Community Connections

A very special moment for one of our family members today. Happy 70th birthday to you Tina!

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to pause, reflect, and remember something important: As a man your health matters.

At Community Connections, we see the strength, dedication, and resilience that men bring to their families, workplaces, and communities every day. You show up for others. You work hard. You carry a lot. But too often, your own well-being takes a back seat.
We want to remind you that taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness. It’s an act of strength.

Your health is more than just physical fitness. It’s your peace of mind, your emotional well-being, and your ability to live a full and meaningful life. Whether it’s scheduling a check-up, talking to someone you trust, getting active, or making healthier choices in small steps can make a big difference.
You are important.
You are needed.
And you deserve to feel your best.
This month, and every month, we encourage you to:
Check in with your body and your mind.
Reach out when you need support.
Make time for your health and happiness.

Because when you take care of yourself, you’re not just improving your own life you’re strengthening your family and the entire community with positive influence.

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Free Summer Breakfast & Lunch program starts today!

⭐️ 10am-1pm
⭐️ 6/8-8/14, Monday-Friday (closed 7/3)
⭐️ Schoenbar Middle School
⭐️ Ages 0-18, or still in school

Kids join us for TREE-MENDOUS Youth Summer Learning Program! Come to the library, sign up and begin your summer journey tracking your reading and activities to earn prizes. June 5 through July 31!

Men's Mental Health Month is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for support can make a significant difference.

At Community Connections, we are proud to recognize team members who go above and beyond in supporting the families we serve. This month, we’re honored to spotlight Mindy Trozelle, a Developmental Specialist whose dedication, compassion, and energy make a lasting impact every day. Those who work with Mindy often notice her genuine passion and positivity. She brings patience, creativity, and a heartfelt commitment to every interaction qualities that reflect not just her professionalism, but her care for the people she serves. We are incredibly grateful to have Mindy on our team and proud to celebrate her as one of our Stellar Staff. Her impact is felt not only in the progress of the children she supports, but in the strength of the community she helps build.

Starting June 8, any school-age kid can get a free, healthy lunch at one of our partner spots around town. No cost and no sign-up. Just walk in and ask for Sunny's lunch.
It runs all summer long, through August 31. You'll find Sunny's Lunches available at Local Grounds (downtown and out at Knudson Cove), plus WF Maddens on Tongass.
Summer break is a long stretch when lunch isn't a sure thing. A good meal and a friendly face can make the whole day lighter for a kid.
Want to help keep these lunches coming all season? You can pitch in at sealevelketchikan.org/sunny. Every gift puts another lunch in the hands of a local kid.

The Community Connections Early Learning Program (ELP) shares the message that empathy begins in the earliest moments of life. Even before words, infants experience connection through touch, voice, and presence. Empathy grows through these early connections, shaping how children understand themselves and others throughout their lives. Knowing about healthy stress responses can benefit you and your baby in many ways. Learn more about infant responses with our Early Learning Program at https://comconnections.org/services/early-learning-program/

https://comconnections.org/careers/ find more info here on our Careers Page.

On this Memorial Day, we pause in gratitude and reverence for the brave men and women who answered the call and never came home.

They left behind families, dreams, and futures so that we could wake up in a country where freedom isn’t just a word it’s a promise kept by their sacrifice. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, from quiet graves in small-town cemeteries to the rolling fields of Arlington, their courage echoes through every sunrise we’re blessed to see.

Today isn’t about sales or cookouts. It’s about remembering the ones who gave everything so we could gather around those grills, camp without worry, and laugh with the people we love. It’s about teaching our children that freedom has a face, a name, and a cost.

To every Gold Star family carrying an empty chair at the table today: we see you, we honor you, and we stand with you. Your loved one’s light still shines in the liberty we cherish.

May we live lives worthy of their sacrifice. May we never take a single day of peace for granted. And may God forever hold close those who gave their last breath for ours.

With a full heart and humbled spirit,
Thank you.
We will never forget.