Agency Details:

West Marin Community Services

Providing the West Marin community with emergency funds and supportive care to people in crisis, or who have special needs, and are unable to find assistance through any other means. We extend our support to other programs and nonprofit organizations in West Marin that also promote individual well-being and a caring community. Self-sufficiency, human dignity and social justice are the values that guide our efforts.

Description:
West Marin Community Services is the nonprofit umbrella organization for the West Marin Community Resource Center and the West Marin Thrift Store, and acts as fiscal agents for several community programs. These community agencies have worked diligently for over 30 years to support low income English and Spanish speaking community members of West Marin by providing emergency services that include a food pantry, energy assistance, housing assistance, medical and dental assistance, emergency grants and loans, childcare, senior in-home assistance, and other critical home needs.

History:
West Marin Community Services was established as the umbrella organization in early 2000 to oversee the West Marin Community Resource Center, the West Marin Thrift Store, and several other community programs such as the English as a Second Language program for Shoreline Unified School District and the Point Reyes Community Garden. The West Marin Community Resource Center was originally established in 1974 by the Volunteer Center, and has helped more than 81,000 individuals in their time of need. Some of the people helped in 2008 are: a family, whose 8 month old baby was terminally ill, was provided with childcare funding for an older sibling for one month. The parents were then able to spend time at the hospital with the baby during her final days. A mother of 6, diagnosed with leukemia, was provided with funds to purchase four new tires for the family van, so she could safely be driven to her doctor's appointments. A single woman, who was laid off from her job and shortly thereafter became homeless, was provided with a referral for an affordable rental and the first month's rent so she could get back on her feet. A disabled senior was provided with funds for increased care-giver support while recovering from a fall. A man living in the rural farmland area in West Marin, diagnosed with colon cancer and receiving chemotherapy treatments, was assisted with funds to pay for car registration and auto insurance so he could drive to his medical appointments.

The West Marin Thrift Store was created in 1987 as a vehicle to raise funds to support West Marin community members. All of the profits from the Thrift Store are distributed back into the community, with particular concern for low-income children, families and seniors, through grants and loans for emergency supportive care to people in crisis, grants to local nonprofit childcare and preschool agencies, and grants to local seniors. Since its inception, the West Marin Thrift Store has distributed over $442,500 back into the community through grants and loans since April, 2009. The Thrift Store is also provides low-cost and emergency no-cost clothing and household items to the community. It is also a place for the community to recycle and purchase quality items at affordable prices.

A website is currently under construction, and will be available to the public by 7/15/09. Please visit our website after that date at www.westmarincommunityservices.org.

Contact people:

Sarah Atherton, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Amy Faulstich, Director, Community Resource Center, (phone), (email) Babette Sange, Manager, Thrift Store, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 663-8361
Office fax number: (415) 663-8362

Address:

11431 Highway One, Suite 20 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Take State Route Highway One to downtown Point Reyes Station. Go through town, keep to the right as Highway One turns, one block up on the lefthand side in the Creamery Building (corner of Highway One and Mesa Road).   Nearest Bus Stop: Marin Stage Coach/Point Reyes Station, 3 minute walk

Last updated on May 27, 2009