By Ann McCreary
Through donations from two long-time supporters, Room One has purchased its building at 315 Lincoln St. in Twisp and, for the first time in its 16-year history, has a permanent home.
“Everyone is so excited, not just for the stability it brings to the organization, but because it allows us some vision space,” said Room One director Elana Mainer.
Two Room One supporters, who have asked to remain anonymous, offered last year to provide funding for a permanent home for the nonprofit, which provides an array of social services to Methow Valley residents.
“In June the first donor came forward and said they always wanted Room One, and domestic violence services in particular, to stay in the community,” Mainer said.
When a second donor offered support, Room One staff and board members began looking last fall for a building to purchase in Twisp. Ultimately, they decided their current building, which has housed Room One since 2007, would be the best choice.
“It’s a very imperfect building, but in the end we were able to negotiate a pretty reasonable price and will have some money left over for improvements,” Mainer said.
In the near future, Room One plans to install a heat pump for better heating and cooling, upgrade the building’s electrical system, and rearrange the interior “so there are really clear access points to the different services,” Mainer said.
Mainer said the building already has features that are important to the social services agency, including wheelchair access and a private entrance for clients using health and family planning services.
Room One was created in 1998 to provide teen pregnancy prevention services. It got its name from its first location — Room One of the Methow Valley Community Center. Room One later moved to offices across the street, and then to the Lincoln Street building in 2007.
It has grown into a social services organization that provides services and referrals in many areas, including mental health, family support, domestic violence, health and family planning, aging, and food and nutrition.
“The building is going to be a good investment for us,” Mainer said. “In the next year we will definitely be looking to the community to volunteer time and be part of building this new home.”
