Phone: 360-376-3184 Text: 360-230-8429
Phone: 360-376-3184 Text: 360-230-8429
Erin has led the Orcas Community Resource Center (formerly Orcas Family Connections) since 2007. She has worked as a Family Support Advocate, Program Administrator and now as the Executive Director. Erin also worked for San Juan County Health and Community Services for nearly 10 years as a Spanish Interpreter and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
Before working at OCRC, she worked for the Orcas Elementary School in the ELL department and as the K-12 Spanish teacher at Orcas Island Christian School. She interned in Nicaragua and Ecuador working with families and children in crisis.
Erin graduated from The Evergreen State College in Political Science and Spanish. She is also certified in Family Support Studies at Edmonds Community College. Erin oversees all operations at OCRC as our Executive Director.
Tony landed on Orcas just about a year ago with his wife, Gloria, and their two sons. He lived in a variety of states, including Arizona for a decade - as well as Mexico, where he studied Theology.
As an outdoor enthusiast, Tony loves off-roading, camping, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking and pickleball. He finds joy in spending time with people and having a good laugh.
We are fortunate to have Tony on board as a Bilingual Community Health Worker involved in improving healthcare access and advocacy for our Spanish-speaking population. He hopes that being a part of the Orcas Community Resource Center allows him to make a difference in the lives of our community members.
At OCRC Josh helps clients with medical financial assistance programs, health insurance, therapy referrals, educational programs, food access and more. His educational path and experience certainly reflect his passion for social work. Josh has been in the social services field for five years as a case manager, youth mentor, and housing/job acquisition specialist. He expects to complete his master’s degree in social work this December from Louisiana State University.
Josh was born and raised on Orcas Island with a strong sense of community. Ever since being in high school, he remembers being fascinated by alternative lifestyles; urban camping, off-grid living, or any other version of outside the box thinking.
Josh shared, “Joining the team at OCRC, I have the opportunity to be a part of an incredible organization whose mission aligns perfectly with my desire to support those asking for guidance in acquiring the resources missing in their lives.” When working with clients he takes a strength-based perspective any chance he can; meeting the client halfway while focusing on their strengths to allow them to move toward greater self-sufficiency.
In his free time Josh enjoys working with the land on building projects, growing trees, and connecting to this special island. He shared, “I look forward to seeing where the Orcas community can go, nurtured by institutions in our community like OCRC!”
Keri is a hardworking, dedicated professional with comprehensive experience in leadership and working under pressure. She co-owns Sequel Consignment in Eastsound, and is a fully engaged parent to 3 teenagers, 1 cat and 1 dog. Just for kicks, Keri enjoys sharpening her amateur photography skills and is an aspiring chef who secretly wants to be on the Great British Baking Show one day.
Keri joins OCRC as our Development & Communications Specialist helping to raise funds to provide services to our community and get the word out about OCRC. She is eager to contribute to helping her fellow islanders.
Kyra grew up locally on Lopez Island. After living away in San Francisco, Portland and traveling to Central America, she returned home to the San Juan Islands. Kyra loves gardening and has been busy working in and tending gardens around the Island while raising her four year old daughter.
Trained as a Birth Doula, Kyra has been blessed to be at births over the years supporting women and families. Kyra enjoys hiking, being on the water, paddle boarding and adventures with her daughter.
At OCRC, she oversees healthcare related programs and services such as accessing medical financial assistance, applying for health insurance, Fresh Bucks and Farmer’s Market vouchers.
Megan has long time family ties to the island and moved to Orcas the summer of 2018 with her husband, Larry. Coming onboard OCRC in May of 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, she worked in client services as our Community Service Assistant. Getting to know our programs and the community we serve helped her make a smooth transition to the role of Development, Communication and Community Outreach Manager in late 2021.
Megan has a passion for OCRC because its work supports our neighbors and community members who keep our island humming. She focuses her time at OCRC on getting the word out to the community about our services and raising the funds it takes to provide them. Megan is a mother of two daughters and a Goldendoodle, named Greyson. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, thrifting, walking, painting and traveling.
If you see Megan out and about, be sure to say hello. She’s always happy to chat about OCRC and the essential role the organization plays on Orcas Island.
Paula grew up on a small farm in western Minnesota, and landed in the PNW in 2004 by way of Monterey, CA. After visiting Orcas Island for 20 years, she made one of her dreams come true and moved here full time in April 2023.
Paula majored in Education at the University of Minnesota, and has spent most of her career engaging with and advocating for clients with integrity and patience.
She has one son who lives in Seattle, and a lab/pit mix dog named Poncho. Paula enjoys traveling, thrifting, and doing DIY projects around her house.
Paula joined OCRC in January 2024 as a Community Support Specialist, and is dedicated to providing support to our island community. Stop in and introduce yourself next time you’re in Eastsound.
Cheryl moved to Orcas Island in 2006 to intern at the Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead and learn about sustainable living and farming. Orcas enjoyed many delicious dishes as Cheryl opened the Catkin Cafe in Olga in 2015 operating until 2021.
Her volunteer experience with the Orcas Island Food Bank and Island Rides led to a career change and becoming a part of the OCRC team. She enjoys helping others, being engaged with the community and making a positive impact.
At OCRC, Cheryl oversees the administration of all energy/utility assistance programs available to islanders such as LIHEAP and Project Pal.
Holly grew up in Westfield, NJ taking the train to New York City most weekends. She studied sociology and graphic design in college and eventually made her way to Seattle.
With Seattle changing so much over the years, she and her husband, Raymond, sought out a slower-paced life and found exactly that by moving to Orcas Island.
Holly was looking for meaningful work that would make an impact in the community and jumped on board at the Resource Center in 2020. Her current role is as our Programs Director, where she oversees our programs and direct service staff.
When she’s not working, she focuses her energy on family and time with her adorable dog, Sweedie. Holly enjoys kayaking and traveling to warm destinations in the winter.
The best piece of advice she’s ever received is to volunteer your time helping others when you are feeling down. It will get you out of your own head and give you some much-needed perspective!
Sophie grew up moving around a lot between Germany, Canada, and Costa Rica, but her connection to the pacific northwest always remained the strongest. She is now settled in Bellingham and working remotely for the Resource Center.
Sophie developed a passion for social research at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she graduated with a BA in psychology. She went on to earn her MS in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where she gained an interest in nonprofit program evaluation.
Her research background centers around social psychology and refugee well-being. She is excited for the opportunity to work with the Resource Center and contribute to supporting islanders to enhance their wellbeing.
In her freetime, Sophie enjoys singing, pilates, and hiking. She loves having picnics and admiring trees, deer and squirrels.
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