About Basic Needs
Every family’s needs are different. The Basic Needs Specialists are case managers at Family Education & Support Services helps families in Mason, Thurston, and Lewis Counties to meet their basic needs through a variety of direct assistance services. We help families and individuals with hygiene items, diapers, baby wipes, coats when available, and most importantly resource navigation for other services including transportation, housing, education and parenting classes, medical, dental and mental health services, among others.
If you are in need of specific direct assistance, please contact us. Keep in mind that our resources are limited and services are only available on a case-by-case basis.
If you have questions about how we help families and individuals in the community, please don’t hesitate to ask us! Contact FESS for assistance or more information at (360) 754-7629 or email Linda Guijosa, Basic Needs Case Manager Supervisor, at lindag@familyess.org
We also offer:
FAFSA/WASFA Workshops
Basic Needs Assistance Programs
- Help Us Move In (HUMI) – Call for Current Availability
- Please note that HUMI funds are only available for Thurston County Residents.
- Next Right Step Grant offered in partnership with the The Giving Circle
- Please note that NRS funds are only available for Thurston County Residents.
- School Supplies with the Little Red Schoolhouse
- Financial Literacy courses through Peak Credit Union
Thank You to our Basic Needs Partners
Anyone looking for financial assistance must complete the Financial Difficulties course before they may receive financial assistance. this course takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. Steps to complete course: sign up at www.moneyedu.org/fessfamilies complete the Financial Difficulties course on the website. Participants do not have to be members of Peak Credit Union to complete the course.
Meet Our Basic Needs Team
Back Row: Linda, Kimberly, Darien, Lucrecia
Front Row: Carlos, Alejandra
Though you might see us in the office Monday – Friday, occasionally we might be in the field meeting with clients for resource navigation services.
- Thurston County: Carlos, Darien, Kimberly – Monday to Friday (In/Out of Office)
- Front Desk staff manage diapers & hygiene
- Lewis County: Alejandra – Mondays & Wednesdays (In-Office), Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays (In/Out of Office)
- Alejandra manages diapers & hygiene
- Mason County: Lucrecia – Tuesdays & Wednesdays (In-Office), Mondays, Thursdays, & Fridays (In/Out of Office)
- Lucrecia manages diapers & hygiene