Recent Grants

Continuing in its leadership role to provide better access to healthcare, the Foundation awarded $10 million in grants to the PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center for the construction of the new integrated medical center that is located in Friday Harbor.  The Community Foundation is proud of its role in championing this significant accomplishment and all it will mean for our community.  Peace Island Medical Center offers expanded doctor visits, a specialty clinic, enhanced diagnostic services, a cancer-care center, 24-hour ER, and an inpatient hospital. The ribbon cutting and open house were held on November 17, 2012, and Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) opened for business on November 26, 2012.  You can learn more by visiting Peace Island Medical Center .  All future donations to Peace Island Medical Center may be made through the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

Students at Friday Harbor’s, Spring Street International School created and published Time Was Volume II, a composition of their childhood memories. Readings from the book were made at the Mullis Senior Center, The Village at the Harbor assisted living center and Life Care Convalescent Center by students who are also members of Rock Solid, a youth driven program that supports drug and alcohol-free behavior among teenagers and adults.  The creation and publication of Time Was Volume III will further enrich their experience through interviews with some of their senior neighbors thus, bridging generation gaps and forging new friendships.  

Rock Solid, a youth driven program that supports drug and alcohol-free behavior among teenagers and adults, has put together a program to learn dance and music from the seniors in our community.  A multi-generation community dance event, Dance of the Ages, celebrates, showcases and shares the dances and music from the 40′s and 50′s.  This festive and colorful event was held on April 21st at the Mullis Center.  Everyone was welcome and there was no cost for admission.

Families & Neighbors Support Island Rec, FANS  is moving into its second year.  The organization grew from a desire to help fill the financial gap between the San Juan Island community’s park and recreation needs and what the junior tax supported organization, Island Rec can afford to address. Funds will be used to increase membership and continue to establish the organization in the community.  

Proper tools and equipment are essential for the students of the San Juan Island Conservation Corp who, through partnership and leadership, are learning about and caring for our local natural resources and environment.  These students are learning skills that may translate to future employment, especially within the environmental community.  They are learning about the San Juan Archipelago environment by participating in projects that support  a variety of island habitats and plant and animal species and, they are partnering with others on neighboring islands.  

To follow-up on a successful pilot program offered in 2011, Hospice of San Juan is now able to continue to offer professionally facilitated, Grief Support and Education groups that are open to all and at no charge thanks to a partnership between Hospice of San Juan, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center and the Community Foundation. For information, call 472-0322 and a hospice volunteer will return your call.  

To culminate a year of studying marine invertebrates, 3rd graders go on a field trip aboard the research vessel “Centennial”.  The “Diver for a Day” program involves sending scuba divers, with a communication system and video cameras, off the boat.  Students interact with the submerged scientists, ask questions and learn about the environment beneath our seas. This is a partnership project between the Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Labs Science Outreach Program and the Community Foundation.  

The ability to speak English is a fundamental prerequisite for the integration of immigrants into society. For the 2012-’13 school year two, fifteen week sessions of English Language Learning classes for adults are being offered at the library. A children’s literacy/enrichment program is offered simultaneously for children of the adult students. 22 adult students are registered for the first session. This is a joint project between the library, volunteers and the Family Resource Center. Community Foundation support will be used for educational materials, textbooks and workbooks.  

Students at Friday Harbor High School are required to give 30 hours to a meaningful community service project. Many excellent student ideas have not been completed because of expenses. The application process for students to obtain funding is stringent and has been time-tested for 10 years. It  involves written proposals, oral defenses and extensive commitments.

Island Stage Left performs at several different venues and set-up for each performance requires the coordination of many hands and a lot of equipment. One of the more challenging elements has been the theatre platforms for audience seating which over time have molded, rotted and needed ongoing work to maintain safety.  The acquisition of safe, stable, easily transported and set up theatre seating platforms is a long term capital investment in Island Stage Left performances.