Program:
Peter Theisen introduced Greg Winter, Executive Director of the Opportunity Council (OC), to give us an update on the completion of the Bellingham Recovery House (which was this year's RCOB's Major Project, raising $100,000), as well as OC's efforts to provide increased support for our community's most economically vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recovery House will provide transitional housing and treatment for persons with substance addiction who are committed to recovery. It is a partnership between OC and Lifeline Connections, which will provide in-house supervision and treatment for the residents.
The facility, located on the corner of I and Girard streets, consists of a residential building and a smaller building for offices and group meetings. The residence will be able to house 16 clients. However, while pandemic precautions are in place, the capacity is 10 or 11, in order to avoid room sharing.
The construction and remodeling of the facility has been slowed by the pandemic; the goal now is for completion by this October. The total cost of the project is $2 million and Greg happily announced that, in the past week, the City of Bellingham donated the last $500K. Greg listed and thanked the organizations that raised the required funds: RCOB, Horn Foundation, River Styx Foundation, City of Bellingham, Whatcom County Health Department and WA State Dept. of Commerce; PeaceHealth donated the property.
Greg then described OC's response to the pandemic:
1. Housing/Shelter Assistance and Outreach
- adapting pre-existing supportive housing programs
- expanding emergency motel shelter program
- expanding emergency rental assistance services; this will become a bigger problem when/if the current WA State freeze on evictions expires
- outreach to those at greatest risk
2. Child Care Business Support
- New Center for Child Care Retention and Expansion, which will provide financial and other support for local child care centers struggling to survive during the pandemic
3. Food Security
- adapted Maple Alley Inn to prepare meals for Isolation and Quarantine Center and supportive housing tenants
- OC's Volunteer Center and Early Learning programs delivering food in partnership with Bellingham Food Bank
- Homeless Outreach Team delivering non-perishable food to the homeless
4. Support for early learner families
- child activity kits
- hygiene supplies
5. Building portable handwashing stations for construction sites and homeless camps
Greg closed by describing building projects which will expand OC's services in the community, such as a new industrial kitchen and new service facilities in east Whatcom County. He thanked the members of the RCOB, as well as numerous other local organizations and local, state and federal funding agencies for their support.
Presentations:
Gary Goldfogel gave his weekly update on the local COVID-19 situation as Whatcom County transitioned to Phase II openings:
1. There were three local outbrakes reported this past weekend, possibly related to people congregating outdoors during a long, sunny Memorial Day weekend 3 weeks ago.
2. At St. Joseph Hospital, there have been no COVID-19 related ICU patients or new hospital admissions.
3. No COVID-19 related deaths reported.
Interesting article for update on how one catches Covid-19.
