Kokua

06/16/2026

Happy Pride Month!

Access to affirming resources can change lives. Check out these resources of support for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. 🌈
- www.transfamilies.org/
- www.stonewallyouth.org/
- www.pizzaklatch.org/
- www.wernative.org/

06/16/2026

Another way to recycle! The Thurston County Food Bank wants your egg cartons and can reuse them!

Did you know we can recycle your egg cartons? Our warehouse and both pantry locations can reuse your 12 pack, paperboard egg cartons, so drop them off at any of our locations!

06/16/2026

If you live within Lacey city limits, apply for a scholarship for Lacey Maker Space and go create cool things!

05/29/2026

There's still one week left for DSPs to complete this survey and be entered for a chance to win a prize!

One week left to complete the Direct Care Workforce Survey. Take the survey here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8817560/DSP-Workforce-Survey

05/29/2026

Kokua will be there too!

If you want to learn more about our services, come stop over and say hello.

Thurston/Mason County is hosting a Watch Party for the free Community Summit happening on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 8:30am – 4pm at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Rd, Lacey, WA 98503.

The 2026 Community Summit is a one-day virtual conference bringing together self-advocates, families, friends, partners, and allies to collaborate and strengthen more inclusive communities across Washington.

Here's the schedule breakdown:

Opening session, 9:00-10:00am
Break,10:00-10:45am
Block A sessions, 10:45-11:45am
Lunch, 11:45am-1:15pm
Block B sessions, 1:15-2:15p
Break, 2:15-3:00pm
Block C sessions, 3:00-4:00pm

We are planning a variety of games and activities for each of the breaks thanks to South Sound Parent to Parent and Thurston County Inclusion! And we are planning a small “resource fair” where our contracted vendors are hosting a table to share information with everyone!

A light lunch will be provided!

Here is the link to the virtual flyer (and registration):
https://web.cvent.com/event/b9077232-7e6a-4855-8680-f02f20135fee/websitePage:1b364094-db20-4743-a217-6be72f2e4980

If you are a member of the Thurston County People First chapter and need help to register, please call or email Grier.

05/26/2026

3 little numbers and a whole lot of help!

There’s assistance available when you need it – learn more about the three ways to connect in Washington: https://ow.ly/mjTN50TVJw1

05/26/2026

Fun! ⚽️🥅

Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches — right here in Thurston County's Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone! Tickets are now on sale!

Fan Zones are more than just a place to watch matches on a big screen. They feature half-time audience participation contests, live entertainment, interactive games, a variety of food and beverage vendors, and so much more.

𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗮-𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗻 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲
Located at Port Plaza, the Fan Zone will feature four FIFA 2026 World Cup matches:
⚽ Friday, June 19 - USA vs. Australia
⚽ Wednesday, June 24 - Canada vs. Switzerland
⚽ Thursday, June 25 - USA vs. Türkiye
⚽Friday, June 26 - Egypt vs. Iran

Read more about the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone at https://www.thurstontalk.com/2026/05/18/ole-ole-ole-get-your-fifa-2026-world-cup-olympia-lacey-fan-zone-tickets-

05/26/2026

Help out Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program and donate today! They are in need of men's clothing!

We are completely out of men's clothing! Please keep us in mind if you are looking to make space in your closet. Thank you for considering and feel free to help spread the word. 🫶

05/22/2026

You can never have too many books!

Support the Thurston County Food Bank this weekend and get some new things to read! Win-win!

The OUUC's online Book Nook used book store has raised over $10,000 for our Food Bank during the past year and this week they're having an in-person sale!

📚Book Nook Garage Sale📚

When: Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23, 10am-3pm
Where: 818 McCormick St SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Fill up your bags with great reads, then decide how much you'd like to donate (suggested donation: $2/book)

Please car pool and bring your own bags if you can. Cash or checks only (or, they can show you how you can donate by card - online in the Book Nook store)

Funds raised will benefit the Food Bank, so stop by and check it out!

05/18/2026

The 30th Anniversary Edition of Frontline Initiative- a great publication and resource for direct support from the University of Minnesota- Institute on Community Integration.

Read and learn about and when it comes to the field, and then share for others to read and learn as well. 🩷

The more we educate about what is needed for quality caregivers in direct support, the better it is for the care and support they provide. We cannot do this in a silo because healthy, lasting change doesn't happen in isolation. It happens together, in community. We need to share the importance of the work and the importance of the workforce behind it.

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