2024 Summer Outreach Event showcases resources 

The 2024 Summer Outreach Event bridges the gaps between services that are available to the less fortunate of the community. 

“Holding these events (there is a Winter Outreach Event as well) brings services to the community in one location and assists our community in connecting/accessing these services with ease,” explained Samantha Gilbertson, an intensive case manager with Northwest Resources II.  

A Washington State Certified Behavioral Health Agency, Northwest Resources II (www.nwrii.com)  has been serving Thurston and Mason Counties since 1993, including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Shelton, Tenino, Chehalis and Centralia. 

She pointed out that these events began in 2022 with five agencies loading their bus and the Salvation Army bus with items for the homeless population and traveling to five locations in the community for two to three hours and handing out items. 

“We realized at that point that more needed or could be done to help people in our community access services that could make a huge impact in their lives,” Gilbertson added. 

Northwest Resources II partners with the Salvation Army,  Arrest and Jail Alternatives, Thurston/Mason Behavioral Health Organization, Capital Recovery Center, Exceptional Foresters Inc., Family Education and Support Services, and Innovations HTC to make the events possible. 

Gilbertson added that the agencies that attend represent everything from behavioral health, primary health care providers, case management, and family support to free cell phones, veterans’ programs, housing programs, acupuncture, and free haircuts. There will also be a mobile Department of Licensing (DOL) unit and a mobile Department of Social & Health Services unit on site. 

“I’d expect someone who attends will see a collaboration of agencies which are trying to help out community members improve their lives,” said Gilbertson. “There are resources in our community that are rarely accessed or could be of great service if the community knew about them.” 

Some of the agencies which will on hand are as follows: NAMI Thurston/Mason, PiPe, Equus/Worksource, Olympic Health and Recovery Services, Providence BH and Recovery, ANEW, Timberland Library, Our Ark, SeaMar, Family Education and Support Services, Olympia Veterinary Specialist, Narcotics Anonymous, Northwest Resources II, Salvation Army, Assurance Wireless, Molina HC, Evergreen Treatment Services, Innovations HTC, Capitol Recovery Center, Olympia Sober Housing, Thurston County Resource HUB, Valley View, Olympia Community Acupuncture, Insurance Answers WA, Arrest and Jail Alternatives, Exceptional Foresters Inc., Nineline, Ideal Options, Concern for Animals, Lacey Veterans Hub, Truly Motivated Transitional Living, Habitat for Humanity, WA Health Care Authority, Family Support Center, Community Youth Services, Recovery Village, and Rainier Springs. 

The 2024 Summer Outreach Event will be held at the Salvation Army’s Administration Office at 824 5th Ave. SE, Olympia on Wednesday, July 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. 

Lunch will be provided for both providers and members of the community. Brian Johnson from Johnson Medicare Solutions will provide the providers’ lunch; Catholic Community will provide the community’s lunch. 

“Whether you’re attending for services or attending to help the community you live in, there’s something at these events that a person can learn, ways that we can make our community brighter, and bring hope to those around us that may not be as fortunate,” concluded Gilbertson. 

For more information, contact Gilbertson at (360) 791 – 0263.