Michele Chapman has deep roots on Whidbey Island. She comes from two generations of Navy service at NAS Whidbey: her grandfather was stationed and retired in Oak Harbor, and her father, uncle and aunt all graduated from Oak Harbor High School. With her father in the Navy as well, the family traveled the world but returned to Oak Harbor in the late 1970s. Michele graduated from OHHS and has lived most of her adult life right here on Whidbey Island.
Michele Chapman has deep roots on Whidbey Island. She comes from two generations of Navy service at NAS Whidbey: her grandfather was stationed and retired in Oak Harbor, and her father, uncle and aunt all graduated from Oak Harbor High School. With her father in the Navy as well, the family traveled the world but returned to Oak Harbor in the late 1970s. Michele graduated from OHHS and has lived most of her adult life right here on Whidbey Island.
Chapman’s local roots built strong resolve for SPiN Cafe Her years in Whidbey culture and community have informed Michele’s attitude about SPiN and our guests.
“Our guests are people,” she says. “The man you see on the street, he’s someone’s son. The woman down at the laundromat, that’s someone’s sister or mother. They’re part of our community, they belong here, they live here, and when they struggle to care for themselves, it’s our responsibility as a community to step up and care for them.”
Michele’s varied work career has taken her from school bus driver to property management to church administration to bookkeeping, and she has volunteered in numerous roles for nonprofits around the island. Those roles, and her efforts as a mom of four now-adult children – three of whom she homeschooled with help from numerous community resources – have convinced her of the importance of working together for common good.
As Treasurer for Spin Cafe, Michele focused on building a strong, reportable financial base. As Executive Director, she “looks forward to working with people who volunteer for a cause that is completely outside themselves, from the goodness of their hearts.”
Michele is excited to see SPiN re-open a day center at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. As soon as final details are worked out, this will happen any day now. She also sees, with additional funding support, a resumption of our hot meal service for homeless and disadvantaged individuals and families, as well as those who just need a meal because their paycheck didn’t stretch.
There’s another vision, further along: a permanent home for SPiN Cafe. The day center at St. Stephen’s is temporary; Michele is well aware of that and knows she will be driving the effort to find a long-term solution for our neighbors in need.
“We have a Senior Center in this town,” Michele reminds us. “We need it. Seniors need it. Our fellow citizens want it. And the City provides it. We also need a Community Center, a place where people in need can go to get a meal, get a cup of coffee, or just get out of the weather. It’s vital that we find a home. It will make our community a better place. I am looking forward to Serving People in Need as Spin Cafe’s Executive Director.”