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 a third of our annual $300,000+ 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 typically being seen in the office, but in-person visits are available by appointment. 

Our Board of Directors. The all-volunteer board of directors meets the second Thursday of every month.  Board members are Carol Schneider, President; Cris Wilkinson, Vice President; Pat Randall, Treasurer; Peggy Phillips, Secretary; Lori Birrell, President Emerita; Elaine Davis, Grants and Fundraising; Susan Spinella, Communications and Social Media; Marie Frauenheim, Scheduling; and Michelle Brown, Assistant Treasurer. 

Statement of Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination. 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 and social inequities, both overt and tacit, are 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 and social bias. Issaquah Community Service is dedicated to the equitable treatment of all clients and volunteers 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.