providing utility/rent assistance to prevent

homelessness in the Sequim School District area

Pager: 681-3731

Mailing address: Sequim Community Aid,

P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382

All donations are tax deductible

Volunteers with Sequim Community Aid, a nonprofit helping prevent homelessness for 70 years, need your help.

Donations are down while need is staying high, board members say.

“We’ve been in survival mode the last few months,” president Jim Davis said. “We feel like we’ve recovered somewhat but we’re about a half-year back from where we should be.”

The organization’s budget shows a decrease in direct public support from just over $40,000 from September 2015-May 2016, to $19,035 from September 2016-May 2017.

However, volunteers provided nearly $42,200 last year for rent and utility bills and and nearly $38,900 this year.

Due to restructuring of the organization in 2016, board members said they did not distribute funds from July-September last year. They did refer people to the Saint Vincent de Paul for assistance (contact: 683-2112).

“We’re not quite there and we’re still reconnecting with a lot donors,” board treasurer Kathy Fong said.

Board members said they’re seeing more competition for local dollars but some organizations and individuals continue to give on a monthly basis. They also are applying for some new grants, Fong said.

Volunteers have kept expenses consistently around $2,000 a year including a cellphone, pager, storage unit and no office space, opting to work from their homes.

All of their funds come from local grants or donors.

Anne Notman, vice president of the organization, said they prefer to keep it local because paperwork is extensive for federal and state grants, which could lead to more costs in operating expenses.

Despite the financial struggles on the organization, board members said the Sequim Community Aid Toys for Sequim Kids in December was not affected in how many toys it provided.

How it works

If someone seeks assistance from Sequim Community Aid, they call the organization’s beeper at 681-3731. A volunteer will call back setting up an interview. From there, two volunteers will meet at the residence, which must be within Sequim School District boundaries.

Volunteers ask about the need, whether it’s rent and/or utility assistance, income, expenses and the number of people in the house.

Then the volunteers will make a decision on helping and pay a certain amount to the landlord and/or utility company.

Board members said due to the decline in donations they’ve reduced the amount they’ve provided to those in need.

Each household can only receive assistance once a year and all families receive a list of available services in the area for housing to clothing to senior services.

Ways to help

Along with financial assistance, Sequim Community Aid organizers seek more volunteers.

Currently they have 14 people splitting pager duty which lasts one week and is distributed every month to six weeks.

Fong said Amazon patrons can sign up on Amazon Smile and select Sequim Community Aid and half-a-percent of each purchase goes to the organization.

For support or questions about volunteering, call 681-3731.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, send donations to “Sequim Community Aid, P.O. Box 1591, Sequim, WA, 98382.”

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

To receive support from Sequim Community Aid, individuals call this pager at 681-3731 and a volunteer will call back setting up an interview to find out the level of support of needed. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash