4 minute read
Nonprofit of the Year
Finalists
The Humane Society of Mason County has successfully provided safe refuge through community collaboration and foster care for over 530 dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. The Humane Society of Mason County has undertaken several initiatives to benefit the local community. In 2022, they opened a low-cost veterinary services clinic in Belfair. The Belfair clinic provides free vaccines, affordable spay and neuter services, wellness exams, and a range of veterinary care options. Since their opening, the clinic has serviced over 3,000 pets and completed over 2,800 surgeries. The Humane Society of Mason County also maintains a meaningful partnership with the Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women in fostering animals. The women at the facility can foster animals in their rooms which provides both care and companionship for the dogs and cats. This program not only benefits the animals but also has a positive impact on the women fostering them. The Humane Society of Mason County has persevered with these endeavors despite the absence of a county shelter. They strive to make pet ownership accessible to all by keeping adoption fees low and encouraging everyone in the community to apply for a forever friend to welcome into their home.
Sound Learning is in their 32nd year of providing quality, accessible, and meaningful adult education opportunities in Mason County. They help adults and out-of-school youth improve their skills, reach their employment and life goals, and integrate into the community. During their most recent program year, 107 students became employed or were able to get a better job, 184 students improved their employability skills, 32 students increased their involvement in their children’s education, and 13 students earned their high school diploma or GED. Sound Learning continues to offer a variety of choices that allow students the chance to “fit” their education into their work and life schedules. With the COVID shutdown, Sound Learning pivoted to distance and online learning while also offering limited in-person or small group classes. Afterwards, they have continued to offer a range of choices to help students that need a more flexible schedule. Sound Learning continues to partner with community members such as South Puget Sound Community College which supports their High School Diploma program and Shelton School District to offer their reengagement program, Open Doors Newcomers for immigrant youth who struggle to attend school at grade level due to recent arrival in the United States. Sound Learning’s mission is straight forward: “We educate adults to succeed and contribute to their community.”
Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center is a 56 bed and pet friendly shelter which provides safety and support for Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Sex Trafficking survivors. Some of the advocacy services that are included are prevention, education, referrals, mobile advocacy, medical and legal advocacy, youth advocacy, and support groups for adults and youth. In the last 18 months, Turning Pointe has received 1,896 calls to their crisis phone line, each call addressed by an Advocate. Additionally, their Advocates have spent 10,367 hours providing services to adult survivors and 2,366 hours for youth services. Turning Pointe has deep connections to the local community from the staff to their clients. All but one of their staff live in and raise families in Mason County and they work tirelessly to bring change to reduce violence within our community. Turning Pointe has worked with numerous organizations and agencies of the area. They have partnered with Peninsula Community Health Services to bring a mobile medical clinic once a month, Innovations Human Traffic Coalition to better service sex trafficking survivors, the Shelton YMCA for their corporate wellness plan to keep their employees well and so many more organizations. As one nominator said, “Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center remains a pillar of support for so many people who would otherwise fall through the cracks.”
The Winner for Nonprofit of the Year is...
Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center!
