The FuturesNW team at Flatstick Pub
The “Health and Wellness Grant,” generously gifted to us by the Whatcom Community Foundation, has allowed us to hold two incredible team building events this year in Winter and Spring, with the third event on the horizon.
These events have been instrumental in helping our team de-stress and reset, all while forming an even tighter bond. This past academic year has been a particularly challenging one within the world of financial aid applications amongst other unforeseen barriers, but our team of real-life superheroes have stepped up to the plate to serve our community!
In March, our Winter team building event took us to CreativiTea, where each team member picked out a piece of ready-made pottery to paint. After adding our final touches, we left our creations to be fired in the kiln. For dinner, we walked to Övn Wood Fired Pizza and bonded over some tasty slices.
Karina paints her dish
Rosemary’s shark
Our Spring team building event in early June brought us to Flatstick Pub, where we got to try our hand at mini golf. We also explored other games such as Duffleboard, Duffepong, and even giant Jenga! We then made our way to Black Sheep for tacos and bonded over shared conversation, laughs, and delicious food.
Ashley places a jenga block at the top of the tower
Thanks to the Whatcom Community Foundation, not only are we able to host three team building events this year, but we also get to directly support the individual health and wellness needs of our team through quarterly stipends. This has allowed us each to develop a healthier work-life balance by tending to the health and wellness of each team member. By taking care of ourselves, we’re able to better serve our community – and to us that means the world!
Atiana, for instance, used her allotment to pay for a membership to a healthy meal service and a subscription to an online fitness platform. At FuturesNW, Atiana fills the role of our Support Services Program Coordinator. She spends long days helping students across Whatcom and Skagit Counties fill out their financial aid applications and collaborating with community partners.
Rosemary, our Post-Secondary Pathways Program Assistant, used the funds to pay for a climbing gym membership, which also includes classes like yoga and bouldering! Rosemary's role involves helping students fill out their financial aid applications at local schools. She also plans workshops and powerpoint presentations for students as part of our Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) funded program.
Sage and Rosemary try out Duffelboard
Our Executive Director of Programs, Ashley, chose to use her stipend to purchase an air filter to reduce environmental toxins in her home, as well as a book on eliminating neurotoxins from the body. Ashley juggles a mix of very important direct and indirect work, all geared towards breaking down barriers for students by empowering them to access and pursue their post secondary pathways.
Megan, our Executive Director of Operations, used the funds to pay for massages. Much of Megan’s work includes handling essential behind-the-scenes tasks, such as grant writing, audits, and everything numbers.
Ashby used her stipend to purchase a gym membership, allowing her to destress after long days dedicated to designing and implementing the Learning with Leaders program (LWL). As our former Learning with Leaders Coordinator, Ashby wrapped up the final Learning with Leaders event of the academic year just last month, marking a very successful conclusion to the 2023-2024 LWL series.
Paige used her funds to pay for pilates classes and a gym membership offering various classes like boxing and swimming. At FuturesNW, she manages the social media accounts, helps write grants, and designs graphics for events.
Karina, who works as our QuickStart to College Program Assistant and Mentor, decided to use the money towards books, candles, and a relaxing massage. Once a participant at Quickstart to College herself, Karina actively contributes to the development and implementation of this program designed for first-generation students and College Bound Scholars.
Thank you, Whatcom Community Foundation, for not only enhancing not only the well-being of our incredible team, but for also helping power our deeply impactful work!
Your support has left a lasting impact on our small but mighty team, as well as the communities we serve, in which we are extremely grateful.
The FuturesNW team at CreativiTea