OWL360 Honors 2026
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.
