Coupeville Nonprofits and Charities

Destination Imagination is a unique, supportive, collaborative, life-changing program! I discovered it in 6th grade when I joined a team at my new school, and I participated up through high school graduation. DI nurtured my creativity, STEAM skills, even comfort with public speaking, and was a driving force in encouraging out of the box innovative thinking. Years later, I'm still volunteering with the program (and loving it) and am still friends with my teammates, despite the fact that we all live far spread across the country. I have gotten a job because I treated a group interview like a DI "Instant Challenge" (the interviewing panel stated that it was their favorite interview they'd ever participated in), and I have had success in creative and artistic fields because DI taught me how to press on and take risks. It's a wondrous program full of wondrous people, and is fun and educational for kids as well as adult volunteers.

I have adopted from and volunteered at WAIF for 25 years. Today we have the best team ever - Donna and Cinnamon. The whole staff have been lifted up with new roles to cover all aspects of WAIF's needs and to help dogs become more adoptable. They work hard to ensure matches of dogs/cats and adopters are successful. <br>In the past there were very few animals available, but today there are many varied animals. If you are interested in volunteering there are beautiful trails and a big play yard as well as enrichment activities as well as projects to help with.

I began volunteering at Admiralty Head Lighthouse in July 2012, even before I had unpacked my dishes, when my husband's work brought our family to the Pacific Northwest. I'm a "retired" English teacher who loves history and lighthouses. I grew up near Fort Jackson, built in the early 1800's to help defend New Orleans, and I feel emotionally connected to Fort Casey, where the lighthouse is located. My initial training by administrative officials and other volunteers provided a solid foundation which I continue to build upon in my desire to inform and engage visitors to Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Each Docent is encouraged to interact with visitors in a manner best suited to the personal strengths of that Docent; we have volunteers who are pilots, teachers, carpenters, painters, etc.... Most are retired because, quite frankly, they ARE in a position to freely offer their time and skills so that the public can enjoy an important slice of American Maritime history. (My husband teases me by saying that he must work so that I can "play at the Lighthouse!") Each volunteer is passionate about offering a uniquely affirming experience for our lighthouse visitors. Built in the early 1900's, the interior is in remarkably good shape and visitors often comment on how well it's been preserved. This preservation depends heavily upon the caring diligence of the lighthouse volunteers. I love being able to say, "Today, I get to work at the Lighthouse." My family says that I am in a much better mood when I return home after time at the lighthouse!

At a local festival, a group of young adults and myself chose to sleep outside the whole weekend to demonstrate to the community how homeless youth have to live. We were luckier than most unaccompanied youth and were able to sleep under a canopy. The canopy was mainly used to keep a sandwich board we made dry that asked 'Where did you sleep last night?' This really opened the eyes of those who wanted to look the other direction and gained support for Ryan's House for Youth.<br><br>Ryan's House for Youth serves homeless and at-risk youth. They serve this often forgotten population by providing services such as assistance filling out important forms that allow them access to funding to continue their education and access to health insurance. They provide case management and even mediate with families to keep the student in their home (if safe or possible.) They help with counseling, employment, and give these youth the courage and strength to overcome obstacles and succeed. Their graduation rate is outstanding!<br><br>They have had 21 youth in host homes, 15 have graduated and the other 6 had already graduated high school and are pursuing college or trade schools. Last year alone, 7 students graduated high school and 1 was even a Valedictorian! <br><br>For more information please visit www.ryanshouseforyouth.org

Unfortunately the ALCOHOL 24-HOUR HELP LINE met it's demise a couple years ago when all funding was completely cut. Currently the ALCOHOL 24-HOUR HELP LINE is used as a tool for it's current "administrators", if they can be called that, to accept tax deductible donations as well as receive free and low cost products and services from other charitable organizations and businesses.