Whidbey Community Foundation is excited to welcome Katie Watkins to the WCF team. Katie will serve as Coordinator for the Partners For Young Children in Island County Coalition. This role will work to strengthen families and support developing children early in life prenatally through age eight in Island County.
Katie was born and raised in northeastern Wyoming, the daughter of an elementary school teacher and a coal miner. She received her degree in Social Work from Keuka College in the Finger Lakes region while starting her family. After spending seven years working in social services, with a focus on families and children impacted by the foster care system, she and her growing family decided on a move to Whidbey Island to pursue a dream of living near the sea.
She has now spent a decade on the island volunteering and working with many nonprofits, including the Whidbey Homeless Coalition and, most recently, the Orca Network. When she is not busy with work and raising two teenage boys, you can find her in the garden, making music or paddleboarding at her neighborhood beach.
“I believe in surrounding people with community and connection—that no one needs to do this life alone. This especially applies to the first years, where many young families can be overwhelmed by isolation and a web of complex resources. I am thrilled for the opportunity to help my neighbors on this beautiful home that we have been gifted.”
Katie Watkins, PYC Coordinator
About Partners for Young Children in Island County
Island County is progressive in its support of early learning. We have a long history of united, creative, and systems-building initiatives that enhance children (prenatal – age 8) and families getting the support they need in order to be ready for school and life. Over the past 15 years, partners from across the county and a variety of organizations have come together to address emergent needs, build connections within and across systems, and advocate for our youngest learners and their families. This coalition of early childhood partners sees the financial and society benefit of strengthening families and supporting developing children early.
Through PYC, Island County organizations and individuals come together to achieve the vision that all children thrive in nurturing relationships and healthy families. Together, partners are cultivating community action to strengthen Island County families. More info at: www.partnersforyoungchildren.org