by MATTHEW NASH
Sequim Gazette

Nine agencies were chosen to receive $70,000 from the City of Sequim’s annual health and human services grant funding. On Monday, Feb. 28, city councilors approved the United Way subcommittee’s recommendations 5-2, with councilors Erik Erichsen and Don Hall voting no.

 

The subcommittee analyzed 14 applications, taking into consideration that government funds must go to the “poor” and “infirm”; that would direct funds toward chidren in need, early education programs, the sick, those with disabilities, and those who are alcohol/ drug dependent, along with preventive health care services.

 

Chosen agencies and amounts awarded are as follows:

 

• Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic — $15,000 for health and dental care access
• Boys & Girls Club of the Olympic Peninsula — $12,500 for teen programs and general support
     • Sequim Senior Activity Center — $10,000 for annual membership fees
• Healthy Families of Clallam County — $9,000 for mental health support of domestic violence victims
• Peninsula Community Mental Health Center — $7,500 for mental health services for outpatient clinic in Sequim and summer program for at-risk youth
• Olympic Community Action Programs — $5,000 for children at Sequim’s Head Start program and oral health care vouchers
• Parenting Matters — $5,000 for parenting support to vulnerable families
• Volunteer Chore Services — $5,000 for seniors and disabled individuals for safety and transportation to improve/maintain independent living
• United Way — grant administration fee of $1,000

Councilor Erichsen voted against the motion because he didn’t feel comfortable giving taxpayers’ money to charities without consulting them. Hall voted no because he wanted more money for the Boys & Girls Clubs.

 

Earlier in the year, councilors designated Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic and the Senior Activity Center to receive at least $10,000 each from the grant allocations.

Other applying agencies and their requests were:
• First Step Family Support Center — $5,000
• Native Horsemanship Riding Center — $70,000
• Early Childhood Services Health and Nutrition Support — $15,000
• Serenity House of Clallam Count — $5,000
• Snap — $5,000
• Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics — $3,000

Only two of the agencies received the amount they requested: Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic and Sequim Senior Activity Center.

 

In 2010, the Boys & Girls Club received $60,000, and the United Way made recommendations for $49,000 to be dispersed among other agencies.

 

The city will prepare contracts for each of the nonprofits receiving funds this year for the Monday, March 14, city council meeting.

 

Contact the City of Sequim at 683-4139 or visit www.ci.sequim.wa.us.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.