South Whidbey at Home Expands Service Area to Greenbank

South Whidbey at Home, a Freeland based membership nonprofit modeled on the Beacon Hill Village concept, announced on December 6 that it had extended its service boundary to cover the entire Greenbank ZIP code. Previously the organization drew its northern limit at Bakken Road. The expansion brings the group s coverage to Clinton, Langley, Freeland and now Greenbank, where more than 100 volunteers currently support about 200 members.

The organization provides coordinated in home support, on island transportation, educational programming and social activities intended to help older adults remain in their homes. The decision to expand followed sustained demand from households north of Bakken Road and an internal review of volunteer capacity and member needs. South Whidbey at Home also finalized a recent hire for a new executive director, a leadership change that board members say will guide operational scaling and community outreach.

For Island County residents, the expansion changes the practical options for aging in place. Access to volunteer rides and in home assistance can reduce reliance on family caregivers and on institutional care, while facilitating continued participation in community life. The organization s growth will require recruitment of additional volunteers to sustain services, and officials are seeking community members to join as volunteers or as members.

The expansion has implications for local policy and service planning. Volunteer based models supplement but do not replace county provided human services. As demand for aging services rises, coordination between nonprofits, county agencies and municipal leaders will shape transportation planning, senior support budgets and public outreach. Ensuring that volunteer networks are diverse and that transportation options connect to voting locations and civic resources also affects civic engagement among older residents, a demographic that historically participates at higher rates in local elections.

South Whidbey at Home provided contact information for people interested in membership or volunteering. Residents seeking to join or to offer volunteer time should contact the organization directly for membership details, volunteer opportunities and current service maps.