Connection Café: Creating Space for Partnerships to Grow
In rural communities such as Siskiyou County, our greatest strength that we can leverage is our strong relationships. Connection Café, our quarterly networking event hosted through the Community Schools Program, was created with that belief at its core.
Borrowed from a successful model in Shasta County and adapted to meet local needs, Connection Café was born out of a clear gap: schools and community partners needed intentional space to connect, share, and build relationships, without the pressure of a formal agenda. What began as an idea has grown into a meaningful opportunity for collaboration across Siskiyou County.
An Intentional, Low-Pressure Format
Connection Café is designed to be welcoming, relational, and accessible. Each two-hour event brings together community school coordinators, school staff, and local partners in a relaxed setting focused on learning from one another.
At the heart of each gathering are 3–5 brief presentations from organizations or school sites. These presenters share overviews of their programs, with a particular emphasis on opportunities for partnership- how their work supports students and families, and how schools and community partners might collaborate more intentionally.
Each quarter features a topic focus that helps guide the selection of presenters and the subsequent conversations. Past topics have included:
- Food and nutrition resources
- Student support services
- Partnership development
- Community involvement and student stewardship
Rather than driving toward outcomes or decisions, the goal is to spark curiosity, awareness, and connection.
“Connection Café has been a clear benefit by strengthening alignment between our long-standing child nutrition work and the California Community Schools approach. The relationships developed through these gatherings have improved coordination with school partners, reduced duplication of effort, and strengthened our ability to connect nutrition supports with other services that students and families rely on.”
-Paula Rynolds, Great Northern Services
Where Connection Really Happens
Following the presentations, participants transition into open networking time over coffee and pastries. This portion of the event is intentionally unstructured, allowing conversations to flow naturally as people make introductions, exchange contact information, and share resources.
While Connection Café officially lasts two hours, it’s not uncommon for attendees to continue conversations well beyond the scheduled end time—an organic sign of the value participants find in simply having the space to connect.
“There is truly no substitute for the magic that happens when people are in the same room. The immediate connection, trust-building, and shared understanding that emerges in these spaces is unlike any other experience.”
-Mona Angelini, Golden Eagle Charter School
Impact on Community Schools and Partners
Connection Café has become a catalyst for new relationships and strengthened partnerships across Siskiyou County. Community school coordinators often leave with a clearer understanding of available resources, while partners gain insight into school needs and opportunities to align their services more effectively. For many, the event reinforces a sense of shared purpose and collective investment in student success.
“What I really love about Connection Cafe is that it has become our community space- a place where community school coordinators can get together to not only learn, but to share, and to become bonded in the work of supporting our students and families. It’s information caring, not just information sharing.”
-Kate O’Brian-Mann, Northern United Charter School
Why Connection Café Matters
Connection Café reflects the heart of the Community Schools approach: collaboration, trust, and responsiveness to local needs. By prioritizing relationship-building over formal agendas, the event creates conditions where meaningful partnerships can form—partnerships that ultimately benefit students, families, and the broader community.
As one participant shared:
“We have doubled the number of families reached as a result of increased partnership through the Connection Cafe. The ongoing collaboration ensures that families not only feel supported but also empowered, reinforcing our collective commitment to strengthening family support, preventing child abuse and nurturing resilience.”
-Karen Pautz, First 5 Siskiyou
Looking Ahead
As Connection Café continues to evolve, future gatherings will build on the relationships already formed, highlighting new topics, welcoming new partners, and strengthening existing connections. Each event reinforces the idea that when schools and communities come together with intention, lasting impact is possible.
We are grateful to the presenters, community school coordinators, partners, and participants who continue to show up, share their work, and invest in connection. We look forward to many more conversations (and pastries!) ahead.
In Partnership,
Michelle Line
Siskiyou County Community School Lead