Community connections strengthen NCW's resilience

Terry Ward

This month's stories highlight how community connections are strengthening North Central Washington in profound and lasting ways. From innovative security programs at Confluence Health to grassroots sustainability initiatives, we're seeing organizations and individuals work together to build a more resilient and interconnected region.

Confluence Health's new security dog program, featuring Atlas and his handler Justin Bennett, exemplifies how healthcare facilities are evolving to enhance safety while fostering meaningful connections. Bennett's extensive background in high-security environments, combined with Atlas's specialized training, brings world-class expertise to our local healthcare system. This initiative, supported by the Confluence Health Foundation, shows how innovative approaches can both protect and unite our community members. The fact that over 900 staff members participated in naming Atlas demonstrates the program's ability to build bridges across the organization.

The expansion of Sustainable NCW's Bike CoOp through their "CoOp on the Go" program demonstrates our region's growing commitment to environmental justice and community empowerment. Their mobile repair program, funded by the Department of Ecology, will bring valuable skills and resources directly to underserved neighborhoods, making sustainable transportation more accessible to all. Van Brinkerhoff's journey from refurbishing abandoned bikes to helping establish this vital community resource shows how individual passion can catalyze systemic change.

Lake Chelan Building Supply's thoughtful transition to TAL Holdings preserves a 46-year legacy of community-first business practices while positioning the company for future growth. Brett La Mar's decision ensures this vital local institution maintains its founding principle - "where customers become friends" - while gaining resources to serve our growing region. The La Mar family's story, from humble beginnings in a Manson horse pasture to becoming a cornerstone of the Lake Chelan community, reminds us that successful businesses are built on relationships as much as transactions.

The achievements of our local students at the Environmental & Sustainability Literacy Summit showcase how the next generation is already leading positive change in our community. From Wenatchee High School's ambitious composting initiative to Beaver Valley Elementary's innovative wildlife studies, these young leaders are proving that meaningful innovation often starts at the grassroots level. Their presentations to state legislators demonstrate how local initiatives can influence policy and practice across Washington.

These stories paint a picture of a region where community connections drive progress and innovation. What's particularly striking is how each initiative builds upon existing relationships while forging new ones. The Bike CoOp partners with local schools, Lake Chelan Building Supply maintains its community focus through corporate transition, and our students connect local environmental action to state-level policy discussions.

The Ballmer Group's significant investment in our region's YMCA programs further reinforces this theme of connection and community support. Their $20 million contribution will help expand vital youth programs, ensuring that economic barriers don't prevent any child from participating in activities that build character and community. The Wenatchee Valley YMCA's share of this funding will strengthen their teen outreach initiatives, supporting everything from gang prevention work to youth sports programs.

As we move through 2025, these examples remind us that our region's greatest strength lies in our ability to work together, adapt to change, and support one another. Whether it's a security dog making hospital rounds, students leading environmental initiatives, or longtime business owners ensuring their legacy continues to serve the community, we're seeing how strong connections make North Central Washington not just a beautiful place to live, but a model for sustainable, community-driven progress.

Terry Ward is the CEO of Ward Media and the publisher of the NCW News, Cashmere Valley Record, Lake Chelan Mirror, The Leavenworth Echo, Quad City Herald, and the Wenatchee Business Journal. He can be reached at terry@ward.media.