Catherine Tardif-Douglin, MS, MSW, stands in Elizabeth Gregory Home’s kitchen. Outside the window is a mural by local artist Henry.
The Need to be Seen and Heard
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Our Stories
Bringing you stories of our volunteer professionals and the nonprofits they serve
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Nick (Xunan) Li remembers as a young child wandering through a large field of peanuts on his grandfather’s farm in China. He loved the feel of the place - something he thinks of often now that he’s volunteering at the Seattle Community Farm. The farm in Seattle’s...
Companis Worker Retreat: Nature and Nurture
This year’s Companis Worker retreat included insightful workshops, a DIY art table, family-style meals, and time around the campfire. We also welcomed spring sunshine at Rainbow Lodge which is nestled on 40 acres of forestland near North Bend, WA. The purpose of...
Meet Our New Board Member
We’re so happy to have Edmonds resident Devnee Gadbois on the Companis Board! Devnee is active in her community and a deep believer in volunteering. She also serves as Board Secretary of the Edmonds Waterfront Center and, until recently, was a weekly volunteer there. ...
Companis Workers Make Happy Volunteers
By Gary Davis Quick question: What comes to mind when you hear the word “volunteer”? For some, it signals a time commitment that could potentially be overwhelming and difficult to back out of. For others, it signals a fulfilling and joyful experience. Then...
Capturing Special Moments
The day was cloudy and blustery. But inside Everett Recovery Cafe, a Companis nonprofit partner, there was warmth, laughter, and cupcakes! Companis Worker Nefertifi Gilbert came in with two dozen home-baked cupcakes, along with frosting and sprinkles to set up a...
Say What You Need
One of the special things we enjoy at Companis is gathering together for Worker Support meetings - a space for connection and reflection with fellow volunteers. Some of these meetings include professional and personal development workshops, guided by people with...
Two Hours a Week Changes Lives
We’ve all been there. News of a fast-moving tragedy fills our news feeds and we find ourselves constantly checking our phones for updates.That’s what happened to Yulia Tolskaya when she found out about Russia invading Ukraine. “I didn’t want to just stare at the news...
The Value of Reflection
Author and nonprofit strategist Ashley Fontaine is a big believer in leading with values. In fact, it’s the name of one of her chapters in Unstuck: Disrupting the Status Quo. “The beauty of clear values is that they serve as an anchor and decision-making compass not...