Submitted by Thurston County
At a time when local governments are being asked to do more with less, Thurston County is proving that strong community partnerships can change lives and save taxpayer dollars.
The county’s second annual Resource Hub Block Party saw more than 400 residents gather to access services that ranged from vaccinations to housing assistance to free haircuts. And last week, Thurston County recognized evergreenDIRECT Credit Union (eDCU) for serving as the title sponsor of the family-friendly event that helped community members and highlighted a serious purpose: providing upstream support that diverts people from the costly cycle of court and corrections involvement.
“This is what smart, collaborative government looks like,” said Carrie Hennen, Pretrial Services Director for Thurston County. “Each time someone in our community gets the support they need to avoid the county’s justice system, that’s a better outcome for them and saves resources for our county.”
Since its launch, the Resource Hub has served more than 5,000 people. This year’s event, made possible through title sponsorship from eDCU, support from last year’s sponsor Molina Healthcare, and from 175 community partners, demonstrated the growing reach of the county’s program:
- Public Health Services: 58 children received vaccines, and 66 community health assessments were completed.
- Essential Support: Services like free haircuts, pet grooming, and showers were provided, demonstrating the event’s holistic approach to community well-being.
- Life-Saving Donations: The Lifestream Cascade Blood Bank collected 17 units of blood, (officials say that’s a record for them).
For Thurston County Commissioner Rachel Grant, who spoke at the event, the Hub’s impact is clear. “The heart of this place isn’t the services, it’s the people – people who deserve to be seen for their potential, not their past.”
The eDCU CEO JohnPaul McGee echoed the sentiment, noting the alignment between the credit union’s mission and the Hub’s vision. “We’re focused on helping people with low and
moderate incomes grow stable roots in this community,” he said. “That means access to financial tools and education, which helps create long-term stability.”
That alignment is what makes the Hub more than just a one-day event, said Thurston County Resource Hub Program Manager, Nathanael Block. “We’re building a network that connects public health, human services and financial literacy with the people who need them most. Each sponsor, each service provider, each resident who shows up – together we’re building momentum in the right direction.”
As Thurston County looks to the future, the Resource Hub stands as proof: when governments, nonprofits, and businesses work together, communities grow stronger and budgets stretch further.
To learn more about Thurston County’s Resource Hub, visit Resource Hub | Thurston County.
