Critical Community Needs Grants Awarded & Totals More than $50,000

The San Juan Island Community Foundation, at the request of the Critical Needs Task Force Steering Committee, today awarded thirteen grants totalling more than $50,000 to local organizations targeted at helping those most affected by the current economic turn-down.

The funded projects range from increasing capacity of existing service providers to creating new pilot programs that are designed to cover unmet needs in our community. Expanded food delivery to the needy, social and health services assistance and children’s programs are addressed by the grants. New projects include a community services database in print and electronic form for easy and comprehensive access to local resources, and the creation of a volunteer coordination center to help match community service projects to local volunteers.

The funded projects are:

San Juan Access, $ 2,500

Grantee: SJICF – Internally Sponsored.  Partner organizations: SJI Community Foundation & SJI Library

Current information is scattered and/or incomplete or outdated. This new county-wide services database will profile all organizations and services. Information will be accessible through a web browser interface. Client access will be text based and simple to use and navigate. The service provider interface will allow instant updates of service profiles and keyword access to services. Cross links between providers and services will be incorporated to aid client navigation.

Hot Lunch and Meals-on-Wheels/Hospice programs Expansion, $5,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee.  Partner programs/organizations: Senior Services, Meals-on-Wheels, Hospice,

Utilization of the Senior Center hot lunch program has increased sharply from 2008 to 2009. This plan will expand existing programs from two days per week to three days, coordinate for efficient service with Meals-on-Wheels and Hospice, and broaden the recipient base to include every person in need of a healthy meal. This three-month pilot program known as Wednesday Lunch for All is underway. Total cost $7,400 with estimated $2,400 in revenue.

Increased Service Capacity for Food Bank,  $2,500

Grantee: Friday Harbor Food Bank. Partner programs/organizations: Food Bank

The San Juan Island Food Bank served approx 10% of island households in 2008. Usage and demand have nearly doubled. Additional shelving is needed to stock and supply the extra food.

Community Health Services Information and Education Campaign,  $2,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee. Partner programs/organizations: Senior Services, Family Resource Center, SJI Community Foundation, SJI Library

Members of the Healthcare and other CNTF work groups have been surprised to learn how many programs and services are currently available at the Mullis Center and other specific local sites. A number of these services and programs are open to the entire community but publicity has been limited. This campaign will consolidate the wide spectrum of information about existing medical and social services programs into one, easy-to-use and understand resource and make it available to those in need.

Prescription Drug Support,  $3,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center

Basic Health Insurance has stopped accepting applicants until its state subsidized rolls are reduced by 40,000 participants. This will eliminate this valuable low-income option for many people for years to come. Medicaid is only available to those who are Aged, Blind or Disabled leaving out most low income people. Prescription drugs are the highest value tool to allow those with chronic illness to function in the community and remain independent outside medical institutions. This is a three-month pilot program to provide temporary funding of prescription medications when other resources fail.

Preschool Scholarships,  $5,000

Grantee: SJI Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center, Lighthouse Preschool

Supporting children, who are the most vulnerable in times of family stress, by offering a pre-school opportunity to every child is the goal of this program. This is an expansion of existing scholarship opportunities to low and middle income families. Parents participate and contribute to at least half of the tuition.

Summer School Scholarships,  $4,000

Grantee: SJI Elementary School.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center, Public schools

State budget cuts have forced the closure of San Juan island summer school. Summer school helps young people stay engaged with learning and has been found to positively affect students in the long run. The summer school program will be restored and 25-35 children will directly benefit.

FerryPass: Financial assistance for off-island transportation,  $1,500

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: San Juan County Social Services, Soroptomists

Many island residents are seeking state assistance for healthcare and unemployment benefits and this support currently requires visits to the mainland. The people who can least afford these trips are being required to do so. This three-month pilot program will coordinate and financially assist with off island transportation costs and will be administered by the Family Resource Center.

Adult English language classes,  $4,800

Grantee: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services.  Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center

Expand existing English language and daycare program to those who are not necessarily DVSAS victims.

Jobs Bulletin Boards,  $500

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center, Food Bank

Locate a bulletin board at the Food Bank and the Family Resource Center and explore utilization of a portion of the existing Kiwanis board at the post office as a job board.

Create a San Juan Volunteer Coordination Center,  $7,000

Grantee: SJICF Special Program.  Partner programs/organizations: Many! Schools, Friends & Neighbors, Senior Services, Family Resource Center, etc…

A three month pilot program to support the coordination and expansion of existing volunteer programs.

Scholarship support for Camp Eagle Rock,  $2,400

Grantee: Family Resource Center.   Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center, San Juan Island Rec

Existing scholarships do not meet the needs of many families. Additional finances will provide for up to 29 children to participate in a safe and enriching environment during the summer.

SJI Family Resource Center Capacity Building,  $5,000

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: many!

To support increased use and expansion of programs and to create and coordinate new programs supported by the CNTF process.

Critical Need Program Reserve,  Up to $5,000

Grantee: SJICF Healthy Community Fund Reserve

Many of the programs above are pilots which, if successful will require long term funding. The reserve has been created to help fund these during the transition period while permanent funding is secured.

The Foundation wishes to thank the San Juan Community Theater for generously providing the room and garden for today’s award event and to the following organizations which provided space for the many meetings of the Task Force: Skagit Valley College (Friday Harbor Campus), Key Bank, SJI Library, Friday Harbor Town Firehall, Windemere Realty, Friday Harbor House, San Juan County Offices and the SJI Family Resource Center. Additionally, hundreds of islanders took the time to participate and engage in these conversations, striving to invigorate our community across all sectors.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. The Critical Needs Task Force grew from the Foundations’ desire to address the immediate critical needs in the community as a result of the economic downturn. For more information contact the Community Foundation office at 378-1001.