STANWOOD — The executive director of Safe Harbor Free Clinic, who helped launch the nonprofit seven years ago, is leaving to become director of the Stanwood Community and Senior Center.
Julie Vess, 48, plans to start her new job at the senior center April 1. She worked in geriatric care before joining Safe Harbor in 2008, before the clinic officially opened.
“I think it’s time for Safe Harbor to get some fresh eyes,” she said. “It’s always good to have fresh eyes that can put a new spin on things. Maybe I’ll be able to put my spin on things at the senior center.”
More than 80 seniors live at the center and there are about 20 employees along with dozens of volunteers. The nonprofit center was started in 1972. It provides low-cost housing and transportation and hosts activities such as ceramics classes and Wii bowling.
Vess hopes to add dental and vision care to the senior center’s clinic. She wants to work with the new Stanwood-Camano YMCA on activities and sees a chance for partnerships between the senior center and Safe Harbor.
Vess is taking over for Keith Yarter, 65, who has been executive director of the senior center for about three years. He’s retiring March 31. He also sits on Safe Harbor’s board of trustees. In his time at the senior center, Yarter has seen the seniors get more involved with the rest of Stanwood. There have been updates to the inside of the building, such as new paint, and the atmosphere has become increasingly upbeat as seniors build relationships outside of the center through activities, trips and errands, he said.
“People don’t look at it as the old people’s home on the hill, it’s now a vital community center,” he said.
He’s handing some goals over to Vess to finish, including the expansion of the senior center’s clinic. He also expects the center will need repairs. The original building is nearly 100 years old.
Yarter and Vess have known each other for more than a decade.
“We have the same mission,” Yarter said. “Take care of people. Invest in people. Help them see their potential. I’m leaving the senior center in really good hands with Julie.”
Vess has overseen steady growth during her time at Safe Harbor.
When the free clinic started, it was open twice a month. Now it’s open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. People can get help with chronic health problems like diabetes or asthma. The clinic offers foot care, women’s health services, diagnosis and referrals to specialists for problems beyond their means. Safe Harbor also has a dental van.
The services don’t cost anything and are geared toward people who can’t afford a doctor’s visit.
“We didn’t know what would happen in the beginning,” Vess said. “Over time, we realized there was such a big need. By the time patients get to Safe Harbor, they’re usually really sick because they’ve been putting off care for a long time because they can’t afford it.”
The clinic has 155 volunteers, among them doctors, nurses, medical assistants and pastors. It relies on grants and donations. Since opening in 2009, about 8,500 patients have been treated, 1,600 in 2015 alone.
Vess started volunteering with Safe Harbor Free Clinic in 2008 and was hired as executive director in 2010. Safe Harbor is searching for a new director before she leaves in April.
She oversaw the move to a new location and the addition of hours and services in June 2014. The clinic now has its own space at 7209 265th St. NW, Suite 203, rather than leasing temporary space from Skagit Regional Clinic.
Trustees have talked about adding daytime hours this year and eventually bringing mental health care to Safe Harbor, Vess said.
“We keep trying to find the holes in the health care system and plug them with our services,” she said. “Whether I’m at Safe Harbor or whether I’m at the senior center, it’s really exciting to see where Stanwood is going.”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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