||| FROM MEGAN EHRMANTRAUT for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER |||
The past year has been one of positive change and growth for the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC). We were grateful to bring additional staff members on board to specialize in assistance areas such as housing, utilities, health, food and more to meet the growing needs of our community. In 2022, the number of services OCRC provided was double that of 2019.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” a quote by Seneca, represents our most recent transition. OCRC bids a fond farewell to Programs Director, Jana Daniel-Webb. We are thankful for Jana’s seven years of service to OCRC and her remarkable compassion for islanders in need. Jana’s commitment to the organization helped grow our capacity over the past several years playing an important part in where we are today. The OCRC team wishes Jana all the best in her future endeavors.
As though the island’s energy was looking out for our community, stepping in to fill big shoes is Larry Hughes. Larry isn’t completely new to OCRC. 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 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 has also worked as a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and is a veteran, having served in the US Army. With a heart of gold and skills beyond measure, as OCRC’s 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. We are so happy to have Larry as part of our OCRC team. Welcome Larry!
To learn more about Orcas Community Resource Center services or make a donation, please visit orcascrc.org.
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