Addressing Basic Student Needs: The Right Now Needs Fund

Addressing Basic Student Needs: The Right Now Needs Fund
Zeynab Abdulgadir, Director of the Right Now Needs Fund at AFE
Addressing Basic Student Needs: The Right Now Needs Fund

This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is  a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

For students to thrive academically, their basic needs—such as food, shelter, and safety—must be met. In Seattle Public Schools (SPS), many students face significant challenges outside the classroom that can disrupt their learning. The Alliance for Education (AFE) is addressing these challenges through the Right Now Needs Fund, ensuring that students have the essentials to focus on their education.

Basic needs include not only food and shelter but also access to health care, clothing, and mental health support. Students experiencing homelessness or other hardships often fall behind academically and socially compared to their peers. The Right Now Needs Fund steps in to bridge these gaps, providing crucial resources to students who might otherwise be left behind.

“The importance of students having their basic needs met cannot be overstated,” says Zeynab Abdulgadir, Director of the Right Now Needs Fund at AFE. “Students cannot focus on their education if they’re worried about where they will sleep at night or if they’ll have food to eat. We aim to be the first line of support for these students, ensuring they have what they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought into sharp focus the essential role that schools play in providing resources to students and their families. When schools closed, many students lost access to meals, safe spaces, and other critical services. In response, AFE intensified its efforts, working closely with SPS to distribute resources more effectively and reach those most in need.

Schools serve as the frontline in identifying and addressing student needs. Social workers, family support workers, and counselors within schools collaborate with AFE to ensure that students and their families receive the necessary aid.

“Each school usually has a family support worker or social worker who works with us. We form a team with principals, counselors, and other staff to identify students in need and provide them with resources,” says Abdulgadir.

One example of this support is a student who struggled in class because they couldn’t see the whiteboard. The Right Now Needs Fund provided prescription glasses, significantly improving the student’s classroom experience.

“It’s about working closely with schools to find students who need help,” Abdulgadir adds. “There is always a student with needs outside of school—it’s just a matter of identifying them.”

As federal and state COVID relief funds dwindle, the demand for support has grown. AFE reports that the Right Now Needs Fund has seen increased requests for assistance, particularly as the program enters its fifth year. The fund’s 2023 budget, totaling just over $1 million donated by Amazon, was allocated to cover various needs: $228,244 for shelter and rent, $946,945 for food, $59,410 for utilities, $226,226 for clothing, $13,861 for school supplies, and $29,808 for other necessities.

The distribution of funds reflects the diverse needs of students, with food and shelter being the most significant areas of concern.

“We’ve distributed $4.9 million to students and families in need since 2019,” Abdulgadir notes. “This has supported over 78,000 instances of assistance, showing the profound impact this program has had.”

As the Right Now Needs Fund continues to expand, AFE has ramped up its outreach efforts to ensure more students and families are aware of the resources available. Abdulgadir emphasizes the importance of community involvement in spreading the word about the program.

“We launched a robust outreach campaign in 2023, distributing flyers and posters in multiple languages to schools and communities. We’ve also participated in events like the Urban League’s Summer Fest to connect directly with families.”

In a time of rising living costs and increasing economic challenges, the collaborative efforts of school districts, community organizations, and businesses like Amazon are more critical than ever. Together, they work to remove the barriers that can prevent students from achieving their full potential.

However, the need for these resources continues to grow as federal and state relief funds diminish. The impact of these financial challenges is being felt across Seattle, particularly in schools serving vulnerable populations. The Right Now Needs Fund has become increasingly vital in this context, offering a lifeline to families who might otherwise be left without support.

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Right Now Needs Fund, we’re seeing more traction and awareness,” Abdulgadir reflects. “It’s vital that we continue this work because students cannot focus on learning when their basic needs are unmet. Our job is to remove these barriers, providing immediate relief—whether it’s housing, utility payments, warm clothing, or school supplies. We’re here to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

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