Press

OWL360 Honors 2026

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 19:11:19 GMT

At OWL360, honoring people is an important part of our culture. Every one of us needs to feel seen, heard, and valued. In 2026 we’re celebrating five people whose generosity, leadership, and commitment embody the heart of OWL360’s mission:

Belonging, Empowerment, and Opportunity for Young People.

This year's honorees remind us that meaningful change doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows when people care, take action, and help others imagine what’s possible.

Seed of Possibility Honor

Laura Flannigan

Recognizing Laura’s generosity that has created future opportunities for young people.

If you’ve ever had a Boatyard Hash or my personal favorite, the cherry cornmeal flapjacks at Hudson Point Café, you’ve likely crossed paths with Laura Flanigan.

Laura has a gift for feeding people, but her generosity extends far beyond the kitchen. She has been a steadfast supporter of this community and its young people for decades.

When OWL360 began exploring ways to create affordable housing for young people, Laura was among the first to step forward and ask, “How can I help?”

That question and the willingness behind it helped plant seeds for OWL360’s future and open new possibilities for young people. Laura keeps the heartbeat of OWL360 beating by offering housing under our global lease model.

Heart of the Mission Honor

Amy Kilham

Recognizing a community member whose compassion, presence, and unwavering support embody the values at the heart of our work by walking alongside a young person in our housing program.

At OWL360, we believe young people are the experts of their own lives. Our job is to walk alongside them, remove barriers, and support them as they discover what kind of life they want to build.

This work can be hard. It takes stamina, compassion, and a willingness to keep showing up through adversity. Amy Kilham brings all of that, along with a deep respect for what it means to be in relationship with young people.

We encourage you to read the story on the OWL360 website about Amy’s recent experience with a resident in our housing program. This story offers a glimpse into the care and commitment Amy brings to this community.

Amy offers something that can be hard to come by in our busy, distracted lives: presence.

She shows up with authenticity, a willingness to meet what’s real, and a compassion that helps young people feel seen and supported.

Deep Roots Honor

Karley Caseber

Recognizing a young person whose commitment, growth, and steady contributions have helped strengthen our community over time.

Our community is made up of people who have lived here for generations, people who have called it home for decades, and newer neighbors bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. What connects us is the care we invest in this place we share.

Karley Caseber embodies what it means to grow up in a community and give back to it. We affectionately call her the “OG” at the Nest Coffeehouse - one of the first young people to step in and help imagine what the Nest could become.

She played an instrumental role in the Nest’s renovations, served on the Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council, and continues to develop her skills as a manager. She brings humility and dedication to her work, grounded in a deep understanding of what it means to be part of this community.

Karley reminds us that deep roots aren’t only about how long we’ve been somewhere; they’re also about the time, care, and energy we invest in one another.

Rising Leader Honor

Seth Neilsen

Recognizing a young person who embraces opportunity, develops their talents, and leads with initiative, perseverance, and purpose.

Young people ages 12 to 25 make up approximately 17% of Jefferson County’s population, yet they stand to inherit 100% of the future. At OWL360, we believe in supporting them and giving them a seat at the table on issues that affect their lives.

When Seth Nielsen came to OWL360, we recognized his drive and commitment to developing his talents. Through our Career Pathways and Leadership programs, he has shown perseverance, building his skills while balancing school at Chimacum High, work, and family commitments.

At his internship with The Leader, Seth has demonstrated maturity, initiative, and a growing capacity for leadership.

Whether he’s playing drums in the school band, working on college applications, or imagining what comes next, Seth keeps showing up with curiosity and commitment. He’s not just building skills for his own future; he’s growing into someone who can make a difference in his community.

Path Maker Honor

Anita Shelton

Recognizing a community member whose generosity, partnership, and belief in young people help make new pathways possible.

OWL360 began in 2021. Starting a new organization during a global pandemic was a risk. Some might even say it was a little unhinged!

But young people were facing enormous challenges, and something had to change.

We started with stable housing at Pfeifer House. From there, we created the Nest, a welcoming place to gather, and expanded our support for young people as they imagine what comes next.

Anita Shelton has been connected to this community for more than 30 years. As she came to understand the need for stable housing and greater opportunities for young people, she brought her creativity, passion, and generosity to help turn that vision into reality. Anita, like Laura, offers housing for OWL360's residents under our Global Lease model.

Building new pathways takes more than a bold idea. It takes collaboration, patience, and trust. Anita has brought all three to this work.

Shelby's Story

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:51:18 GMT

Originally shared by Shelby at OWL360's 2026 Benefit Celebration event.

I grew up in Washington, moving between my best friend’s house, my dad, and my grandparents’ homes. There was a lot of instability growing up.

When I was 16, I was sent to live with my stepmom’s friend in Port Townsend. I arrived not really knowing what to expect, and things went sideways pretty quickly. I eventually found myself living in a trap house, and by 17, I was addicted to meth.

Even in the middle of all that chaos, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to feel safe. I wanted some stability. I just didn’t really know how to get there.

I was still occasionally going to OCEAN Alternative School, where I was registered for high school. The principal at OCEAN, Sarah Rubinstein, connected me with OWL360.

At the time, I was still 17, which meant I was too young to move directly into OWL360 housing. But I also wasn’t in a safe situation. Dove House gave me a place to stay for four months while people worked behind the scenes to figure out what could come next. OWL360 got in touch with my mom and was able to get the parental signature needed for me to move into shared housing before I was 18. OlyCAP also worked to find housing funding so that I could have a stable place to live while focusing on school.

In June of 2025, I moved into OWL360 housing. For the first time in a while, I had my own furnished room in a safe, furnished house in town.

I was connected with Kelli Parcher, OWL360 executive director and Tobi as a case care coordinator, and we started working on the basic pieces of building a life. I renewed my expired learner’s permit, signed up for SNAP food benefits, and enrolled in the joint OCEAN and OWL360 program that helps young adults finish their high school diplomas. I also tried West Sound Tech to explore autobody repair. It turned out not to be the right path for me at the time, but I was starting to have the stability to figure out what I wanted my path to look like.

About four months after moving into OWL360, I found out I was pregnant.

It was scary and exciting all at once. But finding out that I was going to become a mom changed something for me. I stopped using meth the next day.

I have now been clean for over a year, and my life looks dramatically different.

Over that year, I became close with my case care workers, teachers, and the staff at OWL360. But one of the most meaningful things that happened was when my teacher, MB, introduced me to Amy Kilham. Amy had also been a teen mom, and MB thought it might help me to hear from someone who understood some of what I was experiencing.

Amy did much more than tell me her story. She welcomed me into her family and her home.

And she wasn’t the only person who showed up.

The OWL360 team walked alongside me throughout my pregnancy. They held a baby shower for me at The Nest. Kelli came to visit me in the hospital after my son, Carson, was born. During Open Doors, staff would take turns holding Carson so I could focus on my schoolwork. Amy invited me to family gatherings, gave me a shoulder to cry on, encouraged me when things were hard, and held Carson so that I could get some of those desperately needed first naps as a new mom.

Those things might sound small, but when you’re a young person trying to build a life and suddenly trying to learn how to be a mom, having people consistently show up matters.

Along the way, I have also reconnected with my mom and stepdad. I’ve been able to visit them in Kansas twice, and they came to Washington for Carson’s birth.

Today, Carson is almost six months old. I am still living in OWL360 housing and working with MB to finish my high school diploma and I’m still dreaming of becoming a mechanic.

I don’t know exactly what comes next for us yet.

But I do know that I have been clean for more than a year. My son is healthy. I’m working toward my education. I have people in my life who care about me and Carson. And I have the opportunity to think about our future instead of simply trying to get through each day.

My life today is very different from the life I was living when I first came to OWL360 in June of 2025 and I am very proud.

When you support OWL360, you are helping make room for young people like me to have that chance—to have a safe place to land, people who keep showing up, and enough stability to begin figuring out what comes next.

I still have a lot of my story left to write. But today, I get to be the one writing it.

Thank you for helping make that possible.

Briel Gale, Amy Kilham (Shelby's Mentor), Shelby's & baby boy Carson

Mentoring at OWL360

According to a study by “A Few Good Mentors” :

74% of people with a meaningful mentor said that person contributed significantly to their later success
85% of young people with a mentor said the relationship helped with school or education
22% more likely to have felt a strong sense of belonging while growing up

Mentorship can mean many things in different contexts but we use it to mean showing up for young people and meeting them where they are. Many young people haven’t had the opportunity to learn about all of the things yet. From how many minutes you cook pasta to reach al dente, to how to schedule a dentist appointment, to how to apply for financial aid and how you get a stain out of clothes. People like Amy have shown up for young people without judgment and responded to exactly where they are. We’d love to partner with adults like you who can walk alongside young people as they strive for sustainable independence.

Let's Talk!

Tobi McEnerney
Housing Case Care Manager

tobim@owl360.org
(360) 531-1269

"Here I Am"

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:42:27 GMT

What happens when an adult shows up for a young parent and has no expectations

When Amy Kilham first heard about Shelby, she didn't know her name. She knew only a few details. A local student was about to become a young mother.

"I couldn't let the idea go," Amy recalls. "I just kept thinking, reach out. Even if they don't need it or want it, just offer it. What's the worst that could happen?"

The feeling was deeply personal. Amy had become a mother herself at seventeen. She remembered the uncertainty, the isolation, and the way people sometimes looked at young parents through a lens of judgment rather than compassion. She remembered how much it mattered when people showed up.

Still, reaching out wasn't easy. Amy wasn't sure what she was offering. She worried about expectations. Would Shelby even want a connection? Was she creating an obligation she couldn't fulfill?

What Amy eventually realized was that support doesn't begin with certainty. It begins with vulnerability. When an introduction was arranged, both women were nervous.

Amy arrived with no grand plan. She offered her phone number and a simple invitation: if Shelby ever wanted to talk, take a walk, grab coffee, or needed a ride somewhere, she could call. The choice was entirely Shelby's.

That was important to Amy from the beginning.

"You can offer support and love," she says, "but the other person has zero obligation to take you up on it. It all hinges on whether you get along and want to choose each other."

A week later, Shelby called. She needed a ride to the store. What followed was more than an errand.

Over coffee and a trip to Walmart, the two shared pieces of their stories. Shelby opened up about her life. Amy talked honestly about her own experiences as a teen mother. They laughed. They cried. They found unexpected common ground. Comfort grew slowly.

Amy was intentional about keeping the relationship free from labels and expectations.

"I told her, I'm not your mom. I'm not a social worker. I'm not a teacher. I'm just a friend," Amy says. "It's in your hands. You can call if you want to."

That freedom became the foundation of trust.

When Shelby prepared for the birth of her baby, Amy shared practical wisdom she had learned through experience. They talked about hospital bags, pajamas, and the countless small things that new parents often don't know they don't know. But the lessons were never the point.

The point was spending time together. The point was connection.

After Shelby's baby was born, there was a period of quiet. Then one day, Shelby called and asked Amy to come over. Amy said yes.

Sometimes support isn't solving a problem. Sometimes it's simply showing up.

As the months passed, the friendship deepened. Amy shared invitations to meet her family and spend time together, meet friends, and make new connections.

For Amy it was meaningful to welcome Shelby into her network.

"This is what community looks like," she thought. "This is what it can be."

Slowly, Shelby became part of the fabric of Amy's life. There were shared meals, birthday parties, rides across town, conversations about parenting, school, work, sobriety, choices, and hopes for the future.

Amy didn't position herself as someone who had all the answers. Instead, she shared her own struggles, mistakes, and hard-earned lessons. The relationship was built not on expertise, but on authenticity.

That may be what makes the story so compelling. In a culture that often talks about helping young people through programs, services, and systems, Amy's experience points to something both simpler and harder: friendship.

Friendship requires risk. Amy had to risk rejection. Shelby had to risk trust. Neither knew where the relationship would lead. But both were willing to take a chance.

Today, Amy talks less about what she has given Shelby and more about what they have built together. The friendship has enriched her life. The banter comes easily. The check-ins happen naturally. They cook together, text each other, and share the ordinary moments that make up real relationships.

"It's not a big thing," Amy says. "And it is in its own way."

For adults wondering whether they have something meaningful to offer a young person, Amy's advice is simple.

"If you have extra empathy and compassion and want to spend it well, this is a good way to do it."

You don't need special training. You don't need a perfect plan. You only need the courage to say, "Here I am." The rest, like all friendships, is something you discover together.

Amy Kilham & Carson, Shelby's baby boy

Mentoring at OWL360

According to a study by “A Few Good Mentors” :

74% of people with a meaningful mentor said that person contributed significantly to their later success
85% of young people with a mentor said the relationship helped with school or education
22% more likely to have felt a strong sense of belonging while growing up

Let's Talk!

Tobi McEnerney
Housing Case Care Manager

tobim@owl360.org
(360) 531-1269

A Perfect Match - One Intern, One Florist, and the Art of Showing Up

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:46:28 GMT

How OWL360's Level Up program paired a self-described shy young writer with a Port Townsend florist, and helped her find her voice along the way.

The word that comes to mind when entering Kelly Bell’s bespoke flower studio, BellBird Bungalow Bakery & Blossoms , is “wow.” Flowers are beautiful anywhere, but this isn’t anywhere. The Port Townsend studio is in the “Business of Bringing Joy,” and it radiates the passion and heart that is Kelly.

But this isn’t a story about Kelly. This is a story about Eva Green, Kelly’s intern through OWL360’s Level Up program.

For context, Level Up, now in its 3rd year, matches the interests of those who complete OWL360’s Earn to Learn program with local professionals & businesses willing to provide internships. The “matching” is done with care, insight, and intuition by Sonia Frojen, Workforce Development - Career Pathways Program Lead.

Let’s talk about Eva

Eva is a self professed shy person - and though shy, she keeps showing up for herself day in and day out. Eva completed Earn to Learn in 2025 where she showed up for 45 hours of course work in career exploration and preparedness. Then in 2026, she completed Flight Crew , a program focused on leadership for young people led by Zhaleh Almaee, OWL360’s Assistant Director.

"Earn to Learn helped me know what I wanted to do, Flight Crew helped me know how to do it." says Eva.

Eva (second from left) at 2026's Flight Crew's commencement ceremony.

Eva’s long-term goal is creative writing, but that didn’t stop her from taking the opportunity to try something new. Yes professional, yes practical, and yes artistic, but the most important part of this internship arguably is the relationship that grew out of it. A shy young woman paired with an experienced artist businesswoman - from gritty roots - who has a flair for language that is…not shy. A perfect match.

On a practical level, during Eva’s 90 hour internship she learned how to keep a small studio clean and efficient, how to track and know the names of flower inventory, and how to manage the price list. She cared for deliveries, swept, mopped, and learned the art of flower arrangement.

Regarding the flower arrangement aspect, this is where Sonia Frojen comes into play, she pairs interns with truly special providers. Sonia wants the Level Up Internship experience to be valuable not just for the intern, but also the host business putting in the volunteer effort behind the internship. BellBird Bungalow is not your typical flower studio. When you order an arrangement it will be made with the customer’s specific event, mood, and intent in mind. These aren’t just beautiful flowers, these arrangements bring the message they are accompanying to life. It should also be mentioned that BellBird Bungalow also provides 100% gluten free goods either to accompany an arrangement or simply to enjoy because they are so good.

Eva holding a flower arrangement she created along with Kelly Bell.

Kelly Bell spent 10 years working with young people in the Substance Use Disorder profession and says “I miss the mentorship piece." She describes her work as “gritty and messy,” which speaks to her grit and why she’s the right person to lead an intern. Life is gritty and messy - but also beautiful and awe-inspiring. Learning and working alongside Kelly makes it all a lot more palpable.

What’s next for Eva?

This fall she plans on partaking in OWL360's partner program, The Clemente Course in the Humanities , she’s started a young adult writing club that will be writing a book together, and the once intern is now an employee at BellBird Bungalow.

If you or someone you know might be interested in OWL360's vocational training opportunities, please contact Sonia Frojen
Soniaf@owl360.org

Kelly Bell

Bellbird Bungalow Bakery & Blossoms

"As a Port Townsend resident for nearly 30 years, I am full of gratitude to be able to live in such an amazing, supportive community. Being a part of all aspects of my client's lives brings me great joy and humility. To have the opportunity to create and deliver beauty is about as lucky as it gets. I design every floral arrangement and bake every cake with thoughtfulness and intention."

How Chloe Lopez-Kennison used OWL360 to build a life of her own

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:38:53 GMT

From The Leader

A Place in the Future: Beyond survival

We are sharing an article written by the The Leader newspaper about one of OWL360's successful program "graduates."

Chloe Lopez-Kennison has a plan now.

The Central Washington University student talks about nonprofit work, advocacy and the career she hopes to build after graduation. Now in her first term, she’s made the dean’s list. She shares an apartment in Ellensburg with her boyfriend and is majoring in psychology with a minor in women’s, gender and sexuality studies, and is spending the summer working back in Port Townsend.

How Connection Shapes Belonging at The Nest

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:47:00 GMT

More Than Coffee

When you ask Karley, manager of The Nest Community Coffeehouse, what makes the space special, she doesn't start by talking about coffee. She talks about connection.

For Karley, connection includes access to mental health resources which isn't just about accessing counseling or crisis support, although those resources matter. It's also about knowing there's someone who will listen, a place where asking for help feels normal, and a community that reminds you that you don't have to figure life out alone.

"We're creating a culture where asking for support is normal. I personally benefit from being on a team where backing each other up is how we work, and how I grow professionally.”

Whether it's information about housing, mental health services, basic supplies, or simply a trusted adult willing to listen, the resources at The Nest aren't decorations on a bulletin board they're being used every day.

That everyday accessibility is exactly what drew Karley to OWL360.

Saying Yes to a Different Vision

Before The Nest opened its doors in 2021, Karley watched it take shape from the beginning and helped bring the vision to life.

“It was inspiring to watch something actually happen," she recalls. "Seeing the community come together and Kelli bringing so many people into the vision made me want to be part of it."

What excited her most wasn't simply managing a coffeehouse. It was the idea of helping create a true third place, a space that young people choose to be because they feel welcomed there.

Growing Alongside the Community

Karley's connection with OWL360 began even before she became manager.

As a member of the Youth and Young Adult Advisory Committee (YYAAC), she helped shape many of the decisions that would shape The Nest from games and food to the overall atmosphere of the space and the official protocols that would create a foundation for the future success of the space.

Looking back, she realizes just how meaningful that experience was.

"We weren't just giving ideas," she says. "We were helping make decisions and shaping with The Nest would become."

The experience gave her an early opportunity to practice leadership, something that continues to grow today.

As manager, she's learning what it means to support a team while continuing to develop her own voice as a leader. She's also finding new ways to apply her Mental Health First Aid training not only during moments of crisis, but in the everyday conversations that build trust and belonging.

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

Ask Karley what she hopes people think of when they think of The Nest, and her answer is simple.

She wants it to be known as a place where people can come for whatever they need. Sometimes that's a practical resource, a ride, or help finding housing. Sometimes it's someone willing to answer a question without judgment. And sometimes, it's simply a place to exist.

"What I value most," she says, "is the way The Nest holds space for youth and for a whole spectrum of ages to co-exist together."

At the heart of it she recognizes the specialness of what The Nest offers.

"There's something rare about a place where a teenager and a grandparent can sit in the same room, each finding what they need. Where conversations cross generations without forcing it."

On personally difficult days, Karley says she sometimes comes to The Nest hoping to make someone else's day a little better.

Instead, she often finds that The Nest gives something back to her too through an unexpected conversation, the vibrant mural on the wall, or even discovering a nest of baby bunnies outside.

Those moments are reminders of what The Nest has always been intended to offer: not just coffee, but community. A place where young people can find connection, belonging, and the reassurance that they don't have to navigate life alone.

Stop in for a cup of coffee and say hi to Karley and our team of Nest Allies!

TUESDAY: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

Visit Us @ 1119 Lawrence Street, Port Townsend

TUESDAY: 8:30am -5:00PM

WEDNESDAY: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

THURSDAY: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

FRIDAY: 8:30AM - 7:30PM

SATURDAY: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

* Order online for quick pickup at the walk-up window!

More Than an Internship

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:58:20 GMT

A Masterclass in Craft and Character

OWL360’s Level Up internship program doesn’t provide “workers for businesses.” We connect young people with community members who walk the walk when it comes to making a difference. That’s the story of John McCormack and Will, and we’re grateful to get to share it with you.

At a 2025 fundraising event for OWL360, John felt a spring of inspiration rise up. Being the man he is who takes action to do good, as he has done his whole career, John took the opportunity to find our Workforce Development Lead, Sonia Frojen, and at the event asked her how he could get involved with OWL360’s young people.

Sonia had the perfect fit for John. Will, a young man with dreams of attending a trade school, but not able to make it happen, was in need of direction and someone who believed in him. John was that man.

Though John’s schedule didn’t allow an official internship to start for almost 6 months, he met with Will for several hours each week. During these meetings, the groundwork was laid for Will’s internship. In the meantime, he would wingman John on trips to the lumber store while the process of relationship building began, all before actually starting the internship.

After meeting with John and Will, one could say the trade school not working out might have been a blessing in disguise. Instead, Will has been attending what can only be called a masterclass. Not only is John a truly good human, but he’s a Master Furniture Designer, Teacher and Maker, right here in Port Townsend.

John was trained under Bob Treanor at San Francisco State University's Design and Industry Department, graduated from the Furniture Making Program at The North Bennet Street School in Boston, then completed his MFA in Furniture Design from Rhode Island School of Design, otherwise known as RISD.

Needless to say, being mentored under John is an invaluable opportunity for anyone, but John wouldn’t say that. He has been “in service” to his community for 30 years, with his first venture in donating his time being a joint project to build a massive bench at a tough inner-city school he described as a “war zone.” John considers teaching “socially useful.” Both the teacher and the student benefit. John frames education as a source of sophistication, and he does it in a humble, refreshing way. He wants to show people what’s possible, and to help them lead intellectually challenging lives. This is work that goes beyond finding a job; it enters into the realm of growing into a person with a broader horizon and a more open mind.

John and Will have some simple outcomes in mind for the internship which include a basic set of woodworking skills, a sense of what a day in a shop looks and feels like, the rhythm and work ethic needed for this type of work, and the soft skills learned by literally following John around town. John hopes Will ends the 90 hour internship with his own workbench, the one Will is currently building, and that will last a lifetime.

From his workshop for John McCormack Design , where John employs two other woodworkers, he teaches woodworking classes, builds custom and commissioned furniture, and provides woodworking services of all kinds for local and national clients including architects, homeowners and home builders. For more information about John McCormack Design, visit https://www.johnpmccormackdesign.com .

Level Up is a paid internship program that supports our Earn to Learn program graduates. Interns embark on their career pathways with a paid internship into vocational training opportunities. Upon the successful completion of 90 hours of career-aligned work and/or training, a $1000 stipend is offered.

If you or someone you know might be interested in OWL360's vocational training opportunities, please contact Sonia Frojen
Soniaf@owl360.org

Emily's Story: From Unhoused to Unstoppable

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:45:26 GMT

What Happens When Hope Has a Home

To sit with Emily Abell, a former OWL360 housing resident, is to immediately feel a spark. She brings a brightness, kindness, and sense of goodwill into the room that makes a person want to know more about her. Curiosity is piqued when you learn that Emily's path to independence, a college degree, and a successful career and relationship, were nearly derailed by unstable housing, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.

This is Emily’s Story

In a brave act fitting for Emily's spirit, at 22 years old and married, Emily moved with her then husband from Virginia to Port Angeles in 2019. Only weeks after arriving on the Olympic Peninsula with a secured job at Fort Worden, what should have been an exciting chapter of her life began to unravel. Emily’s relationship proved unmanageable, and her marriage quickly began to dissolve.

Divorce and moving across the country are major life transitions for anyone, and they led Emily into an unhoused, unsafe, and untenable situation that only got worse. For weeks, then months, Emily lived in her car and couch surfed. Navigating a divorce, working, and attending college while living in survival mode, is a lot for a young person to carry.

Emily recalls, “I wasn't really able to focus on school because I was focusing on my safety.”

Emily’s situation was not a unique one. Broken relationships of all kinds and housing instability are major destabilizing factors for someone to deal with, especially a young person, and especially an under-resourced young person. OWL360 is working on that. And while Emily’s situation may not have been unique, her ability to forge ahead could be considered so.

From couch surfing and some car sleeping, Emily and her new partner found a travel trailer in Quilcene to live in. A travel trailer with no running water, no toilet, and an hour-and-a-half by bus to Port Townsend. Anyone who has worked while attending college understands Emily’s is a story against odds, a story of grit and determination.

While determination can take a person far in life, substance abuse, mental health challenges, unsafe housing, and the isolation of the pandemic were formidable foes. By 2021 Emily was grappling with all four.

After nearly two years of working with Olycap as a client in search of housing, Emily was encouraged to apply for an open position to work within the OlyCap organization, which she landed. Her new job as program specialist solidified her desire to work in social services, and still living in the travel trailer, she continued attending college to that end.

Enter OWL360

Emily was one of the first seven residents to be housed and case managed by OWL360, finally leaving the unsafe travel trailer after several years. She shared,

“Having a safe and stable place to live and access to consistent mental health support allowed me to maintain a job I loved - which gave me a sense of purpose - and gave me the capacity to focus on school instead of my safety. It was a game changer for me.”

It might be obvious that one needs stable housing to live a meaningful and productive life, but it’s important to note that housing is just one component a young person needs to become sustainably independent. Many young people enter life on their own without having been taught the basic life-skills that many of us take for granted. To that end, all OWL360 housing residents receive wraparound services paired with human connection, both of which are at the heart of OWL360’s work - and both of which are directly related to Emily’s success.

What comes up repeatedly when listening to Emily tell her story is the name of her then case manager, Kelli Parcher, OWL360’s Executive Director and Housing Program Director. Emily’s story is deeply connected to the care and devotion poured into her by Kelli, and currently poured into each housing resident by OWL360 case managers Tobi McEnerney & Derek Firenze and previously Sonia Frojen.

For Emily, having a case care coordinator that met her where she needed to be met made all the difference, “Kelli was very low barrier and trauma informed, she was really supportive, and that was really the biggest part for me. And she also was really good with my dog.”

Kelli connected Emily to OWL60’s mental health counselor, which was quintessential to her moving from instability to stability. Events and classes produced by OWL360's Nest Community Coffeehouse and Resource Navigator provided a place to belong, and Kelli's mentorship in making Emily the Pfeiffer House's RA was instrumental. A safe, well cared for apartment gave her the peace needed to continue working not only at OlyCap, but on her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Washington University, where she will graduate this June.

Today Emily lives with her partner in Chimacum, and works as a specialist at the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Homeless Youth. No longer a mentee of Kelli’s, now a colleague. This fall Emily will begin her Master’s program in Social Work at the University of Washington. We pause with admiration of both Emily’s perseverance, and Kelli & OWL360’s devotion.

Emily’s story is a living testament of how far a young person can go when there’s a foundation of support and people to walk alongside them as they navigate challenging times and discover their endless potential.

For lack of a better word, “wow,” might just be the most appropriate exclamation of what happens when a young person who needs help is paired with an individual and an organization committed to providing that help. OWL360 is that organization, and OWL360’s staff is that collective of individuals.

“Every young person deserves someone who believes in them, especially during the challenging transition into adulthood. Safe housing, consistent support, and genuine care can change the trajectory of a life. Emily's resilience, determination, and commitment to building a better future are truly inspiring. She is a shining star and a powerful reminder of what is possible when young people are met with opportunity, encouragement, and people willing to walk alongside them “ - Kelli Parcher

Housing That Creates Opportunity

Today, OWL360 provides safe, affordable housing for 33 young people and 4 small children, helping young adults build stability and move toward independence.

Our housing program operates through a Global Lease Model, which creates a win-win partnership for local property owners and the young people we serve. Landlords receive reliable rent payments, reduced risk, and peace of mind, while OWL360 manages tenant support, property oversight, and ongoing maintenance coordination.

If you own a rental property and would like to learn how you can make a lasting difference in the life of a young person, please contact Kelli Parcher.
Kelli@owl360.org

Twenty Young People. One Community. Countless Possibilities.

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:32:25 GMT

At first blush OWL360 can be tricky to understand. Our organization was recently described as “three or four separate nonprofits,” though we humbly stand as one.

By Tobi McEnerney, Housing Case Care Manager

The genesis of OWL360 in 2021 was a desire to meet young people’s need for stable housing as they emerged from the pandemic. The landscape of our community’s education, workforce, and housing availability had taken a sharp turn in the wrong direction. As new residents found Port Townsend, our young people were being squeezed out, many without the ability to compete for the limited stock of ever increasingly priced rentals in Jefferson County.

Thankfully, OWL360 has grown to have a robust housing program. What started as six units has tripled to eighteen, in large part thanks to our “global lease” approach. Our model partners with local landlords & community members in a unique and mutually beneficial way to provide not just stable housing, but stable income to property owners. Upon entering a global lease, OWL360 takes over property management, provides a reasonable monthly rent payment, and leaves homeowners with peace of mind - all while both parties make it possible for young people to build their futures from a stable home.

OWL360’s housing program presently serves 20 young people between the ages of 18-26, and 4 children under the age of 5. A Case Care Coordinator meets with each young person before they enter our program and places them on a waitlist. During this time, many young people remain living in their cars or couch surfing night by night. Our Resource Navigator begins working with them immediately. This work is aimed at solving anything from food insecurity to a desperate need for a dentist, to support in obtaining a cell phone in order to apply for employment.

Once there’s a housing unit available, in either shared or independent housing, the young person signs a one-year lease and agrees to continue working with a Case Care Coordinator, establishing and working towards reaching their goals. Often, the signed lease in itself is life changing. Having successful rental history allows our young people to more readily compete for market rate housing when they leave OWL306. It’s a small, but noteworthy aspect of the OWL360 housing journey.

Once into housing, our residents are set up with all furniture, pots and pans, bedding and all other “basics” for a home. We, the young person, and the case care coordination team then start on the next part of the journey. The “starting to dream” part. As a team, we set small and measurable goals to achieve those dreams. It’s heartening to see these dreams grow and expand the longer a young person is with us.

Housing is just the beginning.

Because just housing a young person, who may not possess the skill set to launch, is not enough, OWL360 has expanded with full wraparound services. Enter the “3 or 4 non-profits” previously mentioned, all of which are in-house and therefore deeply interconnected.

The social service world can be full of flyers and links meant to solve problems. Links to external resources can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate for anyone, let alone a young person in survival mode.

People solve problems. OWL360’s Mental Health program provides a licensed therapist to all housing residents free of charge. A robust Workforce Development program offers a certificate and internship opportunities, where hard skills like resume building are taught and soft skills, like interviewing, are explored. OWL360, in partnership with Port Townsend School District, houses Open Doors , a non-traditional high school completion program. Mental health services, workforce development and educational support are all offered in-house by the same people the young person has already gotten to know, largely in a place (The Nest) that is comfortable and welcoming.

Our housing waitlist grows every month, and so does our heart for the work of supporting our young people who grow alongside it. The triumph, trauma, and hope that comes out of our young people is staggering. Cheers to the future we’re all building together.

Interested in Learning More?

Contact Kelli Parcher
Kelliparcher@owl360.org

Eva's Journey From Stuck to Soaring

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:53:04 GMT

How One Person's Future Came Into Focus at OWL360

Sometimes it takes the right mix of programs and the right community for a young person to discover their path. In her own words, Eva shares how Earn to Learn, Level Up, and Flight Crew helped her move from "stuck" to launching the next chapter of her life.

By Eva, April 2026

I finally have clarity about what I want to do with my life, and I wouldn’t have been able to figure it out as fast as I did without the support of OWL360.

My experience with OWL360 started with Earn to Learn. At the end of last summer I did not know what I wanted to do next. I felt stuck. Earn to Learn was a really helpful class where I was able to explore career possibilities and meet new people. I learned that there are a lot more opportunities and resources in Port Townsend than I thought there were. I realized that I wanted a job as a writer. I’ve always loved to write but I was questioning if it was the right career choice for me. I connected with a writing mentor and that was super helpful. I also wanted to explore other creative options to make a living alongside writing.

I decided to do the Level Up Internship next. I am currently working as a floral assistant learning how to be a floral designer. I’m really enjoying it! I love to create, that’s what I’m best at. I’m able to be creative with flowers, and I get so much joy from it.

Along the way I learned about Flight Crew. I was drawn to it because I’ve always felt like I needed support with my leadership skills. It’s been a really great experience. I love the connections I’ve made and always look forward to it. I’ve learned how important community is to me. Flight Crew has taught me what kind of leader I am, what skills I have, and what I need. I had no idea there were so many kinds of leadership! It’s given me confidence to start bigger things and helped me realize how much I like working with other people, which was kind of a surprise to me as a shy person.

Earn to Learn helped me realize what I want to do and the Flight Crew has helped me figure out how I want to do it. I have found what I was looking for. It's clear to me now just how exciting and fun it is to create things with other people. I want to write and inspire others to create stories and share them, especially people from marginalized communities. I want to see more local young artists working together making art.

I'm happy and relieved that I have direction. I’m launching into the next phase of my life and I’m grateful for all the support from OWL360.

Follow in Eva's path:

Thank You AJ!

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:13:32 GMT

Bon Voyage, AJ Schott, OWL360's Longtime Peer Support Ally!

"I don’t think I know how to put into words just how much every person I've worked with, whether for 20 minutes or 2-years, has made me a better person. I feel genuinely lucky to have been a part of their journeys." - AJ

What has been positive about your experience as a Peer Support Ally?

The positives of working as a Peer Support Ally with The Nest has been getting to support strength, recovery, passion, confidence and community within young people in our community. As a person who found a lot of support from peer support specialists I worked with when I was navigating my own mental health and substance use struggles as a teenager, it has felt incredibly rewarding to share my own story and offer the same support that helped empower me when I was younger.

Where are you off to next?

One of my favorite parts of the peer support model has been meeting people where they are, learning people's unique stories and life experiences, and supporting harm reduction tools in one's recovery. After 3 years in my role at The Nest, I have learned that I have a long-term passion for supporting people through vulnerable times, so I have decided to transition out of Jefferson County and go to school for social work at Whatcom Community College. Thank you to OWL360 and our community partners for supporting my journey at The Nest and for making being part of the team such a connective experience!

Do you need support or know someone who needs support? Contact ( derekf@owl360.org ) or click the button below.

Resource Navigation with Care

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:20:28 GMT

A Human Centered Pathway at OWL360

Howdy! Derek Firenze here, OWL360's Resource Navigator and Case Care Coordinator. All of those very official sounding words translate into the messy and meaningful work of helping young people find resources, community, and sometimes just the next right step.

When people hear the phrase “resource navigation,” it can sound abstract and bureaucratic. But the reality is much simpler and much more human.

You see, the vast majority of the young people I meet in my work don’t lack motivation. They lack a clear path. They’re bombarded with the same firehose of information we all are through social media, the news, and the complexities of relationship with all the other human beings in their families and social circles. They’re trying to figure out housing, jobs, education, transportation, and mental health. Sometimes all at the same time. When everything feels uncertain, even knowing where to put your feet is a challenge.

That’s where resource navigation comes in.

My job is to walk alongside young people to help them untangle the overwhelm. Sometimes I’m connecting them to housing support, so they have a foundation of safety to build on. Sometimes I’m offering them tools to build a resume or engage in job hunting. Or maybe I’m just sitting down and talking through the goals they’ve been quietly carrying in their head while pointing out manageable steps on the path to their dreams. Often, I walk those first steps alongside them while they build confidence and independence, lending a little grounding from my nervous system while they relax into their power. Always, I’m honored to meet young people in their struggles with unconditional positive regard for the outcome. Mistakes happen, and we can always learn from them.

This is the work of connection. Jefferson County is full of organizations, businesses, and mentors who genuinely want young people to succeed. Through partnerships with those organizations as well as the young people we serve, we’re connecting people to opportunities and services that might otherwise stay hidden. That’s also the hope of HOOT360, the online resource library we built to share what Jefferson County has to offer its youth.

For me, this work is personal. I know what it’s like to feel like the ground under your feet isn’t stable yet. I also know how powerful it is when someone takes the time to say, “Let’s figure this out together.”

And that’s what resource navigation really is. Sitting down with someone, listening to where they are, and helping them take the first real step forward. Folks find their way to start this work with me oftentimes just by walking into The Nest. Or perhaps they pick up one of the toys I like to fiddle with when I’m tabling at schools and other youth programs. I’m also surprisingly happy to receive emails. However a young person crosses my path, I’m grateful to share this journey with them.

In my experience, people usually know more about what they want than they think they do. Sometimes they just need someone willing to slow down, look at the options together, and help turn possibility into a plan.

For more information contact Derek Firenze ( derekf@owl360.org ) or click the button below.

Workforce Development With Heart

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:16:07 GMT

An Inspirational Story of Growth and Connection at OWL360

Hello! I’m Sonia Frojen, OWL360’s Workforce Development Program Lead. The past year in this current role 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 on night one with quiet hesitation. As we met each week to check-in and discuss the week’s topics (career exploration and research, resume writing, interview skills, mindfulness, financial literacy, resource navigation, education resources and more), students started opening 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.

A few end of class survey answers when asked “What is the most important thing you learned about yourself in this class?”

“My voice does have power, maybe even more.”
"That I am stronger than I think I am."
"The things I really want to do are realistic"
"That I don't have to live with stress constantly on my back, and that finding the right workspace can even make work seem enjoyable."

What comes after Earn to Learn?

The OWL360 ‘ Level Up’ Internship Program is a 90-hour opportunity for Earn to Learn graduates, and allows interns to earn $1000. OWL360 has three interns actively interning in the first half of 2026.

One intern is learning about floral design, another intern is working at a local furniture maker's woodshop, and another intern is a teacher's aide for the Clemente Course humanities 3-credit class. All of the current interns had identified areas of interest during their 45-hour Earn to Learn for a possible career pathway. As interns, they are making further community connections for work-related learning, building executive function skills by scheduling and attending their weekly shifts, as well as building a mentorship relationship with a local business owner that can guide and support them as young adults after their 90-hour internship ends.

When asked how the OWL360 workforce development program has helped, two current interns said:

“I signed up for Earn To Learn when I had been unsure what the best next step to take in my life would be, OWL360 has helped me grow confidence in myself and the plans I have for the future, as well as given me opportunities in our community I had not considered or known about. I have recently started my Level Up internship and am very grateful for the opportunity. I have learned so much in the last several months and met so many amazing people in the process. I'm very glad that I signed up, this program has been exactly what I needed and greatly increased my hope!”

“Earn to Learn and Level Up have helped connect me to resources and opportunities in Jefferson County, as well as helped me meet some very cool people! Especially since I moved here relatively recently, OWL360 programs have really helped me build a social life and a sense of community & belonging since the move.”

OWL360 offers Earn to Learn twice a year (January through April) and (late July through mid-November). The next cohort begins late July and will take place at The Nest in Uptown Port Townsend. The Level Up Internship is designed around each student, and set up on a case-by-case basis depending on each intern’s ideas. If you are a local business interested in hosting a 90 hour internship, please reach out to us!

To apply for the Earn to Learn and Level Up programs, a student needs to be between 17 and 26 years old, and live in East Jefferson County.

For more information contact Sonia Frojen ( soniaf@owl360.org ) or click the button below.

2026 Woman of Excellence Award

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:41:02 GMT

Kelli Parcher Named AAUW's "2026 Woman of Excellence"

We are so proud to announce that OWL360 Executive Director Kelli Parcher has been named AAUW Port Townsend's 2026 Woman of Excellence! Kelli works tirelessly for the young people of Jefferson County, and for her staff. This award serves as a torchlight that signals OWL360 is not just on a mission, but is being lead with heart.

Kelli's Letters of Recommendation Say it All:

Join Kelli as an OWL360 ambassador! Please reach out if you are curious about what that means or what it might look like for you specifically.

EMAIL KELLI: kelliparcher@owl360.org

Please visit AAUW Port Townsend to learn more about their program and what this award means >>