Community February 23, 2021

Community Spotlight: The Coffee Oasis in Kingston

With multiple locations in our region, The Coffee Oasis rallies communities together in support of their youth. Their mission? To provide youth with housing and the resources they need to survive and thrive. And, to brew a great cup of coffee while they’re at it! The Coffee Oasis is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that supports and empowers youth who are escaping violence, abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Their programs provide mental health services, job training, and short and long-term housing options, impacting hundreds of teenagers in Kitsap County and beyond.

Community Support

Seeing the need for this great work to be done in Kingston, a group of business leaders set up a steering committee. They asked The Coffee Oasis what it would take to get one set up. First, they needed to find a location and then they had to raise two years’ worth of revenue before being able to open one. The steering committee went to work, raising funds, purchasing the building, and raising awareness. “The community really stepped up to support The Coffee Oasis and the work that is done for youth in Kitsap,” says Cody Clark, the nonprofit’s Kitsap Community Development Lead. 

cody clark coffee oasis staff

Cody Clark is passionate about their work. He even proposed to his wife (also a staff member) at the Port Orchard cafe.

 

Our Windermere agents have also been involved in the development of The Coffee Oasis in Kingston, spending the last couple of Community Service Days working to help prepare for opening day. After eight years of preparation, The Coffee Oasis in Kingston finally opened its doors to the community in 2019. 

Windermere agents helping during past annual Community Service Days in Kingston. 

Perseverance through the Pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingston center has been working with between four and twelve teenagers a day and has been hard at work planning COVID-safe events and programs.  “Our staff have had to be innovative during the pandemic!” explains Cody Clark. “Our outreach staff had to make a big effort to find youth, go to them and get the word out that our services are still available.”

 

The end of 2020 saw two holiday events to support youth. A Night Of Thankfulness and the annual Christmas Celebration. In November, The Coffee Oasis invited youth for a Thanksgiving dinner with staff and volunteers who wanted to express their love and dedication to supporting young adults in need. They also provided take-away containers to respect social distancing preferences. 

In December, various Coffee Oasis locations held Christmas celebrations while maintaining social distancing guidelines. 172 meals were served and 220 gifts were given to youth through the Family Christmas Project. “At the Kingston Coffee Oasis Christmas party, I witnessed some of our community’s youth receive presents, eat a Christmas dinner, and join in a gingerbread house decorating contest. What a gift to the community!” says Jet Woelke, Managing Broker at Windermere Kingston.

 

 

Recent Successes Here in Kingston

Since the pandemic started, The Coffee Oasis has seen a 150% growth in youth texting their crisis line. Staff members are always available to help youth in crisis, providing the resources and support they seek. “We had a youth in Kingston who was going through a lot, really trying to find themself,” says Cody. “They had support from staff and volunteers as they were trying to figure out who they really were, what they valued, and how they identified. This person came back to thank the staff for their support. This type of impact fuels Coffee Oasis and it strengths our community.”

Connect with The Coffee Oasis

The Kingston center is continually growing with the community’s support. You can stay updated on future events through their events calendar. “Coffee Oasis is making a huge difference for the youth in our community. Stop by and grab some coffee and take-out to support their work,” says Christine Todd, Broker. 100% of the proceeds from their coffee support The Coffee Oasis youth programs. And, one bag of their wonderful organic, fair-trade coffee beans (which you can purchase online) provides one day of a youth’s job internship! It’s an easy, delicious way to show you care.

 

Community December 10, 2020

5 Fun Ways to Support Local Nonprofits This Season

Looking to spread some holiday kindness and cheer? We have many wonderful local nonprofit organizations that provide a range of services throughout Kitsap County, and they could really use our help. While monetary donations are great, there are other ways to show your support. Here are some fun ideas to get you started.

1. Bid on a Christmas Tree to Support Village Green Community Center

The Festival of Trees is happening right now in Kingston and you can join in the fun! Check out the beautiful Christmas trees around town or online. Then bid on your favorite one. A number of local businesses decorated and donated these trees and we proudly donated one as well. Bidding ends on December 12th at noon so be sure to bid before it’s too late. Winning bidders will be able to claim their trees after the auction closes by arrangement with the tree’s donor. If you want to show your support but don’t need a tree, you have the option to donate your tree to a special family in the Boys and Girls Club of North Kitsap. The Club has provided services every day since the pandemic began, offering a place for kids to attend classes online through their make-shift classrooms. 

When:  December 5 – 12, 2020, beginning and ending at 12:00 PM

Where:  Online!  Register here.

2. Purchase Coffee to Support Homeless Youth

The Coffee Oasis is dedicated to supporting Kitsap’s struggling youth, cementing themselves as a cornerstone of the community.  This season, you can support those in need while getting your coffee fix at The Coffee Oasis. Your dollars will go towards a multifaceted approach to supporting and nurturing young people who have survived abuse, violence, poverty. Visit one of their cafes or their online store.

They also offer a Coffee Subscription, and 100% of the proceeds support their youth programs that offer housing, job training, and resources for homeless youth.

When: Purchase coffee online or during their business hours

Where:  All Coffee Oasis locations

3. Participate in a Pet Photo Contest to Support Kitsap Humane Society

Happy Pawlidays! Snap a photo of your pet dressed up and you can save lives through Kitsap Humane Society’s contest. Submit your holiday-themed photos online, and the winner will receive a gift basket from KHS. Dress up your pet in a costume or snap a classy holiday shot. The winner will be decided by votes! It’s just $5 to enter and $1 per vote. All proceeds will be donated to the furry friends under KHS care.

When:  December 14, 2020 at 6:00 AM – December 25, 2020, at 12:00 AM

Where:  Online

Cost:  $5 per photo submission, $1 per vote

4. Purchase a STEM or a Noon Year’s Eve Party Box to Support KiDiMu

The Kid’s Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island is a wonderful nonprofit museum that provides creative, experiential learning opportunities for children. By giving the kids in your life one of these fun boxes, you’ll be supporting this great place. And, now more than ever, they need your support. In fact, one-third of nonprofit museums across the U.S. are at significant risk of permanently closing due to the impact of COVID-19.

The STEM Subscription Box is $50/month and offers K-2 educational activities that are tied to themes like space and the environment. All project materials are included. 

When:  Anytime

Where:  Online

The Noon Year’s Eve Party Box is $25 for members and $40 for non-members. It provides everything you need to celebrate the new year at noon instead of at midnight so that your little one(s) can be part of the fun. There’s a firework craft, confetti, and more! 

When:  Last day to ship is Dec. 15, 2020; available for pick-up from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Dec. 22 – 29, 2020

Where:  Online

5. Enjoy Winter in the Woods and Support the YWCA

With over 150 acres to enjoy, the Bloedel Reserve is always a treat, and “Winter in the Woods” is a great outdoor experience for all ages. And, you can support the YWCA Kitsap County while you’re out enjoying the Reserve. Just bring canned food to contribute to their donation drive. Then stroll across their beautiful grounds and spot cleverly crafted snow people. They also have a Wishing Tree with individually wrapped wooden ornaments and pencils that you can use to add your wishes for the new year. This event is included with admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance online via timed tickets. Canned food donations are not required but are requested.

When: Dec. 5, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021, open Tuesdays-Sundays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Closed Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Where: Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island

If you know of other local nonprofits that have events going on, let us know on our new Facebook page: Windermere Sound Living. We would love to spread the news. Happy Holidays and here’s to a healthy, joyful new year!