Community Connections' $8.6 million budget has a welcome economic effect — amid many rewarding effects — on Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island.

The nonprofit organization celebrated its 25th anniversary this week.

Community Connections isn't fishing, mining, shipbuilding, timber harvesting or tourism. But those industries depend on organizations such as Community Connections to retain a workforce in Ketchikan and the surrounding area.

It's a support industry. It provides services that workers want for their children and families, and in doing so creates a whole new opportunity of employment, another industry.

It is a nonprofit that largely stands on its own two economic feet, not seeking the majority of its revenue from government grants. Not that it didn't start out that way. In 1985, at its inception, according to Community Connections statistics, grants accounted for more than 80 percent of the nonprofit's $57,184 revenue. By 1998, it had become a $1.6 million organization, depending on grants for just more than 70 percent of its revenue. In 2010, statistics show its receives 80 percent of its revenue from customer fees, almost 15 percent from grants and the balance from other sources. Granted, that 15 percent or $1.2 million is more than the organization began with and represents more in grants, but more than $7 million is paid by customers.

Even if the customers receive government assistance, much of that would be mandated. It is better that mandated services are provided here, helping Ketchikan and this area's economy instead of that of Outside communities.

It enables families and their breadwinners to come to and remain in Ketchikan, where they provide their abilities and skills to local industries and businesses.

Community Connections offers children's mental health services, developmental disabilities services, an early learning program, and older Alaskan and adult resource services.

The services are driven by individual customer needs, encouraging independence, community belonging and quality of life.

Community Connections has helped children who were out of control (probably preventing a lifetime of grief and expense for not only their parents, but society). It has made it possible for children with learning challenges to be more independent — which most parents take for granted their children will be as they grow.

Adults with diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, or adults who need help with what most people consider simple chores or grooming are able to live in their own homes or with their families instead of at institutions in other towns. Their families can live here.

When Community Connections opened its wheelchair-accessible apartment building on Carlanna Avenue, one grateful parent showed up at 4 in the morning on sign-up day to register his daughter. That shows the depth of the need for an organization such as Community Connections and its services.

The individual stories of the organization's customers cannot be told or heard without the listener being glad that Ketchikan and the area has these services.

JoAnna DeSanto, Rebecca Smith and Marg Clabby founded Community Connections in 1985, beginning with an office in Wells Fargo's downtown building and the desire to help a few families who had children or adults with developmental disabilities. On Prince of Wales Island, it started in the home of a part-time Community Connections employee. POW customers now find the organization at the new Health Care Center in Craig.

In Ketchikan it is located at 201 Deermount St., but the building has been sold. Community Connections will move out next summer when a nearly 20,000-square-foot building at 721 Stedman St. is remodeled for its purposes. The pricetag is an anticipated $4.8 million.

Community Connections served 615 children and adults in 2010, its statistics show, with a full- and part-time staff of 250. That means it is serving or employing 865 people and touching the lives of easily several thousand others in very personal and meaningful ways. It's giving families a place to find help when they feel most alone and overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives.

Looking at the numbers, Community Connections is a growing success.