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2024 Recap: Community Resource & Career Fair
by Arianna Bumgarner, CSD Social Services
Last week the Coupeville School District Career and Tech and Student Support Programs hosted the 4th annual Central Whidbey Community Resource Fair, adding in “Career” for the first time. The event was extremely successful in reaching both students and the community with approximately 200 High School, 8th grade, and a handful of younger middle school students touring throughout the school day, and upwards of 100 community members attending for the afternoon session. There were many firsts for the Fair this year, including many local businesses, colleges and scholarship providers available to speak primarily to students, with many sticking around to provide information to the community and parents as well. Also new to the fair this year were the DSHS Mobile Clinic and the WSDOH Mobile Health Clinic, commonly known as the Care-A-Van.
Throughout the day and into the afternoon the students and families interacted with over 50 local “vendors” showcasing their services that ranged from basic needs (Gifts from the Heart Food Bank, Opportunity Council, Island County Human Services and Public Health, the Housing Authority, I Support the Girls and many more!) to summer fun activities like Whidbey Island Language and STEM Center, Coupeville Farm to School, and Scout Troop 4058, just to name a few, as well as the aforementioned Career and Higher Education providers.
A huge thank you is owed to the members of the planning team: Susan Haldezos-Galligan (Interim CTE Director, CSD), Whitney Jackson (Student Assistance Professional, ESD 189), and Liz Dickman (HIYI Coordinator and Community Health Worker, Is. Co. Public Health), as well as the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools for their continued investments in time, energy and finances, with an exceptionally honorable mention of our fearless fundraising lead: James Steller. Additionally gratitude goes to the Coupeville Lions Club for the provision of tables, Andreas Wurzrainer for assisting us in feeding our vendors and volunteers, the numerous adult and student volunteers that helped the day run smoothly, and Eyleen Uclumana and Bridget Littlefield for their expert interpretation skills. Thank you to all the local vendors that took their time to share what they had to offer, and of course to our custodial and Middle/High School teams for the provision of space, set up and tear down assistance, allowing us to utilize class time, and helping our community navigate toward the main event.
We feel so fortunate to have such a supportive community that donates, volunteers, and shows up to provide this vital event to our community. Through the aforementioned valiant fundraising efforts and donations from the community enough funds remain following the Fair to allow the Student Support Programs to continue the Summer Opportunities for Coupeville Kids (SOCK) program which enables students to access summer camps, lessons, and more through the provision of funds (and transportation as needed). Fundraising efforts are ongoing for this portion of the program on the Community Foundation for Public Schools website; we anticipate being able to support more students than ever through this program for the summer of 2024.
With sincere appreciation,
Arianna Bumgarner
Coupeville School District, Social Services
Editor Addition: On behalf of the Coupeville Schools Foundation - thank you to Steve Harada, Bill Evans, Karen Koschak, and James Steller for their help during the Fair. Thank you to Jerry Kroon who has wonderful skills in making a backdrop, Vickie Chambers for the sticker procurement, and Diane Eelkema for the scholarship write ups! It was an awesome day!
Throughout the day and into the afternoon the students and families interacted with over 50 local “vendors” showcasing their services that ranged from basic needs (Gifts from the Heart Food Bank, Opportunity Council, Island County Human Services and Public Health, the Housing Authority, I Support the Girls and many more!) to summer fun activities like Whidbey Island Language and STEM Center, Coupeville Farm to School, and Scout Troop 4058, just to name a few, as well as the aforementioned Career and Higher Education providers.
A huge thank you is owed to the members of the planning team: Susan Haldezos-Galligan (Interim CTE Director, CSD), Whitney Jackson (Student Assistance Professional, ESD 189), and Liz Dickman (HIYI Coordinator and Community Health Worker, Is. Co. Public Health), as well as the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools for their continued investments in time, energy and finances, with an exceptionally honorable mention of our fearless fundraising lead: James Steller. Additionally gratitude goes to the Coupeville Lions Club for the provision of tables, Andreas Wurzrainer for assisting us in feeding our vendors and volunteers, the numerous adult and student volunteers that helped the day run smoothly, and Eyleen Uclumana and Bridget Littlefield for their expert interpretation skills. Thank you to all the local vendors that took their time to share what they had to offer, and of course to our custodial and Middle/High School teams for the provision of space, set up and tear down assistance, allowing us to utilize class time, and helping our community navigate toward the main event.
We feel so fortunate to have such a supportive community that donates, volunteers, and shows up to provide this vital event to our community. Through the aforementioned valiant fundraising efforts and donations from the community enough funds remain following the Fair to allow the Student Support Programs to continue the Summer Opportunities for Coupeville Kids (SOCK) program which enables students to access summer camps, lessons, and more through the provision of funds (and transportation as needed). Fundraising efforts are ongoing for this portion of the program on the Community Foundation for Public Schools website; we anticipate being able to support more students than ever through this program for the summer of 2024.
With sincere appreciation,
Arianna Bumgarner
Coupeville School District, Social Services
Editor Addition: On behalf of the Coupeville Schools Foundation - thank you to Steve Harada, Bill Evans, Karen Koschak, and James Steller for their help during the Fair. Thank you to Jerry Kroon who has wonderful skills in making a backdrop, Vickie Chambers for the sticker procurement, and Diane Eelkema for the scholarship write ups! It was an awesome day!
