Elks Lodge helps to keep Our Ark afloat 

Through the efforts of Olympia’s Elks Lodge #186, Our Ark, a Lacey-based nonprofit, recently received a much needed Gratitude Grant of $3,000 from the Elks National Foundation.  

“The lodge can apply for a grant once a year,” explained Steven Phillips, the lodge’s co-grant coordinator, “and we appreciate the Our Ark’s mission and have worked with them in the past.  When we read in The JOLT News that they needed help, we decided to apply.” 

The Elks were founded in February of 1868 under the name of “Jolly Corks” by 15 actors and other individuals associated with theater in order to promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. 

During World War I, the Elks opened the first Army field hospital and the first hospital for wounded veterans.  In this state, the fraternal order started the Washington Elks Therapy Program in which therapists visit homes to provide cost-free services to families. 

“The organizations we have supported in the past are All Kids Win, the Thurston County Food Bank, the Drexel House, the Healing Hearts Ranch and the Innovation Human Trafficking Collaborative,” continued Phillips.  

Launched by Executive Eirector and CEO Danny Burkett in early 2021, Our Ark is Lacey-based nonprofit that serves youths and young adults experiencing homelessness.  Recent federal closures and changes, however, have created a lapse in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

“Our Ark provides supportive services and housing to homeless youth because we believe they are the future, as well as one of the most vulnerable homeless populations,” said Holly Corish, who is the director of human resources and operations for the nonprofit.

“Our Ark is a much smaller organization, so these delays hit us faster and harder than larger nonprofits. While we wait for the funding to be released, we are struggling financially and urgently need community support to keep serving local youth.” 

Along with the Elk’s Gratitude Grant, Our Ark has launched a “25 to Thrive Campaign” and a GoFundMe should community members want to contribute. 

Corish pointed out that all funds raised directly support young people currently in Our Ark’s housing programs to include emergency rent and eviction prevention, gap funding due to federal closures, security deposits and move-in support, utilities, food, clothing and transportation, hygiene items and daily living essentials, and case management and stabilizations services. 

 “Our young people have fought their way toward stability,” concluded Burkett, “and the only barrier standing between them and homelessness right now is a temporary federal funding gap. Community support, whether through our ‘25 to Thrive’ campaign or GoFundMe, helps us keep every youth safely housed.”