The Verdant Well being Fee hosted its third annual group well being networking occasion on Friday, with the objective of connecting nonprofit organizations and funders on the Lynnwood Occasion Heart to foster new relationships and collaborative alternatives to higher serve our group .
The occasion featured roughly 80 native nonprofit organizations that supply a wide range of companies, from well being care to schooling, inexpensive housing and immigrant assist. Attendees not solely promoted their very own good works by filling a desk with brochures and different giveaways, however in addition they networked and realized from one another, which was one of many targets of Friday's assembly.
“Benefit from networking,” mentioned Verdant Well being Commissioner Dr. Jim Distelhorst in his opening remarks. “Introduce your self to folks you don't know, have interaction in discussions, alternate enterprise playing cards, and share details about the work you do.”
Verdant mentioned it began the Group Well being Networking Occasion in 2021 as a result of the wants of the group in southern Snohomish County are better than these of any particular person funder. “Consider this as nonprofit velocity relationship,” mentioned Verdant Superintendent Lisa Edwards. “We all know that by working collectively, we will make a distinction on behalf of our southern Snohomish County residents.”
The keynote speaker on the occasion was Xenia Dolovova, CEO of the Furnishings Restore Financial institution. The nonprofit collects worn and broken furnishings from the group and from companions reminiscent of scrap metallic haulers. The group trains volunteers to restore, restore and redesign furnishings to like-new situation, then works with resettlement companies, shelters and different organizations to present the objects away to folks in want.
“Proper now, we’re ready to get well 75,000 kilos of furnishings a 12 months and, in fact, scale back the local weather impacts related to this furnishings,” which might in any other case find yourself in a landfill,” Dolovova mentioned. “We’re ready to coach three,000 volunteers and assist 500 members of the Washington group with these objects.
The occasion additionally featured a panel dialogue with representatives from the Acora Basis, Boeing Firm, Medina Basis, Norcliffe Basis, Pacific Hospital PDA and the Paul G. Allen Household Basis. Every speaker supplied details about their funding priorities and shared ideas and recommendation on grant writing with the viewers.
Through the lunch break, nonprofit leaders in contrast notes, shared recommendation, and had the chance to community with funders in attendance.
The mayor of Lynnwood, Christine Frizzell, who was current to welcome attendees, highlighted: “It's about connecting, and as soon as folks know you care, it makes an enormous distinction of their lives.”
— Story and images by Teresa Wippel.