Program Spotlight: Household Supports
Home is where stability begins. It is where meals are shared, homework is finished at the kitchen table, and long days end in warmth and safety. On Lopez, we are grateful to be part of a community that shows up for one another to protect that sense of home.
Every day, you show us what is possible when neighbors receive the right support at the right time.
Last year alone, nearly 900 inquiries came in from community members seeking guidance. Our team provided direct information and referrals to 858 individuals, helping research answers, coordinate care, and guide families toward solutions when no clear path seemed to exist.
Prevention matters.
Early, short-term assistance helps prevent evictions and utility shutoffs, especially during winter months when loss of heat, water, or electricity threatens health and safety.
In 2025, LIFRC served 52 households with $113,038 of rental assistance and helped 156 households access energy assistance programs like LIHEAP, distributing more than $36,000 in utility support. Even so, 56 households remain on the LIHEAP waitlist, a reminder of how deep the need runs.
For many islanders working in hospitality and seasonal industries, winter months are lean. We process an average of five rental assistance applications each month. Temporary assistance allows families to catch up, pay outstanding bills, and avoid taking on debt that can spiral into long-term instability.
Getting off island for medical care or essential shopping is another growing strain. This year, 96 households received transportation support. LIFRC purchased 763 ferry tickets through our Transportation Voucher Program and Family Support funds. For clients enrolled in Apple Health, we coordinated Medicaid transportation by submitting documentation, working with the Northwest Regional Council, and ensuring ferry access when clients lacked internet or email. Eight clients utilized Medicaid transportation 11 times, gaining peace of mind that they could attend critical medical appointments without added financial burden.
Accessing benefits has also become more complex in today’s digital systems, particularly for seniors. Our team provided technology support to 372 individuals, helping neighbors maintain eligibility for Basic Food, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
Behind every number is a family.
Recently, a community member experienced medical complications and could no longer work. Their partner reduced their hours to provide care while also supporting two school-age children. In a single visit, LIFRC helped update their insurance to Apple Health Medicaid, apply for Basic Food, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and secure rental assistance.
Those coordinated supports meant food on the table, electricity kept on, medical bills addressed, and stable housing preserved.
This is what community-centered prevention looks like, neighbors helping neighbors protect what matters most.
LIFRC helps neighbors stay housed, keep essential utilities on, access food and health care, and navigate complex systems, preventing temporary hardship from becoming long-term displacement and supporting stability when it matters most.
Thank you for being part of this work and for helping keep Lopez families safely at home.