Rotary Club of
Port Townsend, WA
Rotary District 5020, Club# 77
Chartered March 9th, 1929

Jumping Mouse
Children’s Center Project


                                                     

“The Rotary Club of Port Townsend has continued to carry us along,” says Dott Kelly, Executive Director of Jumping Mouse Children’s Center (JMCC). She is referring to the purchase and remodeling of the new facility at 1809 Sheridan Street (near the corner of 19^th) in Port Townsend. “At this point in time Rotary members are our hands and feet, doing so much critical labor in support of the heart of our program.  Thank you to the Rotary members; you are the adopted aunts, uncles, and grandparents of the children we serve.”

People ask Dott Kelly all the time: “Are there really that many children in need in our community?”  Her answer is Yes, and growing.  “We are turning away at least 1 child for every 2 we serve. Our commitment to expand our services is timely as the families we have to turn away are increasing.  Our new location, next door to Grant Street and its programs, will enhance the partnerships we have forged together.”   

JMCC took occupancy September 2004; renovation has begun with professional and volunteer help, and a late February 2005 date set for the opening of the new facility.  

 The House Purchase and Renovation (Our Capital Campaign)

JMCC’s action plan is divided into two segments: 1) the purchase and renovation of the facility, and 2) the purchase of furnishings and equipment.  To date, JMCC has completed all building permits, begun renovations, and created a volunteer/professional service workforce.

Funding activities to date include: $30,000 in capital funds already raised by JMCC; $15,000 from the Port Townsend Rotary Club; a private donation of $10,000; a $5,000 award from two foundations; Letters of Inquiry and applications are pending for funds from several foundations, Committee recommendation for a State Capital Grant for $45,000 (awaits WA Legislature funding); and a bridge loan from Mariner Bank. 

The Projects’ Goals

The purchase of the permanent facility will:

• Provide an expanded site that is a publicly recognized resource yet guarantees a safe and private place for children and their parents.

• Further enhance community partnerships and support children between agencies and systems, such as school, foster care, and home.

• Be an unencumbered asset building equity to be used to create an expanded intern training, parent education, and teaching program.

• Provide vital family support in the form of advocacy, referrals, and the education of significant individuals who are important to each child’s welfare and healthy development. 

About Jumping Mouse Children’s Center

Jumping Mouse Children’s Center (JMCC) is a nonprofit agency that provides mental health services for the children of Jefferson County, ages 2 to 12. We are the:

• Primary mental health provider to low-income, single-parent households.

•  The children receive therapy for a variety of reasons, generally when the family is in a crisis and the young child is deeply affected.

• JMCC provides therapy, education, and consulting services to the schools, Head Start, the courts, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, as well as with grandparents and other relatives who are raising the children.

The Increased Need for Services

In the year 2003:

• 82% of the families served by JMCC were severely low in income and unable to pay for services
• 78% of these families were single-parent homes
• 73% of our children were ages 6 and under.
• Grandparents were raising 20% of the children we served in 2003—reflecting a new trend.
• Four of our children in 2003 were served through our partnership with the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program.

Our regionally recognized training program continues to teach long-term, in-depth treatment of children and families as well as keeps our operating costs unusually low. During JMCC’s five years of operation, nine Master-level interns from the University of Washington, Seattle University, and Pacifica University have been trained.