Grieving Family Finds Solace in Club Community

Thank you all for your generous donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. Your support provides a year-long membership to fourteen children in need. Read about one of the families that you touched with your kindness below:

Gwen and her daughter’s story, while not unusual, is remarkable for the strength of character shown. A few months ago, Gwen’s husband passed away from an illness that developed quite suddenly after they moved from Port Townsend to Seattle. Gwen and her husband had adopted Mya from China when she was one years old. Mya’s father worked from home while caring for his daughter, but after the family’s sudden loss, Gwen found herself needing a safe and positive place for Mya.

Gwen had just started a new job at Umpqua Bank and felt like she needed to prove herself in those early months — not leaving work early and always being on time. Gwen had lost her job before coming to Seattle and half her income. Affordable childcare was a must.

Gwen grew up in the neighborhood in which Boys & Girls Club View Ridge is located but she knew the Club had a waiting list for childcare. Fortunately, Gwen’s timing was perfect — the child care site had just rearranged its space in a creative way to allow for a higher DEL licensing limit. Mya had a space!

Gwen has not only found flexibility in the Club’s ability to take care of Mya before and after school but also emotional support for her daughter. In the immediate weeks after her loss, Mya was often anxious with other children, but the Club made sure other children were sensitive with Mya. “Everyone shows a consistent focus on the child,” Gwen says, “I’m not the one who needs support.” Gwen praises the Club’s safe socialization. She says Mya has never been bullied and now, the young girl bounces around with energy typical of her age. “The programming is so confidence-building,” Gwen says.

Mya enjoys drawing, building with Legos and going on the monkey bars. She als loves the Club’s mac ‘n’ cheese snacks. The fit has been a good one for the family and the Club. The staff rave about Mya and her mother. Jamie Driscoll, Assistant Child Care Director, calls Gwen, “so warm and welcoming.” She says parents aren’t always so open and communicable with the staff but Gwen makes the staff feel appreciated. Shawn Newkirk, Site Director, calls Mya “really sweet; an all around good kid.”

It’s 5pm — pick-up time. Gwen smiles as Mya runs in from playtime outside. She’s a rush of words and wiggles. “Even when everything in life turns upside down,” Gwen says, “the Club just knew what to do. I didn’t even have to explain.”

Thank you, MSAF, Alyce, and Colleen, for supporting Gwen and Mya!