The need is old, but this Kennewick nonprofit has a modern approach

From the outside, it looks like a regular office building.

It blends in with the barber shop and the art gallery that share the block in downtown Kennewick.

But inside, it’s changing lives.

Impact! Compassion Center opened on South Dayton Street about a year ago. It works to fill unmet needs in the community, doing so through in-person help and a robust online operation.

The group connects people in need with social services, with resources, with community members who can help.

It provides free life assessments, guidance and support, plus essential items such as warm coats, hygiene supplies and diapers.

“People need to feel cared for. They need to feel not judged. They need to feel they have a safe place to go to,” said Jennifer Felicitas, the group’s founder and leader.

Impact! aims to be that place, she said.

Felicitas has a wealth of knowledge to draw from in running the nonprofit.

She’s a mental health counselor, with a total of 25 years in the social service field.

Because of her background, she’s seen firsthand the barriers that prevent people from accessing needed help.

At Impact!, she and her volunteers use multiple tracks to meet needs.

The group has drop-in hours, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, for in-person assistance.

It also has a large online presence. The public Facebook group — under Impact! Compassion Center Tri-Cities — has about 7,600 members.

It’s an active group, with several people posting each day about things they need help with or ways in which they’re available to help others.

For example, one woman wrote last week of her mother’s need for furniture and kitchen supplies. The mother fled a domestic violence situation.

Soon, the woman had offers of a bed frame, of end tables.

Another woman shared photos of some toys and children’s clothing that she wanted to give away. She also got quick replies.

Felicitas said that one of the community’s best resources is the community itself — the businesses, the groups, the people.

“If we all pull together, we can fill those gaps,” Felicitas said.

Marie Reddout also sees great power in the Impact! model. She’s part of the nonprofit’s board of directors, becoming involved after retiring from law enforcement.

She’s been touched to see past clients come back to volunteer or donate once they’ve gotten in a better position themselves. “It’s incredible,” she said.

“It comes back to, when we have a leg up on something and we’re doing OK, why not? We should (try to help others),” she said.

Along with its current services, Impact! Compassion Center has more offerings coming down the pike, from a family mentoring program to a publication that lists all the area’s social services.

The group helps about 40 to 50 people a day, either in person or online. Its clients range from veterans to the elderly, the chronically homeless and those who’ve temporarily fallen on hard times.

It’s a faith-based group, and Felicitas said her Christianity inspires her work. But, Impact! is open to people of all religious traditions and those who aren’t religious.

Felicitas said it’s been inspiring to watch people receive help through Impact! over the last year.

She has no plans to slow down.

“I felt very called to do this. It’s God’s will for my life,” she said. “I feel like God’s at the helm, driving the ship. He’s pointing out the direction, and I’m going along with it.”

Impact! relies on donations and volunteers, and Felicitas said it can always use more of both. To learn more or help out, stop by the office or reach out on Facebook.

The Impact! office is at 9 S. Dayton St.

This story was originally published December 24, 2017 at 2:28 PM with the headline "The need is old, but this Kennewick nonprofit has a modern approach."