The Nest reopens with new improvements

Park coffee house kicks off second year

The+Nest+student+employee%2C+senior+Cole+Nugteren%2C+and+other+board+members+discuss+plans+and+ideas+for+the+upcoming+reopening+of+the+Nest+Sept.3.+With+the+reopening+of+the+Nest%2C+there%E2%80%99s+a+new+youth+coordinator%2C+Symone+Wilson%2C+who+is+an+integral+part+of+helping+the+Nest+grow+in+the+community.

Anna Benishek

The Nest student employee, senior Cole Nugteren, and other board members discuss plans and ideas for the upcoming reopening of the Nest Sept.3. With the reopening of the Nest, there’s a new youth coordinator, Symone Wilson, who is an integral part of helping the Nest grow in the community.

Maria Perez-Barriga

With the renovations completed, senior Cole Nugteren said he is looking forward to seeing the reactions of incoming students with the reopening of the Nest.

“We have our street done now so that’s going to be super nice,” Nugteren said. “I am  excited to see now (that) we are more of an establishment, how the new generations of students coming in will respond to us.”

The Nest chair Julia Schmelzer said for the second year she is expecting for the Nest to run better than last year.

“I am looking forward to getting more of a groove for the Nest as an organization (so) it can run more smoothly. I am hoping we could create a structure so it is a little bit more sustainable,” Schmelzer said. 

Senior Joey Mack said the Nest reopening will create a secure environment for people to gather around and have conversations.

“I think it’s going to be a huge success. (The Nest) is going to reopen its doors to the people who really need a safe place to talk to (somebody) and also provide a nice community space for everyone,” Mack said. 

Schmelzer said she is eager for the Nest to open again. The board members are implementing a plan for the Nest to expand. 

“I am really looking forward to the reopening of the Nest. I feel very excited about year two and the planning that we have in place to grow for the second year,” Schmelzer said. 

Schmelzer said board members are planning to continue expanding the staff at the Nest.

“We are continuing to actively fundraise to ideally have more staff and we have student employees that work at the coffee shop. We will continue to hire more students to do that role (of working as employees for the Nest),” Schmelzer said.  

I am really looking forward to the reopening of the Nest. I feel very excited about year two and the planning that we have in place to grow for the second year.

— Julia Schmelzer

According to Schmelzer, there are new staff members working to reshape and promote the Nest.

“We also have a student intern, Rachel Stein. She is going to be working here as well (as) Symone Wilson.  (Wilson will be) promoting the Nest with the students shaping things for the future and all of that I am excited about that,” Schmelzer said.

Schmelzer said  there will be some changes to the adult and student board in order to help make the Nest expand. 

“We are looking at reshaping the board structure to strengthen the student voice (since) students are shaping the activities that are happening in here and then we are hoping to also strengthen our student board to make a stronger non-profit organization,” Schmelzer said.

Mack said he is anticipating the new activities he will help put on when working at the Nest again this year. 

“(I am looking forward to) all the little events (the Nest has) opened like the Battle of the Bands,” Mack said.

The Nest will be reopening 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sep. 3. They will be open Monday through Friday at 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.