The Rotary Club of Kirkland held an in-person meeting on April 21, 2025, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in the meeting hall.
Past President Joanne Primavera presided at this meeting and called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Jocelyn Ellison led us in the 4-Way Test recitation.
Attending: Cody Baker, Gary Cohn, Sue Cohn,* Sandy Ekins (Honorary)*, Jocelyn Ellison, Isabelle Kalisa*, Kristin Olson, Rick Ostrander, Rémy Pairault, Joanne Primavera, Angela Pritchett, John Pruitt, and Rick Walter. *Attempted to attend via Zoom.
Guests: Our guests this evening were Brian Granowitz, who lives nearby and is a software engineer attending the club’s meetings for the second time, and Dr. Natalie Ellington, the founder and executive director of Eileen & Callie's Place.
Announcements:
Dr. Primavera reminded members about the dates of several upcoming events; the Outstanding Educator Awards will be May 19, the Scholarship Awards Ceremony & Dinner will be June 2 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, the club’s Leadership Transition Dinner is scheduled for June 16, and the Salmon Bake is scheduled for August 25. Dr. Primavera also noted that the annual auction is scheduled for Friday, September 12.
Dr. Jocelyn Ellison noted that the Prosecco Restaurant 7 Pizzeria has been reserved for May 19, and that date will both serve as a test for the club’s members as to the fitness of the facility for regular club meetings, and provide a more accommodating venue for the Outstanding Educator Awards dinner and ceremony.
Rick Walter informed members he is assisting with the Outstanding Educator Awards by following up with all of the elementary principals who were invited to nominate outstanding educators this year, but who have not yet responded.
Auction co-chair Cody Baker and foundation president John Pruitt described the preparations for the auction. The Kirkland Woman’s Club has been reserved beginning at 5:30 p.m. for set-up. The event start time and ticket price will be announced soon. The committee is working on auction donations and sponsorships. Every Rotarian is expected to solicit auction items.
Dr. Natalie Ellington, the founder and chief executive officer of Eileen & Callie's Place presented a program on empowering young women to sustain an independent lifestyle after they have “aged out” of foster care on their 18th birthdays.
She described the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood as a critical period that shapes the future of young individuals. For those who age out of foster care, this transition is often fraught with challenges and uncertainties. In Washington state alone, over 500 youth age out of foster care every year upon reaching 18, leaving many without the necessary skills or support to navigate their new reality. This situation is dire, as within 12 to 18 months, many of these youth find themselves homeless, incarcerated, and often without a high school diploma. The need for a trusting adult in their lives becomes even more apparent when considering the trauma they have experienced.
In response to these pressing needs, Eileen & Callie's Place was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specifically to support young ladies aged out of foster care. Eileen & Callie's mission is clear and impactful: to empower, educate, and coach these young ladies, with a vision that all will have a safe place to live, the opportunity to become independent, and the skills needed to maintain a positive and productive lifestyle.
Dr. Ellington described the plights of several of the clients of Eileen & Callie's Place, and how the program reaches students and how it has grown over the years. Rotarians had numerous questions for Dr. Ellington, which she answered for several minutes following her remarks.
Happy Bucks:
A short round of Happy Bucks was conducted.
Rotary Raffle:
There was not a raffle during this meeting.
Dr. Primavera adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Cohn for David Aubry – Acting Scribe