Blue Skies for Children Begins the New Year with Two New Staff Members

Blue Skies for Children is excited to announce the appointment of two talented professionals to our team. Please join us in welcoming Jenessa Stringer and Kelly Patrick, who will be taking on the roles of Enrichment Program Manager and Office and Program Manager respectively.

Jenessa Stringer recently located back to Whatcom County after working the last seven years in Tampa, FL. She holds a Bachelors in Human Services from Western Washington University and a Masters in Transformational Leadership. With over 10 years’ experience working with children and families, Jenessa is excited to build more community partnerships to expand our Little Wishes Enrichment Program, allowing even more children access to enriching skills and experiences.

Kelly Patrick graduated with a Bachelors in Asian Studies from the University of Puget Sound and more recently earned her Applied Associates of Science through the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Whatcom Community College. Kelly has nearly 20 years’ professional experience in customer service and office management and is well-equipped to help Blue Skies create new systems and programs to help us meet the needs of youth in our community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jenessa and Kelly to Blue Skies for Children. Their combined expertise will play a crucial role in advancing our mission and ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive,” said Caprice Teske, Executive Director. Blue Skies for Children is confident that the addition of Jenessa and Kelly will strengthen its ability to meet community needs and enhance the impact of its programs.

Established in 1997, Blue Skies was created out of a need in our local community. In 2002, Blue Skies became a 501(c)(3) and hired its first executive director. Its mission is to raise hope and self-esteem by sponsoring enrichment programs and other essentials for homeless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

For more information:

Blue Skies for Children

2505 Cedarwood Ave., Ste. 5,

Bellingham, WA 98225

www.blueskiesforchildren.org

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.