Staff

Erin O'Dell, Executive Director (she/her/hers)

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.

Jana Daniel-Webb, M.Ed., Programs Director/Case Manager (she/her/hers)

Jana joined the Resource Center in May of 2016 following a career as an Educator and Reading Specialist of 18 years. She and her husband, Eric, have two young adult children pursuing their professional degrees, and two rambunctious Airedales at home to entertain them as they continue to transition to an empty nest.

Jana’s educational background includes an MA in Education and Reading Specialist and a BA in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Educating children on caring for our delicate planet, children’s ministries, literacy, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and establishing community and public school recycling programs have been her passion for over 30 years. Jana oversees our multitude of programs at OCRC.

“It is an honor to serve our Orcas Island neighbors as Programs Director of the Orcas Community Resource Center!”

Kyra Dyer, Community Support & Health Services Specialist (she/her/hers)

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 Ehrmantraut, Development, Communication and Community Outreach Manager (she/her/hers)

Megan has long time family ties to the island and moved to Orcas the summer of 2018 with her partner, 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.

Cheryl Helm, Community Support & Energy Programs Specialist (she/her/hers)

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.

Larry Hughes, LICSW, Case Manager (he/him/his)

Larry is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and moved to Orcas nine years ago after experiencing the natural beauty and peace the island offers. He was ready for a change from New York City, where he’d spent decades working with the homeless. Once settled here on Orcas, Larry had in mind that he would transition to working with island seniors. However, like many newcomers, he never expected to find the level of poverty, substance abuse, and homelessness present here just as in mainland cities.

Larry isn’t completely new to the Orcas Community Resource Center. He previously worked as a therapist through our Community Wellness Program, served a term on the OCRC Board, and led our Shelter Group working with unsheltered clients during the Covid outbreak and many months following.

Larry has also worked as a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and is a veteran, having served in the US Army. As our OCRC Case Manager, he looks to provide the kind of support and assistance he would have liked to have found in his younger and most vulnerable years.