So Close

So Close

The Orcas clinic transition is scheduled to officially occur on April 1st. This has been years, if not decades, in the making, and as we near the date things have grown complicated. For those of you who have been on Orcas for a while, this will feel like a familiar...
Unity

Unity

Sunset in Olga President Biden spoke of the need for unity during his inaugural celebration. It has me thinking about what unity means. It is more than accepting each other. True unity is our ability to recognize and act on our obligations to each other. It’s lending...
Striving for justice

Striving for justice

As we prepare to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday and the inauguration of a new administration on the 20th, we are on guard as a Nation and as a community. The events at the Capitol on January 6th were both frightening and eye-opening. The white supremacist...
The difference a decade can make

The difference a decade can make

I joined the staff of OICF just as the nation entered the economic crisis of 2008. It was an awakening for me personally and for the community as a whole. The nonprofit sector was not prepared as well as we needed to be. Boards were challenged to meet payroll much...
Time for Reflection

Time for Reflection

Photo credit: Coleen O’Brien Happy New Year! As I reflect on the past year, I recall how, last New Year, I was anticipating OICF’s 25th anniversary and excited about the celebrations we were planning. Needless to say, those parties never quite materialized and...
All in Washington goes ALL IN

All in Washington goes ALL IN

I am writing to share some wonderful news. Last night we received word from the All In Washington Campaign that is providing a 100% match secured an additional $25 million from Jeff Bezos. This means that all donations to the Community Emergency Response...