5 Major Ways Community Minded Enterprises Is Reshaping Spokane WA In 2025
As of December 22, 2025, Community-Minded Enterprises (CME) in Spokane, Washington, stands as a critical pillar of support for Central and Eastern Washington, driving significant community development and empowerment initiatives. This nonprofit organization has been in a period of exciting transition and expansion, securing new facilities, launching major city-wide campaigns, and even pioneering a progressive new operational model for its staff, all while remaining deeply committed to a family-centered approach for underserved communities.
Originally established as HIP of Spokane before rebranding in 2004, CME’s work spans critical areas including early learning, mental health, equity, and comprehensive recovery services. The organization’s recent activities, including a major building purchase and a search for new executive leadership, highlight its commitment to growth and stability as it continues to expand its impact across the region.
Key Leadership and Organizational Milestones
Community-Minded Enterprises has recently undergone significant changes in its organizational structure, reflecting an exciting period of strategic growth and stability. The organization's leadership is dedicated to maintaining its mission while implementing forward-thinking operational practices.
- John Hindman (CEO): Following an extensive national search, John Hindman was tapped as the new Chief Executive Officer. CME’s decision to go local for its top executive reflects a deep connection to the Spokane community and its specific needs.
- Interim Executive Leader Search: As of late 2025, CME announced it was entering an exciting time by beginning the search for an Interim Executive Leader, signaling a continued focus on leadership development and strategic oversight.
- Amber Jasmin (CFO): Serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Amber Jasmin is a key member of the executive team, ensuring the financial health and sustainability of CME’s diverse programs.
- Gabby Calcaterra (Board Member): Gabby Calcaterra is listed as a member of the Board of Directors, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the enterprise.
- New Facility Acquisition (October 2024): A major milestone was reached in late 2024 when Community-Minded Enterprises secured a building purchase. This move is crucial for expanding its service capacity, particularly for recovery supports and other vital community services.
The Core Mission: A Multi-Generational Approach to Community Empowerment
CME’s philosophy is rooted in a holistic, family-centered model, recognizing that supporting individuals requires supporting the entire family unit. The organization’s programs are strategically designed to create a comprehensive safety net, focusing on prevention, education, and recovery across multiple generations.
Early Childhood Education and Family Support
A cornerstone of CME’s work is its commitment to early learning, providing crucial services that set children up for success while supporting their parents and caregivers. These programs are vital for the long-term health of the Spokane community.
- ECEAP Expansion: CME’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) was recently granted a significant expansion from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), allowing the organization to serve more families with free, high-quality preschool.
- Free Preschool: The provision of Free Preschool is a direct investment in the future, ensuring that economic barriers do not prevent access to foundational education.
- Play & Learn Groups: CME facilitates both Play & Learn Groups and Multigenerational Play & Learn groups, which are instrumental in fostering early social skills for children and providing a supportive network for family members.
- Refugee School Impact Program: This specialized program assists refugee families in navigating the U.S. school system, ensuring a smoother transition and better educational outcomes for children new to the area.
Addiction Recovery and Mental Wellness
Addressing the challenges of substance abuse and mental health is a major focus for CME, especially through its highly successful Recovery Café model. These services provide a non-judgmental space for healing and long-term stability.
- Recovery Café Spokane: The Recovery Café is a key entity within CME, offering a healing community for those in recovery from addiction, homelessness, and other mental health challenges. It provides a structured environment for connection and support.
- Recovery Circles: A core component of the Recovery Café model, these circles provide peer-led support, with one success story detailing a member who completed over 400 Recovery Circles, illustrating the program's profound impact on finding stability.
- State Opioid Response (SOR) & Substance Abuse Block Grant (SAS): CME is an active participant in state-level efforts to combat the opioid crisis and substance abuse, utilizing funds from the SOR and SAS grants to deliver critical, life-saving services.
- Support for Recovery Homes: The organization extends its reach by serving recovery homes and offering family support to those in need throughout Spokane, strengthening the entire recovery ecosystem.
Forward-Thinking Initiatives: The 32-Hour Workweek and Hands Across Spokane
CME is not just a service provider; it is an innovator in both community outreach and organizational management. Two of its most recent and progressive initiatives—one internal and one external—demonstrate its commitment to holistic well-being for both its staff and the public.
Pioneering the 32-Hour Workweek
In a groundbreaking move for the nonprofit sector in Spokane, Community-Minded Enterprises is moving toward implementing a 32-hour workweek. This initiative, championed by CME leadership, is designed to enhance employee well-being, prevent burnout, and ultimately improve the quality of service delivery by ensuring staff are rested and engaged. This progressive policy positions CME as a leader in creating a sustainable, community-minded workplace.
The "Hands Across Spokane" Campaign
CME launched the "Hands Across Spokane" campaign, expanding on a previous, smaller idea into a full, citywide initiative. The campaign represents a broader focus on collective mental health, equity, recovery, and connecting citizens to essential services. This citywide push aims to destigmatize mental health challenges and ensure that all Spokane residents know where to turn for help.
The campaign underscores the organization's commitment to equity, ensuring that services are accessible to all, regardless of background or socio-economic status. By focusing on connection to services, "Hands Across Spokane" is a direct response to the increasing need for integrated support systems in the region.
Conclusion: The Future of Community Minded Enterprises
From securing a new permanent location in October 2024 to the ongoing search for an Interim Executive Leader in 2025, Community-Minded Enterprises is clearly in a phase of dynamic evolution. The organization's forward momentum is palpable, driven by its core values of compassion and community development.
Whether through providing winter coats for children in their ECEAP classrooms, expanding free preschool access, or offering a lifeline through Recovery Café Spokane, CME remains a vital, responsive, and deeply committed social enterprise in Eastern Washington. Its innovative approach, including the trial of the 32-hour workweek, ensures that its impact on families, individuals, and the broader Spokane community will continue to grow and deepen for years to come.
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