01-06-2025
Moses Lake launches resource info site
May 31—MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials are working on a new option for people looking for support services and help finding what they need. The "community resources page" is available on the city's web page, and city officials hope to print a brochure with the information eventually.
Lizabeth Murillo Busby, the city's housing and grants manager, said the resource page is part of the response to the decision to close the Open Doors Sleep Center. The facility will close June 30, when the state grant that funded most of its operation expires. Moses Lake City Council members opted not to renew the grant.
"The city, in the transition to close the sleep center, wanted to make sure we were highlighting and supporting the local agencies that are doing the work in the community. So, it's really a call to action for organizations in the community to input their information as they deem appropriate," Murillo Busby said.
Murillo Busby said the resource page is designed for organizations that provide services in Moses Lake. People have access to statewide resource lists and are encouraged to use them, she said, but this is targeted specifically at the help that is available locally.
"We want to make sure that we're targeting our audience in our community," she said.
It includes a link and QR code to a page where organizations can enter contact information and some information about the services and resources they provide. All entries are reviewed before they are added to the list.
The entries will be reviewed each March, Murillo Busby said.
Because it's a work in progress, the information will change over time, and people are encouraged to check on it regularly.
How best to use the information depends in part on the agency. Renew, the county's mental health agency, is listed in multiple categories, and Dayna Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, said it's best to call the listed phone number.
"The first stop, really, is just calling our front desk," Ruiz said.
Renew employees are trained to help people figure out who they need to talk to first.
"Just call our offices and share what their need is," she said.
People who are in a crisis might not even know what they need when they call, she said, but employees will help potential patients figure it out.
"It shouldn't be hard," Ruiz said. "People just need help."
There's also a county-based mental health crisis line, 800-852-2923, Ruiz said. It's available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. She said that number is not on the city's resource page yet, but it will be.
For the Moses Lake Community Coalition, director Megan Watson said the listed email address is the best way to guide people to the right coalition services. The coalition offers information and guidance for parents, a drop-in program for young people, and bags where families can lock up medication, among other services.
Coalition members are working on a website that should be ready by fall, Watson said, and when it is, the link will be added to the community resource page, if possible.
Works in progress being what they are, updated information will be available over time, as well as additional information. The local Goodwill agency offers a lot of different services from its office next to the thrift store in Moses Lake.
Goodwill has extensive resources, some of which people may not realize exist.
Jamie McDowall, onsite manager for Goodwill in Moses Lake, said two employees are assigned to help people who are facing substance abuse and mental health challenges find housing, and two others who help qualifying clients find jobs.
"We're pretty successful in helping people find housing and employment," she said. "We have a good crew here."
Some of its housing and employment programs are focused on people who are dealing with chronic homelessness, which is defined as being homeless in 12 months — not 12 consecutive months, just 12 months — during the last three years, McDowall said.
"We work pretty closely with people in addiction," she said.
Goodwill also helps people with financial management; employees help people who qualify through its program to help pay bills and manage the money they have left once that's done.
The page has a link and QR code for organizations that want to add their information to the listings. Submissions are reviewed after they're provided prior to being placed on the site.
