A basket of colorful face masks is just one of the safety measures in place for Community Foundation staffers who choose to come in to work starting next week.

 By Curt Detjen, President and CEO, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region

After working “safer at home” since mid-March, our Community Foundation team is gradually and safely moving back into our newly expanded and renovated office space. And what a welcoming space to “come home” to!

Our new front lobby entrance

As we have been working remotely, we’re grateful to our contractors who have been hard at work, completing the first phase to allow our return. They are several weeks ahead of schedule on the full project.

Last fall we announced we’re doubling our current office space, and the demolition gave our staff a chance to take a whack at making room for new walls, offices, meeting rooms and hallways. And of course our new interiors will reflect the rebranding effort we launched last month.  Here’s an article and video from our Demolition Day at the Community Foundation. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in a few short months!

I can’t share the exciting update about our renovation without acknowledging the top-notch work done by the team at The Boldt Company, who has gone over and above to ensure all aspects of this project from demolition to the finishing touches are being done safely and with excellence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Boldt family right now with the passing of our dear friend O.C. Boldt. We shared our memories and his legacy in yesterday’s Loop article. I hope you can give it a read.

Next week we’ll be able to move into the first section of the office that has been renovated, formerly occupied by Community Care. However, no one is required to return to the office. We created a plan to help those who want to and can to return safely and confidently. We divided the staff into two teams (affectionately called Rutabagas and Radishes) to limit interactions. Members from each team can come into the office any of the days of their week or continue to work from home.

While we value our role as a community convener, the priority now must be keeping everyone safe and healthy. Therefore, we’re continuing to hold all of our meetings by phone or video conferencing through July 10. Because the situation is evolving, we will continue to take guidance from public officials and evaluate the timing to resume any in-person meetings.  We will let you know when we think it is safe to receive visitors. 

Renovations include enhancements to improve health and safety in our office space, for example installing touchless faucets at our sinks. For now, when we are in the office, we’ll wear masks in the common areas and make use of the hand sanitizer as we keep a safe distance.  We welcome these little changes and embrace the bigger ones as part of caring for one another and ourselves. 

Renovations in our former offices continue and we eagerly anticipate completion of the entire office space by late summer.  Until then, enjoy these photos of our new space. I look forward to a time in the future when we can give you the grand tour in person! 

We have a new look! Learn how we flourish together here.