Kittitas County stories
How your contributions to United Way help people in Kittitas County
The following are testimonials from agencies and clients in Kittitas County who were helped by the generous support of United Way donors.
Central Washington Disability Resources
"Most recently a young man, with a developmental disability, who is diabetic and obese, and has had difficulty with movement, has utilized an exercise program at the Kittitas County Memorial Pool; he was unable to pay for the classes monthly cost, so United Way funding was used to support the fee. He now exercises regularly, has gained mobility and lost 14 lbs. within a month and a half."
Hospice Friends
"Recently a client passed away, who was admitted to Hospice Friends services over two years prior to death. At the time he began services he was unable to walk and maneuvered around his home on his hands and knees. The condition also rendered him house bound as he was unable to get into or out of a vehicle. Durable equipment loaned to him from Hospice Friends allowed the last two years of his life to be more productive. With the assistance of his family and the Hospice Friends equipment, he was able to become mobile, form social relationships and attend medical care appointments on a regular basis."
Hospice Friends client family:
"We want to thank Hospice Fiends for being a significant part of our loved one's life and death these past few weeks. From the moment (of the physician referral) we felt surrounded by their care and concern. From the beginning, it was our family goal that (her) last days be as pain free, anxiety free and comfortable as possible. This goal was met through their support services of equipment...and their presence in our lives...The final twelve hours were so peaceful that we did not feel any necessity to call them. Yet, her peace and our peace were the result of their work...and our trust in the Hospice methodology."
Kittitas Valley Opportunities Parent to Parent Program Parents
"Parent to Parent is desperately needed resource in our community. I am one of the blessed parents to have a special needs child. Her name is Raven and I didn't always think of her as a blessing. I always knew that my daughter was different, but physically she appeared okay. Her doctor felt that she was fine and that all of her tantrums and violence were due to my lack of parenting skills. Well, 5 daycares later I knew something was wrong. I looked for answers; I asked for help, I turned everywhere that I thought was the right direction, but to no avail. Finally someone asked me if I had heard of Parent to Parent. They have become mine and my daughters light in a very dark world. They showed me how amazing my daughter was. They shared with me vast amounts of information that I would need in order to be my daughters advocate. I look forward to my newsletters/emails telling me of upcoming events that can further my education as well as provide me with meeting dates with other parents to visit and just discuss life in general while knowing that our children are in an environment that they will not be judged, but rather allowed to be themselves. I am so fortunate and appreciative to have Parent to Parent in my life. They are my strong wave of encouragement, knowledge, and dedication that I need in order to guide my daughter through a world that doesn't always understand her."
"Kittitas County Parent-2-Parent is an organization that is vital to our community and has provided my family with much support over the past three years. My son, Evan, is three years old and has some significant special needs. Shortly after birth, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE Syndrome. The result of this syndrome is that Evan was born with multiple birth defects, involving almost every organ system. He is Deaf, feeding tube dependent, and has profound delays in communication and physical development. When I first contacted P-2-P, was really in denial about the significance of Evan's problems. I remember feeling a little embarrassed about calling, because I didn't think my son was "that disabled." What I found in Parent-to Parent was a community of other parents who helped me to acknowledge my son's problems for what they were, helped my husband and I come to terms with what that meant, and then empowered us to stand up for Evan's rights and advocate so he could get the services he needed to maximize his development."
Aging and Long Term Care Respite Program
"Mrs. H lives with her granddaughter and her family in a small community in Kittitas County. On a day to day basis, among all the family members, she is well cared for. Usually twice per year, the granddaughter and her husband go on vacation for a week, and since the teenagers are in school and work, the grandmother needs help in the mornings to get up and going, as well as in the late afternoon. The kids are there at night. These few Respite hours per day provide the caregiver with comfort in knowing that her grandmother is eating, bathing, and taking her medications properly, yet still allows Mrs. H some independence.
"Mr. B, 88 years old, lives with his wife, 86 years old, in their own home in Ellensburg. They have wonderful family support from 2 daughters who call or visit daily but work full time. Mrs. B is unable to walk due to spinal problems and her husband has his own orthopedic problems. Mrs. B would not be safe alone in the house and Mr. B cannot help her shower. Three times per week the Respite provider comes to their home to be with Mrs. B for 2 hours while Mr. B runs errands, sees friends and ‘takes a break'."
Boy Scouts of America, Grand Columbia Council Eagle Scout Life Purpose and Ambitions:
"My ambition is to serve the people of this country. I would like to do that by having a career flying helicopters in the military...Being in scouting has given me the experience of working hard toward my goal. Since I joined scouting late, I had to wok extra hard to qualify for my Eagle before I turned 18 year old. This experience had given me a sense of responsibility, strength, and leadership skills I will need to achieve my goals. I look at my life and ask what can I do that will be in service to the people of my community and this country. Scouting has given me this attitude. Life isn't about picking a career; it's about making a difference. That may sound cliché, but I can't think of anything that could possibly be more fulfilling in life than to enjoy what I do, and know that it is serving a purpose to help make the world a better place." - Brett, 18 years old.
"The spirit is there in every boy; it has to be discovered and brought to light." - Sir Baden-Powell. One thing my scouting has taught me is that there is a light in the heart of every boy that comes through the door of scouts. My light has been very different than those of my fellow Boy Scouts. Each boy has a light that burns different yet just as bright. For me scouting has been the most important things in my life since I can remember. I can not describe the countless things my walk with scouting has taught me. From how to prepare for a day trip to how to prepare myself for life, scouting and my fellow scouters have been there for me, every step of the way. Scouting has shown me that all goals are attainable. When I first joined scouting, the rank of Eagle seemed so far away, with a walk that took endless dedication and a huge time commitment. I knew that I wanted to become an Eagle Scout, however I was not prepared for what was required or how much fun I was going to have trying to achieve the goal. I feel that with every step I took down the road of becoming an Eagle, the closer I came to finding who I really was inside myself. Through much adversity comes many rewards. I have found my reward in the satisfaction of helping others and helping myself along the way. My life purpose I feel is to become a servant to all whether in physical service or my commitment to my spiritual life. I that these 9 years I have spent in scouting have been the first part of my training on the way to a life of service and continued training. I also know that the people around me have not spent countless hours in helping me on my walk to see me not give back some or all of what I have learned. Even now, I strive my hardest to instill lessons I have learned that have been helpful to me back to the younger and just as eager scouts around me. When I am older and have a family, I will do whatever I can to assist scouting troops in my area to give back what I have received." - Chandler, 17 years old.
Hope Source Youth Recreation Scholarship Program
"Most recently we had a family that had come in to access our energy and nutrition assistance programs for the first time. Both parents have seen a reduction in their hours at work over the last 9 months and were close to their breaking point. After a household intake assessed the household's needs they were given an Energy Assistance appointment that helped with nearly $700 of their utility bill. They were also given a food bank card to start to supplement their budget by accessing the food bank. Before leaving their appointment they were told about the Youth Recreation Scholarship Program and connected with Scot Reeves the coordinator. Within a day Scot was able to qualify the household for the program and the two children in the household were signed up for swimming lessons. The household was so excited about the swim lessons that they wrote a heartfelt letter to Scot expressing their gratitude. There is no doubt these children would not have had this opportunity had the Youth Recreation Scholarship not been in place."
Elmview Vocational Services and Senior Nutrition Programs
"Dry Creek Assisted Living recently added a new employee, and the staff there say they couldn't have found anyone better. Patty Berger, a developmentally disabled Elmview participant, started her new job in October. She works setting and clearing tables in the dinning room, and now shows great potential. "She is always eager to learn new things", said Dry Creek Assistant Administrator Lori Skov. "We're very excited to have Patty. She's a bright light here with a big smile." Berger works at Dry Creek at least three hours each day, five days a week. She works with other staff to serve sixty people at dinner. I used to work for Elmview, and while I was there, Patty worked for me in the Senior Nutrition program. She was always on time and was the best employee I could dream up. When I called around for this job and found out Patty was available, I knew she was the one," said Skov. Skov said she plans to give Berger more duties as time goes on. Dry Creek is an assisted living facility that provides apartments and cottages, in-home care, 24 hour medical service, three meals a day, and other services. Its been in business for two years and has approximately 60 residents."
"Home delivered meals and our volunteer drivers are often the only contact for some people receiving Meals on Wheels. One participant unable to cook or get out of her home was referred to our program by the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. When we first met her, she was underweight and severely depressed. Nutritious meals and friendly, supportive conversation began to make a difference. After receiving meals and visits from Elmview's drivers, she showed a marked improvement. She gained 20 pounds and began to interact with people regularly. To this day, she continues to do well and looks forward to her daily lunch and visit from Senior Nutrition drivers."
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)
"After their mother went to prison, two pre-adolescent sisters suffered years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse by their father, including threats to shoot them. Relatives who knew about their plight did not step in to protect them. Their CASA volunteer's investigation and courtroom advocacy prevented the girls' placement with a relative who was pressuring them to recant their statements and seek forgiveness. When it appeared that a lack of suitable relatives and a shortage of available foster homes would necessitate separating the sisters and uprooting them from their community, their CASA volunteer persuaded a local couple to become licensed as foster parents for them where they remain placed and are currently awaiting adoption into their foster family."
"An eight year old whose mother periodically suffers from a serious debilitating mental illness had been neglected and was suffering emotionally himself as a result of the conditions in his home. A bright child, his educational needs were not being met in part because his mother was unable to advocate for his needs within the school system. Today, as a result of his CASA volunteer's advocacy, the child has been provided with additional educational opportunities, is receiving counseling, is able to have supervised contact with his mother that he desires, and is in stable, safe and permanent placement with a relative."
Catholic Family Volunteer Chore Services
"Last winter VCS received a request for services from an individual who had received VCS services off and on as needed for a number of years. Recently, however, his condition had worsened, and it appeared that more regular services were going to be needed. He had become totally housebound and was in a wheelchair. After assessing his situation, VCS realized that he would need a volunteer several times per week, which is a lot to ask from most volunteers. To make matters more difficult, the client lived out in the country and gas prices were soaring at the time. While speaking with the client the staff asked if he knew any of his neighbors. He said that because he had been unable to get out for so long he really didn't know anyone very well. Looking around the area staff noticed a home-based business nearby. The staff stopped in to speak with the women who owned the business and told her about her neighbor in need. Not only did this kind neighbor sign up to volunteer with the client, her two teenage daughters did as well! Now, he has three volunteers who live very near and are just a phone call away for him. The family has become very close with the client and a long-term neighborly relationship has developed."
Dispute Resolution Center Victim Offender Meeting Program
"Through this program, our mediators brought together three youth (who had prowled in unlocked cars while on a camping trip) with a representative group of two victims. Through the meeting, the victims were able to express their frustration (this wasn't the first time at least for one of the cars had been prowled) and heard from the youth about their recognition of the harm they had caused. The youth's parents also participated in the meeting. The youth went through a pretty major shift in their attitudes from "we were just having a little fun" to recognizing the cost, time and frustration their actions had on all their victims. They took responsibility for their crimes and turned the corner on their view of "having fun" in the future. Their parents were also able to apologize for what their sons had done. In all, considerable healing took place in this upper county community."
American Red Cross Disaster Services
"In January 2009, severe flooding occurred in Kittitas County. Thje American Red Cross responded and cared for individuals from throughout the community. During the initial flooding, 2 mass care shelters were opened and food was provided to disaster victims and emergency responders. After the water started to recede, the Red Cross coordinated 695 volunteers to help assist in clean up and recovery efforts. Those 695 volunteers worked over 4200 hours in ten days. The red Cross volunteers and staff train and prepare year round for such an event"
F.I.S.H. Food Bank
"A woman and her three children came into the food bank to use the food assistance program for the first time in her life just last month. She repeated to one of our volunteers that she couldn't believe she and her family were in the position of needing to use this service. She was tired, lonely, stressed, and uncomfortable. Our volunteer was helpful, and was able to not only provide the necessary food, but had the ability to listen and provide much needed comfort. This woman thanked our volunteer numerous times and asked if she could "have a hug" upon leaving, which our volunteer gratefully acknowledged. An illustration of the true "service to humanity" which F.I.S.H. provides."