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Leadership, lobbying, and weaving a fabric of community connections to support young people and elevate our entire community.
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EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INDEPENDENCE, BELONGING, AND POSSIBILITIES
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OWL360's Kelli Parcher
AAUW's 2026 "Woman of Excellence"
When you commit to making a difference in your community, it’s meaningful to have your efforts recognized. Since 1996, AAUW has honored strong women leaders in our county, and I was
grateful to be included in 2024. I’m proud to serve at OWL360 alongside Kelli, building momentum so young people, and our broader community, can form deeper, stronger connections that
create opportunities for our collective future. Congratulations, Kelli! Here's to the good things coming. - Zhaleh Almaee, Assistant Director, OWL360
[READ MORE <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI343joB7X5wH7bqxmgXI9SjJXzchUxg6MVpYYJN9qytXGxx5T0DhK6qmGlbAbeBmxtC2wunXZ-n5PWN8wzx
qIGn49d0UGun_LKJEKqmfaULHrBIPG3zYVWQHUJahYQ4Pkvg5PLrNwv3ADgdolq3x17q9VeD8r96F4JC7sBWj0GuEH9Q6rqSD5ciA==&c=gBLcKNWqjm5KNFcrJtmzCWQzpQdwVYaDwiX0txavNhyX6E1wVgQ9oA==&ch=h-kuR0TVM6F5EVXCvZvSw1MRxYJkxT9z2
_eYD_PxbdyzOgOQciBw_w==> ]
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Welcome
Derek Firenze
OWL360's New
Resource Navigator
OWL360 is happy to announce Derek Firenze as our new Resource Navigator! In 2025, OWL360 connected young people to more than 631 essential resources via this critical role. Derek comes
to us with strong community relationships and an energy focused on connecting young people to resources.
"As a young person facing significant challenges, the steady support of friends and mentors made all the difference. I’m so grateful to pay that forward by helping create stability
and opportunity for others." - Derek
[CONNECT WITH DEREK <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3JnZjvFo76OdAiB-Ob8E_bTU4ArOeStidicO-1rdGPalE3_ne1gd-FfG2O6nBX_4Q4T2Os34WS
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Lobbying in Olympia
Communities for Functional Zero
Kelli Parcher, along with our community partner OLYCAP's Chris Hannon, recently lobbied in Olympia for legislation advancing the Communities for Functional Zero approach to homelessness
(C4F0).
Kelli and Chris met with Senator Mike Chapman and Representative Adam Bernbaum to advance shared goals for Jefferson County and reinforce connection.
“Our vision is to end, not just manage, homelessness for young people ages 12-25 in our community and beyond, making homelessness a rare, brief, and one-time experience,” Kelli shared.
[LEARN ABOUT "FUNCTIONAL ZERO" <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3DTuXVDuufbddfeEnOLMHlPILl535COpPtn0KbelRMC45l75W0USAfzGWYoWI7y
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OWL360 - A Culture of Connection
From Dr. David Scherer, OWL360 Board Chair
A recent report, "The State of Connection in America <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3Y_GV_G7L75BRLXKPl2rOMWMQHOPYC10f9yU4gy5I
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xYJkxT9z2_eYD_PxbdyzOgOQciBw_w==> ," caught my attention describing our society’s disconnectedness. The U.S. Surgeon General among others have declared a "national epidemic of loneliness”
that poses significant health risks. Diagnosing the issue is one thing; fixing it is even harder. But that’s something I love about OWL360.
OWL’s staff are “movers and shakers” who get things done. They connect young people with the resources they need and create a space for opportunities, community, and connection young
people (and really all of us) need to prosper. Thank you OWL360 for the incredible work you do, and to our community for your collaboration and partnership. <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=00
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We invite you to join us <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3p_5ywC5pf7qCZVcmVXUTyjmD4_uowEbZhBu4Zhy3vbxG2Fw1OGK3dzdNv7Y-0S7Fc6Cs
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OgOQciBw_w==> <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3p_5ywC5pf7qCZVcmVXUTyjmD4_uowEbZhBu4Zhy3vbxG2Fw1OGK3dzdNv7Y-0S7Fc6CszmT85DwySFO
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=> in uplifting young people so they reach their full potential, and together strengthen the future of our community.
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110
Events for Young People
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4,506
Visits to the Nest
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200hours
Mental Health Support
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Workforce Development
Growth and Connection at OWL360
Hello! I’m Sonia Frojen, OWL360’s Workforce Development Program Lead. The past year has taught me so much about how young adults show up for learning, especially when it’s THEIR choice.
In the summer 2025 ‘Earn to Learn’ class, which is a 45-hour career exploration and ‘Adulting 101’ class, students showed up the first night with quiet hesitation. Each week we met to
check-in and discuss different topics including: career exploration and research; resume writing; interview skills; mindfulness; financial literacy; resource navigation; education resources;
and more. Students began to open up during discussions about work/life balance, the stresses of housing insecurity, mental health challenges, and the group became more than a class
- it became a cohesive space where support, acceptance and connection were present.
Community members visited the class each week to bring career-related topics, and host discussions. The young adults were actively building connections in their community through this
experience.
Students were asked, “What is the most important thing you learned about yourself in this class?” Here's what some young people shared:
“My voice does have power, maybe even more.”
"I am stronger than I think I am."
"The things I really want to do are realistic"
"I don't have to live with stress constantly on my back, and finding the right workspace can even make work seem enjoyable."
This is just the beginning. Click below to find out...
What happens next for these young people?
Sonia's Full Story >> <https://jgkak9hbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001nd64xcRv023ssjqipq8MW2f8cMN9rIjmqbeYI4CvakcYisJ8-W3CvfPI4NybkxI3-aSzoi5Pm6G3GxvooXnAkhVIsTVdkReEz5JcYTvJKCVBla41FK2LwZ9A6zsvxapgSvTyHWx
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Thank you Sarah Henry for your meaningful contributions as OWL360's Resource Navigator
from 2024-2025.
We look forward to continued connection with you in your new position at a wonderful community partner organization, The Recovery Cafe!
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Order online for your quick walk-up window daily cuppa.
Every purchase supports programming for young people.
Open Tuesday - Saturday | located in Uptown Port Townsend
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X6E1wVgQ9oA==&ch=h-kuR0TVM6F5EVXCvZvSw1MRxYJkxT9z2_eYD_PxbdyzOgOQciBw_w==> >>
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Stand with Young People
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OWL360 | 1240 W Sims Way #319 | Port Townsend, WA 98368 US
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