Established in 1966 with a specific mission—to nurture children, enrich families and inspire community—Encompass preschool today has spread from the Snoqualmie Valley to Issaquah, Sammamish and the Greater Eastside.

Encompass is a preschool, but it’s also much more than than that, say the people behind the organization. According to Executive Director Gregory Malcolm, Encompass programs nurture both the typical children and those who are developmentally challenged, enriching families from all walks of life and inspiring community.

Encompass was voted “Best Local Non-Profit” in the Best of the Valley poll.

Below, Malcolm answered questions on Encompass success, vision and draw:

What makes Encompass successful?

The inspirational Encompass mission, the expertise, passion and dedication of staff to execute the mission and the deep and longstanding support of our thousands of program participants (especially parents and other caregivers of children), financial and in-kind donors, volunteers and others in the communities we serve. This support is especially important and heartwarming in the midst of our 45th anniversary year.

What’s something about Encompass that most folks around may not know?

Many in the communities we serve are familiar with one or two of our programs and services, but often they do not realize the wide-ranging breadth of our offerings, from nationally accredited preschool to therapy for all ages of children with speech, motor and other developmental challenges, from parenting workshops and one-on-one coaching to Family Nights and a Childcare Co-op, from an imaginative array of summer camps and enrichment classes to support and advocacy for families in need. Also, many do not know that everything we do is evidence-based – in other words, has been proven successful by studies in other settings. In addition, some do not know that we have programs for parents of middle-school-age children and older, from Super Sitters to a Camp Assistant Training Program. Some do not understand that we serve families from all walks of life.

Specific developments, of which many may not be aware, include:

• The opening in fall 2011 of two new sites—Encompass Downtown North Bend at 209 Main Ave. S., and Encompass Issaquah in Blakely Hall in the Issaquah Highlands—to augment our main campus at 1407 Boalch Ave. N.W., North Bend.

• The expansion in fall 2012 of our Monday-through-Wednesday preschool program to Thursdays and Fridays.

• The enhancement of our volunteer program that is leading to enhanced recruitment, training and retention of those contributing their time and talents on behalf of Encompass.

• The launch of a groundbreaking, four-part Parenting Counts workshop series, developed by the Talaris Institute, at Swedish Issaquah starting this May.

• The growth of our new Social Skills Groups and the launch of two classes (“Feeding 101” and “I Have a Picky Eater”) in May, all for parents of young children.

• Two high-profile spring events that this year are geared to our 45th anniversary: the “Dream with Me” Spring Gala on Saturday, April 21, at The Golf Club at Newcastle, and SipFest on Friday, May 18, at Historic Pickering Barn in Issaquah. These events provide support that is crucial to our sustainability.

What does the future hold for Encompass?

It is no secret that, even in this difficult economy, the Snoqualmie Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish and the greater Eastside are growing by leaps and bounds. With this growth comes a growing need for programs to serve children, families and their communities. In planning for the future, our staff and board are standing on the shoulders of giants who foresaw the need to build facilities, staff and programs to fulfill our mission.

We are indebted to this legacy in succeeding in an economic climate during which other nonprofits are struggling, and we are moving forward in enhancing our facilities, staff and programs in ways that serve our growing and changing communities and ensure our sustainability.

How can others get involved?

Avenues for involvement abound. You can come and tour Encompass, volunteer your time and talents. We have opportunities that fit all needs and desires.

You can attend a fundraising event. The two listed above (“Dream with Me” Spring Gala and SipFest) are right around the corner.

You can also visit our website, www.encompassnw.org, and our Facebook page, learn about our wide-ranging slate of workshops and activities and sign up for one. Or, drop in anytime during weekday business hours and encourage others to do so.

How does it feel to be selected as Best Non-profit?

We are both proud and humbled by this distinction, and we are deeply grateful for the vital support of the communities we serve.