We recently visited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oak Harbor to learn more about how they are supporting the health and well-being of young people across North Whidbey.
With support from a $10,000 Community Health Grant, the Club is advancing its Healthy Habits Initiative—part of one of its four core pillars: Healthy Lifestyles. Alongside Academic Success, Character & Leadership Development, and Life and Workforce Readiness, this pillar focuses on equipping youth with the tools they need to make positive choices—from nutrition and physical activity to learning how to regulate big emotions and build resilience.
Serving youth ages 5–18, the Club plays a critical role in providing consistent access to healthy meals and snacks, alongside structured programming that reinforces wellness in a safe, supportive environment. This work has only become more essential in recent years. Since COVID, youth mental health has emerged as a more prominent and urgent need, and approaches like trauma-informed care—once less commonly discussed—are now central to how organizations support young people.
Like many nonprofits, the Club is navigating a shifting funding landscape. While there was an influx of behavioral health funding in the years immediately following the pandemic, much of that support has since been reduced—making flexible, community-based funding even more critical.
Looking ahead, the Club will host its annual “Harvest Moon” fundraiser on September 19—a key opportunity for the community to come together in support of local youth.
As we reflect on nearly a decade of community philanthropy, investments like this highlight the importance of sustained, local support for organizations meeting evolving needs. By supporting the health and well-being of young people today, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient community for the next decade and beyond.
Support Community Grants
WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting WCF Grant Programs, we invite you to make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund, which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. Our Board of Directors allocates funding each year to ensure nonprofits have access to critical resources. WCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.