The Seattle Foundation awards Hopelink with a $120,000 grant.

Research done in April 2005 by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges found "short-term training, such as the type often provided to welfare recipients seeking to enter the workforce, may help individuals get into the labor market, but it usually does not help them advance beyond low-paying jobs." The "tipping point" for success was one full year of college or a 45 credit certificate. It also showed only 13% of students in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs continue on to college level classes.

By bringing the expertise of these three agencies, this project will provide full wrap around services, such as childcare, transportation, tutoring, and emergency assistance to individuals enrolled in Bellevue Community College's Opportunity Grant program, which serves adults who fall below 200% of federal poverty level. Our goals are to increase training completion and job placement by providing a level of academic, financial, employment support not usually received, but critically needed, to help break the cycle of poverty.