Olympia nonprofit that helped house people closes after ‘critical financial crisis’
SideWalk, an Olympia nonprofit that has helped house people over the past decade, has closed.
The board of directors for SideWalk decided to shutter the organization after “careful consideration,” according to a message emailed to its supporters on Friday. The message was signed by board members Brad Jurkovich, Katrina Lassiter, Amber Ulvenes and Molly Voris.
In a Friday news release, SideWalk indicated it intends to transition its programs to the non-profit Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties and other community partners starting Monday.
“This decision allows us to channel the power of combined resources, making a more robust impact in the fight against homelessness,” the email message reads.
Since 2012, SideWalk has helped over 2,334 people find housing, according to the release. The closure announcement came a month after the nonprofit asked supporters for donations amid a “critical financial crisis,” according to a July 7 Facebook post and donation webpage.
The donation drive had a $63,000 goal but only $15,080 was raised, according to the webpage. A message to supporters on the webpage described the situation in stark terms.
“Without immediate intervention, our ability to provide essential services will be severely impacted.” the webpage message reads. “We are reaching out to you, our valued supporters, to rally together and ensure SideWalk’s continued operation.”
Speaking on behalf of the board, Lassiter told The Olympian Monday that no “specific fundraising campaign or related activities” led to this decision. Rather, she said the board took a “holistic view” of the available resources and the “considerable” effort required maintain the organization.
“It was a strategic decision to acknowledge the competitive and limited resources available to continue to operate the organization at an impactful level,” Lassiter said. “While difficult, we decided it was an appropriate time to consolidate its resources, and transition programs to partner organizations who are currently better resourced and equipped for this critical work.”
The Friday release said SideWalk’s Peer Foundational Community Support (FCS) program will move to the Community Action Council. This program offered supportive housing services to eligible single adults with “complex health needs,” according to its website.
In the release, Dale Lewis, director of community services at Community Action Council, said his nonprofit would welcome SideWalk FCS participants into its own FCS program.
“Like Sidewalk, the Community Action Council is dedicated to addressing the needs of our most under-resourced community members,” Lewis said. “As a community partner, we fully support SideWalk, their leadership and those they serve during this transition.”
When asked how this transition will work, Lassiter said SideWalk is still in ongoing conversations with Community Action Council about the process. She said the board expects to partner with at least one or two other organizations as well.
SideWalk operated out of a blue home on Fifth Avenue in Olympia with a mostly volunteer staff. The nonprofit specialized in quickly helping single adults experiencing homelessness, either by offering direct help or referring them to other resources.
It all began as an Interfaith Works program in 2011 before being spun off in 2013.
Phil Owen initially led the program and later the nonprofit. He stepped down as Executive Director in 2022.
Olivia Hickerson to took over the spot in July 2022. She oversaw a “relaunch” that featured a new logo in April, The Olympian previously reported. She left the nonprofit in July, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Lassiter said the board and Hickerson reached a “mutual decision” on her departure. All staff will be laid off, but Operations Director Alanna Dotson will stay on to oversee the transition process and final administrative duties.
“We fully recognize Olivia’s considerable contribution to SideWalk during her tenure as Executive Director, as well as all the staff and amazing volunteers who made SideWalk special,” Lassiter said.
Hickerson has since founded EmpowerTactics, an Olympia-based business that offers grant writing and strategic planning services to nonprofits.
The board’s message thanks past supporters and encourages them to donate to the Community Action Council and their community partners as they “take up the baton.”
“The legacy of your past support will live on in this work, as it transitions to our trusted partner organizations,” the message reads. “They will carry on our shared mission, with your much-needed support providing the fuel to propel their efforts forward.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 12:22 PM.
