Community Connections

I've been feeling a need to stretch myself creatively lately. What better way then to add my voice to the blog? Why let Rosie and Justin have all the fun? For those of you who don't know me, my name is Caitlin Goldbaum and I am the AmeriCorps volunteer coordinator. As many of you know, beginning February 1st, the Island Coffeehouse and Books will be closing for a remodel. This upcoming close has prompted me to consider why the Island Coffeehouse and Books and the South Whidbey Commons are so important to our community.

In my short six months here as an AmeriCorps member, I have been consistently impressed by the way this community cares for its own. There are several incredible non-profit organizations in the community that work tirelessly to ensure that basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter are available to everyone. However, there is a fourth fundamental need that often gets overlooked: the need to build relationships with other people. The South Whidbey Commons is a non-profit that is dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable place where members of the community of all ages can build connections.

We offer a wide variety of programs that serve as opportunities for interaction with the community. Our free PlayScape program allows children age birth through kindergarten to play together, while caregivers can visit and share experiences. The Island Coffeehouse and Books is a welcoming communal space and also serves as a training facility for volunteer youth baristas who go out in the community with outstanding customer service and business skills. Every Friday night at 7pm, the coffeehouse offers free music performances where local and national musicians can connect with an audience in an intimate setting.

Having a free space where people of all ages can engage in conversation and build relationships is vital to a healthy community. Unfortunately, our organization cannot continue to provide this service without your help. Beginning February 1st, the Island Coffeehouse and Books will be closed for two months as we undergo an extensive remodel to make our building safe. The timing of this remodel comes not out of choice, but necessity. Our floor is rotting and if we do not take immediate action, we face the collapse of our floor. We are moving forward with this remodel, but we do not currently have the funds to pay for it. Over the next two months, we are calling on you to help us revitalize our community space.

On February 13th, Mukilteo Coffee will be hosting our "Fix the Floor" Fundraiser event. The event, which costs $20 per person, will feature incredible food by Chef Jess and music by Western Heroes. Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com (under Fix the Floor). We are also selling $5 raffle tickets for artwork by Callahan McVay, Georgia Gerber, and Rie Munoz and garden design by Cathy Waymire-Rooks. We invite you to come take part in this opportunity to help keep a community space open. Help us continue our mission to provide spaces for the community to gather, learn and grow together!