Our mission is to foster a healthy community by connecting Orcas Islanders with services to thrive and achieve equitable well-being. Resource Center staff are caring, confidential, and focused on helping people attain self-sufficiency. With 40% of Orcas households not earning enough to make ends meet, and 13% living below the poverty line, we provide a bridge for many to connect to critical services, such as the following:
Year after year, we provide invaluable services to hundreds of island households. The Resource Center partners with local neighbors, businesses, and like-minded organizations to deliver an average of 57 essential connections daily.
Beginning in 2007 with just a single part-time staff member, the Orcas Community Resource Center has grown into a vital pillar of support for our island community. What started as a focus on enhancing parenting skills and improving outcomes for young families through local preschools and childcare centers has expanded dramatically over the years.
In 2010, after securing our nonprofit status, we evolved into a trusted administrator of various state, county, and regional programs, including home weatherization, Medicaid enrollment and county transportation, energy assistance, and mental health services.
A transformative strategic planning process in 2015, supported by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, brought new energy to our mission. With the appointment of a nine-member board, we set a course to become a leading social services organization. This included deepening partnerships with other service providers, expanding our staff, relocating to a larger facility, and developing new programs to meet the growing needs of our community.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further highlighted the essential nature of our work, as demand for services surged. Before the pandemic, we provided roughly 30 services a day. As both new and long-standing residents turned to us for help, our reach expanded significantly. In 2024, we were delivering an average of 68 services daily, totaling 1,500 services to 563 households.
Today, with a $1.4 million budget, the Resource Center is operated by a team of 10 dedicated professionals and overseen by a diverse 10-member board of directors. Our board brings expertise in administration, finance, fundraising, governance, health, technology, law, strategic planning, and advocacy. Many board and staff members have personal experiences that mirror the challenges our clients face, enhancing our ability to provide empathetic, effective support.
With the continued support of local and regional grants, private donors, and community partners, we have built a comprehensive safety net that is essential to the well-being of Orcas Islanders. As we look to the future, we remain committed to adapting and expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our community.
Your gift furthers our mission to foster a healthy community by connecting Orcas Islanders with services to thrive & achieve equitable well-being.
We depend on donor contributions to cover more than half of our costs. Support with housing, food, transportation, medical care and so much more is made possible because of you.
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