Issaquah Community Services

Mission

Issaquah Community Services (ICS) provides emergency financial assistance for neighbors in need of a helping hand. We serve individuals and families who live within the boundries of the Issaquah School District and are experiencing a financial emergency. Our primary objective is to insure our neighbors can maintain a roof over their heads and keep their utilities on. ICS is operated by volunteers and 100% of your donations go to assist local households.

Description

Issaquah Community Services (ICS) has been helping neighbors stay safe and warm in their homes for more than 50 years by providing emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities. ICS serves residents of the Issaquah School District, an area of 110 sq miles that includes all of Issaquah and parts of Sammamish, Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton and Maple Valley. There are approximately 9800 people living below the poverty level in this district.

Requests for assistance have skyrocketed as rents have soared in recent months. About 15 active volunteers rotate hours to assist clients five days a week.  Currently, all business is conducted online and over the phone. All payments are made on behalf of the client, neither cash nor check are ever given to a client.

Our trained volunteers also direct clients to other community resources such as meal and housing programs, food banks, legal and medical resources and senior assistance.   ICS has formed partnerships with other non-profits for client referrals to case managers when future financial planning assistance is needed.  

With an annual budget of over $300,000, ICS is funded by a combination of grants and donations.  The City of Issaquah provides free office space and phones. There is no paid staff, therefore allowing 100% of donations to go directly to help clients.

It really does take a community to help our neighbors.  We have been able to assist over 400 households a year through the generous support of our friends and benefactors.