Submitted by Megan Ehrmantraut for OCRC.

The Orcas Community Resource Center is grateful for the generous support of United Way of San Juan County. Through their support, that of other valued community partners and individual donors, OCRC serves as a safety net for Orcas islanders. Partnership with the United Way of San Juan County allows OCRC to help islanders meet essential needs such as housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation and more.

The United Way’s vision is to actively partner with non-profit organizations, such as OCRC, to create opportunities for a better life for all of our residents. They help build capacity and financial support for San Juan County organizations filling gaps in service and meeting critical needs. Some of the organizations made stronger through their support include the Orcas Community Resource Center, Lopez Island Family Resource Center, San Juan Island Family Resource Center, Island Rides, and Meals on Wheels.

United Way’s Impact Goals for San Juan County fall into three categories – Education, Health and Income Stability. Education goals cover kindergarten readiness, life skills for middle school students, and career planning for youth. Health goals include adequate nutrition and healthcare for children 0 to 5, residents establishing a place for ongoing healthcare, and seniors feeling comfortable with their level of independence. Income stability goals focus on individuals demonstrating proficiency in personal financial management, households having the education needed for living wage employment, and residents obtaining adequate housing.

Our United Way also funds the local programs that provide after school reading enrichment and after school food programs for students on reduced lunch. They support wrap-around educational enrichment programs, preschool scholarships, and Primary Intervention Programs, along with programs for our seniors, our island homeless, our disabled, and more. They are focused on our community, but they can’t do it without support from generous donors. Visit unitedwaysjc.com to learn more.

If you’d like to learn more about OCRC’s services and how the United Way of San Juan County helps us serve the community, please visit orcascrc.org.