Column by Garnet Logan

When the telephone rings at the desk at Helpline House, it is common for first-time callers to inquire about what we do.

After a brief listing (food bank , free clothing, medical equipment loans, counseling by a social work team, mental health services, financial assistance for rent, utilities and medical problems top the list) most callers are astonished at the wide variety and breadth of services offered. They don’t know about Project Wishbone, Project Backpack, Project Happy Birthday, the PAWS connections, legal services and lots more.

If they stopped by, they would see a never-ending coffee pot and the welcoming smiles of more than 100 volunteers as well.

During the past 40 years, Helpline House has evolved into being “the hub of the human services delivery system on Bainbridge Island.” It is a unique agency that handles day-to-day needs, and tries to be responsive to what is ahead as well as what is happening now.

As a case in point, Serenity House is closing, causing 11 adults with developmental disabilities to move off the Island before March 23, just as recent legislation led to the ending of Helpline House’s 30-year Community Access Program. Instead of just closing the door, Helpline House did what it has done many times in its 40 year history – sought to fill a gap in service by adapting to the changing needs of the community and fostering programs that respond as trends develop.

Last fall, a proposal for development of a position to coordinate services for our special needs population was created, and funding was raised from a variety of sources (grants, and private, city and Helpline funds) to maintain and encourage connections for community members of all ability levels.

This involves both large and small tasks ranging from finding volunteer movers for Serenity House residents, a friendly face during a sometimes tough transition, or bringing interested parties and resources together to address the larger more long-term needs of the community.

As the island’s only comprehensive social services agency, Helpline is in a unique position to address these significant issues but it is no easy task. There is a rising number of islanders living with developmental impairments and other disabilities, including age-related problems.

Donna Dahlquist, the special needs coordinator, acts as facilitator, coach and cheerleader, by assisting service providers, providing expertise in trends, researching funding, best practices, licensing, codes/zoning and the myriad complexities involved in expanding dwindling services.

She also visits residents and responds to families and concerned community members and those providing support for a disabled person. She encourages and assists Hope House and owners Lorraine and Steve Eckholm as they operate their licensed non-profit adult family home for six, and seeks to add other much needed homes, a daunting effort.

As Donna says, “We need to keep the support providers on their feet, because when they go under it’s the vulnerable people who suffer…I encourage, nag, research and direct toward existing resources to lead us out of this pickle. My job has been a lot about responding to pickles as they rise to the top.”

For assistance, Donna Dahlquist can be reached at Helpline House, 842-7621.

Garnet Logan is a member of the Board of Directors of Helpline House.