You’ve just lost your job but the bills are piling up and you still need to put food on the table. You are spending all your time looking for employment, but in the meantime where do you turn in these tough financial times? The Lopez Island Family Resource Center (LIFRC) is here to assist families whose lives have been turned upside down due to circumstances far beyond our secluded island community. The state of the economy is the headline topic these days, but how does that translate to life on our ‘island paradise’ and who is being affected? The ripple effects of the crisis have definitely washed over the island. Your neighbor, your friend, a family member…no one has been left untouched by this national crisis. Job losses combined with the high cost of living on the island make these hard times especially difficult.

The LIFRC has noticed a sharp increase in family support services recently. Normally this time of year we are focused on the Lopez Kids’ Summer Workshops since many people are employed in anticipation of the tourist season and family support needs decrease from the winter months. Things look very different this year. This week alone the LIFRC provided over $1,000 in rental assistance to several families, assisted a client with their electric bill and helped seven families and individuals apply for the Basic Food Program.

The Lopez Family Resource Center has stepped up its programs to respond to these issues. We are increasing outreach for the Basic Food Program on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands. We have recently offered Small Business Classes and Financial Literacy Classes in hopes that this will increase a family’s or individual’s ability to stay on the island. The LIFRC Technology Lab is open 9:00-5:00 daily so clients can access job search sites, apply for unemployment insurance and access other available resources.

The Lopez Family Resource Center reaches out to work directly with individuals and families in our community experiencing ongoing and emergent needs. Supported by community donations, United Way, foundation and government grants, the LIFRC stretches every dollar to provide a comprehensive array of services that best benefit the community. With donations down and needs continuing to rise, the combined efforts of this community to weather the storm are more critical than ever. If you want confidential assistance or would like to support the LIFRC’s work with a financial donation, please call us at 468-4117 or visit our website at www.lifrc.org.