Orcas Advisory Committee: History

The Mission Statement of our Senior Services Council:

To assist seniors age 60 and over to recognize  and deal with their needs and to provide a spectrum of services through a multi-function agency which will serve the recreational, intellectual, social, physical and mental needs of seniors regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

Our goals:

1. Maintain the value and dignity of seniors, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, to maximize their contribution of life experiences to each other, our youth, and our communities.

2.  Support provision of services to seniors and their caregivers by the Senior Services Division of San Juan County Health & Community Services Department.  Assist staff in implementing and operating senior programs in a manner which is legal, ethical, fiscally responsible and fulfills program specific standards for grant funds and private donations.

3. Operate accessible vehicles with which  to provide specialized transportation services to seniors and disabled in our communities.

4.  Develop and operate Senior Center facilities on each major island for the provision of services and programs aimed at increasing quality of life for seniors, their caregivers, and the community as a whole. 

5.  Provide a non-profit corporate umbrella for Island Advisory Committees which identify and endeavor to meet local needs and service gaps.

 Our Orcas Advisory Committee is adapted to Orcas needs.  We began as a grass-roots movement in the mid-1970s, when choices were very limited for seniors or those with disabilities who faced increasing care needs.  Council founders felt strongly that island living should not mean having to leave the community for care or services.  Many from the Orcas community worked on projects such as the Orcas Longhouse (non-profit senior apartments) and applications for federal and state grants to provide transportation, case management, congregate and home-delivered meals, and in-home services.

Five new Advisory Committee members are elected each year by Senior Center members, as five others rotate off the group. The Advisory Committee meets once a month.   Three representatives from Orcas are  elected by their fellow committee members to the Senior Services Council, comprising Orcas, San Juan, Lopez, and Shaw. The Council meets four times a year.