Tumwater’s budget committee sets aside 2023 human services funding to non-profits

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee approved the allocation of its 2023 human services funding during a meeting on Wednesday, October 19.

The $15,000 fund was split between five organizations, with representatives from each group speaking during the meeting to talk about their organization and showed what they do for Tumwater.

SafePlace,  a nonprofit organization that works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, according to representative Esmeralda Triplett, got the biggest share with $4,000.

SafePlace also has a 24-hour helpline program (360-754-6300) for crisis intervention and a 24-hour hospital response program to help survivors of sexual assault.

Big Brother Big Sisters of Southwest Washington and Family Support Center of South Sound were each awarded $3,000.

According to executive director Jeff Engle, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring organization that provides one-to-one mentoring relationships with the youth. They have a community-based program where high school mentors go out with their youth mentees to conduct various activities in the community.

Family Support Center representative Maija Glasier-Lawson described her group as serving families and survivors of family violence. One of their programs is an eviction prevention program to help struggling families, especially since rent cost has been increasing in Tumwater.

Garden-Raised Bounty serves low-income and food-insecure families, said representative Clare Follmann. They help families build their own gardens and provide them support to help them find long-term success with their gardens. They were given $2,500.

Dispute Resolution Center, which also received $2,500, offers conflict prevention and resolution services, said, representative Elizabeth Drake. They operate a resource line to offer advice on conciliation and negotiation and to offer referrals for mediation services.

The human services funding is maintained under the Community Human Services Program, which reserves a portion of funds for local organizations that provide human services to Tumwater residents, according to a document prepared by the committee.

The city council will likely approve the funding as a consent item in their November 1 meeting.