Skagit Legal Aid

05/21/2026

A BIG THANK YOU to Skagit Legal Aid! 💛

Yesterday, Skagit Legal Aid came to the Resource Center to provide a no-cost legal clinic for our community. We're grateful for this partnership and for the opportunity to help bring legal support closer to home for Orcas neighbors.

There is still time to help Skagit Legal Aid cross the GiveOrcas finish line and fund continued no-cost legal clinics every other month on Orcas at the Resource Center.

Donate directly to Skagit Legal Aid's GiveOrcas request here:
https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=42055

You can also support any of the other incredible island nonprofit organizations at giveorcas.org before the campaign closes tonight at 11:59 pm.

Thank you for helping bring legal support closer to home for our Orcas neighbors.

05/21/2026

Nominations are still being accepted for the 2026 Washington New Members Committee (WNMC) Public Service and Leadership Award (PSLA)!

The WNMC will honor four new members with the 2026 Public Service and Leadership Award. Each award recipient will receive a physical award to commemorate their achievement, and recognition in a WSBA publication, e.g., Bar News.

Submit your nominations here through May 29: https://zurl.co/GIskf

05/21/2026

Did you know that Skagit Legal Aid and the Resource Center have formed a partnership to bring bimonthly free, in-person legal help and education directly to Orcas Island? Like the clinic happening at the Resource Center TODAY from 12:30-4pm, where volunteer attorneys and their staff provide direct legal assistance to low-income residents facing estate planning, debt, immigration, and housing concerns.

Help equip people with practical knowledge to protect their families and prevent legal problems before they grow. Support Skagit Legal Aid's GiveOrcas Campaign request to help fund this valuable service. Donate now through 11:59pm tomorrow night (5/21) at:
https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=42055
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¿Sabía que Skagit Legal Aid y el Resource Center han establecido una colaboración para llevar asistencia legal y educación gratuitas y presenciales —con una frecuencia bimensual— directamente a Orcas Island? Tal es el caso de la clínica que se lleva a cabo en el Resource Center HOY, de 12:30 p. m. a 4:00 p. m., donde abogados voluntarios y su equipo brindan asistencia legal directa a residentes de bajos ingresos que enfrentan inquietudes relacionadas con la planificación patrimonial, deudas, inmigración y vivienda.

Ayude a dotar a las personas de conocimientos prácticos para proteger a sus familias y prevenir problemas legales antes de que estos se agraven. Apoye la solicitud de la campaña GiveOrcas de Skagit Legal Aid para ayudar a financiar este valioso servicio. Done ahora —hasta las 11:59 p. m. de mañana por la noche (21/5)— en: https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=42055

05/18/2026

2026 Blessing of the Fleet and First Salmon Ceremony at

05/14/2026

A huge thank you to the amazing team at the Orcas Island Community Foundation for hosting such a wonderful 2026 Spring GiveOrcas Kick-Off Party earlier this week! We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with community members, share more about the work of Skagit Legal Aid, and celebrate the incredible nonprofits serving the islands.

Now it’s time to get the games started — today is Unique Donor Day for GiveOrcas!

Every unique donor helps organizations compete for additional bonus prizes:
🥇 $1,000 for 1st place
🥈 $500 for 2nd place
🥉 $250 for 3rd place

Our work on Orcas Island really began about four years ago with the support of local attorneys from the San Juan County Bar Association who helped launch an annual Law Day Legal Clinic at the Orcas Center. What started as a single community legal clinic has continued to grow into ongoing partnerships and expanded services for island residents.

Today, Skagit Legal Aid is seeking funding to support our legal clinics held at the Orcas Community Resource Center as well as community education workshops focused on helping island residents better understand their legal rights and navigate the civil justice system.

If you’d like to support this work, today is a great day to give!

Please remember: online donations must come from a unique email address to count toward the Unique Donor Day challenge.

Thank you to everyone who has already supported GiveOrcas and all of the organizations working year-round to strengthen our island communities.

https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=42055

05/13/2026

The Swinomish Tribal Community cordially invites you to the BLESSING OF THE FLEET & FIRST SALMON CEREMONY on Thursday, May 14.

Order of events:

🔹11 a.m. meal blessing and lunch at the Boys & Girls Club, 17275 Reservation Road
🔹Procession led by the Edwards family to the blessing at 11426 Moorage Way
🔹Canoe Family songs, followed by an all-faith blessing and speakers
🔹Private off-site fisherman’s offering

📸 Swinomish Blessing of the Fleet, circa 1994. Jim Gibson Collection, Swinomish Tribal Archive.

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

We are proud to celebrate CCS Network Builder, José Ortiz, on receiving the Liberty Bell Award from the Skagit County Bar Association at the end of April!

This award recognizes individuals who advance justice in their communities, promoting respect for the law, strengthening civic responsibility, and expanding access to justice for all. Honorees are known for their integrity, leadership, and deep commitment to uplifting those most in need.

A true champion of our CCS Farmworker Center, José lives out the call of our faith and Catholic Social Teaching, advocating for the dignity of farmworkers and walking alongside our neighbors with compassion and care.

We are grateful for José’s witness to justice, mercy, and love in action. Congratulations José and NW team!