Checking in with Community Foundation update

— from the Orcas Island Community Foundation —

Here is some information you may want to know about.  You may receive this from different sources. 

GIVING HELPS EVERYONE

To date, generous donors have given $ $764,765 to the Emergency Community Response Fund at OICF. This fund has granted $ 596,050 to island programs providing essential services to ensure all community members have a safe place to shelter, access to food, and other critical supports. OICF does not charge fees, so 100% of contributions go directly to support the community. Donate now to this fund through the OICF website OICF.us 

LUNCH FOR ALL CHILDREN:

The Orcas Island School District recognizes that many students and families rely on school to meet their nutritional needs. We also recognize that the Covid-19 outbreak may impact the economic reality for many families who may need assistance. During the state mandated school closure from March 17th to June 19th we will be able to provide lunch and breakfast, free of charge to ALL CHILDREN (of any age, whether that child is in the public school or not), regardless of family income.  Click HERE for more information.

MASKS: EVERYONE’S DOING IT!

The Orcas Island Community Foundation has created a series of posters for businesses and organizations to use as they see fit to encourage mask wearing in their establishments. There are seven posters both in English and Spanish with different messages. They are bright, cheerful and easily seen from a distance.

Establishments can use the messages that they feel most comfortable with and that will speak best to their clientele. You can also chose to mix and match if you wish. 

The PDFs are print-ready 8.5x11s and can be printed out by you.  Click HERE for English.  Click HERE for Spanish

San Juan County and the Visitor’s Bureau also offer a poster that can be used. You can find it here.

FREE MASKS AVAILABLE

The Orcas mask-sewers are able to provide homemade, free masks to anyone in need. Find them free of charge at Rays Pharmacy, Island Hardware, and through the Orcas Food Co-op catalog.

ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER (OCRC)

Our dear colleague, Dorothy Osborn, suffered a massive stroke on 1 May. She is recovering at Providence Medical Center in Everett. During her absence, we are not answering our phones directly. We are checking voice messages throughout the day and returning calls promptly. Updates on Dorothy’s condition are available via her CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dorothyosborn

Residential Application Process for Financial Assistance: The Orcas Community Resource Center has agreed to work with Eastsound Water to manage the program for RESIDENTIAL water users.  You may apply when you have a current water bill in hand, starting with bills issued in April. The Resource Center will use their standard “New Client Intake Form” as an application. This form can be found at the bottom of the front page of their website. https://orcascrc.org/  You can also contact the Orcas Community Resource Center by emailing holly@orcascrc.org or leave a message at 360-376-3184.

The application provided to OCRC is confidential, and not shared with Eastsound Water. Eastsound Water will provide the Resource Center with documentation of the applicant’s account status. Based on this data, the Resource Center will determine an appropriate financial aid for each applicant’s current water bill. The Resource Center will communicate their approved financial assistance with the applicant and Eastsound Water. Eastsound Water will credit your account. The maximum financial aid is $125 per account. This program will apply to our quarterly residential bills from April through June, so all residential customers will have an opportunity to apply. Applications may be submitted between the 10th of the month through the 24th of the month. Applicants will be notified of their credit after the 24th of the month so they can pay their bills prior to the end of the month’s due date. Commercial applicants should not contact the Orcas Community Resource Center.

Project PAL: OPALCO energy assistance is available for new and current clients who have been impacted by COVID-19. Prior applicants may apply one more time for COVID-related relief, with a maximum award of $100. Access the COVID Relief Form here: www.opalco.com/bill-payment-plan

Census Reminder: Have you completed the 2020 Census yet? Many organizations are awarded federal funding based upon current Census data. The Census may be completed online at 2020census.gov. Customer Service Representatives are also available via phone from 4am-11pm Pacific Time to walk you through the process. English speakers: call 844-330 2020 / Spanish speakers: call 844-468-2020. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and DOES make a difference when it comes to social service funding.

For more information on our programs and services, call 360-376-3184 or email info@orcascrc.org

FOOD BANK UPDATE 

The Food Bank is looking for volunteers! Our new way of operating requires more help than the old operation did. We’ve had great volunteers, but we’re now in need of more. Volunteers pick up deliveries, portion bulk products, pack food boxes, move inventory around, and manage donations. The schedule varies, and the work is done in a safe and sanitary manner. Right now we need folks no older than 50 who can lift 25-50 pounds. Please call or text the Food Bank Manager at 360.317.6958 to volunteer, or send a message through our Facebook page. This is a perfect fit for teens during the summer. 

The Food Bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays, 3:00-6:00 pm. Orcas residents needing food may come both days.

OPALCO SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

Commercial members (requires commercial meter and tariff) in need can benefit from the following COVID-19 relief measures through June 30 on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding lasts:

• Fee and disconnect waivers
• Temporarily disconnect meter (no bill during disruption)
• Waive service access charge (base fee) with EAP-C assistance
• $25 bill credit with Rock Island (if on EAP-C)
• Switch it Up! payment deferral

Please see chart online full details or contact OPALCO at (360)376-3500 for more information.  

ORCAS SMALL BUSINESS HELP
Are you lost in the maze? A group of island experts has teamed up with Orcas Island Library to help you navigate the various business financial assistance programs.  For small business owners, independent contractors, and sole proprietorships facing a web of confusing information and paperwork while seeking to apply for federal and state financial assistance programs, the team can help.
• Go here to get started: http://www.orcaslibrary.org/SBHelp.html will link to Orcas Small Business Help
• Fill out and submit the form for requesting assistance
• A Library Navigator will contact you to help guide you through the process
Many areas can be addressed like identifying the most appropriate programs, coping with current bottlenecks and constraints, submitting your application, and how to follow through to ensure your application is considered. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions listed on the site.
Developed in conjunction with the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF), the Small Business Coronavirus Support Network is free and ready to help today.

SAFE SAN JUANS

SAFE San Juans is a community-based nonprofit agency serving San Juan County residents and visitors who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault/abuse.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is the physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, sexual assault, or stalking of one intimate partner by another intimate partner; or of one family or household member by another family or household member.

SEXUAL ASSAULT occurs when a person is forced, coerced, or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity. It is not your fault if someone does this to you.

The SAFE staff personally understand the trauma of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse, and during this COVID-19 crisis they are working hard to keep the agency’s doors open to those who are suffering.  We secured additional office space in order to create a place for clients where appropriate distances can be maintained and surfaces disinfected.  Some of our staff are single parents who wound up having to stay home to care for and homeschool their children.  We created home offices for them so they can continue serving to the best of their ability, confident that however things unfold, we will carry out our mission well. 

If you are suffering from domestic or sexual violence or their longer term effects, please reach out to us at 360-376-5979

DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

People interested in volunteering should continue to be directed to the website: orcas.recovers.org  This website is a place where potential volunteers can post they are available and their interest, and island organizations can post their needs. It’s helpful for volunteers to use the # followed by an interest; e.g. #OPAL; #foodbank; #seniorcheck

SENIOR RESOURCES

1) Home delivered meals are provided to seniors on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Please contact Heidi Bruce with Senior Services at 360-370-0591 or heidib@sanjuanco.com to get signed up for Meals on Wheels.

2) Delivery of essential household goods such as food or medicine is available. Please contact Heidi Bruce with Senior Services at 360-370-0591 or heidib@sanjuanco.com, or contact Jana Daniel-Webb with the Orcas Community Resource Center at 360-376-3184 or jana@orcascrc.org.

3) Are you a senior? Would you appreciate a regular phone check-in by an Orcas Senior Center volunteer during your self-isolation? We have contacted a number of you already, but we are missing many phone numbers. If you want to participate in the Orcas Senior Center Buddies Check-In Program, email Buddies@orcasseniors.org or call John Slater at (360) 919-9318.

ESSENTIAL GOODS HOME DELIVERIES

In addition to Senior Services, during this COVID-19 emergency: vulnerable persons of any age who need home delivery of essential household goods such as food or medicine can call the resource center or senior services. If you need this assistance, please call Jana Webb at the Orcas Community Resource Center, 360-376-3184, or Heidi Bruce with Senior Services, 360-370-0591.

RENT OR MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE:

If you need help paying your rent or mortgage, please fill out the form (available in English and Spanish) at OPAL Community Land Trust’s website:  www.opalclt.org.

FROM THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY:

Alcoholics Anonymous offers 10 zoom meetings/week, covering every day of the week. Their website is www.orcasislandaa.org. There is a local phone number for info/requests: 360-376-4522.

ARE YOU FEELING OVERWHELMED?

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led many people to feel anxiety, grief and stress. San Juan County has created an online resource guide that includes a variety of substance abuse, mental health, and crisis support services for adults, families and children. The directory also offers resource links for caregiving and advocacy, as well as access to a local network of therapists.

In addition to the county website, a local nonprofit called Thero.org maintains an extensive directory of mental health resources. Their directory includes therapists, clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, crisis lines and organizations that provide advocacy and support. Anyone can search for therapists and clinics that provide telehealth and they are recruiting volunteers to help keep the information updated. To learn how to help the volunteer team or partner with Thero.org send an inquiry to info@thero.org.

To find out more about mental and behavioral health resources available to our county-wide community, visit:  https://www.sanjuanco.com/1697/Resources-for-Mental-Health-Support

FROM THE ORCAS LIBRARY:

Orcas Island Library, www.orcaslibrary.org, remains closed for community health reasons until further notice. Our website offers a variety of resources such as ebooks, e-audiobooks, a wide variety of databases, language learning, streaming movies and other alternatives, all available with your library card number and PIN.

County and State community health directives do not yet permit us to implement any restored services, such as curbside pickup. Until we can, please continue to contact us at 360-376-4985 and leave a voicemail, or email Library Director Phil Heikkinen at pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org. We will also post updates to our website at www.orcaslibrary.org.

Also, on behalf of the Community Health Initiatives Consortium, the Library administers the San Juan Islands Community Resource Network. From the description on the website: “The San Juan Islands Resource Guide is a central source of information for social, health and community services.

It helps San Juan Islands residents find and connect with local organizations and agencies to help improve their lives. We offer a broad scope of directory listings that range from education, health resources and volunteer opportunities to crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency services, housing and shelter).” 

Currently, it’s available on the www.orcaslibrary.org website, under one of the tabs at the top, Your Library >> Community Information >> Nonprofit Organizations. Also, here’s the direct link: https://sjiscommunityresource.org/