AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Olympic Community Action Programs, I am new to the North Olympic Peninsula.
However, in my short time here, I have frequently felt overwhelmed by the compassionate and generous nature of the people I meet every single day.
From the Pacific Ocean to Hood Canal, people on the Peninsula refuse to sit on the sidelines while their friends, neighbors and those they may never know struggle to exist on the social and economic edge.
It is the people’s refusal to stand idly by that provides the inspiration necessary for Olympic Community Action Programs, known as OlyCAP, to rise to the challenge of helping people and changing lives.
There is no more impactful example of the depth of understanding, compassion and generosity than their support of the Peninsula Daily News’ Home Fund.
In 2016, OlyCAP, utilizing the Home Fund, will help thousands of people and forever change countless lives.
Fund recipients will be the faces we encounter in our travels each day.
They may be the people who pour our coffee, care for our children or make sure the shelves at the local market are stocked with the goods and services we want — and even sometimes need.
They are veterans who have served our country but bear physical and emotional wounds that make life’s daily struggles overwhelming events.
They are mothers and children victimized by violence and in need of safe sanctuary.
The Home Fund provides a local bridge that helps people access the resources that frequently lead them to the path of greater self-sufficiency.
Helping people and changing lives is rarely easy.
It requires patience, perseverance and commitment on the part of OlyCAP, our partner organizations, the community and most of all the people and families engaged in the process of changing deeply rooted and sometimes generational behaviors.
The Home Fund is frequently the bridge that leverages the resources necessary to help capture the momentum to carry forward the processes of creating conditions that help move individuals and families toward economic independence.
To that end, OlyCap’s promise to every Home Fund donor is that every contribution will be treated with respect and transparent accountability.
We promise to always do our very best to leverage your donations in ways that help people meet immediate needs, while creating the opportunity to change their lives.
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Dale Wilson is the executive director of Olympic Community Action Programs, which serves Clallam and Jefferson counties. Wilson joined OlyCAP on Sept. 1.
