Alderwood Compassion Center — Local services in Lynnwood

I came here seeking help as I'm going to be student teaching in the fall, which poses significant challenges around finances. (Essentially, student teaching is working a full-time job without pay.) I was kindly offered an intake interview after requesting one, and I went in anticipating that it was going to be about me and my needs. Yet I was thrown off as my interviewer began asking about my family members' individual wages, as if we all pool our incomes together. I don't have access to anyone's finances but my own, so I was confused and flustered but answered honestly to the best of my ability. On paper, the combined household income looked decent, and so, the woman who interviewed me immediately stopped and said that they couldn't help me. No other factors were taken into account. I wasn't even given an opportunity to explain my circumstances or any other hardships I have experienced in the past year or even that I pay for my own tuition out of pocket. I felt like just a number—a number too big to be helped. It's already hard to ask for help; I walked away feeling immensely mortified and ashamed.

The irony of it is that I had seen several well-off cars roll up into the parking lot, such as Teslas, who were presumably participating in the food assistance program. This was really discouraging. While I don't know everyone's financial situation, it feels unfair that individuals who can afford such luxuries are somehow more deserving of help.

I hoped to be seen and treated with compassion, but this process was hurtful and invalidating. I don't feel comfortable asking for help here again...

Alderwood Community Church’s Compassion Center is a wonderful ministry of the church that helps many families in need with food and other resources. Such a wonderful...

The best place where the presence of God...