History of Helpline
The mission of Helpline is to affirm the worth of every person; address the needs of individuals, families and our community; and advocate for positive life transformation.
Helpline has served as the front door to help for poor and homeless individuals and families in Walla Walla Valley, connecting people struggling to meet basic needs with the community resources needed to achieve stability.
Trained, caring staff and volunteers met with clients to assess needs and screen for eligibility of available local resources. and provide direct assistance with a variety of essential needs and provide referrals to a network of local social service agencies.
Founded in 1973, Helpline served the communities of Walla Walla Valley with emergency social services for nearly 50 years.
Helpline assisted indigent and working-poor individuals and families on an emergency basis with food, clothing, prescriptions, transportation, utilities, infant-care needs, personal hygiene care and referrals for dental, crisis advocacy, counseling and other community programs and resources.
​
In addition to serving as an emergency food bank for needy families, Helpline provided screening and voucher referral for food services at three other area food banks. Helpline coordinated with a wide varieties of social services to ensure needs were met without duplication of services.
​
Helpline services were available to any resident of the Walla Walla Valley in need of emergency social services. While some resources were available only for those living within specific poverty guidelines, resource counseling and information were provided for anyone, regardless of income.
​
There was no fee for Helpline services. Helpline did not discriminate in the provision of services, or placement of volunteers on the basis of race, creed, age, color, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political ideology or disability.
​
Helpline enjoyed broad-based community support, including the United Way of Walla Walla County, Blue Mountain Community Foundation, dozens of area churches, many clubs and organizations, schools, individual and corporate donors, private foundations, and contracts with government and private agencies.