A message from: Connections: A Center for Healthy Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Richmond, Interim Executive Director
Connections, a Center for Healthy Families
wrichmond@harborconnections.org
Connections, a Center for Healthy Families, Announces Voluntary Dissolution and Distribution of Assets to Community Partners:  More than $940,000 in Assets to Remain in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties to Continue Critical Services for Children and Families.
MONTESANO, Wash., Sept 1, 2025. Connections, a Center for Healthy Families, (Connections) today announced that its Board of Directors has voted to voluntarily dissolve the organization and distribute its remaining assets, valued at more than $940,000, to three nonprofits serving Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties and one County Agency who will carry forward the mission that Connections has pursued since 1999.
The Board made this difficult decision after careful deliberation, concluding that the most responsible path forward is to ensure that the facilities, equipment, and financial resources built up over decades of community service are transferred directly to partner organizations with the capacity and commitment to keep those services available to Grays Harbor and Pacific County residents.
“The Board of Directors is profoundly grateful for the support of other nonprofits, businesses, state agencies, and individuals who have worked with and supported the mission and work of Connections, a Center for Healthy Families. Your support ensures our mission continues through the transfer of assets to other entities that will continue the demanding work to support families and children in need. We wholeheartedly encourage your continued support to the organizations listed below whom work tirelessly to make a difference in our region.”   Bob Wilson – Board Chair, Connections, a Center for Healthy Families
Asset Distribution
Under a Plan of Liquidation and Distribution approved by the Connections Board of Directors and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the organization will donate its assets as follows:
   Family Education Support Services (FESS): FESS will receive Connections’ buildings, vehicles, and the majority of its contents with a total estimated value of $650,000 to $675,000. These facilities have served as the heart of Connections’ family support programs and will continue to be used to deliver direct services to Grays Harbor County families. FESS operates the PCAP program in Grays Harbor, Pacific, Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties, as well as mandated Parent Education courses throughout these regions.
    Crisis Support Network (CSN): CSN will receive equipment and furniture (valued at approximately $30,000), to assist child advocacy center services, as well as a cash donation not to exceed $200,000.00. These resources will support CSN’s work providing crisis intervention, children’s advocacy, and protective services to vulnerable individuals and families here in Grays Harbor County. CSN is established in Pacific County and provides advocacy services to survivors and others affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and general crimes.
    Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, Thurston / The Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center:  The Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center will receive a $40,000 contribution to support continued free services for therapy, medical treatment, advocacy, crisis intervention, and forensic interviews. This funding is intended to support medical services and child victims of sexual assault. Monarch serves Grays Harbor, Pacific, Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties in a multi-disciplinary team approach that includes law enforcement, sexual assault medical professionals, and therapists. After the initial funds and assets have been disbursed to the four agencies, it is the intent of Connections that any remaining surplus funds held by Connections at the time of dissolution be disbursed to Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center in accordance with the dissolution plan submitted to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.
    Grays Harbor Drug Task Force: The Drug Task Force will receive a restricted contribution of $40,000 to be held exclusively to fund electronic forensic investigation services regarding child abuse crimes for small municipalities in Grays Harbor County that rely on the Drug Task Force for these services. This contribution is expected to fund dozens of investigations that smaller jurisdictions could not otherwise afford.
Serving Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties
Each recipient organization has committed to using these assets to serve Grays Harbor and Pacific County residents. The Charitable Donation Agreement governing these transfers includes community benefit requirements and use restrictions to ensure that the resources Connections built remain dedicated to the counties’ most vulnerable residents: children, families in crisis and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Timeline and Process
Connections will continue to operate during the transition of services period to ensure an orderly process of asset transfers. Asset transfers to recipient organizations will be completed as soon as practical following execution of the Charitable Donation Agreements and receipt of standard regulatory approvals from the Washington State Attorney General. The dissolution process is being conducted in accordance with Washington State nonprofit corporation law, RCW Chapter 24.03A.
Community members and partners with questions specific to the dissolution of Connections are encouraged to contact Wendy Richmond at wrichmond@harborconnections.org.
About Connections, a Center for Healthy Families
Connections, A Center for Healthy Families, originally known as the Children’s Advocacy Center of Grays Harbor, was established in 1999. We are unwaveringly committed to the well-being of the children in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. Our purpose remains the same: To protect children and create a safe place for children and families to grow, be happy and be healthy.  Our Mission and Vision:  Our Mission is to cultivate healthy families, safeguard children, and connect the community to services. Our Vision is that all children and families are safe, healthy, and flourishing.
Over the years our agency has provided Children’s Advocacy Center Services, Parent Education Classes, Parent Child Assistance Program (PCAP) Services, Family Time Services, (Foster Care Visitation) and limited mental health care services.