Telling better stories

Hello, Room One community!

I’m Jess, and I’m stoked to introduce myself as the Communications (and Advocacy!) Lead here at Room One. While I’ve been with the team and working behind the scenes on our newsletters for a little while, the start of a new year seemed like the perfect moment to say hello to all of you.

I married into the Methow Valley and have been pleasantly overwhelmed by how much I love living in a place that balances the creative freedom of costumes and parades with a deep care for tradition and community connection. The quirky blend of playfulness and purpose that characterizes our valley inspires me constantly and shapes how I approach my work here at Room One.

As we step into the year ahead, I hope to bring you stories and updates that connect the old with the new–where the narratives we’ve heard for years might benefit from a little creative refresh. Storytelling has the power to shape how we see each other, how we understand challenges, and how we imagine solutions.

Too often, harmful narratives are perpetuated with questions like, “Why doesn’t he get a job?” or, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” Questions like these can seem innocuous, but they inevitably cause us to view our neighbors as problems to be solved, rather than people to uplift. This way of approaching community issues like homelessness or violence can misplace blame, overlook resilience, and uphold unjust systems.

That’s why Room One is committed to narrative change: disrupting harmful patterns and sharing stories that instead highlight strengths, possibilities, and dignity.

Whether we’re talking about housing, healthy relationships, violence prevention, mental health, or community resilience, our goal is to uplift and inspire through the stories we tell. I’m honored to be part of a team dedicated to framing our work–and the people we serve–with respect and compassion.

Thank you for welcoming me into this space. Here’s to all the great work ahead!