Who We Are
Issaquah Community Services (ICS) has served the greater Issaquah community as an all-volunteer non-profit for more than 50 years. Our mission is to help neighbors pay rent and utilities when they are experiencing a financial emergency. Residents of the Issaquah School District service area are eligible to apply for assistance. All payments are made directly to the landlord or utility company, never directly to the client.
Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors annual fundraiser provides about 65% of our annual $200,000+ budget and donations from individuals, grants, churches, businesses and other organizations make up the balance. We partner with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank to distribute financial aid with the combined objective of keeping families fed, clothed and in their homes. ICS directs nearly 97% of income to the 500+ clients served every year.
ICS occupies office space provided by the City of Issaquah in Issaquah Community Hall on Sunset Way. The ICS office is open for telephone and online communications to serve clients five mornings each week. Clients are not currently being seen in the office, but in-person visits will resume in 2023.
The all-volunteer board of directors meets the first Thursday of every month. Board members are Lori Birrell, President; Carol Schneider, Vice President; Pat Randall, Treasurer; Cris Wilkinson, Secretary; Mary Pat Edelman, Volunteer Recruitment; Susan Spinella, Website and social media; Marie Frauenheim, Scheduling; and Elaine Davis, Grants and Fundraising.
The board and volunteers of Issaquah Community Services support all people of color in their struggle against racism and social injustice. We acknowledge that racism, both overt and tacit, is sewn into the fabric of our society and institutions. We commit to continued self-examination of our decision-making, policies, and procedures to avoid racial bias. Issaquah Community Service is dedicated to the equitable treatment of all clients and to making this an inclusive community where all people are treated with respect and dignity.
Issaquah Community Services is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, tax ID #91-1499522.
How We Began
Issaquah Community Services was founded in 1972 by a local educator, a doctor and a clergyman as a referral service for area social services and as a community counseling and educational service. Emphasis was initially placed on teenage drug abuse. It was then and always has been run entirely by volunteers. Office space was provided upstairs in the Issaquah Theater (now First Stage). ICS added a shoe and clothing bank in 1974 and also offered free health clinics.
In the late 1970’s, ICS began offering rent and utility assistance to residents. This financial aid program was run almost single-handedly by the Reverend Bob Gray of Pine Lake Presbyterian for the next five years. In 1985, a floundering ICS was rescued and reorganized by volunteers from four churches – St. Joseph’s, St. Michael and All Angels, Community Baptist, and Pine Lake Presbyterian. The name was changed to Issaquah Church and Community Services and the sole mission became emergency financial assistance for neighbors in need. In 2010, we changed our name back to Issaquah Community Services.
You can donate to ICS using PayPal or send a check to ICS, P.O. Box 669, Issaquah WA 98027