The center is now open under new management with the Volunteers of America

Earlier this year it looked as though the Arlington Community Resource Center may close, however after a change in management they re-opened their doors on Feb. 17.

The center originally opened a little more than five years ago and has helped a variety of people.

For those who are homeless or about to be homeless, a number of housing resources were available.

They have also provided job search support, utility assistance and mental health support.

In 2019 the center helped house 77 families and assisted another 60 to stay in their housing.

“Through the last five years this center has been essential for the community because it’s given a place to have hope,” said Peggy Ray, director of the center, who will remain as the director.

“Even if it’s a senior that needs help with some paperwork, they can come here and be somewhere where we’re not going to judge them, not going to make them feel less than,” she said.

The center has provided a lot of support for homeless individuals in the area.

“We know their names and miss them when they’re not here,” said Ray.

Local police and fire department staff have brought many people to the center over the years, and the Embedded Social Worker program frequently uses the center as a place to meet.

“Without us here I just don’t know where they would go,” said Ray. “I’ve seen the lives that we’ve changed. We have a participant in here that started as a homeless person who felt helpless, now he’s here volunteering with us. We change lives every day,” she said.

Lutheran Community Services used to run the center, however had to back out this year after a loss in grant funding recently.

“When I first heard this center was closing I actually started hyperventilating. I get emotional about it,” said Ray.

“I started here with Lutheran Community Services five and a half years ago and this center means everything to me,” she said.

Community members came together late in January to find a way to keep the center here.

Eventually, Volunteers of America of Western Washington agreed to take over management.

“We would be not here if it were not Volunteers of America,” said Ray.

Others such as State Rep. Carolyn Eslick and Snohomish County Human Services also helped the center when they heard about a potential closure.

“Also, a big shout out to the Mayor [Barbara Tolbert], she was not going to let us go,” said Ray.

Ray said she is grateful for all those who helped. “It’s overwhelming. To be able to save this center,” she said.

Services at the center will remain the same as before.

“They said they don’t want to change anything that we’re doing,” said Ray.

“The only thing we don’t have now is a housing navigator,” she said.

Their current staff can still perform the same services though, they just don’t have a dedicated staff person for housing.

“We can still do all the applications, contact landlords and negotiate rents, and we will still pay for three-day pay-or-vacates,” said Ray.

The center was out of service for just one week before Volunteers of America opened the doors again.

It is still at the Stillaguamish Senior Center at 18308 Smokey Point Blvd, Arlington.

There is a new phone number though: 369-399-9103. Their email, [email protected], is also new.

All of the center’s supplies also went with Lutheran Community Services.

“We’re starting from scratch,” said Ray. “It’s a huge loss that we’re really going to have to rebuild.”

The center put together care bags for homeless individuals and used supplies to help provide birthday party supplies for families as well, however that stock must now be rebuilt.

Officials are asking for items such as non-perishable, non-expired food items, microwavable food, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry soap, hygiene items, blankets, new or gently used coats, socks and gloves.