Fishline clients can now register for the Christmas Child program!
Last December, 438 children received gifts due to the generosity of North Kitsap residents and businesses. Christmas Child parents received a $50 Walmart card and $60 in “Holiday Bucks” to be used at local shops, which helped both Poulsbo businesses and families offset the economic devastation brought on by the pandemic. We look forward to helping the community once again!
Thank you to the Holidays Bucks businesses and all of the Christmas Child program donors!
> Interested in donating to Christmas Child in 2022? Click Here!
> Registrations for Christmas Child is now closed.
Christmas Child sign-ups for clients will begin in November 2022. Clients can sign up in person, online, at the front desk, by calling 360-779-5190, or by sending an email[email protected]
[POULSBO, WA, October 5, 2022] Lori Maxim, Executive Director of Fishline Food Bank and Comprehensive Services, has announced her retirement effective December 31, 2022.
Fishline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide food and access to resources that offer stability, improve health and well-being, and help people onto a path to self-sustainability.
Lori Maxim expressed, “It has been an honor to work for the Fishline Board and the North Kitsap Community. I have been so fortunate to be a part of this organization. We have done a lot of good together over the past 2+ years. But I am feeling the need to slow my life down and spend more time with family, and friends. We have an incredibly talented and passionate staff who understand our vision and mission. I am confident in their abilities to keep us on course and support my replacement. I’ve told our board that I am happy to do whatever I can to make the transition of a new director as seamless as possible.”
Prior to Fishline, Maxim was the Director of Revenue for Morris Multimedia and CEO of the World’s Best Adventures in Gainesville, Georgia. Before her time at Morris, she was the Vice President of Sound Publishing, Inc. and had spent more than 20 years in Poulsbo with her family.
Maxim came to Fishline a little over two years ago as Executive Director. During her tenure, she has helped steer the organization through the COVID pandemic, added three new services for clients (showers, free counseling, and Student Opportunity and Advancement Resources), upgraded technology, increased staff compensation policies, and expanded sales at Second Season Thrift Store.
Board President Heather Torres commented, “Lori has been a tremendous blessing to Fishline, our staff, our clients, and our community these past two and a half years. She has worked tirelessly to build a solid organizational structure and put systems in place to support both internal staff and volunteers. She’s reenergized the community about our mission and bolstered donations in a way we’ve never seen before. We will miss her energy, enthusiasm, and get ‘er done attitude.”
Fishline will begin its search for a replacement in the coming weeks.
Fishline is thrilled to announce the new Student Opportunity & Advancement Resources (SOAR) program! SOAR provides financial assistance to help youth in our community meet basic needs, achieve academic success, and pursue extracurricular activities.
Students may submit financial assistance for items and activities that include clothing, sports equipment, musical instruments, driver’s education, college application fees, summer camp, membership fees, graduation fees, specialized school supplies, science fair projects, and much more!
Fishline’s team of case managers will carefully review each submission and respond within 48 hours to further discuss the request.
This program will operate year-round. Students and parents can make multiple requests through the year; however, each additional request will require parents or guardians to contribute a percentage toward the expense.
For students (K-12) who reside in the North Kitsap School District or on Subbase Bangor.
Students or guardians may contact Fishline to meet with a case manager. (360) 779-5190
Reba Harris is a Primary Therapist for AMFM located at the North Kitsap Fishline. Reba has served the county of Kitsap for 12 years in various nonprofit agencies as a Substance Use Disorder Professional. Reba’s background consists of working in integrated behavioral healthcare systems and most recently as a Behavioral Health Consultant. Reba has also interned for a community residential treatment program focused on co-occurring disorders and a tribal re-entry program grounded in restorative justice practices.
She graduated with her master’s in social work from Walden University and is a Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Counselor (LSWAIC).Her lived experience provides unique insight that facilitates compassion and expands understanding while challenging negative and stigmatizing attitudes in the community. Reba states “Healing is not a linear journey.” She prides herself in the ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space for the community to achieve their therapeutic goals. Reba hopes to work collaboratively to meet community members where they are in the change process and help them identify that change, so they can be the best version of themselves.
Clients can call our front desk to request an appointment. Sessions will begin on September 12th. Please call (360) 779-5190, 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday.
