Counting the unhoused

Olympic Community Action Partnership (OlyCAP) is currently seeking volunteers and donations for its 2025 annual Point in Time Count (PIT), the annual national effort to count people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness scheduled for Jan. 30.

The information collected is vital to direct federal funding and resources for developing housing strategies in the community. It guides planning efforts of Jefferson County and its providers from OlyCAP,  Bayside Housing & Services, Dove House and OWL360. The information also informs decisions on allocation of essential services such as food, winter warming services and medical assistance.

OlyCAP will provide training and there are experienced counters to assist. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Port Townsend OlyCAP Housing Resources Office by email or by calling and leaving a message for Housing Operations Manager Sheila Rand. Donations of essential winter items also are welcome.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Port Townsend OlyCAP Housing Resources Office by calling and leaving a message for Housing Operations Manager Sheila Rand of by email. The number is 360-385-2571 x 6214; the email address is JeffcoPIT@olycap.org.

Services for homeless

The city of Port Townsend will continue to contract for cleanup and provide portable bathrooms and dumpsters to manage the homeless encampment near the Department of Social and Health Services Building.

The 2025 budget includes $25,000 for on-call cleanup services and $12,000 for portable bathrooms and dumpsters.

The issue of encampments was discussed at the Dec. 16 city council meeting where city staff highlighted the challenges of relocating individuals from the fairgrounds.

Emma Bolin, the city’s planning director, described the ongoing issue as a game of musical chairs that no one wins. Mayor David Faber said he would like to see public agencies take a greater role in providing housing in the community going forward.

Free training program

The Bayside Skill Center Food Service Program, a free, six-week learning opportunity for adults interested in the food service industry, is open for enrollment. Held at the Old Alcohol Plant’s Spirits Bar and Grill in Port Hadlock, students work in small groups with Executive Chef Troy Murrell, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of the food service business. The program includes access to the Rouxbe Online Culinary School for certification, and participants will receive a Washington Department of Health Food Worker Card, uniforms and professional knives upon course completion. The winter term starts Jan. 22 and will run Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information or to enroll, contact Mitch Brennan at mbrennann@baysidehousing.org.

Breastfeeding award  

Jefferson County Public Health has received the 2024 USDA WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence Gold Award, recognizing its commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding within the community. The award, presented by Brittany Tybo, the director of the Office of Nutrition Services at the Washington State Department of Health, was accepted by Community Health Director Denise Banker and WIC Coordinator Karen Obermeyer. “This award is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team in ensuring families receive the education, resources, and support they need to succeed in their breastfeeding journeys,” Banker said. “We are honored to be recognized for our efforts.” For more information about JCPH’s services, contact (360) 385-9432.