Chair-ity
Auction!
Student-built.
Lopez Artist-painted.
Community Benefitted.
The Chairs
Built by Lopez High Woodshop Students, these Adirondack chairs were handcrafted for the LIFRC Chair-ity fundraiser—celebrating our school’s partnership with the Family Resource Center.
The Artists
13 Local Lopezian Artists donated their time and vision to paint these beautiful Adirondack chairs with one-of-a-kind designs.
Artists: Anonymous, Camryn Chimera, Sophie Citro, Karen Hattman, Rachel Henderson, Nikyta Palmisani, Ana-Sophia Rempel & Kaileah Poole, Rebekka Reinmuth, Parlin Shields, Jaimie Terada, Marcia Meyer-Stoner, Mira Velo, & Rocky Wigre.
The Cause
Chairs will be on silent auction around the village starting at the Art Walk on June 7th and ending at the Summer Social on July 12th. All proceeds will go to support the vital programs of the Lopez Island Family Resource Center.
The Lopez Food Share
The Lopez Food Share ensures fair access to fresh, nourishing food, serving over 400 households annually and distributing more than 108,869 pounds of food. With rising costs and 38% of Lopez residents struggling to afford basic needs (United Way of the Pacific NW Alice Report, 2023), this pantry is a vital resource for hardworking families and seniors on fixed incomes. More than sustenance, the Food Share fosters dignity and long-term well-being in the community.
After School Program
For the first time, Lopez kids have access to safe, enriching, year-round out-of-school programs—giving parents peace of mind. Now called the Out of School Time Program, the free After School and Summer Camps are funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. Providing 43 weeks and 790 hours of enrichment activities, more than 50 K–8 students attend after school, with 90+ in summer camps.
Through art, music, STEM, robotics, and nature, kids build skills, confidence, and lasting connections.
Reading Coaching
Literacy Funding is more critical than ever. According to recent federal test scores, 40% of fourth graders, and 33% of eights graders fall behind basic reading levels, the worst in decades. We help children develop the foundational reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond with a reading program where 15 elementary age children who are 2-3 grades behind. behind in reading, are paired with 6 reading coaches for 3 sessions per week for 31 weeks during the school day. Using evidence best practices, over 1,000 individual coaching sessions delivered this year to 15 incredible students—despite mid-year transitions, program graduations, and sick days. There is nothing better than seeing the joy and pride of children recognizing they are now successful readers.
Through art, music, STEM, robotics, and nature, kids build skills, confidence, and lasting connections.
Youth Leadership
Youth leadership empowers young people to grow as confident, capable changemakers. Through hands-on experience, they build essential life skills—like responsibility, teamwork, and communication—while fostering connection, purpose, and a strong sense of belonging. This year, 21 youth leaders planned and led meaningful community service projects. Three earned certification as bilingual First Aid/CPR trainers, helping make our island a safer place. And the impact doesn’t stop there—seven graduating seniors were accepted to a combined total of 24 colleges! These powerful programs are made possible by a grant from the Washington State Health Care Authority, Youth Mentoring Programs.
Through art, music, STEM, robotics, and nature, kids build skills, confidence, and lasting connections.
Household Support
Fair Market Rent (FMR) in San Juan County is among the highest in the nation—more expensive than 94% of other FMR areas and 79% of the rest of Washington State (rentdata.org). To help our workforce and seniors manage these high housing costs, LIFRC provided 246 households with assistance in 2024, providing $30,980 for utilities and $55,862 for rent, and $56,946 for ferry tickets. This support helps keep families housed and healthy, strengthening our entire community. Special thanks to San Juan County Health and Community Services for rental assistance funding and to the Opportunity Council, which administers state funding through the Washington Department of Commerce for both rent and utility aid.
BuildAbility Camp
BuildAbility is a summer camp for students in special education, created with ALIGN (Advocates of Lopez Island Gathering for Neurodiversity). We train staff in best practices like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support all learners. Families call the program life-changing—one parent described it as an “absolute lifesaver,” another said their child felt part of a “special club” where they could grow and build self-esteem. Of 59 local kids eligible for disability support, grant funding has helped us serve 14 so far. This summer, we aim to expand so more children can connect, thrive, and shine.
Prime Time Reading
Preschool Prime Time brings families together through bilingual storytelling, open-ended discussion, and hands-on learning. Over 6 sessions, 15 families explored weekly themes—like seasons, fairy tales, and beach adventures—through storytime, play, crafts, and movement activities. Each session ends with a hot meal that builds community and conversation. One parent shared, “We now spend more time discussing books, and they want to act things out like they read in the book.” Thanks to Humanities WA and the DV & Ida J. McEachern Foundation, families received a new bilingual book each week and meals from local vendors to enjoy together. Local high schoolers and homeschoolers helped prep meals and lead activities, with key support from LISD staff, Lopez librarians, and the Lopez Bookshop.
Coast Salish: Land, Sea & Place
We’re honored to partner with Coast Salish tribal leaders to offer Coast Salish: Land, Sea, and Place, an immersive outdoor learning experience for Lopez 6th–8th graders.
60 Students spend four days at Camp Moran, including a boat trip to an outer island, where they explore the ancestral and cultural history of the San Juans through Coast Salish-led education. Rooted in the Since Time Immemorial and Samish 13 Moons curricula, this program fosters deep, place-based learning and connection. Led by Project Director Leslie Helitseliga Eastwood and Samish educator Denise Crowe, with a team of Native teachers, it’s made possible by an Outdoor Leadership Grant from the WA State Recreation & Conservation Office and OSPI.
Voices & Visions Leaders
Thanks to a grant from the Inatai Foundation, Tribal members, Hispanic, Queer and Disability Rights leaders work together to generate a deeper, more genuine compassion for all people – past, present, and future. They have hosted events that over 300 people have attended including cross cultural celebrations such as Children’s Day and Indigenous People’s Day. They identify community needs and develop solutions using their own life experiences. They also provide trainings that improve services and systems such as special education. By sharing power, generating safe spaces for learning, meeting, celebrating history, culture, and human rights, they are turning visions for justice and equity into reality.
The Heart & Soul Recovery Café
The Heart and Soul Café is part of the Recovery Café Network. Recovery is not a straight path – it’s a journey that requires support and understanding, and a place to pause without judgement. The Heart and Soul Café offers just that – a welcoming space for individuals navigating addiction, mental health challenges or trauma. Peer support among 22 members fosters healing and connection, replacing isolation. Community becomes a foundation for recovery. With each story, cup of coffee or meal shared, we are reminded that no one has to walk this road alone. Together, we keep the journey of recovery moving forward.
Early Learning Programs
The first three years of life are the most critical for brain development, shaping a child’s future health, relationships and ability to thrive. Research shows that secure attachments and nurturing care wire the brain for success, while chronic stress can have long-term negative effects. That’s why LIFRC prioritizes early learning support ensuring families have the resources, knowledge and community they need to give their children the strongest support possible. Throughout the last year, we have reached 88 participants through weekly Parent-Tot gatherings, Tuesday afternoon Preschool/Tot enrichments such as music, open gym and, coming this summer, gardening, preschool summer camps, and therapeutic play.
Youth Health Advocates
Teens’ brains are still developing, making them more vulnerable to cannabis and tobacco. The risks? Memory, learning, and mental health challenges. Our response: Youth-led prevention. With 19 trained Youth Health Advocates co-designing and co-facilitating monthly activities, we’re seeing fresh, effective approaches take shape. Advocates have received best-practice training, lead monthly health-focused activities, host an annual state-wide teen summit on Lopez for 100+ youth, and serve as role models for younger kids, building strong, healthy habits. This work is funded by the WA State Department of Health’s Youth Cannabis & Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program.
Community Health Workers
We have a team of five Community health workers (CHWs), who are public health professionals who are trusted members of the Lopez community. They are bridges between community members, healthcare and social services, improving access to care and promoting overall health. CHWs build trust to effectively reach individuals. In the past year, they served over 110 youth and adults, with over 3,000 contacts. They have also hosted community health fairs, health and safety classes, health and nutrition workshops and much more, partnering with more than 15 organizations on Lopez, in San Juan County and our region, as well as the State Department of Health.