commimpact - Flipbook - Page 6
Verdant Partner Highlights
The Project Girl Mentoring Program seeks to support the
advancement of young women of color, help them to make
positive life choices, and empower them to maximize their
authentic potential. The organization is led by Olympia Edwards
and takes a positive, non-judgmental approach to mentoring. By
working with participants one-on-one and in group settings,
Project Girl helps young women gain the coping skills necessary
to be successful in school, at home, and in their personal lives.
Participants also have the opportunity to engage in peer-based
mentorship, a program design which allows youth to learn from
one another and grow together. Last year, Project Girl served
over 140 girls who had encountered the juvenile justice system
as a diversion program.
Since 2016, Compass Health’s Community Transitions Program
has partnered with South County Fire’s Community Paramedic
Program to connect individuals with the resources they need. By
increasing community access to mental and physical healthcare,
shelter and housing, food, and transportation, the Community
Transition program reduces calls to 911, minimizes visits to the
emergency room, and decreases unnecessary utilization of
inpatient services. Community Transitions serves some of
Snohomish County’s most marginalized residents, including those
experiencing poverty, homelessness, substance use issues, and/or
mental health concerns. In 2022, Community Transitions diverted
100 individuals away from emergency services and, instead, provided compassionate care coordination and facilitated more than
70 referrals to more sustainable resources.
Lahai Heath was founded in 2003 through the shared vision of
a small group of healthcare providers. Today, the organization is
Puget Sound’s largest primary care clinic specifically focused on
serving low-income community members. Lahai’s professional,
compassionate staff provide integrated medical, dental, and
mental healthcare to underserved individuals and families—all of
which can be accessed for free or at a reduced rate. Lahai’s mental
health counseling program has grown rapidly and, today, serves
three times as many patients as it did in year one. In 2022, Lahai
Health directly served more than 120 individuals across all programs and facilitated referrals to outside counseling services for
2,000 additional clients.