Amelia is a single mom who loved working as a paraeducator. For three years, she juggled the demands of this fulfilling job and a long daily commute to Issaquah with the needs of her family of four.  Finally last summer, she decided to move herself and her three teenagers closer to her job for a fresh start—a chance to build a better future for them all.  

Disaster struck just before the start of the school year, when she learned her employer had lost their contract. Amelia was suddenly unemployed, in a new apartment and struggling to make ends meet. The summer months and her move had already stretched her savings thin, and unexpected car repairs left her with little to cover her overdue rent. Despite the challenges, Amelia remained hopeful, actively applying for new opportunities and staying in touch with her recruiter.

She was met with understanding and compassion when she reached out to ICS. The team recognized her determination to make a good life for her family and quickly stepped in to help with her rent. Their support gave her the breathing room she needed to focus on finding new work without the immediate fear of losing her home.

For Amelia, the kindness of ICS was more than financial aid—it was a reminder that even in tough times, community and care can light the way forward.

Click here to read more client stories .  

Make a Difference in Someone’s Life.

It’s time again for our annual fundraiser. Our goal for this year’s campaign is $120,000, a little more than one third of our annual assistance budget. We rely heavily on the support of our community to continue helping neighbors who experience a temporary financial crisis.

100% of your donation will go to help residents living within the Issaquah School District boundaries.

Each year, Issaquah Community Services helps over 400 local households pay rent and avoid eviction when they experience a financial emergency. The recent “bomb cyclone” left more than downed trees and debris in its aftermath. For many of our less fortunate neighbors, the resulting loss of wages means new hardships as they enter the holiday season.

Read our autumn newsletter to learn about who and how we helped our neighbors with the money we raised last year.

Visit our Donate page to donate now or learn about the many ways you can support our important mission.

Thank you, donors, for being a part of the ICS team. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now you can support the Issaquah Community Services just by shopping at Fred Meyer with your Rewards Card.  Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards.
2. Click on “Re-enroll or link your Rewards Card now.”
3. Search for us by our name, Issaquah Community Services, or by our nonprofit number, SS897.
4. Select Issaquah Community Services #SS897 and then click “Enroll.”

Just like that, you’re ready to go! Now, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you’ll be contributing to ICS and helping neighbors in need pay rent and utilities.

And don’t forget to spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors. The donation we get is dependent on how many customers select ICS and how much they spend when they shop.

Please remember Issaquah Community Services when making your GiveBig donations at: 

https://www.wagives.org/organization/issaquah-community-services/

Your contributions will play a crucial role in enabling ICS to help neighbors avoid eviction. In the first quarter of 2024, our all-volunteer team has distributed $75,707 in financial aid, which accounts for nearly three quarters of funds raised in our recent Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign.

Despite the fact that we live in an affluent area, there are many households in financial crisis. The requests we’ve received for assistance during the first quarter of 2024 have outpaced those from the same period last year by 37%, and our resources are being quickly depleted.

Can you help us meet this increasing need? 100% of your donations go to helping needy applicants.  Please choose Issaquah Community Services when making your GiveBig donations on May 7-8 or donate directly via check or on this website at any time.

Your support is invaluable and we sincerely appreciate it.

We are thrilled to share the news of one of our most successful Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraisers to date! With immense gratitude, we extend our sincere appreciation to all the donors, supporters, and community members who made this achievement possible.

 This year, our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraiser raised $106,689, more than almost any previous year. Your generosity will go far to meet the needs of our community, and we are deeply moved by the collective impact we can achieve when we come together.

Special Recognition to St Michael’s and All Angels Church 

A heartfelt thank you to St Michael’s and All Angels Church for sponsoring a delightful sing-along in support of NHN. Your commitment to our cause is truly exceptional, and the $5000 raised is a testament to the power of community collaboration.

Gratitude to St Joseph’s Catholic Church Parishioners 

We extend our warmest thanks to the parishioners of St Joseph’s Catholic Church for their generous contributions. Your support throughout the year plays a crucial role in empowering us to continue our mission.

RMD Contributions: A Special Mention 

We want to express our gratitude to the many donors who supported us through their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) contributions. Your thoughtful and impactful giving has made a significant difference in this campaign.

Together, We Make a Difference! 

This achievement is a testament to the strength and compassion of our community. Your unwavering support enables us to provide essential rent and utility assistance, fostering a sense of hope and keeping neighbors in their homes. Whether you donated, volunteered, or simply spread the word, you are an integral part of our journey, and we are profoundly grateful for your commitment.

Looking Forward: The Power of Community

As we celebrate this success, we must acknowledge that we did not meet our fundraising goal. If applications continue coming in at the current rate, we will likely have to once again reduce the amount of assistance we can provide to our clients.
With your ongoing support, we look forward to continuing our mission of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, ensuring that our community remains a place of compassion, strength, and unity.

 Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this NHN fundraiser a success. Together, we are changing lives and building a brighter future.

 The All Volunteer Team at Issaquah Community Services

Lori Birrell has been an ICS dynamo since she first started volunteering with us after retiring from Boeing in 2011.   Lori quickly became involved in many facets of the organization. In 2013, she was elected board president, a post which she held until this year. Over this time, she has guided this organization through many transitions.  When COVID hit, she spearheaded changes which have made ICS stronger and more resilient. Her leadership has helped us continue to thrive.    

Lori’s commitment extends beyond ICS, as she generously gives her time to the Issaquah Meals Program and contributes to the betterment of St.
Michael and All Angels Church in Issaquah, where she and her husband Doug captained the new larger parking lot. Her recognition with the City of Issaquah Kiwanis Spiritual and Human Values award in 2019 is a testament to her outstanding contributions to the community. 

Lori is grateful for the intangible rewards that accrue from giving to her community. “It is an honor to be able to volunteer for ICS. The wonderful people you meet, learning their stories and helping them through a difficult time, has made me a better person and more understanding of the challenges of others.” 

Her dedication to ICS and her advocacy for those in financial crisis have made her a role model and an inspiration.  Her impact on ICS and the community at large is a testament to the positive change one person can make when driven by compassion and a strong sense of community.

ICS thanks the King County Council and Councilmember Sarah Perry for their generous support of our mission. This money will allow us to help more neighbors in the Issaquah School District when they are experiencing financial emergencies. Pictured here, from left, are Councilmember Perry and ICS volunteers Susan Spinella and Jen Crewe.

Our thanks go out to U.S. Representative Schrier for inviting our board members to her office. We appreciate the time she and her Outreach Coordinator, Wendy Muzzy, took to learn about the important work ICS does in the community in helping neighbors cope with emergency financial situations. She listened as we shared our 50-year history of service the community with an all-volunteer staff and we value her insight as we look for future fundraising opportunities.

Issaquah Community Services is pleased to announce that Carol Schneider has been elected as our new board president. Carol will take the reins from Lori Birrell, who has led ICS with tremendous energy, compassion and dedication for more than 10 years. We are very grateful for Lori’s leadership and for the many ways she has improved this organization especially through the turbulent last few years.

Carol has volunteered with ICS since 2021 and she has served on our board since 2022. Shortly before joining us, she retired from the position of Director of Student Academic Services at Seattle University after a lengthy career in administration and teaching. As board president, she will bring her expertise and passion to guide ICS towards continued success. We look forward to working with her in this new role and are excited about the future of ICS under her leadership.