P-I's annual fund drive will help new agency

And so Laila Monsoori, a volunteer in the kindergarten classroom at First Place, treated the seven children once again to all the reasons animals and clothes don't mix.

"Ee-ew!" said the children at the thought of a billy goat gobbling up its garments.

First Place is a school, a shelter and a social services center for dozens of families struggling with homelessness and the crises that go with it, including hunger, sickness and violence.

For the first time this year, families at First Place will benefit from the annual Readers Care fund drive, sponsored by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer to help selected agencies serve needy residents of our community.

For the children who laughed, sang and listened attentively in the kindergarten class yesterday morning, that means more help with food, clothing, health care, counseling and other needs that otherwise would be unmet.

"The Readers Care Fund has been around more than 25 years. The name sort of says it all," P-I Editor and Publisher Roger Oglesby said. "Every year, in good times and bad, P-I readers open their hearts and wallets to brighten the holidays for young people and lend a hand to families in need. I'm sure this year will be no exception."

As in the past, every dollar donated by readers will go directly to the six agencies targeted by this year's drive. The P-I pays all administrative costs.

In addition to First Place, the other agencies that will be helped are:

The Forgotten Children's Fund, an organization made up entirely of volunteers who buy, wrap and deliver holiday gifts to needy children and their families.

New Futures, which operates family learning centers in low-income apartment complexes in South King County, helping children overcome the risks of poverty, high neighborhood crime rates and homelessness.

Powerful Voices, which mentors girls in Seattle middle schools who are in and out of juvenile detention, developing their critical thinking skills and individual potential.

Rise n' Shine, which supports children who have AIDS or whose parents have it, providing holiday gifts, summer camp and volunteer mentors.

Southwest Youth and Family Services, which serves thousands of residents of West Seattle, South Park and White Center, offering counseling, writing workshops and classes in parenting, English as a second language and citizenship.

In the quarter-century since the Readers Care Fund began, P-I readers have donated slightly more than $5 million to these and other agencies.

First Place is the only agency new to Readers Care this year.

"Each year, we get grant applications from a number of organizations, and the Readers Care board weighs the objectives and needs of each. This year, First Place, which offers education and support services to homeless children, applied for the first time," Oglesby explained.

"We were impressed with the work First Place does and believe the P-I's readers will be, too."

Barbara Bennett, director of education at First Place, summed up the reasons her organization needs help serving its students.

"Essentially, they're very poor children. They have very unstable lives. The kids have been through lots of crises, usually."

Those crises may include chronic poverty, domestic violence and substance abuse in their families, she said. First Place provides play therapy to help children cope with trauma and provides meals.

Over the next six weeks, the P-I will bring you the stories of the people served by First Place and the other Readers Care agencies. You will hear of their struggles, their hopes and their triumphs.

You also will read about the volunteers and workers who give their time and energy to help others.

"I hope all our readers will spend a few minutes with each of the Readers Care stories this year to learn about the people whose lives will be touched by their gifts. I know those who do will give what they can," Oglesby said.

Add P-I Local headlines to