Whether it’s a walk down the street, a drop-off at school, or a trip to the hardware store, there’s always a friendly face to be found in Ritzville, WA.
“There are familiar and kind faces all around town and helpful hands whenever you need them,” shares Kayli Maier, a Ritzville resident and Community Heart & Soul® participant. “That’s one of the really cool parts of living in a small town.”
Last fall, Ritzville became the newest small town in our region to launch the Community Heart & Soul program through Innovia. The program’s resident-driven process has invited Ritzville to lean into its strong community spirit. At a kick-off meeting, residents were asked what they love about their community, and their replies flowed easily: “The giving spirit.” “Friendly folk.” “Good place to raise a family.”
Feedback like this is what drives the Heart & Soul process, allowing the community to uncover common ground and build the foundation needed to bring dreams for the future to life. As much as Ritzville residents love their home, they also care about the ways it could change for the better. Some of their hopes for the future include revitalization for downtown infrastructure and small businesses, more investment in community celebrations, and improved options for seniors to live locally.
This spring, Ritzville entered Phase 1 of the program, an imagination phase in which local Heart & Soul leaders begin building awareness, interest, and commitment in all segments of community, including those that are usually not at the table. This work naturally comes with challenges, but leaders like core-team member Jamie Francisco are excited to see how a shared goal will bring the community even closer.
“This program will allow people to come together that normally wouldn’t cross paths and see others in a new light, full of daily grace,” shares Jamie. “We all have challenges, trials, hopes, and dreams.”
Read below for a full interview with Kayli and Jamie.
What is your history in Ritzville and what do you love about the community?
Kayli: Growing up, I always thought the coolest people came from Ritzville. If you would’ve told tween Kayli that she was going to marry a boy from Ritzville one day, she would be very excited! I moved here in 2015, but my husband’s family has been rooted in the area for 5 generations. Our kids make 6 generations! Ritzville has always had the best of both worlds — a small town feel with all the fun, including a bowling alley, movie theater, playgrounds, waterpark, and McDonalds. A kid’s paradise!
What I love about the community is that I feel safe here. I know almost all of the staff members in my kids’ school. When I’m out on walks with my kids, I pass people of all ages and most everyone is friendly and stops for a chat. I can go downtown for a high-quality facial. We have an excellent doctor that my father-in-law grew up with. I frequent Nicole’s Boutique for cute clothes and gifts. There are familiar and kind faces all around town and helpful hands whenever you need them. That’s one of the really cool parts of living in a small town. The guys at Ace have helped me with everything from picking out paint colors and sheens for my house to fixing my kid’s bike chain. I know I can walk in there with anything and they’ll help me. There are so many people like that in this community — if you just ask, they’re more than happy to help.
Jamie: We moved here four and a half years ago for my husband’s career. What I love about the community in Ritzville is the breadth and depth of connections we’ve made with the people that have made us feel welcomed and loved, creating a lasting feeling of home — not only with the town, but with the people who make up the community.
What inspired you to get involved in Community Heart and Soul?
Kayli: From speaking with my mother-in-law, she has been part of many efforts to bring the community together or resolve issues. People disagree and the forward progress comes to a halt and leaves wounds. John Kragt introduced us to Community Heart & Soul, and it sounded like the thing this community has been missing.
Jamie: What inspired me to get involved in Community Heart & Soul is the sense of belonging and knowing the people who live here. Having lived all over the country, I know firsthand how meaningful and critical feeling connected matters to the well-being of a person, family, and thriving community. This connectedness should be for all those who live, work, and play in Ritzville!
After the Phase 1 training last week, what next steps are you most excited about as Ritzville moves forward with the program?
Kayli: I look forward to hearing the stories and seeing what this process might spark for other people. I feel a sense of pride for our community.
Jamie: After the Phase 1 training, I am most excited for the story gathering and helping others foster new connections.
What challenges do you hope the program might help address?
Kayli: We all want downtown to be beautiful and revived, but when it comes down to people choosing Ritzville instead of driving to other cities, the support isn’t there. I’ve seen countless attempts of businesses downtown start and close shortly thereafter.
Jamie: I hope this program will help address some historical biases and stereotypes — to help us see we are all human. This program will allow people to come together that normally wouldn’t cross paths and see others in a new light, full of daily grace. We all have challenges, trials, hopes, and dreams.
