license, be 50 years or older, be certified able to perform by their doctor, complete an oral interview, and pass a background check. Address: 420 College St. S.E., Lacey, WA 98503. Call Sean Bell at 360-459-4333, to arrange an interview, or to learn more about meetings.
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (NARFE)
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE
SOUTH SOUND AMPUTEE SUPPORT GROUP
Serves as a resource for individuals with disabilities to fully access and participate in the community through outreach, advocacy, and independent living skills development. Mailing address: 7801 Bridgeport Way W. Suite 200, Lakewood, WA 98499. Call 253-582-1253, 1-800-724-8172, or log on to: http://www.centerforindependence.org.
Meetings begin at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, at Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor, 3939 Martin Way E., Lacey. Call Christopher Ertel, 360-273-1200, or email: christomat1@msn.com, or Karen or Doug Olinghouse, 360438-6163, to confirm meeting date, time, and location.
The purpose is to preserve the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees, and annuitants. The NARFE Olympia/Timberland chapter meets at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, September through June, at Olympic National Forest Headquarters, 1835 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia. Call John Cornette, 456-8558, for additional information.
CHRONIC PAIN AND OTHER “INVISIBLE” DISABILITIES
READER’S THEATRE UNLIMITED
A fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. Group meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays, at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. S.E., Olympia, and at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at Capital Vision Christian Church, 1775 Yew Ave., Olympia. Call 360970-4401.
Meets from noon - 3 p.m. each Tuesday for play readings, skits, comedies, band book adaptations, Senior Services for South Sound, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia. Call Senior Center Activities, 360-586-6181, ext. 123.
RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON, OLYMPIA CHAPTER #2 To unite retired state, county and municipal employees for their mutual welfare. Meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. on the second Thursday, September through May, at The Olympia Center, multi purpose room A., 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia. Mailing address: 3230 14th Avenue NW, Suite B, Olympia, Wa 98502. Call 800-562-6097 Toll Free, or 360352-8262, or log on to: www.rpecwa.org.
SENIOR ACTION NETWORK A network of information, education and opportunities for senior-related businesses. Meetings begin at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast and networking, then 7:45 for meeting and speaker, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia. Mailing address: P.O. Box 12212, Olympia, WA 98508. Call Cyndi Loundsbury, 360-528-8726, or log on to: www.senioraction.net.
SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM A federally funded program which serves residents of Thurston, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Counties, and is sponsored by the YMCA of Grays Harbor and authorized through the Corporation of National and Community Service. The program focuses on maintaining independence, while building self-worth for both the volunteers and the clients. Services are available to adults aged 18 and older, who are recuperating from illness or have a disability. Volunteers and clients are matched according to skills, interests and location. Mailing address: 508 Eighth St., P.O. Box 667, Hoquiam, WA 98550. Call 888-532-9542.
SENIOR NEWS A free monthly tabloid newspaper, circulation 16,000, that provides news, helpful information and business advertising for the 50+ population. Call Rick Crawford, 360-586-3590, or email: seniornews@olywa.net.
SUPPORT
AUTISM SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON The Thurston County Autism Chapter Parent Support Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Open Door Autism Clinic, 1101 Eastside St. S.E., Ste. B, Olympia. The local chapter phone line is available daily to answer questions or provide support to those living with autism or asperger. Call 360-786-1108 (Olympia), or 888279-4968. Web site: www.autismsocietyofwa.org.
Meets regularly at Mason General Hospital, Shelton. Call 360-426-0900 for additional meeting information.
CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS
HARMONY HILL RETREAT CENTER A retreat center located in Union, Washington, offering no-cost retreats for those living with cancer and their loved ones. Adult learning classes on wellness, weekday yoga, gardening classes and facility rentals are also available and support the no-cost cancer program. Address: 7362 E. State Route 106, Union, WA 98592. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 360-898-2363, or email: info@harmonyhill.org. Web site: www.harmonyhill.org.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) Free and frequent support groups, free educational courses on mental illness for the affected, and their families and caregivers. Mailing address: 4305 Lacey Blvd., #28, Lacey, WA 98503. Call 360-493-6021, or the 24-hour helpline: 360-866-0403. Log on to: www.namitm.org.
SOUTH SOUND CHADD Provides support and information for families and individuals affected by AD/HD. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, September through June, at the Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department, 412 Lilly Rd. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506. Meeting in Conference Room 107C. Call 360-705-0315, or email: ssound@chadd.net. Web site: www.nwchadd.org.
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE A peer support group providing support for anyone has lost a loved one to suicide. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, at Westwood Baptist Church, 333 Kaiser Road N.W., room E-10, Olympia. Call Janis Fesenmaier, 360-866-2509, or log on to: www.auburnsos. com.
TOPS WA #1145 OLYMPIA Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 9 a.m. each Friday, at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 910 Bowker St. S.E., Lacey. Call 360-456-1472, or log on to: www.tops.org.
UNITED OSTOMY ASSOCIATION Support group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November, at Providence St. Peter Hospital, 413 Lilly Road N.E., Olympia. Call 360-491-6938, or 360-427-7215.
OLYMPIA BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP A local support group affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of Washington. The group provides a caring environment for survivors of traumatic and non-traumatic. Families and caregivers are also welcome. The group is confidential and provides support and education to help survivors in the community. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, on the third floor of the Emille Gamelin Pavilion, behind Providence St. Peter Hospital, 410 Providence Lane, Olympia. Call 360-878-7240, or email: obisg@hotmail.com.
SOUNDCAREKIDS PROGRAM Sponsored by Providence Hospice, the program began in 1992, and has helped more than 500 grieving children and teens. The group gives children age 3-18, and their parents a chance to explore their feelings and thoughts while surrounded by others who can understand the pain of losing a loved one. The group meets on Thursdays, in a 6-week session each fall, winter, and spring. Young adults grief support group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Call to register. Address: 3432 South Bay Road, Olympia, WA 98506. Call 360-493-5928, or log on to: www.providence.org/swsa/facilities/soundhomecare/hospice/e35kids.htm.
SOUTH PUGET SOUND UP WITH DOWN SYNDROME Sponsors social events for people with Down syndrome, as well as the annual Buddy Walk, which will be Oct. 1 this year, to raise awareness and inclusion of those with Down syndrome. Support group meets at 6:30 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month, at Parent to Parent, 1012 Homann Drive S.E., Lacey. Call 360-915-6276.
VETERANS
AMERICAN LEGION POST #3 Veterans helping veterans. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia. Call 360-357-9780, or log on to: http://www.olympialegion3.org.
AMERICAN LEGION POST #94 AND AUXILIARY - R.V. VANSCHOICK, LACEY Assists both retired and active military personnel. Meetings are on the second Friday of each month, at the post home. Address: 2602 Marvin Road S.E., Olympia, WA 98503. Call 360-459-0150.
ARMED FORCES E9 ASSOCIATION A national professional organization designed exclusively for the senior enlisted personnel of all branches of the United States and our Allies Armed Forces. Mailing address: P.O. Box 136, Dupont, WA 98327-0136. Call CSM (ret) Bob Sova, 360-556-2583, or log on to: http://afe9a.us.
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