Island Neighbors
Island Neighbors Services
Island Neighbors is a Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center program that provides practical assistance to disabled or aging San Juan Island residents living at home. We also help islanders who are recovering from short-term health problems such as a back injury, quarantine, or surgery.
Volunteer Services
Our core model matches a client with a volunteer who helps with basic needs. The volunteer commits to an hour a week, although many of our volunteers spend more than this amount of time. The program serves any San Juan islander in need of help, not just low-income individuals.
Examples of What Volunteers Can Do
- Shop for groceries
- Pick up and deliver Food Bank orders
- Run errands
- Take clients out for a drive, for coffee, for lunch, etc.
- Provide light help organizing household effects to make the home environment more comfortable
- Assist a client who is having difficulty operating a phone or a laptop computer
- Provide meals for islanders who are ill or returning from the hospital
Examples of What Volunteers Cannot Do
- Provide personal or medical care
- Perform cleaning services
- Offer therapeutic counseling
- Give legal advice
- Volunteer in unsafe or unhealthy living spaces
The most important service our volunteers provide is to be the regular “eyes on,” vulnerable islanders, to notice when they need help, and to refer them to the program coordinator for further assistance.
Problem Solving Services
Island Neighbors also functions as a problem-solving clearinghouse for islanders who need occasional assistance.
Examples of Problems We Can Help With
- Arranging appointments and transportation for off-island medical care
- Providing a volunteer for light home repair when the client is a homeowner
- Locating free or low-cost appliances and furniture
- Finding funding sources for household needs for low-income clients
- Referring a housecleaner or handyperson whose services will be paid by the client
Examples of Problems We Cannot Help With
- Working with clients who have serious hoarding and/or cleaning issues
- Undertaking major home repairs and landscaping
- Repairing rented living spaces (but we will call the property owner to ask for repairs)
Free Firewood
Island Neighbors supplies free firewood to low-income islanders who meet OPALCO’S Project PAL guidelines for energy assistance.
Call (360) 378-5246 or fill out the form below for more information.
Contact Us
Do you need additional assistance?
Call (360) 378-5246
Do you need additional assistance?
Call (360) 378-5246