Quixote Communities
New Horizon Communities (previously Quixote Communities) provides permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Restoring Hope.
We provide housing in Mason, Pierce, and Thurston Counties. New Horizon Communities (previously known as Quixote Communities) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated under the name Panza that was originally created to help support Camp Quixote, a tent city in Olympia, Washington. After the Camp was about to be evicted, the local faith-based community provided sanctuary by hosting the camp.
07/08/2024
We are changing our name!
As we plan for our future growth and reflect on our history, we believe the phrase, “new horizon” captures the spirit of those who planted the seeds for our nonprofit Panza, currently known as Quixote Communities. New Horizon Communities refers to new opportunities, possibilities, and experiences that lie ahead. In the spirit of Panza and Quixote Communities, it signifies a sense of exploration, growth, and the pursuit of new goals and aspirations.
Our legal nonprofit name will still be Panza, as an ode to our grassroots and the incredible people who paved the way for us to be where we are today. We will now be going by Panza dba New Horizon Communities and believe the new name reflects a sense of exploration, optimism, and excitement as we continue the mission of Rebuilding Lives and Restoring Hope.
We have a few more things ON THE HORIZON....that will increase housing in our local communities but can't give out the details just yet! Stay tuned...
07/05/2024
07/02/2024
The recent Supreme Court ruling decided that jurisdictions are able to criminalize homelessness by fining and arresting individuals merely for sleeping outside.
Arresting and fining people for trying to survive is expensive, counterproductive, cruel, and not the best use of taxpayer resources. We are beyond saddened by their decision in . We call on you to reach out to your elected officials, encouraging them to implement programs with proven success and a return on investment of taxpayer dollars.
Despite the loss, we are very grateful to the thousands of advocates who have united over this issue. We will continue to use this collective power to ensure housing for all.
As a reminder, proven solutions to reduce homelessness:
● Universal rental assistance for low-income households
● Repair and preserve public housing
● National Housing Trust Fund
● Eviction and homelessness prevention
● Permanent supportive housing
Read the full SCOTUS opinion.
06/29/2024
We are excited to participate in the Capital City Pride Parade on June 30th! Be sure to give us a shout as you see us along the parade route!
We are excited to participate in the Capital City Pride Parade on June 30th! Be sure to give us a shout as you see us along the parade route!
06/28/2024
Summer Fun at our Orting Veterans Village!
06/27/2024
On June 21st we were blessed to honor residents of our Veterans Village who have passed. This was an Eagle Scout project by Caleb J. Keiper who created a beautiful memorial, a special place to honor residents who have passed. We hope you enjoy this collage of photos from the event. Thank you to all who made this special project possible.
06/26/2024
Something is on the horizon....stay tuned!
06/21/2024
If you or an LGBTQ+ individual you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach a trained counselor at The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 and Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.
06/20/2024
Networking & making new friends at the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber Happy Hour Biz Expo!
On June 19th we honor Freedom Day.
On June 19, 1865 the Union Army informed people that slavery had been abolished. Juneteenth is seen as the symbolic end to slavery in the United States. It is not the official date for the end of the war or the end of slavery, but rather the moment that people in the west chose to celebrate the beginning of the transition from enslavement to freedom. Their order read:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
06/17/2024
Come say ‘hi’ to us at the 2024 Happy Hour Business Expo on Thursday, June 20! Support our business by visiting our table at this exciting event. There will be great food, drinks, entertainment, swag bags, and MORE – you won’t want to miss it! Guests must be 21+ to attend and registration is required. Register here: bit.ly/TPCC-2024-HHBE. We can’t wait to see you there!
06/17/2024
We have something to share soon...
06/14/2024
Since 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, Americans have commemorated the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in many ways–displaying the flag in the front of their homes, parades, and other patriotic observances. Visit Today in History - June 14 to learn more about the history of Flag Day.
Today in History - June 14 Flag Day
06/14/2024
Being your authentic self is one of the best ways to protect your . As we celebrate , learn more and find resources from Mental Health America: mhanational.org/pride 🏳️🌈
06/10/2024
Thank you so much to Charity and KeyBank team members for making a tremendous dent in our former "garden forrest" last week as part of your annual Volunteer Day in Motion!
The 2024 Pride Celebration Theme is, Reflect - Empower - Unite. In the spirit of reflection, here is a link to the dedication of the Stonewall National Monument as part of our National Parks system. https://youtu.be/ywtvJyXDWkk
06/05/2024
🌟 Come join us for "Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom" on Wednesday, June 19th from 4 pm to 7 pm at the ASHHO CULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER!
Let's come together to honor history, celebrate culture, and embrace the spirit of freedom. Don’t miss out on a day filled with music, food, and community! 🎉✨
Your Actions, Our Actions can make a positive impact, not only in recognition of World Enviornment Day, but in how we choose to interact, and be in community everyday. https://youtu.be/XEIESiYWP1A?feature=shared
05/31/2024
Thank you Dick Pust and KXXO's Community Podcast for the opportunity to share about not only our work, but how we all play a part in restoring hope.
Quixote Communities by KXXO's Your Community Podcast presented by Americool Colleen Carmichael, Executive Director of Quixote Communities, joins Dick. Find out how "the sky's the limit" when you have a place you can call home.
05/29/2024
Thank you West Olympia Rotary for Adopting a Tiny Home at our Olympia Village. You are making a difference!
Join us and NAMI this month in normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize
mental health care without guilt or shame, visit nami.org/mham to learn more, or visit NAMI Thurston Mason Counties at https://namitm.org/
11/28/2023
Thank you in advance - Donate today! https://bit.ly/49DkRky
11/27/2023
A community safely housed. A path to stability. A better quality of life. Your gift makes it possible. Donate today! https://bit.ly/49DkRky
P.S. early giving is open!
11/26/2023
early giving is open! Couldn't find the perfect gift? Give a gift that keeps on giving - the gift of a community safely housed, a path to stability, a better quality of life. Let us know it's in someone's honor & we'll send them a card on your behalf. Thank you for including us! https://bit.ly/49DkRky
11/23/2023
Wishing you & yours a Joy-Filled Thanksgiving.
11/21/2023
Thank you!
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Our Story
Quixote Communities (formerly known as Panza) started off as Camp Quixote, a tent city in downtown Olympia, Washington in 2007. When police threatened to break up the camp, the homeless residents and their activist supporters, The Poor People’s Union and Bread and Roses, asked the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation to provide space for the camp on the church's property. In February of 2007, the campers moved to OUUC, the first of seven local churches that would host the camp over the next six years.
Eventually Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County were all convinced to pass ordinances permitting the camp on church properties, but requiring 24 hours a day monitoring by church members, strict adherence to health and safety rules, and limited stays at each location. Inhabitants of the camp elected a Resident Council that defined the rules of residency, made sure they were being followed and was in charge of admissions.
Overseeing the camp and moving it from one church parking lot to another every three to six months was no easy task! Hundreds of volunteers helped with donations, security, finances, and transportation. We are forever grateful to them and to the faith communities that offered the camp support, including sanctuary on their land. Along the way Panza, a nonprofit organization, was created to support the camp.
The founders of Camp Quixote hoped to find land and build a permanent village for themselves, consisting of tiny houses and a shared building that would house showers, laundry, and cooking facilities. In time, with support from the City of Olympia and Thurston County, as well as our many volunteers and the camp residents themselves, Panza began to advocate for a permanent solution. A LOT of hard work ensued: a campaign for funding was launched, a search for a site undertaken, changes in city code were needed (because there was nothing written in policy for single units that share a common space!) and a conditional use permit obtained. We held multiple open forums to educate the community on who we are and what they could expect. Eventually Panza cobbled together funding from federal, state and local sources to make this vision a reality on a site provided by Thurston County for $1 a year, for 41 years. Construction began.
On December 24, 2013, the 30 residents of Camp Quixote left their tents behind and became residents of Quixote Village.
What began as a solution for homelessness in Thurston County, Washington, has become a fast-growing regional movement of Tiny House villages. Our vision is to see those in need gain a new footing in their lives through Tiny House communal living:
• Case management & accountability
• Peer mentorship and support
• Connections with community services
• Communal meals, chores, activities of daily living
We have seen so many successes at Quixote Village that we are now tripling our impact in the community and creating TWO more villages! The Orting Veterans Village is set to open August 2020 and we hope to open the Shelton Veterans Village in early 2021. For more information check out our website at www.quixotecommunities.org
For more information on our history check out our website at: http://www.quixotecommunities.org/blog/from-camp-quixote-gt-quixote-village
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Address
3350 Mottman Road SW
Olympia, WA
98512
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