APOYO Soccer League
Join us to promote active lifestyles and community engagement with our Ellensburg neighbors!
Mission
“APOYO” means “support” in Spanish. It also stands for “Allied People Offering Year-Round Outreach.” Our mission is to empower by providing vital resources, advocacy, education and opportunities to build community. We share and celebrate the presence, histories, and cultures of im/migrants and Latinx people in Central Washington and beyond.
What we do
We have been at work in central Washington since the mid-1990s. APOYO is widely known for its service as a food pantry and clothing bank where everyone is welcome. We provide nutritious, culturally-relevant food. Food justice has animated our work together meeting material and cultural needs. From the beginning, we have advocated for civil and political rights for disempowered people and im/migrants and helped people communicate with agencies, schools, and service providers. APOYO helped establish the Open Door free health care clinic and, working with community partners, we now sponsor vaccination clinics and health screenings. Our health and wellness programming includes education, an after-school sports program for youth, and a women’s fitness club. APOYO partners with Central Washington University to offer internships and unique educational opportunities. We organize cultural events and celebrations. Our work empowers and builds community! Learn more about our history and our team.
How You Can Help
Become a Volunteer
Join us to become part of a network strong enough to effect a positive change in the lives of the local Latinx community. Or if you need community service hours please feel free to contact us for more information.
Make A Donation
Giving online has never been more secure, convenient, and hassle-free. We also accept in-person donations at our physical location: 1320 E. 18th Avenue. Or you can mail a donation to P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
Sponsor APOYO Projects
APOYO is seeking sponsors for events and projects, year-round. In 2024, we are introducing exciting projects that help APOYO empower and celebrate Latinx voices and experiences.
CWU Students & Faculty
APOYO has partnered with CWU since 1998. We give students opportunities for internships and projects. To learn more, contact Professor Bernadette Jungbult, our board CWU Faculty Liaison.
Please contact us about food donations. Have garden surplus? We’d be happy to offer it at our food pantry!
Our Services
- Food pantry
- Clothing bank
- Educational workshops
- Internships & other learning opportunities for students
- Amigos Atléticos – free after-school youth sports program for students grades 5-10
- Amigas en Acción Women’s Fitness Club
- Vaccine and health-screening clinics
- Translation assistance
- Referrals to other resources
APOYO’s direct services are providing nutritious, culturally-relevant food and our clothing bank. We can help you find other resources by referring you to other organizations and agencies. For more, please see our Services page.
Building Community
APOYO is building a community outreach center as a safe space for our community to work together to meet material and cultural needs and to learn, celebrate, and thrive! We are in the initial stages of the project: fundraising, building design, and infrastructure installation in partnership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ellensburg Lodge 20.
Working Partnerships
Inatai Foundation
APOYO is grateful for the sustaining support of the Inatai Foundation. With their support, we have been able to expand our capacity to make APOYO a stronger by-for organization: by the people, for the people. We learn more everyday about empowerment and organizational longevity with their guidance.
WSDA
Partnering with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, we sustain our capacity to provide healthy food. The WSDA supports the viability and vitality of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. APOYO participates in WSDA food assistance programs. One is the We Feed WA Pilot Food Program. Learn more about We Feed WA.
Northwest Harvest
APOYO has been a Northwest Harvest partner since our founding. Their support has always been crucial. Northwest Harvest partners with 375 food programs throughout Washington to create a Hunger Response Network. For more information, visit Northwest Harvest.
Kittitas County Health Network
APOYO is a member of the Leadership Council of the Kittitas County Health Network. We work with KCHN to educate the community about health and wellness.
Kittitas County Public Health Department
Partnering with the Kittitas County Public Health Department, we host Covid-19 vaccination clinics at APOYO and provide health care supplies to APOYO members. Amigos Atléticos, our youth fitness club for students in grades 5-10 started with a KCPHD Covid-19 Health Equity Coalition grant.
HopeSource
APOYO helps get people connected to services through HopeSource. To address housing insecurity, we partnered with HopeSource December 2020 to March 2021 as a sub-contractor in the Washington State Department of Commerce Eviction Rental Assistance Program. APOYO was awarded $27,830.25 to distribute to landlords.
CWJFON
We have partnered with Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors to help people apply for immigrant relief funds.
Others
Over the years, APOYO has partnered with other organizations to serve community needs as they arise. If your organization would like to propose a partnership, please contact us!
Know Your Rights
All immigrants, undocumented and documented, in the United States have certain rights under the Constitution. Watch this Informed Immigrant video to learn about your rights and how your family can better prepare for an encounter with immigration law enforcement. To get started finding legal assistance, contact Informed Immigrant, Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors, Northwest Justice Project, or WashingtonLawHelp.org.
APOYO Food Bank
Ellensburg food distributions at
1320 E 18th Ave.
Wednesdays
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Phone
Food Services (509) 312-5427
Office (509) 201-1820
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926-1911