Creativity Meets Community Need
CAFÉ is a Wenatchee nonprofit that advances education, youth leadership, and civic engagement for a culturally diverse community. They needed someone who could work with youth, show up reliably across a fast-moving organization, and bring something of their own to the space. The partnership between SkillSource and other community agencies is a consistent source of connecting local opportunities to emerging talent.
Monse started at CAFÉ as a Teacher Aide through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), a partnership between SkillSource and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) that connects students with disabilities to paid work experiences while they’re still in school. In the classroom, she tutored students in math and reading, managed daily operations, communicated with families, and supported field trips and special events. Her SkillSource career trainer, Christian, worked alongside her through that transition. So did her CAFÉ mentors — Francisco, Angelica, and Stephanie — who gave her the scaffolding to grow inside an organization that runs multiple programs at once.
That foundation is what CAFÉ hired from. Monse moved into a paid role as Youth Art & Program Assistant, where she leads youth art activities, facilitates the Low-Rider Bike Program’s Saturday workshops, manages program inventory, and supports community events. She is also contributing to the Westside High School yearbook — balancing creative work across two organizations at once.
CAFÉ recently moved into their new building on Lewis Street in Wenatchee. The stairwell just inside the front doors was bare white when they arrived. Today that blank entryway has been transformed into a bold and beautiful floral mural – a welcoming mark for the community – thanks to Monse, and the partnership that invested in her.
