LAKE STEVENS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER

"From your hearts such unselfishly you give to so many...  No matter what it was, please know: ALL was so gratefully appreciated more than you could know.  Thank you for being there and so very kind too."

"Thank you for everything that you have done for us.  You are like family to us." 

"Thank you for the gifts and more so thank you for the support."

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
• Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
• Monday after Easter
  
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
• Monday after Thanksgiving
• The Week Before Christmas
• Christmas Eve (December 24)
  
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• The Week After Christmas

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How much do we really know how our community is handling the current distressed economic climate and what its true affect is on local families?  We hear so much lately about the state of our troubled national economy but how many of us have stopped to ask ourselves what that translates to here at home � or what supports exist in our own area to address the current needs of people who are our neighbors, friends, and family. 

This last six months there has been an unprecedented increase in unemployment, home loss, hunger, and unsustainable households in the Lake Stevens/Granite Falls area.  Unfortunately, these familial conditions come with companions; domestic violence, depression, increased alcohol abuse (by persons of all ages), and a myriad of other unhealthy and sometimes illegal behaviors; circumstances witnessed, and addressed, at an alarmingly increased rate at the Family Center. 

One might stop to ask �why.�  Why don�t people get the resources they need BEFORE their families start falling apart? Why isn�t there a system to address these things more efficiently?  One might ask. 

Sometimes its pride, sometimes it is a matter of being unaware that there are supports and resources and sometimes it is a combination of both.

The Lake Stevens Family Center is our areas only inclusive human service connection with an array of services and resources available to families suffering pangs due to the recent economy, many of which are not income level qualified, and all of which can be accessed here in our own community.  Community members assess the services provided through the Center annually, anyone�s input is welcomingly encouraged.  The current assessment, conducted April � June 2009, indicates that our Center�s services need to focus on Basic Needs, Family Management, Job Assistance, Domestic Violence, Support Groups and Youth Community Engagement.

Our Community�s Family Support Center has risen to the challenge of responding to the voice of the community.  In addition to information, referral, DSHS, and community building projects the Center has repositioned their offerings to be in alignment with our area�s current needs precipitated by our local economy.  Responsive programming includes:  implementation of an emergency food pantry, Basic Food application, a newly formed assistance program partnership with the sewer district (including application and receipt of FEMA funds to back-fill the program to include unemployed residents through 12-31-09), highly effective researched based parenting classes, and partnering with community members for programs to support survivors of domestic violence and teen moms. 

Unfortunately, as incomes have diminished for families � so have they for non-profit service providers.  Over the last six months, the Lake Stevens Family Center provided services to 200 � 400 people a month, with 3.6 full-time extensively trained resource staff.  Revenue losses equaling over 30% of the overall operational budget are forcing a 50% decrease in staffing, challenging the Center to meet the needs of our community with only 1.8 staff that cannot be supplemented with volunteers because of professional ethics, confidentiality and comprehensive training.  Be assured that the Center will continue to be embedded in the community, directed by the community and responsive to the needs of the community; however, as a direct result of the diminished capacity, beginning July 1, they will only be able to do so Tuesday through Thursday from 9AM � 5PM.

The Lake Stevens Family Support Center is owned by YOU the community.

Family Support is based on providing services within a community that are responsive to the needs of our individual community.  We are currently conducting our Annual Community Needs Assessment and value your input. 

It is important that all of the services that we provide are services that:

• Residents in our community need and want
• Are going to help build a stronger, safer more resilient community for everyone
• We are not duplicating services already available in our community
• Build partnerships and involve residents in their processes
• Are meaningful and sustainable

Please take a moment to give us your opinions and have your voice heard - your opinion is important to us.  Please take a couple minutes to fill out THIS Community Assessment.doc-click here

and return to kfriend@lcsnw.org-click here.   THANK YOU!  We are collecting assessments through June 30, 2009.