This story first appeared in Fulcrum Foundation’s 2024 Community Report.
From a very young age, Paulina Thurmann dreamt of being an educator. Her greatest mentors were those she witnessed walking amongst vulnerable populations and devoting their lives to building a just world through humble leadership.
Paulina was blessed to attend Catholic schools as a child, graduating from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California. She also served at the Cristo Rey school in Philadelphia through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Enrollment at Gonzaga University brought her to Washington State, and she knew immediately the Pacific Northwest would be her home.
Landing a position as the Campus Minister at Eastside Catholic, Paulina was elated and ready to put her long-awaited aspirations into practice mentoring young people, leading retreats, and organizing service immersion opportunities. Her excitement was replaced by distress, however, when she began to search for housing and faced the rising costs of living in the Seattle area.
Clearly the Holy Spirit was at play when Paulina learned from a friend about the Innovative Housing Project being implemented in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. The Fulcrum Foundation and the Office for Catholic Schools partnered to renovate the former convent at St. Alphonsus Parish to create affordable housing units for new educators teaching in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Paulina knew this program was an answer to her prayers as the affordable all-inclusive rent was well within her budget. What she did not predict, however, was how her new home would enrich her life and new career in profound ways.
Intentional communities are designed around a shared set of values and goals. For Catholic educators, this typically means a focus on faith, service, and education. The St. Alphonsus community includes shared living spaces, communal meals, and collaborative decision-making, creating an environment where educators support each other both personally and professionally.
Paulina shares “I knew I was getting a great deal on rent, but I had no idea I was joining a group of fellow young educators who would become my new Pacific Northwest family.” Teachers share resources, collaborate on projects, and offer mutual encouragement, which enhances their effectiveness in the classroom. Regular prayer and faith-based discussions become integral parts of daily life, deepening their spiritual lives and strengthening their commitment to their vocation.
As the demand for innovative housing grows, the model of intentional community living for Catholic educators presents a compelling option. It addresses the pressing need for affordable housing while fostering a supportive, mission-driven environment. It is a powerful example of how faith-based principles can address contemporary challenges in education and housing.
Paulina is grateful “both for the practical benefits of this living arrangement, and the opportunity to enrich my personal and professional life.”