The Mullis Campus

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 8, 2023

By Peggy Sue McRae, Journal contributor.

The Mullis Campus is located on a piece of land alongside Nash and Market streets in a peaceful niche close to the bustling heart of downtown Friday Harbor. This prime location is thanks to a gift of property from the Mullis family, most notably Don and June Mullis.

George and Emma Mullis originally purchased the site in 1894. George, a skilled craftsman, built the historic Mullis house still standing on Argyle and Caines. Their son Frank and his wife Belle later raised their family in the stately two-story home. In 1994 the children of Frank and Belle Mullis made a gift of property to the seniors of San Juan Island. The Island community then raised funds to build the structure.

From the beginning, the Mullis Center has been home to the offices of San Juan County’s Senior Services Case Coordinator and Senior Services Specialist for SJI sharing the office suite with Mullis Center staff since 2001.

Friday Harbor Food Bank relocated to the Mullis property in 2002 giving this crucial service a home where they have been able to grow to meet an increasing need.

Next to join the campus in 2005 was the Joyce L. Sobel Resource Center. The FRC provides both short-term and/or long-term support to all islanders, young families as well as seniors. When an unexpected rent increase threw my own life into crisis FRC helped me figure out where to get the immediate help I needed and how to create a brighter future for myself.

Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden also joined the campus in 2005. With the addition of their new hoop house the Master Gardeners are able to provide fresh vegetables for the Food Bank well into the shoulder seasons.

The most recent addition to the campus is Island Rides (formerly known as the Round Towner) fleet of vehicles. Island Rides provides transportation options for seniors, persons with disability and others in need. Though their business office is located elsewhere the fleet of vehicles is housed on-site. The Mullis Center and Island Rides are currently collaborating on an EV Charging Station Project that will expand charging capability for Island Rides’ ever-growing EV fleet.

The Mullis Center is a hub for senior and disabled community members to receive support and services. The Mullis Campus sister organizations (Food Bank, FRC, Master Gardeners Demo Garden, San Juan County Senior Services and Island Rides) expand the resources available to our seniors while supporting a network of crucial human services offering vital support to our broader Island community.

For more information about the Mullis Center visit https://www.mulliscenter.org/

For more information about the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center visit https://sjifrc.org/