Thursday, October 1, 2026
A five-year strategy to address funding, volunteer and other needs at Lacey Veterans Services Hub (LVSH) is under consideration, as the support group looks to the future.
The Lacey City Council reviewed a proposed 2027-31 strategic plan during a work session on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Council members took no vote, and staff plans to revise the proposal based on feedback before returning for possible adoption.
The proposal calls for shared funding agreements, at least two grant applications annually and a donor engagement strategy. The proposal also calls for a volunteer academy, a larger volunteer pool, an enhanced client appointment system, expanded Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation scheduling and quarterly meetings with Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) officials.
The strategy identifies limited funding sources, reliance on volunteers, technology and data-tracking limitations, and facility space constraints as weaknesses. Potential disruptions in federal and state funding cycles, and regional population growth outpacing service resources are listed as threats.
The city established the LVSH in 2014 in a 1,200-square-foot space at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey campus. The facility later expanded to more than 6,000 square feet.
Council member Maren Turner asked whether staff had established a dollar target for grant funding.
LVSH Coordinator Brian Waananen said no dollar target had been established because requests will depend on the services the program needs at the time. He said potential sources include Thurston County, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and federal grant programs.
Lacey Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong said staff first needs to identify opportunities that match the program’s needs, adding priorities could change from year to year. She cited staffing and replacement vans as examples of expenses that could influence future grant applications.
Volunteer participation has increased. The program had 22 volunteers, who provided 3,268 hours in 2025. Through July 10, 31 volunteers had provided 2,392 hours. Waananen said the volunteer roster has grown to 34 as of Aug. 11.
Volunteers serve in three roles. Front desk specialists help clients identify appropriate resources, transportation specialists drive veterans, active duty service members and family members to medical appointments, and outreach specialists represent LVSH at community events.
As staff seeks to expand that workforce, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller suggested recruiting from local senior living communities, including Panorama and Reserve at Lacey.
The LVSH recorded 3,317 client visits in 2025 and 1,573 through July 10. New clients represented 43.82 percent of visits this year, up from 29.39 percent in 2025.
Transportation distances have increased as well. The program transported 165 clients over 7,721 miles through July 10, averaging 46.79 miles per trip. In 2025, it transported 269 clients over 9,737 miles, averaging 37.59 miles per trip.
Waananen attributed the longer trips partly to clients in Rainier and Yelm, who repeatedly use the transportation service. Thurston County has an estimated 28,932 veterans, representing about 9.5 percent of its population, according to the strategic plan.
In addition to the service system changes, the plan calls for more higher education partnerships and transition service pathways for service members leaving active duty.
Council member Carolyn Cox praised the changes Waananen has overseen since becoming the coordinator.
“The change that you have brought is really impressive for the relatively short amount of time that you have been there,” Cox said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here