FAQs
South Whidbey at Home was built on a simple idea: that people thrive when they’re connected to their community. Since opening in 2016, we’ve given thousands of rides, made countless friendly calls, and helped members navigate everything from tech troubles to garden overgrowth. Find out more about us here.
What’s the history of SW@Home?
We’re based on the Village model, a grassroots nonprofit first formed in Boston in 2001 to help residents of the Beacon Hill neighborhood remain in their own homes and connected to their communities throughout the aging process. Villages use a mix of volunteers, professionals, and paid staff to connect their members to a variety of free and paid services including transportation, health and wellness programs, home repairs, social and educational activities, and other day-to-day needs.
SW@Home started organizing in February, 2015, through a steering committee, and a Board of Directors was established in January 2016. After detailed planning by eight committees of volunteers, we opened our doors in July of 2016.
Is SW@Home a non-profit 501(c)(3)?
Yes. We obtained that status in August, 2015. Donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. We are a charitable 501(c)(3) organization Tax ID #47-4435579.
What is the service area for SW@Home?
We serve people from Clinton through Greenbank. Because our organization is based on neighbors helping neighbors, we strive to have members and volunteers be within about twenty minutes travel time of each other. We are always looking for more volunteers, especially in the Greenbank area since expanding our boundary from in 2021.
Are there other organizations like this in the U.S.?
Yes, and the number is growing. Look at the Village to Village Network website (www.vtvnetwork.org) for more information about the many variations which are either already functioning or in the planning stages in cities and small towns across the U.S.
How does SW@Home fit in with other senior services available on South Whidbey?
We are highly collaborative and communicate and cooperate with several other service organizations in our community including Island Senior Resources: https://www.senior-resources.org/ However, we are a little different from most other organizations as we primarily serve our members, and services are for the most part customized to the member’s needs, and home-based.
Who runs SW@Home?
A Board of Directors was formed in January, 2016. We are primarily volunteer run, but, thanks to the generosity of Goosefoot Community Fund, we hired our first full time Executive Director in February 2025.
All SW@Home volunteers are vetted for the safety of our members and go through a short training session.
Find Out More About SW@Home
Find out more about our mission, our values, and how we got started.
Strenghtening our community starts with you.
Donate to South Whidbey at Home in one of two ways.
Make an
online donation
Mail a check to us at:
1796 Main St., Ste #104
Freeland, WA 98249
Strenghtening our community starts with you.
Donate to South Whidbey at Home in one of two ways.
Make an
online donation
Mail a check to us at:
1796 Main St., Ste #104
Freeland, WA 98249
“As a volunteer I can say without doubt that my Mom was right: The gift is to the giver. My interactions with Members of SW@Home have been heartwarming and interesting. I think we miss the richness of the many lives lived by some of our most isolated seniors if we don't interact. It's all to easy to become invisible, and a simple conversation lifts the veil and shows us our common humanity.”
Melissa L.
SW@H Volunteer