News
Elizabeth Purdy from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation presenting WHC Board President Chris Wiegenstein with a unrestricted grant check or $25,000 at Whidbey Coffee in Oak Harbor.
Thank you Puget Sound Energy Foundation!
The PSE Foundation and Board made the unanimous decision to award the South Whidbey Homelessness Coalition an unrestricted grant in the amount of $25,000 based on our unwavering commitment to those experiencing homelessness on Whidbey Island.
The PSE Foundation has unwavering support for unhoused populations by funding the exceptional work of 30 nonprofits serving across PSE's 10 counties in the homelessness spectrum. We are honored and humbled by this recognition.
Thank you to the PSE Foundation Board, Andy Wappler, President and Chairman, Nina Odell, Director, Local Government and Community Engagement. and Liz Purdy, or l Puget Sound Energy community engagement lead. We look forward to a continued relationship.
Kayla Leganza presenting interim Executive Director Tanya Gran with a wonderful donation.
Thank you South Whidbey!
When you see "round up" donations at the grocery store, have you ever thought, "How are my 52 cents going to help?" Here is how.
The Goose Community Grocer, (better known as just The Goose) in our rural community of South Whidbey, just cut the Whidbey Homeless Coalition a nice check for December's "spare change." Here you see Kayla Leganza, Store Manager, presenting the check for $7,353.86 to Tanya Stager-Gran, our interim Executive Director. Thank you Goosefoot. Thank you South Whidbey!
Braxton Lopez
Welcome Braxton
The Whidbey Homeless Coalition is pleased to announce hiring Braxton Lopez as the new program manager of our emergency shelter, the Haven, run in Oak Harbor, WA. Braxton brings years of experience as a Case Manager, CNA, and caregiver. He will add even more heart to our services at the Haven. His first day is January 17, 2022. He fills the vacancy left when Krystal Hamlin, who provided years of service to the homeless, resigned in December.
His responsibilities are for all aspects of the Haven’s operations. The Haven is a pop-up shelter hosted by generous churches in the Oak Harbor area. The shelter is set up every evening and taken down every morning, hence the term pop-up. Homeless individuals register for a night’s stay and agree to our code of conduct every evening. Upon acceptance, our vans transport the guests to the hosting church’s location. At the shelter, our guests get a small meal and a sleeping cot. In the morning, our staff provides our guests a breakfast and volunteer drivers return them to the SPiN Café or other approved drop-off location in our vans. The Haven provides about 5,500 guest-nights per year at a cost of less than $30.50 per night… far less expensive than any other option in Island County.
Braxton will manage the staff, coordinate volunteers, budgets, and transportation while handling any issues that arise with our sponsors, guests, and public. He will liaise with churches, community members, and law enforcement.
Please welcome Braxton, an Oak Harbor resident, to his new job.
The Whidbey Homeless Coalition is pleased to announce hiring Braxton Lopez as the new program manager of our emergency shelter, the Haven, run in Oak Harbor, WA. Braxton brings years of experience as a Case Manager, CNA, and caregiver. He will add even more heart to our services at the Haven. His first day is January 17, 2022. He fills the vacancy left when Krystal Hamlin, who provided years of service to the homeless, resigned in December.
His responsibilities are for all aspects of the Haven’s operations. The Haven is a pop-up shelter hosted by generous churches in the Oak Harbor area. The shelter is set up every evening and taken down every morning, hence the term pop-up. Homeless individuals register for a night’s stay and agree to our code of conduct every evening. Upon acceptance, our vans transport the guests to the hosting church’s location. At the shelter, our guests get a small meal and a sleeping cot. In the morning, our staff provides our guests a breakfast and volunteer drivers return them to the SPiN Café or other approved drop-off location in our vans. The Haven provides about 5,500 guest-nights per year at a cost of less than $30.50 per night… far less expensive than any other option in Island County.
Braxton will manage the staff, coordinate volunteers, budgets, and transportation while handling any issues that arise with our sponsors, guests, and public. He will liaise with churches, community members, and law enforcement.
Please welcome Braxton, an Oak Harbor resident, to his new job.
Happy Holidays,
Christopher Wiegenstein
Board President
It has been a long time coming, but here it is… The new website. Yawn, I know, it happens everyday. However…
Our new site has far more in-depth data about homelessness, how we address it, and how to take advantage of our services. Just click on our Programs menu item or I Need Help button and you will see that the changes are not just colors and fonts. I hope you find it useful.
Cheers,
Todd C. Williams
Board Treasurer and Webmaster