two especially big-hearted and determined women in the community, Lynne Andagan and Carol Schoenfeldt. When Bruni shared the many needs students arrive at school with, they found a mission. Andagan and Schoenfeldt became a needed link to individuals and organizations in the community and devoted themselves to making sure the closet was stocked with anything a student might need — from clothing and hygiene items to blankets, tarps, healthy snack items and even laundry services.
“Lynne and Carol have been invaluable in helping me rally community members and make sure that we continue to receive donations of these items for our most at risk students,” Bruni said. “As a result of their efforts, countless needy students have obtained new or gently used clothing items from the closet.”
The founding members of the North Beach Children and Family Alliance didn’t stop there. Schoenfeldt initiated a Facebook page called “Angels for Ocean Shores Kids,” where community members can check in to see the current specific needs.
Leading up to the holiday season, the group was able to secure enough donations to provide gifts for 47 students and some of their families. Community members have sponsored youth and taken them and their families shopping for clothing items and groceries.
Alliance members have delivered food items for families on weekends or evenings when they have been without funds for groceries. Community members have donated warm meals like breakfast burritos or soups to Bruni’s office on multiple occasions for students in need.
Transportation in a rural community is another challenge that Bruni and her group have tackled. At times, alliance members have provided transportation to families that couldn’t otherwise get to Aberdeen for medical care or to pick up a prescription. Fuel cards also have been donated for families that are struggling with transportation costs.
Bruni shared the story of a family of seven, including a North Beach student, living in a single motel room. When the team became aware of their situation, they reached out to learn how to help. They started with coupons for laundry, and referrals to a Grays Harbor area employment agency and legal services. By supporting and providing resources to this family, the team has given the student and younger siblings a better chance of school and life success.
In another extension of this work, Seaside Liquidation has set up an account that anyone can donate to. When a student or family with a need is identified, Bruni can make a purchase using the account and receive a 10 percent discount on items for students or families. Donors have provided more than $700 in cash donations so far, and it’s been used in several urgent situations.
With these early successes under their belts, members of the group are reaching out to the community in a more formalized way. At a recent Community Voices meeting, the trio shared the history of the group and the tremendous need. Multiple new members joined the effort, including several interested in helping mentor high school students. Bruni hopes these individuals will become the core of a formal mentorship program to work with at-risk youth.
“Can we, as a community, come together to heal the hurt in so many of our kids … to empower their hearts and minds to chase their dreams and succeed?” asked North Beach Superintendent Andrew Kelly. “It seems to me that this is the paramount question that each community and school district must answer. I’m hard-pressed to imagine any more important work.”
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The alliance has a variety of ways you can help. Contact Rettai Bruni at rbruni@northbeachschools.org or 360-289-3888, Ext. 167. On Facebook, join the Angels for Ocean Shores Kids group to stay up-to-date on urgent needs.
