Your November Newsletter is Here!

Check out all the FUN!

Executive Director's Corner

Dear Friends,

As we enter this season of Thanks and Giving, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supports the Funhouse Commons.

This coming year, as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we reflect on the journey we've shared and the lives we've impacted together. To everyone who has been part of our mission—as donors, volunteers, board members, staff, consultants, or participants—THANK YOU. Your dedication fuels our vision, filling us with hope and purpose for the work ahead.

In a world often marked by chaos and uncertainty, the Funhouse Commons stands as a haven of Belonging and Discovery. Here, we create a nurturing space where respect, joy, and dignity flourish, providing young people with positive, life-affirming experiences and a place to call their own.

Our commitment is to never turn families away due to financial need, which means we rely on the generosity of individual donors like you.

As we step into this season of Giving, we are reminded of the words of Albert Einstein: “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”

Will you join us in supporting this mission to inspire the young hearts and minds in our community?

In our 25th year, we are thrilled to expand opportunities through our MAST initiative—Music, Art, Science, and Technology. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

Richie Moore Song Shop: A new creative space for young people to explore music, connect with self-expression, and experience the transformative power of songwriting and recording.
Art: We’re expanding our reach to inspire even more young artists, nurturing their creativity and artistic spirit.
Science: Beyond our annual Science Fair, we continue fostering curiosity with outdoor discovery programs, astronomy, and science clubs.
Technology: With a new 3D printer lab and electronics classes, our tech programs empower young innovators to bring their ideas to life.

We cannot do this alone. Your tax-deductible donation will help us raise the MAST and provide every child the chance to explore, discover, and find belonging.

Please consider making a gift today. The more you give the more you will receive.

It takes a Village, and the Funhouse.

Ryan Carpenter

Executive Director

Fun Happenings.....

Meet Antonio!

On the first day of our new outdoor discovery squad program, while sitting on the dock at Mountain Lake, the fourth and fifth graders sat in a circle and were asked to introduce themselves and share what their favorite animal of the Pacific Northwest was. The answers were incredible! We heard everything from “my cat," to “meat," and then one kid answered, “capybaras!" The whole group bonded over our shared love of the world‘s largest rodent, who is not, in fact, native to the Pacific Northwest.

Little did the group know, that Maddie, our Youth Development Program Director, happened to know someone who has a pet capybara on San Juan Island. Antonio, the capybara together with his roommates, Lynette and Bobby, surprised the Outdoor Discovery Squad and all of the kids in the afterschool program with a little visit!

Fun fact: Capybaras sweat when they get nervous!

Dia de los Muertos

An "Altar Colectivo" ceremony honoring the memory of loved ones was exhibited at the Funhouse for Dia de los Muertos. This beautiful event was lovingly curated by Griselda Cruz, Funhouse Spanish- Speaking Community Liason. Griselda together with other community members shared their culture, food and drinks with all who attended this family-friendly event.

A Fun-Filled Night at the Teen Halloween Party

This year’s teen Halloween party was tons of fun! The Funhouse was decked out with creepy-cool decorations ready to welcome teens as they showed up in their creative costumes ready for the costume contest!

There was dancing, karaoke, lots of candy, spooky movies and yummy homemade pizza prepared by our ED Ryan.

It was a night full of laughter, friendship, and of course, plenty of scares!