In 1997, The Coffee Oasis began with the dream of building safe, supportive relationships with youth as they navigated the hardships of homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration, and trauma. The call on Dave and Cindy Frederick’s lives was to bring the hope of Christ to the pain on the streets. What started as visitation and worship services in Kitsap County Jail and teen nights on Fridays at The Coffee Oasis turned into a legacy of wraparound services providing resources and support for youth when they need it most.

Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Ken & Gail Blair, founders of the Pearce Forcier Memorial Scholarship, who chose The Coffee Oasis as the recipient of a generous portion of their remaining balance as they close down their nonprofit after 13 years of generosity towards youth in Kitsap County.

Although they have served youth in a different capacity–providing hockey scholarships for youth who wouldn’t have the means to play otherwise, the heartbeat of caring for youth in Kitsap County is the same.

The Pearce Forcier Legacy Foundation began as a way to honor their grandson who passed away in a tragic accident in 2010 when he was caught in a rip tide off the Oregon coast. Ken and Gail reflect fondly on their grandson and the joy he brought to those around him. “He was our first grandson. Every time we’d have a get together, all the grandkids were hanging on him. They just loved him. He was always really patient with the little kids.”

Pearce began playing hockey as soon as the ice rink opened around the age of 15. The inspiration for the nonprofit came about in remembrance of the generosity Pearce and his brother had received when their family was in a tight spot. Their family couldn’t afford for two kids to play hockey, but someone anonymously paid for them to play.

The funding for the nonprofit came about through a massive rummage sale Ken & Gail would hold once a year. They went out all year long to garage sales and estate sales to collect items for the sale. One year, they had four storage units full of mostly donated items. Another year, Gail counted 120 boxes in their living room before the sale. Ken even made patio chairs out of old hockey sticks. For the course of two days, they would set up a second hand store to raise funds to provide scholarships and equipment for youth.

Two years ago, it became more challenging to continue and they knew they needed to let it go. “It was an emotional thing after all these years to say we were done.” Gail shared that, “my grandson, Pearce’s brother, had been heavily involved and didn’t want it to disband, but I told him that I think it ran its course; it helped everyone in the family heal.”

Gail was a public health nurse in Bremerton and had known about The Coffee Oasis for years. “We wanted it to stay in Kitsap, and with kids, which met the objectives of our 501c3.” Ken & Gail were drawn to the wrap-around services and housing for youth to become independent.

The legacy of the Pierce Forcier Foundation will live on in the resources and services it will provide for youth in Kitsap who come to The Coffee Oasis often as a last resort. The dedication of Ken & Gail Blair and their family in meeting the needs of youth in the community aligns with the mission of The Coffee Oasis to restore community.

This restoration can look like a teen finding safe shelter or having a mentor to help navigate substance abuse, but it can also look like the opportunity to play hockey because of the generosity of others.

We are grateful for the generosity of Pearce Forcier’s family as this season of running their memorial foundation comes to a close. Through this gift, resources will be provided for teens and young adults in Kitsap county when they need it most.

Written by: Caryn Wright // Date Written: 02/11/2025 //

“We wanted it to stay in Kitsap, and with kids.”