By Tim Hockett for Peninsula Daily News
EDITOR’S NOTE: For 20 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
Today we feature another in a series of articles that provide a window into how the fund operates and the people it serves.
The next article will appear Sunday with the latest list of donors.
PORT ANGELES — The recession continues to take its toll across the North Olympic Peninsula, including those who have served our country in the military.
Craig Conway, 46, an Army veteran, is one of those who has been manhandled by the economy.
He was raised “all over” he explains, as his father, a military man, moved around the country.
When he grew up, Craig followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army.
He served in the early 1980s and was stationed in Germany.
He was also able to attend West Point for special training.
When he got out of the Army, he pursued a career in computers.
As his programming skills grew, he first worked for a large company, then eventually started his own business.
A resident of Port Angeles since 2000, Craig developed software for people wanting to learn how to become real estate agents.
His online program was very popular, especially during the real estate and construction booms.
But then the construction stopped, and the real estate industry took a tumble.
So did Craig’s business.
Craig went from making $1,700 a week to little more than nothing.
Because he had operated his own business as an officer of his own corporation, he was told he could not collect unemployment benefits.
“I spent months trying to find other work, to develop other marketable software and turn things around, but my savings eventually played out — and the bills began to pile up,” he said.
Everything from mortgage payments to auto payments fell behind.
Then there were medical expenses.
“My wife of 23 years also has a number of health issues, including asthma and COPD; her medications cost between $400 and $450 per month,” said Craig.
“We’ve applied for SSI [disability], but that process is taking a long time.”
In August, he took a job as a resident care assistant in a licensed care facility, making much far less than he had as a computer programmer.
“Sometimes you just have to take whatever work you can get,” he explained.
“But now I make one-fifth of what I used to make. And to think that a year ago, I had five people working for me.”
Though underemployed for the skills he possesses, he works hard all day caring for others.
Then he goes home and works on his computer a few more hours each evening, hoping it will bring in some extra money.
In October, Craig received a shut-off notice from the local power company.
He had heard about OlyCAP and decided to approach it for help.
OlyCAP is Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
In addition to its wide array of services devoted to strengthening the community by helping lift struggling families, OlyCAP manages the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
It screens applicants for the fund and disperses the funds.
“I met a lady named Betty at OlyCAP, and she helped me with some funds from the Peninsula Home Fund,” Craig said.
He was referring to Betty Barnard, one of the OlyCAP volunteers specifically trained to provide emergency assistance to people facing crisis.
She helped Craig with $150 toward his power bill from the Home Fund.
“But Betty didn’t stop with that,” he said.
“She explained to me that as a veteran I might likely be able to get some help from the local Veteran’s Relief Fund.
“She was right. They helped pay my back fees and helped me and my wife with money for food and medicine.
“I didn’t even know that service was available.”
He paused, then continued:
“I tried very hard to pay my bills, then to restructure my finances, but when your income just stops, you wind up losing things.
“My truck was repossessed.
“Now I work hard, eight hours every single day plus programming in the evening, hoping to find some way to avoid foreclosure [of my home].”
Craig still faces a tough road but is not complaining about this downturn in his life.
Indeed, he is both grateful and hopeful.
“This community has been fantastic, and OlyCAP has the nicest people — and although it will be hard to save my home, I am eternally optimistic.”
No deductions — a ‘hand-up’
From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, the PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for residents in Jefferson and Clallam counties when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to LaPush, it’s a “hand up, not a handout” — hot meals for seniors, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low income, needed prescription drugs, dental work, safe, drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on — from Jan. 1 through Dec. 8, the Home Fund has helped more than 1,860 households — a total of 3,527 individuals — in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique, nonprofit program:
— No money, not one penny, is used for administration or other overhead.
Your entire donation goes — without any deductions — to help those who are facing times of crisis.
— All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible.
— Your personal information is kept confidential.
Peninsula Daily News does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
— Instances of help are designed to get an individual or family through the crisis — and back on the path to self-sufficiency.
That’s the “hand up, not a handout” focus of the fund.
Peninsula Home Fund case managers work with individuals or families as needed to develop a plan to become financially stable — and avoid a recurrence of the emergency that prompted aid from the fund.
Spent by Dec. 31
— Begun in 1989, the fund is supported entirely by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a new record for contributions in 2008 — $198,015.03.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
All the money collected in 2008 is expected to be spent before Dec. 31.
— Peninsula Home Fund contributions are often used in conjunction with money from other agencies, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
— Money is usually distributed in small amounts, usually up to $150.
— Assistance is limited to one time in a 12-month period.
Applying for a grant
To apply for a grant from the fund, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
If you have any questions about the fund, contact John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
Or e-mail him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
Peninsula Daily News publishes stories every Sunday and Wednesday during the fundraising campaign listing contributors and reporting on how the fund works.
