Friday Harbor, Washington– The Community Health Initiatives Consortium – a group of civic leaders from across the county – recently launched the San Juan Islands Community Resource Guide. This web-based directory provides a central source of social, health and community resources for service providers and residents of Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw Islands.
The genesis of the directory came nearly three years ago when a Community Health Needs Assessment reminded of the need for a comprehensive resource directory to assist health and service professionals, clients and the public. Previous paper directories were often out of date or incomplete making it difficult to provide accurate information. Carrie Unpingco, executive director, San Juan Island Community Foundation, shared, “As a community foundation, one of our jobs is to help identify current and emerging issues as well as critical needs in the community. We find ways to address those short and long-term needs and help support a healthy thriving community. For several years and across all sectors of the community, individuals and organizations have told us they need a resource guide that will help island residents be better connected to the existing services.” The current effort attempts to improve upon previous directories by providing a comprehensive resource where information is more easily updated and accessed.
A $5,000 grant from the San Juan Island Community Foundation helped cover expenses for the initial website build and PeaceHealth provided technical support and $1,000 to cover printing expenses. Project oversight and content development was provided by a membership committee which includes leaders from Orcas Island Library; San Juan County Health & Community Services; Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center; San Juan Island Community Foundation; San Juan Island Library; San Juan County Community Network; and Peace Island Medical Center.
Organizers are inviting additional social service and health care providers (e.g. private therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, etc.) to visit the site and list themselves in the directory.
The San Juan Islands Community Resource Guide is found at https://sjiscommunityresource.org/. For those without internet access, the Orcas Island Library will provide assistance by telephone at 360-376-4985 in searching the directory. Printed information about the online directory and how to find it will be available at participating organizations beginning in early August.
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About PeaceHealth: Based in Vancouver, Wash., PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, a 10-bed Critical Access Hospital in Friday Harbor, serves communities in the San Juan Islands. Key services include general and orthopedic surgery, oncology, behavioral health, and primary care.
