True or False?

1) Poor people use human services.

2) Someone other than you uses human services.

3) You use human services.

How did you answer?

Recently an article on a possible human services campus in the Issaquah area indicated the beneficiaries would be low-income people. While not incorrect, the leap the writer made, as do many, is to believe human services are exclusively for the poor.

Make no mistake, low income families struggle mightily to meet an array of critical needs, such as food, shelter, and medical care. Last year over 67,000 people (an increase of 27,000 people over the previous year!) were helped at Together Center, formerly Family Resource Center, where they tapped assistance at 18 agencies.

Of those tracked by income, two-thirds were of low or very low income.

So, yes, a human services campus helps the poor. But the same tally shows something else. Thousands of people in other income brackets were aided too.

Consider the following common scenarios (actual client names are not used).

Jackson is 16. His parents both work long hours in the high-tech industry. Jackson has been abusing alcohol and suffers poor self-control. His family finds help at a youth counseling agency at a human services center.

George, 56, has been managing well with his multiple sclerosis for a decade, but recent difficulties have him seeking more supports to keep him navigating well. He finds a case manager at a one-stop human services campus.

Lisa’s aging mother, 86, has exhibited growing dementia and bursts of anger that frighten Lisa. Lisa is helped to identify next steps and resources at a multi-tenant human services center.

All people need human services. People have children. People require medical and dental care. People have stresses or serious mental health issues.

People have teenagers – or are teenagers – that act out or become depressed. People become disabled or lose their jobs. People move into the community not yet knowing the language or struggle in school. People grow old and require extra help.

Thus, human service agencies support all of the many needs that come from being human.

A campus for health and human services can help create a healthier and vital community for all.

It can also help us personally, whatever our income or life stage.

True or False? It’s true. All three – poor people, someone other than you , and you – use human services. And so do I.

Pam Mauk is the executive director of Together Center, formerly the Family Resource Center, in Redmond.

(The Together Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary and new name on Sept. 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (short program at 4 p.m.) at 16225 NE 87th in Redmond. All are welcome. Together Center is partnering with the City of Issaquah on a feasibility study for an Issaquah area human services campus. That study will be completed this fall. – Ed.)