Amy Wong Fund

The Amy Wong Client Fund provides help to adults with disabilities who wish to live independently. Sometimes all a person needs is a wheelchair-accessible ramp added to their home or a pair of orthopedic shoes. Something so simple can mean the difference between staying at home or moving to a nursing facility.

Currently, there are far more people who need help than the Fund can assist. Your gift will be used for those with the greatest needs. All contributions are tax deductible.

You can contribute by sending a check payable to Amy Wong Client Fund to:

Amy Wong Client Fund
c/o Aging and Disability Services
PO Box 34215
Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Amy Yuet-Lan Wong was a devoted wife and mother, an active volunteer in the community, and a dedicated case manager at Aging and Disability Services.

After a battle with cancer, Amy died at age 49. Right to the end, she continued to help her clients. Amy’s spirit of providing assistance reflects the intent of the Fund, and her family graciously allowed it to be renamed after her.

Originally titled the Client Specific Fund, the Amy Wong Client Fund has helped thousands of clients since its inception in 1996—enabling adults with functional disabilities to fulfill their wish to remain independent in their own homes.

All of us know people who do everything possible to stay independent. The Amy Wong Client Fund was established to help those who face problems they can’t afford to fix and who do not qualify for public funding.

The Fund provides help for small items or services that can make a big difference. Some examples:

• Several clients with memory problems received bill paying assistance.
• One client with diabetes needed her refrigerator repaired to keep her insulin chilled.
• A client needed a pair of orthopedic shoes.

Read stories below to understand how the Amy Wong Client Fund has enabled more adults to live independently.

A female client had complex medical issues that resulted in a loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety. She could not prepare complicated meals and her health was deteriorating. The purchase of a microwave oven and a juicer helped to improve her nutritional status and allowed her to continue to remain in her home. Total cost: $119.44

A male client lived alone and had multiple diagnoses including arthritis. The client had trouble grasping and lifting items. The purchase of a microwave oven improved his ability to continue to cook for himself for a total cost of $97.73

A 36-year-old bed-bound, terminally-ill client had a brain tumor with resulting seizures. Her case manager authorized massage therapy as a comfort measure for the last months of her life. Total cost: $200.

An 83-year-old woman worked part-time to help make ends meet, but was let go from her job in December. Her Social Security income was only $50 more than her rent. With no way to earn additional money, her only option was to move to subsidized housing. The waiting period for her to receive a placement was five months. At the same time, she had problems with her knees and found it difficult to get to her medical appointments and to perform household chores such as cooking. The Amy Wong Client Fund provided partial rent assistance for the period of time required to get the housing, have knee surgery, apply for energy assistance, Meals on Wheels, transportation assistance, and help paying her Medicare premiums. She now lives near her granddaughter in a subsidized apartment.

The Amy Wong Client Fund provides assistance to purchase goods and services that will enable adults with disabilities to remain in their own homes. Because of the limited amount of funds, these services are provided on a short-term basis.

Funds are available only to clients who are currently enrolled in the Care Coordination Program administered by Aging and Disability Services—the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle-King County. The Care Coordination Program provides comprehensive care for frail elderly and adults with disabilities who have significant social and health needs.

To find out whether you are or a family member qualifies for the Care Coordination Program, call Community Living Connections at 206-962-8467 (toll-free 1-844-348-KING (5464)) or e-mail info@communitylivingconnections.org.

The Amy Wong Client Fund is for Care Coordination Program clients of Aging and Disability Services. Please see Eligibility (above) or call Community Living Connections at 206-962-8467 (toll-free 1-844-348-KING (5464)) or e-mail info@communitylivingconnections.org.

For questions about donating or for general questions the Amy Wong Client Fund, contact Andrea Yip, Aging and Disability Services, at 206-386-0035 or andrea.yip@seattle.gov.

You can contribute by sending a check payable to Amy Wong Client Fund to:

Amy Wong Client Fund
c/o Aging and Disability Services
PO Box 34215
Seattle, WA 98124-4215

The Amy Wong Client Fund is administered by Aging and Disability Services (ADS), a division of the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department. The ADS Division is designated as the Area Agency on Aging for King County, Washington, and is co-sponsored by the City of Seattle and King County.