Thurston County resource hub has helped 1,000 people since 2022. Here’s what it offers
At least 1,000 people impacted by the criminal legal system have used a Thurston County resource center over the past year.
The Resource Hub, located at 929 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia, opened in June 2022 as a drop-in site where people in need could connect with local service providers.
Nate Block, Resource Hub Program Manager, announced the hub served its 1,000th visitor in a Tuesday news release. That includes 800 in-person visits and 200 remote visits.
“The most important function of the Hub is that the services and direction offered here are effective and meet the needs of any community member,” Block said. “When people come into the Hub, I tell them they are in the right place, and we ensure they leave with a plan.”
Staff at the hub direct people to service providers that can help with behavioral health needs, employment, education, housing, public benefits, legal support and telehealth treatment for substance use disorders. It also offers a small clothing and food bank.
In the news release, Commissioner Tye Menser said reentry services are vital to an effective and equitable legal system. He said he’s pleased by the initial growth of the hub and intended to make it “even bigger and better” in the future.
“I have been a huge advocate for our county’s Resource Hub as a common-sense way to help folks get their lives back on track and reduce burdens and costs to our courts and law enforcement agencies,” Menser said.
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners created the hub with input from Pretrial Services, Public Defense, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, District and Superior Courts and Public Health and Social Services.
The county paid $129,809 to construct the space for the hub and $87,944 on start-up costs, which includes salary and benefits for staff as well as furniture and electronics costs, according to Leah Landon, Criminal Justice Regional Program Manager for the county.
In 2023, Landon said the county spent $70,111 in salaries and benefits as well as indirect rates. She said the county has spent $7,351 on maintenance and operations costs this year.
The release says visitations doubled some months compared to previous months. Landon said staff collect data on the number of people that visit either in person or remotely. They also keep track of which services people are connected to.
However, she said visitors are not required to identify themselves when they visit, nor are they asked to disclose what services they have received.
The county has plans to grow the hub in the future by adding more services and staff, according to the release. The current center is part of the county’s Courthouse Campus, which is undergoing renovations.
Landon said the renovation proposal includes providing the hub with a “significantly larger space.” Pretrial Services has also requested an additional staff member for the hub in its upcoming budget.
“Additional staff would allow the hub to increase services by connecting to additional partners and expanding hours,” Landon said.
Partner providers are at the hub on a rotating basis, according to the county website. As such, its hours of operation can change frequently, and visitors are asked to check its schedule online.
The most recent schedule shows the hub typically opens around noon and closes at 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The hub opens at 1 p.m. and closes at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Those interested in the services offered at the hub can visit in person or call 360-786-5230 for more information.
This story was originally published September 17, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
