Our Progress
Building a community is hard. Here is where we are at.
What a Difference ONE YEAR Makes!
On January 30, 2024, a handful of parents of Anacortes Aktion Club members visited the office of Cascadia Connections–a supported living non-profit started by parents of disabled adults 40 years ago–in Whatcom County.
On January 30, 2025, the Anacortes Able Housing Initiative (AAHI) was featured on King5 News, focusing as one example on Curt Johnson (54) and his parents Iver (83) and Cheryl (79), highlighting the need for sustained, supported living here in our community.
January 30, 2025
AAHI featured on King5 News
King5 anchor Eric Wilkinson saw the AAHI story in the Skagit Herald and contacted Amy Morris-Young to schedule an interview with one of our Aktion Club families. Curt Johnson and his parents Iver and Cheryl agreed to allow the King5 camera into their home. That spot was featured that evening on NBC affiliates throughout Washington state. AAHI members have received multiple communications since then, with people wishing to donate to or volunteer with our mission.
January 21, 2025
Via 2nd Zoom, AAHI retains Parkview Development Consultant
After determining costs and benefits, AAHI retained Marc Cote of Parkview Services as Development Consultant. Cote will assist with Grant Writing, as well as other funding options and case by case creating of supported homes, whether purchased or built.
December 19, 2024
AAHI submits first PSA to local newspapers
AAHI Media & Communications Amy Morris-Young wrote the first Public Service Announcement (PSA) and submitted it to the Anacortes American. Their journalist, James Matson, contacted Amy and other AAHI Board Members and parents for interviews and photos for that story, which was published in the Anacortes American & Skagit Herald on January 22, 2024.
December 17, 2024
AAHI successfully obtains Federal 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status
Thanks to the work of Deb Flory and Darene Follett, who completed the applications and did all follow up documentation, AAHI was granted its Non-Profit Status and could begin fundraising.
December 12, 2024
AAHI has ZOOM meeting with Parkview Services
In the first of two meetings with Parkview Services, AAHI was informed that Parkview could assist in Grant Writing for WA State Dept of Commerce funds, plus learned the prerequisite applications to local funds required before submitting those Grants.
November 25 – December 3, 2024
AAHI has two ZOOM meetings with DDA to confirm support and plan
In two meetings with DDA officials, AAHI was able to confirm support for our mission, as well as get specifics as to what will be allowed and what resources are already in place to move that forward, in terms of fundraising. Parkview Services was recommended.
October 2, 2024
AAHI Presentation to City of Anacortes Housing Authority
Eric Johnson and Amy Morris-Young created a Mission Sheet plus displayed a dozen 8×10 photos of the Anacortes Aktion Club members who will require supported living in the future, some sooner than others. Without exception, the City officials present pledged their support, and asked for more specific models / plans to move forward.
August 27 & September 24, 2024
Two more monthly AAHI meetings held
AAHI volunteers met to discuss next steps, plus invited multiple governmental entities, caregiving providers, local resources, etc. to attend meetings so that parameters of what would be viable housing projects could be researched and decided upon.
July 30, 2024
Website meeting with volunteer digital consultant
A senior executive of a productivity and accessibility software company, volunteered to assist AAHI with creating a non-profit website. Media / Communications Amy Morris-Young had created social media pages and placeholder emails and worked with the consultant on the official website: anacortesablehousing.org
May 28, June 25, & July 23, 2024
Three more Parents Housing Meetings held
In three monthly meetings, the Needs Survey was reviewed and 44 disabled adults and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) were identified as needing supported housing. The name Anacortes Able Housing Initiative (AAHI) was chosen, as was a logo and officers:
- Board President: Bruce Henderson
- Board Vice Pres: Darene Follett
- Board Secretary: Donna Erlandson
- Media & Comm: Amy Morris-Young
April 22, 2024
First Meeting of the Parents Housing Group at Anacortes Masonic Hall
Interested parents and Kiwanis supporters met for the first time–in person and via ZOOM–to discuss the spectrum of needs of the current members of the Aktion Club. The Needs Survey was reviewed and the membership was urged to complete it and send it in so data could be compiled. It was agreed that future meetings would be the 4th Thursday of each month.
January 30, 2024
Aktion Club parents tour Cascade Connections in Bellingham
Thanks to the connections of Aktion Club parent Donna Erlandson–who has worked multiple jobs supporting disabled children and adults in Skagit County–a tour of Cascade Connections office in Whatcom was made by Donna and Doug Erlandson, Bruce Henderson, and Eric Johnson. Also started as a parent group at a church in Lynden Cascade Connections now provides supported living for over 40 disabled adults, with a staff of more than 170 caregivers, in a variety of housing options: apartments, duplexes, and houses. The seeds of what are the best and sustainable practices were planted.
January 13, 2024
Anacortes Kiwanis Aktion Club parents decide to research options
At the monthly E-Cycle Saturday, Anacortes Kiwanis Aktion Club parents Bruce Henderson and Doug Erlandson, as well as Kiwanis liaison Eric Johnson, were standing in the freezing cold Frontier Lumber parking lot, waiting for folks to drive in to donate their electronics. They started discussing what would happen to the adult disabled kids in Aktion Club when their parents became too old or infirm or dead? The men decided it was time to start researching options to meet that common need.
People Are Noticing!
NBC King 5 News
Aging parents seek stable care for disabled children
king5.com | 6:07pm January 30, 2025
GoSkagit.com
New nonprofit confronts looming disabled housing crisis
JAMES MATSON @goanacortes | Jan 22, 2025
March, 2025 PowerPoint slideshow for upcoming Able Housing events
Anacortes Able Housing Initiative 