The 32-hour workweek.
A blog by Lee Williams, CEO of Community-Minded Enterprises
01/11/2021
It is January 11, a little over a week into the New Year, and Community-Minded Enterprises is “officially” moving toward making the 32-hour workweek part of its permanent culture. This isn’t a News Years resolution or a fade, but rather an idea that has been slowly winning favor with organizations around the world and here in the United States.
Forbes Magazine wrote about it in May 2019 and I got acquainted with the concept while reading the book The 4 Day Week, by Andrew Barnes. The subtitle of the books says it...
CME moves toward a 32-hour workweek.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2020
Jill Johnson
Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Remote Learning Improved for School Age Children in Spokane, Thanks to a Partnership Connecting Child Care Providers to Free Internet
Spokane, Wash. -- A new program is bringing reliable internet to school age children, allowing them to better connect to online learning. After months of planning Community-Minded Enterprises is pleased to announce a partnership with Spokane Public Schools (SPS), the Washington Childcare Centers Association (WCCA) and Comcast to bring Lift Zones to Spokane County child care providers. The initiative will help thousands of school age students with distance learning...
Remote Learning Improved for School Age Children in Spokane
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2020
Jill Johnson
Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Final Days for Child Care Providers and Families to apply for CARES Act Funding in Spokane County
Spokane, Wash. -- CARES Act funding is immediately available to cover the cost of child care for families and to help licensed child care programs in Spokane County. This is new funding available to families and child care businesses in Spokane County. Previous CARES Act funding distributed by Community-Minded Enterprises supported families and child care business in the City of Spokane.
“We are thrilled to be able offer this assistance,” said Kathy Blair, who...
Final Days for Child Care Providers and Families to apply for CARES Act Funding in Spokane County
5pm - Monday, November 16, 2020
In light of new COVID-19 guidelines from the State of Washington, Community-Minded Enterprises is making some changes in services effective from midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14. In some cases, there is no change. Here is a complete list.
Recovery Café will provide virtual services. Food service is suspended.
Recovery Community Services will provide virtual assistance to clients.
ECEAP at both our South Hill and Division locations is not impacted by the new guidelines and will remain open. Click here to read a letter from our ECEAP Director.
Early Learning services...
Community-Minded Enterprises COVID-19 Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2020
Jill Johnson
Chief Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
Jillj@community-minded.org
Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington - Pasco Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest”
Spokane, Wash. -- Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington - Pasco has been a leader in early learning in the Tri-Cities area since 2014. On October 7, its parent company Community-Minded Enterprises was honored as a finalist by Spokane’s Journal of Business, making the list as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest.
The Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list is created by...
Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington – Pasco Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2020
Traci Logan-Demus, SHRM-CP
Chief Human Resources Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 960-7455
tracil@community-minded.org
Community-Minded Enterprises Named a Top Three Finalist, on the “Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest” List
Spokane, Wash. -- For the third consecutive year, Community-Minded Enterprise (CME) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest. The Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list is created by the Journal of Business and Best Companies Group. Each year the Journal recognizes 35 businesses. “It is an honor to be recognized as an employer of choice,” said Lee Williams, CEO of Community-Minded Enterprises, “we...
Community-Minded Enterprises Named a Top Three Finalist, on the “Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest” List
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2020
Jill Johnson
Chief Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
CARES Act Funds Immediately Available to Pay for Child Care or Support Child Care Businesses in Spokane
Spokane, Wash. -- When the City of Spokane received $6.6 million in CARES Act funding, it identified child care as one of its priorities, awarding Community-Minded Enterprises money to cover the cost of child care for families and to help struggling child care centers. “COVID-19 hit the child care industry hard,” said Lee Williams, CEO of Community-Minded Enterprises and home of Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington. “Enrollment dropped, but expenses went up...
CARES Act Funding Available for Child Care Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2020
Jill Johnson
Chief Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Community-Minded Television’s Production Manager Recognized as a Rising Star by the Journal of Business
Spokane, Wash. -- Community-Minded Television’s Production Manager DaShawn Bedford joins a short list of young professionals recognized as 2020 Rising Stars by the Journal of Business. “We are excited, but not surprised,” said Lee Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Community-Minded Enterprises, the station’s parent company. “DaShawn has a great knowledge of television production, is committed to serving the community and is a great leader.”
The award will be presented during a virtual celebration on September 10,...
Production Manager at CMTV14 Recognized as a Rising Star
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2020
Jill Johnson
Chief Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Spokane, Wash. -- Hands Across the Falls 2020 is a go despite COVID-19. The popular community event hosted by Recovery Café Spokane has gone virtual. “We’ve certainly had to pivot,” said Lee Williams CEO of Community-Minded Enterprises, the non-profit home of the Café. “If Bloomsday can be virtual, so can Hands Across the Falls.”
The past three years the event has been held on the last Saturday of September, on the Monroe Street Bridge with participants holding hands in a show of support for recovery. Concerns over COVID-19 meant...
Hands Across the Falls Celebrates its Fourth Year with a Month Long Virtual Event in September
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2020
Sara Desautel
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 496-3685
SaraD@community-minded.org
Spokane, Wash. -- It has been twelve years since Community-Minded Television (CMTV14) entered the cable television market, providing original programming, offering classes, and giving local access to the citizens of Spokane. From a tiny office to a state-of-the-art studio, the station has grown without compromising its mission to give a voice to the voiceless and empower people through digital media. “We are committed to the mission and serving Spokane,” said Lee Williams, Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises, the station’s parent company. “But late last year we realized that something had...
Community-Minded Television’s Future Looks Bright Thanks to a 160k Investment from the City of Spokane
Community-Minded Enterprises Once Again Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest
Spokane, Wash. -- For the second year in a row, Community-Minded Enterprise (CME) was named one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest. The Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list is created by the Journal of Business and Best Companies Group.
To determine the Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list, companies from across the region participated in a two-part survey process. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics.
The second...
CME Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest
Record Turnout Expected for Hands Across the Falls, Despite Road Construction Impacting the Monroe Street Bridge
Spokane, Wash. -- Working with the City of Spokane, Hands Across the Falls is poised for its biggest year ever, with more than 600 people expected to attend and nearly 40 organizations taking part in the Resource Fair. The event will be held on Saturday September 28.
“The City of Spokane and the Spokane Police Department have been wonderful throughout the entire planning process,” said Lee Williams, Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises, the non-profit behind the event. “Even with some roadwork, attendees of the...
Record Turnout Expected for Hands Across the Falls 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2019
Jill Johnson
Communications Director
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Two Milestones for Recovery Café Spokane in February
Spokane, Wash. -- Recovery Café Spokane celebrates its two-year anniversary in Peaceful Valley in February. In 2017, the café transformed an abandoned city building into what is now a thriving center where people can maintain their recovery, reduce relapses, fulfill their potential and reclaim their lives.
“It is exciting to see how the café has grown in just two years,” said Georgia Butler, Director of Recovery Community Services at the café. “When we opened the doors, we had a handful of members. Today...
Recovery Cafe Spokane recognized as a full member of the Recovery Café Network
Community-Minded Enterprises welcomes Lee Williams as its new Executive Director
We are pleased to let you know that Lee Williams is the new Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises. Lee replaces Kathy Thamm who retired after 14 years with CME.
Lee takes on the job of Executive Director, after nearly five years at CME as the Early Learning Initiative Director, for Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington, a program of Community-Minded Enterprises. She was selected after an extensive search led by the CME Board of Directors.
Lee’s first official day was December 1. Since then she has worked with outgoing Director Kathy Thamm...
CME Welcomes New Executive Director
After 14 years with Community-Minded Enpterises, Kathy Thamm is retiring. Read about her time at CME and her reflections on her career in this article originally published in the Spokesman Review.
Kathy Thamm retires from Community-Minded Enterprises
Kathy Thamm retires from Community-Minded Enterprises
Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director Announces Retirement after 14 Years of Service
Spokane, Wash. -- Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director will be stepping down at the end of the year. Kathy Thamm informed the CME Board of her retirement earlier this summer.
“Kathy has done a fantastic job as Executive Director, leading CME through lean times, rebuilding our core initiatives, and leaving us well positioned for the future,” said Chris Kelly, Board Chair. “Although we're sorry to see her go, we wish her all the best as she pursues her retirement plans”.
Thamm started at CME in 2004, as the Early Learning Initiative Director....
Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director Announces Retirement after 14 Years of Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2018
Jill Johnson
Communications Director
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Community-Minded Enterprises Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest
Community-Minded Enterprise one of 35 companies to be honored September 26th
Spokane, Wash. -- Community-Minded Enterprise (CME) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest. The Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list is created by the Journal of Business and Best Companies Group.
To determine the Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list, companies from across the region participated in a two-part survey process. The first part consisted of...
Community-Minded Enterprises Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2018
Jill Johnson
Communications Director
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Hands Across the Falls Returns to Spokane, Saturday, September 29th
Hundreds expected to line the Monroe Street Bridge to Celebrate Recovery
Spokane, Wash. -- Hands Across the Falls (HAF) returns to Spokane Saturday, September 29 on the iconic Monroe Street Bridge. Recovery Café Spokane, the host for the event, created HAF as a public show of support celebrating recovery.
This event is for anyone - those touched by addiction or not. “Recovery should be celebrated,” said Georgia Butler, Director of Recovery Community Services at the Café. “Seeking help is a sign of strength...
Hands Across the Falls 2018
Combating America’s Opioid Crisis Here in Spokane
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse more than 115 people in the United States die every day after overdosing.
It is an epidemic. An epidemic Spokane’s Recovery Café (RCS) is battling, offering peer-to-peer mentoring, weekly support groups and education to those in recovery.
In the midst of this crisis, lawmakers are looking for solutions. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodges is one of them. She visited the Café and has been a champion of its work ever since.
In a June 26, editorial in The Spokesman-Review entitled “We’re Working to Combat America’s Opioid Crisis” the...
Combating America’s Opioid Crisis Here in Spokane
Peer Support Counseling
One of the things that sets Recovery Café Spokane (RCS) apart is that it offers peer counseling. That means clients receive help from recovery coaches who have been there. RCS coaches are in recovery themselves, and it’s that peer-to-peer mentoring that is crucial in helping clients maintain their sobriety.
But it doesn’t stop there. Most people who come to the café also have mental health issues. That’s why staff get an extra level of training. The café has three staff members who are Certified Peer Counselors with the Washington State Department of Mental Health.
The certification process requires 40...
Recovery Cafe and Peer Support Counseling
It has been a busy year for Recovery Café Spokane. In September, the Café hosted its first annual Hand Across the Falls event and was the recipient of a makeover courtesy of KXLY’s Extreme Team.
Now, more exciting news to share. The Café was awarded a grant worth up to $50,000 from the Seattle based Recovery Café Network.
“We are honored to be chosen, and are grateful to the Recovery Café Network for its support of our work” said Georgia Butler, Recovery Community Services Director. “This year has truly been one of blessings for the Café.”
The money is earmarked for general...
Recovery Café Spokane Awarded $50,000 Grant from the Recovery Café Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2017
Jill Johnson
Communications Specialist
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
JillJ@community-minded.org
Spokane, Wash. -- Recovery Café Spokane is bringing Hands Across the Falls to Spokane Saturday, September 30. The event is designed as a public show of support celebrating recovery.
“This is the first of its kind in Spokane,” said Kathy Thamm, Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises, the parent organization of Recovery Café Spokane. “We want this event to be a way for members of the community to show their support for those who have overcome addiction.”
Organizers expect several hundred attendees. The first 500 will receive a commemorative medal. Family, friends and individuals who support recovery...
Hundreds Expected to Line Spokane’s Monroe Street Bridge Saturday September 30th at Noon to Celebrate Recovery
In 2015, Community-Minded Enterprises launched Access to Recovery (ATR) providing free and low cost assistance to men and women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction in Spokane.
In 2017, Recovery Café Spokane opened its doors in Peaceful Valley, offering people in recovery a place to drop in and get support - whether that is a meal, a friendly ear to listen to, job training or a life enriching class.
Statistics taken from the Life in Recovery Survey, conducted by Alexandre Laudet, P.h.D. in collaboration with Faces & Voices of Recovery.
The Recovery Cafe Model
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2017
Traci Logan-Demus
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 960-7455
Tracil@community-minded.org
For the 5th Consecutive Year Community-Minded Enterprises is Recognized for Innovative and Effective Workplace Practices
Spokane, Wash. -- Community-Minded Enterprises (CME) has once again been honored with the “When Work Works” award for exemplary workplace practices by the Society for Human Resource Management.
The award recognizes employers that offer flexible scheduling and transition to parenthood programs as well as opportunities for learning, a culture of respect and trust, and job autonomy.
Community-Minded Enterprises was singled out for its workforce flexibility with 2/3 of its staff regularly working in the field. CME also scored high...
CME once again honored with the “When Work Works” award
Go Beyond Facebook and YouTube
Air your video on Community-Minded Television FREE!
Since 2008, Community-Minded Television (CMTV14) has been a place where local video storytellers could share their work, their passion, their point of view. We are dedicated to providing cable access to the people of Spokane.
Right now, we’re accepting video submissions. And we need you! We’re looking for videos that:
Entertain
Inform
Educate
Uplift
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can submit a video? Anyone. You will need to fill out a little paperwork.
What kind of videos are you looking for? Here are some examples, but don’t be limited by this...
Air your video on CMTV14 – FREE
Spokane’s Recovery Café didn’t look like itself when “Breast Intentions” borrowed the space for a bra fitting session for women in need.
Usually, the Recovery Café is a place to visit with a recovery coach, connect with services or just have a cup of coffee and spend a moment to recharge.
But on the evening of April 20 it looked more like the women’s undergarment section of a department store: it was overflowing with racks of bras.
Spokane-based Breast Intentions provides women in need with a bra that fits, and the nonprofit and its volunteers teamed up with the Recovery Café to...
Free Bras and Bra Fittings Offered at Recovery Café Spokane
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2017
Jill Johnson
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 960-7459
JillJ@community-minded.org
Community-Minded Television (CMTV14) Opens State of the Art Studio to the Public and Expands Class Offerings in Partnership with AltLens
Spokane, Wash. -- CMTV14, Spokane’s nonprofit community access television station has a new home. CMTV14 recently moved into a custom-built production studio, located at 104 West 3rd Avenue on the corner of Third and Browne in Spokane.
The move coincides with the launch of new classes offered by...