by Lael Henterly

Special to the Sounder

In August the Orcas Community Resource Center — formerly Orcas Family Connections — moved to a new office space at 423 Prune Alley. The center, which recently changed its name to convey that it serves as a resource for all Orcas Islanders, has grown and expanded its reach since it opened in 2006. Last year the center’s small staff served 250 island households, distributed 915 ferry tickets and helped 175 islanders sign up for health insurance. Other services include help signing up for food assistance, paying the rent and coping with mental health issues.

“One fellow we helped recently with rental assistance hadn’t been stably housed for two years,” said OCRC director Erin O’Dell. “He’d been couch surfing or living in a tent or a car. He finally secured a location and we helped with his deposit.”

O’Dell said the center helps about 20 households a year with short term rental assistance and rapid-rehousing. Unfortunately that program’s funding source, SanJuan County Emergency Rental Assistance, is about to dry up. The resource center is funded through an assortment of grants and donations and also receives fees for service through government programs. The move, though, was made possible by the Orcas Island Community Foundation. O’Dell says she’s excited about the new space — it’s more centrally located and accessible than the old location but still discrete enough to offer clients privacy.

“The center helps people with everything from veterans affordable housing to weatherization grants to food assistance,” said San Juan County Council member Rick Hughes, who sits on the OCRC board. “It’s a place to go to figure out if you need state or federal assistance and to figure out what services are available and how they can help.”

O’Dell recently helped a 19-year-old man with diabetes sign up for health insurance for the first time in his life. Another client needed ferry fare to make it to a follow up appointment after surgery.

The new name and location aren’t the only things that have changed. The center recently rolled out its new Ask Orcas service, a collaborative program aimed at helping people connect with the resources they need. Orcas Islanders can apply through the website Askorcas.org or by calling 376-7676. An Ask Orcas volunteer will respond within 24 hours and help identify opportunities, fill out paperwork and navigate the application process.

“It has really become the go-to place for Orcas Islanders in need of resources,” said Hughes.