Honoring veterans through community connection

The Resource Center is grateful to partner with the San Juan County Veterans Advisory Board to help connect local veterans and their families with resources that can make a meaningful difference.

John Ehrmantraut, United States Navy veteran

The San Juan County Veterans Advisory Board administers services through the Veterans Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to eligible veterans and/or their immediate families who are experiencing urgent financial hardship. In a rural island community, knowing where to turn can be one of the biggest barriers to receiving help. Through this partnership, the Resource Center can help identify veterans in our community who may benefit from these services, share information about available support, and make referrals to the Veterans Advisory Board when appropriate.

This collaboration strengthens the safety net for veterans on Orcas Island by ensuring that community members who have served our country are not navigating hardship alone. Whether someone is facing an unexpected expense, housing-related need, transportation challenge, or other barrier to stability, the Resource Center can serve as a trusted local connection point and help guide eligible veterans toward resources that may be available through San Juan County.

“In a rural island community, trusted local connections matter,” said Erin O’Dell, Executive Director of the Orcas Community Resource Center. “This partnership helps ensure veterans and their families know where to turn for support.”

John Ehrmantraut, a Resource Center client and local United States Navy veteran, described the impact of receiving support through the Veterans Advisory Board: “I’m very grateful for the help to build an accessible ramp at my home. It will make a real difference in my ability to get to medical appointments and be more involved in the community.”

The Resource Center is proud to work alongside the San Juan County Veterans Advisory Board to help ensure veterans and their families are aware of and connected to the resources designed to support them.

Together, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to honoring and supporting veterans in San Juan County by making services more accessible and community-centered. To learn more about the Veterans Advisory Board, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/575/Veterans-Advisory-Board.

About the Orcas Community Resource Center

The Orcas Community Resource Center fosters a healthy community by connecting Orcas Islanders with the services needed to thrive and achieve equitable well-being. Through programs addressing housing stability, healthcare access, food security, financial well-being, and basic needs, the Resource Center provides practical assistance and support to individuals and families throughout Orcas Island.