Fall 2025

It could be a reflection of my long life, but time seems to be moving faster these days and this past month was no exception. We’ve held a multi-site Film Festival, attended many partner events and galas, welcomed new staff to bolster the Community Hub team, and more! 

Getting to hear you all describe your work is inspiring. One example – the Community Boating Center ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating their solar panel installation. It was a beautiful evening, and the message I carried for a long time: “It isn’t about boats; it’s about the people.” From adaptive equipment that helps wheelchair users get into the water to the first crew going out that was all folks who are blind, they also partner with Lummi and Nooksack Tribes, local schools, and organizations serving communities that don’t have easy access to the waterways that surround us – with an intentional focus on youth of color. It was a reminder of what community truly means. (Seeing a former North Sound ACH colleague, Rocio Castillo-Foell in her role at PSE leading efforts around community engagement was an added bonus!) 

Another memorable invitation came from Rosalinda Guillen to visit the women-owned, women-run co-op farm in Everson. Seeing the amazing operation, and hearing their dream to build a community center and a home for the live-in manager at the farm was incredible! The signage “Otro Mundo es Posible” (Another World Is Possible) – speaks to me in my heart.  

We also celebrated Children of the Setting Sun’s 10 year anniversary – another milestone as they plan and build their amazing cultural and community space in downtown Bellingham. Several of us got to do some painting of a mural in the alley. It is a special feeling to have your handprints on what is being built. 

And there is so much more that you all are doing!

The inaugural North Sound Voices Film Festival was also pretty amazing. We were way out over our skis as they say when we decided to give this a go 😊, but were fortunate to have a dedicated team and partners who helped shepherd the process. Seeing the final screenings, then getting to hang out with the filmmakers and artists who shared their stories was true building community and relationships. Those eight films may seem unique, telling stories of people of color, immigrants, farm owners and a black trans experience but they are intended to highlight that this is what our community looks like if we really look closely enough.

I was asked many times “what comes next?” and to be honest a lot of that depends on y’all. With a growing Network, we have at least 250 stories that could be lifted up. We cannot say we work on behalf of the community unless we can actually see everyone in the community. 

Lastly, one evening I had the joy of listening to live music. As the musicians (Itamar Erez and Hamin Honari) were returning from an intermission Hamin said “I hear and forget. I see and remember. I do and I understand.” In my humble opinion, live music touches our bodies in ways that recorded music is limited in doing. When the world feels chaotic around me, I need things and events that reach past my brain and communicate with my soul, my inner being. I hope you get those opportunities too. We are living through experiences that are actively trying to divide us, to make us stand to the left or to the right. Our team stands with you because we are aligned on values. Moving forward, we’ll need each other in ways we can only just imagine. Take advantage of every opportunity to turn toward each other.