"We rise by lifting others."

Are you interested in the idea of cleaning out your closet and making a difference? The Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) has an account at Sequel Consignment in Eastsound. Our community needs your help! Gently used clothing, shoes and accessories can be taken to Sequel with a request that any credit from those sales be placed on OCRC's account. 

Your gift allows us to assist clients with essential clothing for a job or interview, cold weather clothing, replacing clothing lost due to fire or flooding and more. While we do not have the means to store donated clothing, we were able to provide 24 individuals with needed clothing items in 2021 partnering with Sequel and the community. What a big help!  

Please consider visiting to shop or donate at Sequel, 434 Prune Alley in Eastsound. Current hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-3pm. As another way to help, you may also donate credit from your own consignment account to the OCRC account. Thank you for supporting OCRC!

Each year, over 100 households rely on the Orcas Community Resource Center and our partnership with local and federal agencies to keep their lights on and homes warm.  Programs include OPALCO’s Project Pal, the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),  OPALCO’s Energy Assist Program (EAP), and one time Emergency Assistance awards.  

We are grateful to help facilitate OPALCO’S Project Pal program. OPALCO recognizes that many members struggle to make ends meet. Project PAL was created as a vehicle for Co-op members to help their fellow members afford electric bills. Please consider rounding up your bill to help a neighbor in need. Applicants may apply only once in a heating season (October - April). To apply, please contact OCRC or apply online at https://www.opalco.com/about-your-account/energy-assistance-program/project-pal/  

OCRC also assists with the LIHEAP program through the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Opportunity Council providing energy assistance to local households. OCRC helps determine eligibility and estimated assistance amount. Senior and disabled individuals living on a fixed income are given first priority, then families with children. Income earning households without children are served when possible. If qualified, the local LIHEAP agency will send payment directly to the energy utility on behalf of the household. OCRC currently has a waitlist for LIHEAP assistance, but please reach out to let us know of your needs.   

OPALCO also offers a monthly credit to qualified customers with their Energy Assist Program (EAP). You must currently be on the standard residential rate, be a year-round resident and have qualified for assistance through another program for low-income households. Upon verification, you will qualify for the Energy Assistance Credit.  Once the application is processed and approved, the rate will be effective on your next bill. You may apply anytime online at https://www.opalco.com/about-your-account/energy-assistance-program/energy-assist-faq/ or contact OCRC for assistance. Renewal is required annually on 4/1.

Cheryl Helm, OCRC’s Energy Programs Specialist, recalls a recent experience providing LIHEAP assistance, “I phoned a senior client and as we went over his application he told me that his car was in the shop for repairs. With this unexpected expense, the concerns about his power bill weighed heavily. Grateful to receive help toward his bill he shared that our conversation made his day. The smile I could hear in his voice made my day too!”  

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? The Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) offers program assistance and referrals to food access programs available to San Juan County residents. As March comes to a close, OCRC wants to ensure that islanders are aware of the food access programs available in our area. Many programs are based on eligibility and contact information is listed below. If you have questions or need assistance, please call OCRC at 360-376-3184 or email info@orcascrc.org. Help us spread the word so our community stays healthy and strong!

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

This income/household size based program, formerly known as Food Stamps, is available through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). As an added benefit, many farmers markets across the state accept SNAP. Shoppers visit the farmers market information booth and swipe their EBT card. They provide tokens for the amount swiped on the card allowing shoppers to spend with market vendors on SNAP eligible items. Apply by phone at 877-501-2233, online at https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/ or contact OCRC for assistance.

SNAP Market Match:

Shoppers who use SNAP/EBT benefits can stretch their food budget to buy more fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets including the Orcas Island Farmers Market. Look for the SNAP Market Match logo, and vendor signs at local farmers markets. Shoppers may have up to $40 matched depending on how much they choose to spend. To learn more visit https://orcasislandfarmersmarket.org.

Orcas Island Food Bank (OIFB): 

Serving Orcas Island families since 1984, the mission of the Food Bank is to work with the community to prevent hunger. Services are income/household based and customers can visit twice weekly. Guidelines may surprise you as about half of island residents qualify to receive free food at OIFB. To learn more about becoming a customer visit https://orcasislandfoodbank.org/customer.

Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) Food Access Program:

Funded by the North Sound Accountable Community of Health, OCRC’s Food Access Program is new in its development, with services such as food bags for youth, healthy food available on site for unsheltered clients, formula for infants in need, and partnership with local restaurants to provide hot meals to unsheltered clients and our vulnerable population. To learn more, please contact the Resource Center at 360-376-3184 or info@orcascrc.org.

Meals on Wheels:

The Orcas Senior Center, Whatcom Council on Aging and San Juan Senior Services work together to facilitate and support the Meals on Wheels and More program at the Orcas Senior Center. Healthy meals are prepared for enrolled seniors and home delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To learn more please contact Jami Mitchell, San Juan County Senior Services Specialist, at 360-376-7926 or jamim@sanjuanco.com.

Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program:

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program providing healthy foods for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under age 5. Eligibility depends on household size and income. To learn more or apply, call the San Juan County Health Department at 360-378-4474 or visit https://www.sanjuanco.com/455/WIC-Program.

Fresh Bucks:

The Fresh Bucks program is a partnership with OCRC, San Juan County Health and Community Services, and Orcas Food Co-op. Fresh Bucks helps stretch dollars to make healthy food more affordable and investing in our local farms and community. The program provides up to a $20 benefit each purchase to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables and produce basics. To learn more or apply visit https://orcasfood.coop/fresh-bucks/ or contact the Resource Center.

Orcas Food Co-op FLOWER Program:

The co-op believes that people deserve equitable and affordable access to high-quality, local, organic foods that support diverse nutritional needs. Their FLOWER program, an acronym standing for “Fresh, local, organic, & within everyone’s reach”, provides 10% off every visit to member-owners who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF cash assistance, WIC, SSI or SSD. If you are not a member-owner, you can become one for as little as $2 a month. To apply visit https://orcasfood.coop/flower-program/.

Island Grown Food Access Program:

Thanks to a generous grant the Ag Guild and San Juan County Health and Community Services are offering 150 low income clients throughout the county $150 or more in debit cards to spend on locally grown EBT eligible foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy, bread, and vegetable starts. Cards can be used at the San Juan Islands Food Hub, Orcas Island Co-op, and farm stands/farmers market vendors that accept debit/credit cards. Contact your local Community Resource Center or apply online at https://sanjuanco.seamlessdocs.com/f/IslandGrownClientApplication.

WIC & Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program:

The Women and Infant Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides vouchers for low-income seniors, pregnant women, and women with young children to purchase fresh, healthy food at local farmers markets including the Orcas Island Farmers Market. Program participants receive the vouchers from their WIC clinic or local senior agency and spend them directly with approved farm vendors at approved farmers markets. Vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and fresh cut herbs. The Senior vouchers may also be used to purchase honey. To learn more or apply, call the San Juan County Health Department at 360-378-4474.

Home is where we gratefully retreat at the end of each day to unwind and find respite from life’s daily challenges in our own safe environment. As our community is well aware, finding and maintaining housing on Orcas Island can oftentimes be a major hurdle. If you or someone you care about are in need of temporary rental or mortgage assistance, the Orcas Community Resource Center offers referrals and programs to help.  

The Opportunity Council administers Federal Emergency Rental Assistance for residents in San Juan County. Tenants must meet the following eligibility requirements: Income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income over the past 60 days and be at risk of experiencing homelessness or currently experiencing housing instability. Please visit www.oppco.org/sanjuanrentalassistance/ for more information on eligibility and application.  

Depending on available resources, OCRC offers programs to temporarily assist people with the occasional financial struggle of staying in their homes or getting into long term housing. Qualified applicants may receive help with rental deposits, first and last months' rent, along with case management and goal setting to ensure housing stability and long-term success.  

OCRC is grateful for our community partnerships and the generous support of individual donors that assist with making our services possible.  

Oftentimes islanders struggle to pay for past or ongoing medical bills and access available medical financial assistance programs. Navigating health insurance enrollment and medical travel coordination can be overwhelming. Orcas Community Resource Center’s new Health Services Specialist position offers this support and so much more!  

OCRC and our Health Services Specialist, Kyra Dyer, are here to help. This position was created in early 2022 to meet the ever growing need for health related services. In 2021, OCRC served 602 households, many of whom were among the 3,689 medical and health related services provided. Clients included seniors, disabled, veterans, families, individuals, and unsheltered clients. Some of these folks are among our community’s most vulnerable population.   

Recently, a long time islander with chronic health conditions received news that his prescription benefits had lapsed. OCRC staff worked with him and his insurance company to reinstate coverage. While waiting for application approval, our emergency assistance fund covered the cost of his most vital medications and ensured he did not experience any lapse in care.  

Earlier this year, a worried parent landed on our doorstep. Their medically fragile child suffers from a congenital disorder. OCRC was able to help coordinate medical transportation and work with them to obtain health insurance for their child. They have since been able to receive necessary treatment in Seattle and not have the burden of transportation or uninsured healthcare costs.  

Kyra is confident her time and efforts are making a difference in the community. One client recently expressed to her, “You just don't know how much this means to have someone navigating the healthcare system alongside me. I’d be lost without your support.” 

 In addition to help with applications for health insurance and medical financial assistance, OCRC connects eligible islanders to programs that increase overall health such as the Dental Van, Fresh Bucks, Farmers Market nutrition, a variety of food access programs, mental health therapy and much more.  

In tradition, as for the past 14 years, OCRC was excited to host Orcas’ annual Kindergarten Transition event in May to celebrate preschoolers making the big leap to kindergarten this fall. All preschool children, regardless of which school they will attend, were invited to join in the evening of fun.

Twenty-one families engaged in learning activity centers that focused on reading, writing, math, and both gross and fine motor skills. Activities were facilitated by preschool and kindergarten teachers, giving families an opportunity to gain an informative grasp on educational concepts to practice at home over the summer to prepare for the coming school year. Ossa, age 5, said, “My favorite part was the drawing center because I got to write my name.” Families were surrounded by familiar faces and met new friends in an opportunity to ease their up-and-coming transition.

Out of Covid precaution, deliciously crafted to-go taco plates were provided by Johanna’s Salvadorian Catering and served with big smiles by OCRC staff and board members. Children also received a backpack filled with educational activities and games to play at home to facilitate kindergarten readiness along with a gift certificate to be redeemed at Darvill’s Bookstore. This no-cost annual event was sponsored by the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), OCRC and a generous local donor. 

If you or someone you care about is in need of temporary rental/mortgage assistance or experiencing housing insecurity, the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) offers referrals and programs to help. Holly Southern, OCRC Programs Administrator, shares, “Access to safe and stable housing is a basic human right. When we help someone secure affordable housing, or keep them safely sheltered in their current home, we are saying we value you as an important part of our vibrant community.”

Over the past year, OCRC referred 200+ households to the Opportunity Council in Bellingham for San Juan County Rental Assistance. During the month of May 2022 alone, the Opportunity Council worked with 20 San Juan County households to provide rental assistance totaling $88,026 and covering 91 months of assistance for islanders in need. Please visit oppco.org/help-with-rent for eligibility and application information.

In addition, OCRC has connected over 70 island households with other available housing programs over the past year. Through these services clients have received help with deposits and rent, along with case management and goal setting to ensure housing stability and long-term success.

OCRC strives to further stability for our community’s most vulnerable populations including seniors, disabled, veterans, families, individuals and the unsheltered. Claire Nollman, OCRC’s Unsheltered Case Manager, is here to provide the ongoing support needed to unsheltered clients combating homelessness and associated challenges. These barriers oftentimes include access to food, showers, mental health services, medical care, and substance use disorder treatment.

“How does all of this come together?” you might ask. Donations from community members like you, grants from local organizations such as the Orcas Island Community Foundation, and county, state, and federal funding make OCRC’s housing services possible. 

It’s that time of year again as we bid farewell to sunny slow paced summer and ease into the routine that fall brings. Kids are back to school as families anticipate the coming cooler temperatures and shorter days. OCRC is here to help! We were grateful to be a presence at the OISD Back to School night to help spread the word about our services and how we can help with back to school needs.

We are happy to partner with the Sons of the American Legion for the SOAL Shoe Program. For families in need, children from walking through age 18 are able to receive new shoes with a simple application. Forms are available at area schools and OCRC. We ask that forms be completed and returned to school or the OCRC office by the extended date of September 19th. Application is also available online HERE.

Kids’ Coates Clinic will be held every Wednesday, 2:15-3:30pm, in October. If you or someone you know has a child in need of a coat to stay warm this winter, make sure to come by our office on those early release Wednesdays in October.

In partnership with our local consignment store, Sequel, we are offering clothing vouchers for kids’ back to school clothing for families in need. Please contact our office for more information.

As part of our annual efforts to help islanders stay warm, Coates Closet is available to the community. We have winter coats on hand and hats/gloves will be provided on an as needed basis. Appointments are needed for shopping. Please contact our office at 360-376-3184.

We’d also like to give a big shout out to Island Market for their School Supplies Drive running through September 15th. Help Orcas Schools by donating in store or online today at www.orcasislandmarket.com. Thank you Island Market for caring about island schools and the children in our community.