EPHRATA — Sixteen emerging community leaders from across North Central Washington graduated Wednesday evening from the Leadership Institute of NCW, a bilingual civic‑engagement program. The celebration, held at the Ephrata Recreation Center, marked the completion of a 20‑session course rooted in the nationally recognized Parent Leadership Training Institute framework.  

The program, focused on empowering residents to advocate for children, families and their communities was hosted by the Community Foundation of NCW and supported by dozens of regional partners. Curriculum teaches participants how government works, how to analyze civic issues and how to use their voices to create change. Graduates completed coursework on personal leadership, civics and community engagement, culminating in independently designed community projects. 

Site coordinator Summer Hess said watching participants transform ideas into real work was very fulfilling.  

“It is amazing to observe somebody take a germ of an idea and turn it into work they care about,” Hess said. “These projects are just the start of a lifetime of civic engagement.” 

Purpose & community 

Several graduates said the program helped them find confidence, direction and a deeper sense of belonging. 

For Ephrata participant Abril López, joining the Leadership Institute came at a time of personal uncertainty.  

“I felt like my life was going nowhere,” she said. “Then I read about this program… and it really resonated with me.”  

López’s community project, a family‑friendly health fair, aims to bring free screenings and preventative care resources to residents.  

“I want to help people be seen and prevent health issues before they get worse,” she said. 

Ephrata graduate Cristina Harvill created No Parent Alone, a support group for parents navigating a child’s substance‑abuse struggles.  

“There’s so much support for the person fighting addiction, but almost none for the parents,” Harvill said. Her group will hold its first meeting Feb. 19 at Columbia Basin Hospital. “If we can help one parent, that’s a success.” 

Soap Lake resident Britton Baker said the program broadened his understanding of the communities within Grant County.  

“There are a lot of different perspectives besides my own,” he said.  

Baker’s project, Grant County Salutes, will host a veterans appreciation day this summer in Soap Lake. 

Leadership begins locally 

Community Foundation of NCW Executive Director Beth Stipe said the initiative was created after the pandemic revealed deep community disconnection. 

“We knew we needed to bring people back together and give them tools to get involved,” Stipe said. “This program is designed by community people, for their community.” 

Tuesday’s celebration included speeches, musical performances, a project gallery walk and a proclamation from Ephrata Mayor Steve Oliver, who declared Feb. 4, 2026, Leadership Institute of NCW Day in the city. 

In his remarks, Oliver praised graduates for their commitment.  

“The institute equips community leaders with the skills and opportunities to build stronger communities where all children and families can thrive,” he said. 

Graduates now join a growing network of local civic leaders who have gone on to volunteer, serve on boards, create nonprofits and advocate for policy change. 

As Hess told the crowd, “Your projects are only the beginning. Grant County is already better because you chose to show up.” 

Leadership Institute of NCW – 2026 Graduate Community Projects 

• Abril López, Ephrata 

Community Health Fair – A free, family‑friendly health fair offering preventative screenings, mental‑health resources and connections to healthcare providers. Designed to reduce fear and barriers around seeking care and encourage early prevention. 

• Blanca Gonzalez, Quincy 

Zumba Help for Your Life – A community Zumba program aimed at reducing stress, anxiety and fatigue while promoting family bonding, physical activity and improved well‑being. 

• Britton Baker, Soap Lake 

Grant County Salutes – A Veterans Appreciation Day and fundraiser planned for summer 2026 in Soap Lake, celebrating local veterans and featuring veteran‑owned vendors and interviews. 

• Chantel Crowe, Grand Coulee 

Weaver Roadhouse – A living‑history project preserving a circa‑1900 rural building and opening it as a free educational heritage site for families, students and visitors. 

• Christina Harvill, Ephrata 

No Parent Alone – A support group for parents of children struggling with substance abuse, offering connection, shared experiences and guest speakers. First meeting Feb. 19 at Columbia Basin Hospital. 

• Elizabeth Oropeza, Quincy 

Circulo de Mujeres: Solsticio de Invierno – A no‑cost, culturally rooted Winter Solstice gathering inspired by Aztec tradition, offering space for reflection, connection and community care. 

• Gabriela Delgado Hernández, Chelan 

Creando Comunidades – An initiative strengthening community cohesion by connecting families with local services and promoting active neighborhood participation. 

• Jessica Jacobo, Quincy 

Sound Beginnings – A bilingual early‑childhood music circle designed to support bonding, social‑emotional development and language skills through music and movement. 

• Liliana Tejeda, Ephrata 

Dual Language Immersion Program – A project promoting an English‑Spanish dual‑language program in Ephrata schools to build cultural awareness, empathy and communication skills. 

• Maria Laureano, Othello 

Guardería Neurodivergente – A specialized childcare initiative supporting neurodivergent children and easing the burden on working parents who struggle to juggle childcare and therapies. 

• Maria I. Rodriguez, Royal City 

Books Bring Families & Community Together – A bilingual book club for adults in English and Spanish, strengthening the library’s role as a space for connection and conversation. 

• Melissa Boord, Electric City 

Trees of Sharing – A holiday gift‑giving program providing Christmas presents to children and families facing financial hardship in the Grand Coulee area. 

• Rosa Haro, Quincy 

Un Café Entre Amigos – A community circle supporting older adults through conversation, inclusion and activities that boost well‑being and reduce isolation. 

• Rosita Lopez, Quincy 

The Fuller Center – A volunteer‑recruitment project expanding local involvement with the Fuller Center for Housing through outreach at events and community gatherings. 

• Walquiria Medina, Quincy 

¿Hablamos de Dinero? – A financial‑literacy workshop series for mothers, covering budgeting, saving, debt management and practical family finance skills. 

• Yolanda Mendoza Lerena, Ephrata 

Ciudadanos Haciendo el Cambio – A citizenship‑support program offering classes to help immigrants navigate language barriers, the naturalization process and civic participation.  

    The 16 graduates of the Leadership Institute of North Central Washington gather on stage for a group photo after they receive their certificates. The group participated in a 20-week course focused on empowering residents to advocate for children, families and their communities.
  

    Melissa Boord of Electric City receives her certificate from Leadership Institute of North Central Washington Wednesday night. Her community project was titled “Trees of Sharing,” with the goal of making sure families facing financial hardship still had a Christmas tree and presents for the holiday season.
  

    Gabriela Delgado Hernández of Chelan graduated from the Leadership Institute of North Central Washington Wednesday night. Her community project “Creando Comunidades” focused on uniting communities like Royal City with tools to strengthen social cohesion and community well-being.
  

    Jessica Jacobo of Quincy completed the 20-week long Leadership Institute of North Central Washington, graduating Wednesday night. Her community project “Sound Beginnings” aims to connect bilingual Quincy children with a program focused on music and movement.
  

    Abril Lopez of Ephrata gets her photo taken at the Leadership Institute of North Central Washington graduation Wednesday night. Her community project “Community Health Fair” is an event that will help address barriers in healthcare by creating an environment where people can get education, preventive screenings and make connections with healthcare professionals.
  

    Leadership Institute of North Central Washington Site Coordinator Summer Hess shakes Ephrata Mayor Steve Oliver's hand. Oliver, alongside the Ephrata City Council passed a proclamation which declared Feb. 4, 2026, Leadership Institute of NCW Day in the city.