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FAQ'S: ADVOCACY AND CARING FOR CHILDREN (ACC) |
1. What is your mission?
Advocacy and Caring for Children, a volunteer organization, provides funding and advocacy for Western Washington children and families in need, regardless of race or creed. (2017)
2. What do you do?
Advocacy and Caring for Children (ACC) is a group of committed women who support a network of programs focused on the needs of underserved children and families in an effort to improve their quality of life. For over 100 years, ACC members have remained faithful to the needs of children and families by providing financial and volunteer resources through steadfast partnerships with organizations across Western Washington.
3. How does it work?
Women meet in informal groups called Circles. We have close to 400 women in 18 active Circles throughout the greater Seattle area. Members form and continue friendships by working together on projects to raise money for the children, or by supporting agencies directly by volunteering their time. Members also advocate for children’s issues.
4. What kind of fundraisers does ACC have?
Fundraisers include our annual Celebrate the Children fundraiser, Labor of Love online auction and biennial Magnolia Holiday Home Tour. Circles also participate in annual calendar, flower, plant and wreath sales, luncheons and fashion shows. Members attend Bunco, wine tasting parties, and holiday boutiques. Also, many in-kind donations are given.
5. Where does the money go?
Funds go directly to support Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) children’s programs and other non-profit organizations in Western Washington that support children, through a grant review process. Twice yearly, agencies from Western Washington submit formal requests. A grant review committee evaluates each request based on established guidelines. Grants funded twice annually are listed under the Funded Organizations tab.
6. In what kind of volunteer activities are members involved?
Volunteers provide dinners for homeless, help at youth tutoring programs, provide diapers, car seats and layettes for babies, babysitting for mothers attending parenting classes, sorting and distributing of clothing and supplies from the CCS clothing bank, school supply collection and packing of school backpacks for youth tutoring, Christmas gift shopping for needy children, and other things as needed. During Lent, one Circle organized 40 days of service. In addition, members advocate for children’s rights in Washington State.
7. How often do Circles meet?
It depends on the Circle and whether they are working on a project. Some Circles meet monthly, some quarterly, some just twice a year.
8. How much does it cost?
ACC's annual dues are $25 per person. Some Circles ask for additional funds or donations of items to help with their fundraisers. Additionally, we strive to achieve 100% donation participation to our Endowment Fund by encouraging members to contribute annually. Additionally, a member-at-large option is $25.
9. What is the Endowment Fund?
ACC's Endowment Fund, at its current balance of $1,482,900 (December 2023), was established in 2002 to ensure continued funding of programs and agencies we support. Endowment funds are kept in a separate account, and a portion (over $20,000 during 2020/21 fiscal year) is distributed to grants in November and April, while the rest continues to grow.
10. What are some agencies ACC supports?
During the fiscal year 2022-2023, ACC awarded $205,000 in grants to 24 agencies across Western Washington.
11. How long have you been doing this?
Originating in 1918, ACC is the oldest women’s Catholic charity in Western Washington.
12. How can I join?
You can form a new Circle or join an existing circle if space is available. Some Circles limit their membership so that they can meet in ACC member homes. Other Circles are constantly growing their membership. Contact the ACC Office at [email protected] or 206-328-5973, if you would like answers to questions about how to form a new Circle. We will provide you with information to distribute regarding starting up a new Circle, membership and obligations. Other membership options include a supporting membership. Please come share our joy in making a difference for the children.
updated 1/10/24
Advocacy and Caring for Children, a volunteer organization, provides funding and advocacy for Western Washington children and families in need, regardless of race or creed. (2017)
2. What do you do?
Advocacy and Caring for Children (ACC) is a group of committed women who support a network of programs focused on the needs of underserved children and families in an effort to improve their quality of life. For over 100 years, ACC members have remained faithful to the needs of children and families by providing financial and volunteer resources through steadfast partnerships with organizations across Western Washington.
3. How does it work?
Women meet in informal groups called Circles. We have close to 400 women in 18 active Circles throughout the greater Seattle area. Members form and continue friendships by working together on projects to raise money for the children, or by supporting agencies directly by volunteering their time. Members also advocate for children’s issues.
4. What kind of fundraisers does ACC have?
Fundraisers include our annual Celebrate the Children fundraiser, Labor of Love online auction and biennial Magnolia Holiday Home Tour. Circles also participate in annual calendar, flower, plant and wreath sales, luncheons and fashion shows. Members attend Bunco, wine tasting parties, and holiday boutiques. Also, many in-kind donations are given.
5. Where does the money go?
Funds go directly to support Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) children’s programs and other non-profit organizations in Western Washington that support children, through a grant review process. Twice yearly, agencies from Western Washington submit formal requests. A grant review committee evaluates each request based on established guidelines. Grants funded twice annually are listed under the Funded Organizations tab.
6. In what kind of volunteer activities are members involved?
Volunteers provide dinners for homeless, help at youth tutoring programs, provide diapers, car seats and layettes for babies, babysitting for mothers attending parenting classes, sorting and distributing of clothing and supplies from the CCS clothing bank, school supply collection and packing of school backpacks for youth tutoring, Christmas gift shopping for needy children, and other things as needed. During Lent, one Circle organized 40 days of service. In addition, members advocate for children’s rights in Washington State.
7. How often do Circles meet?
It depends on the Circle and whether they are working on a project. Some Circles meet monthly, some quarterly, some just twice a year.
8. How much does it cost?
ACC's annual dues are $25 per person. Some Circles ask for additional funds or donations of items to help with their fundraisers. Additionally, we strive to achieve 100% donation participation to our Endowment Fund by encouraging members to contribute annually. Additionally, a member-at-large option is $25.
9. What is the Endowment Fund?
ACC's Endowment Fund, at its current balance of $1,482,900 (December 2023), was established in 2002 to ensure continued funding of programs and agencies we support. Endowment funds are kept in a separate account, and a portion (over $20,000 during 2020/21 fiscal year) is distributed to grants in November and April, while the rest continues to grow.
10. What are some agencies ACC supports?
During the fiscal year 2022-2023, ACC awarded $205,000 in grants to 24 agencies across Western Washington.
- ACC is rooted in the belief that well-supported children and families are crucial for healthy communities -- a foundation that drives our focus on supporting organizations that are best equipped to make an impact in these categories.
- Over the past 20 years, ACC has supported 54 organizations with over $3 million in charitable giving, and $1.6 million granted in the last decade alone.
- During the fiscal year 2022/2023, the ACC board awarded over $205,000 in grants to twenty four agencies in Western Washington.
- Total served by category:
- Infant Care – Specialty Services: 2,178 clients served : $42,000 : 19% of grants funded
- Education and Emergency Services : 4,047 clients served : $75,000 : 34% of grants funded
- Adoption and Immigration : 426 clients served : $33,000 : 15% of grants funded
- Housing: 4,634 clients served : $50,000 : 23% of grants funded
- Meals: 72,872 clients served : $20,000 : 9% of grants funded
11. How long have you been doing this?
Originating in 1918, ACC is the oldest women’s Catholic charity in Western Washington.
12. How can I join?
You can form a new Circle or join an existing circle if space is available. Some Circles limit their membership so that they can meet in ACC member homes. Other Circles are constantly growing their membership. Contact the ACC Office at [email protected] or 206-328-5973, if you would like answers to questions about how to form a new Circle. We will provide you with information to distribute regarding starting up a new Circle, membership and obligations. Other membership options include a supporting membership. Please come share our joy in making a difference for the children.
updated 1/10/24