Resource center the go to organization for help

On the small-town streets of Stanwood, people “panhandling” on corners are a rare sight. But it does occur.

When it does, said Ty Trenary, Stanwood’s police chief, people usually contact the department with one of two concerns.

“They either want to know why no one’s helping the person, or they want to know why we’re not doing something to remove the person,” Trenary said.

The city of Stanwood has no ordinance against panhandling. While big cities like Seattle and Tacoma have aggressive ordinances against it, Trenary said the few who have staked out corners here are very passive and have never caused problems.

“A lot of people are struggling in this economy,” Trenary said. “It’s hard to create an ordinance against, essentially, helping people.”

“People tend to want to help out,” he added, “and so far nothing has come to light that would suggest these panhandlers are scam artists.”

Compared to towns even a few miles up or down I-5, Stanwood is a healthy community, Trenary said. He recently worked with the census bureau to identify homeless “camps” in the area, but couldn’t find any.

Trenary credits this, in large part, to the many resources available to people in this community.

“I wish every small community could model what we have here,” he said.

Stanwood has so many resources available that Trenary said, “There are times when, especially knowing what Stanwood offers, I’m suspicious of people standing on the street with a sign.”

Instead, he and other officers direct people to the Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center.

“I’m a huge advocate for the resource center,” Trenary said.

Opened in 1992, the resource center moved into its current location across from Stanwood Middle School in 1995, Christie Connors, the executive director, said.

Connors described the resource center as a family support hub, adding that most programs there are partnerships with other organizations in the community.

“About three-and-a-halfor four- years ago,” Connors said, “the resource center became the go-to organization.”

The police department, ministerial association and others funnel people and resources to the center. This networking allows them to provide help many people – a total of 4,826 in 2009.

Janet Mott, the center’s resource coordinator, accomplishes this by working with local transit systems, the PUD, Stanwood-Camano Food Bank, Safe Harbor Free Clinic, the Salvation Army and a host of other local resources. They are able to give food and clothing vouchers, as well as provide bus tickets and once-yearly grants for energy bills.

Sometimes, Mott said, people simply need knowledge or advocacy.

And, while the center “never gives cash,” they do have emergency funds available to people whose needs are more eclectic – prescriptions, bills, and tires, said Connors.

Last year, the center distributed nearly $15,000 in emergency funds, empowering a total of 822 people in 250 families.

The resource center also partners with Davis Place to provide after school activities and classes for students.

During the holidays, they coordinate with the Christmas House, which welcomed 1,075 people this past Christmas.

Connors and Mott credit the center’s success to “wonderful volunteers” and “cash donations that allow us to be flexible.”

Recently, they were excited to have their grant application for FEMA funds accepted. If all goes well, the center may soon be able to assist people with rent and mortgage payments.

In this economy, Connors said, agreeing with Trenary, “there are a lot of people on that low-income edge – and many of them are there for the first time in their lives.”

Mott concurred.

“In the last nine months,” she said, “I’ve seen many new people come through here, people who have never asked for help before.”

Most people make appointments, Mott said, and the partnership moves forward from there.

“The resource center has the connections to maximize any donations they’re given,” Trenary said. “People who contact them receive financial help and a path back to a better lifestyle.”

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews. com.