Thurston County has scored a major win for community engagement and support, hosting its second annual Resource Hub Block Party, which was attended by over 400 locals. These residents had the chance to obtain a range of services, including vaccinations, housing assistance, and even free haircuts. Thurston County's proactive approach is a testament to what can be accomplished with the power of strong community partnerships, and the emphasis on preventive support serves to steer individuals away from the justice system.
Last week, due recognition was given to evergreenDIRECT Credit Union (eDCU), which took up the mantle as the title sponsor for this event that is about more than entertainment. It represents a lifeline for the underserved. With evergreenDIRECT Credit Union aiding the last year's sponsor, Molina Healthcare, and the involvement of 175 community partners, the event underscored the integrated network that is essential for tackling social issues holistically. "Each time someone in our community gets the support they need to avoid the county’s justice system, that’s a better outcome for them, and it saves resources for our county," Thurston County Director of Pretrial Services Carrie Hennen told Thurston County News.
The impact of the Resource Hub reaches far beyond a single day's activities. The health and welfare services provided make tangible differences, like the 58 children who received important vaccines and the 66 community health assessments completed. As quoted from Thurston County Commissioner Rachel Grant, "The heart of this place isn’t the services, it’s the people - people who deserve to be seen for their potential, not their past."
Sharing the sentiment, eDCU CEO JohnPaul McGee highlighted the synergy between the credit union's mission and the Hub's mission. “We’re focused on helping people with low and moderate incomes grow stable roots in this community," McGee explained. "That means access to financial tools and education, which helps create long-term stability.” This reflects the broader objectives of the Resource Hub, which aims to stitch together various threads of human services, public health, and financial literacy to benefit those most in need. Thurston County Resource Hub Program Manager Nathanael Block summed up the collective spirit driving the initiative: "We’re building a network that connects public health, human services and financial literacy with the people who need them most. Each sponsor, each service provider, each resident who shows up – together we’re building momentum in the right directionn." By interlocking the capabilities of governments, nonprofits, and businesses – the county is illustrating a blueprint for community resilience and fiscal efficiency.
