|
|
SEEING POTENTIAL, NOT POVERTY
|
|
|
*Correction: September's newsletter had two errors we wanted to correct!*
The wonderful car, "Violet," was donated by Joan Woodard.
The Lake City Auto champion who has helped tremendously with RIDES is Jessica.
We are thankful for your commitment to Kootenai County as we work together to promote the human flourishing of our neighbors. Here's a peak into what we've been up to:
|
|
|
JOIN US - Mental Health Workshop November 14 at North Idaho College
|
|
|
One of the key pillars of the Charity Reimagined mission is to facilitate education opportunities for our local helping organizations to better equip them to assist their clients. Every fall, we host a large conference with guest speakers focused on a key issue facing our community.
This year, the topic most requested is Mental Health Education: specifically, how to better communicate with and support the people who are seeking help and resources.
This is unsurprising when you consider that 1 in 5 adults in the United States
experience mental illness, but less than half
are receiving treatment.
Mental Health is far more than a statistic. It has a ripple effect within an individual's life and community that begs to be understood to effectively help those in need.
We are thrilled to host a hands-on mental health workshop on November 14 at North Idaho College that will empower participants to unravel the complexity of mental health and provide practical tools they can apply to their specific context.
In this hands-on, skills-based workshop, we will explore two critical questions: Why do some people get stuck in counterproductive behaviors, and how can we effectively support them to achieve greater success?
Our keynote speaker is Keith Orchard
, a local, nationally recognized expert in mental health. In the morning session, he will delve into the foundational concepts of trauma and its impact on brain development and the stress response system. Attendees will learn and practice techniques for working with individuals who are angry or shut down. They will also learn practical de-escalation methods and motivational communication strategies to better support and serve the people they work with.
The afternoon session will consist of two panels: one with Mental Health Care Providers and one with users of Mental Health Services. Louisa Rogers, Director of the North Idaho College Center for New Direction, will be the panel moderator for both panels.
This workshop is for people who want to improve their understanding, communication, and interaction with people who are struggling with mental health issues. Tickets are $30, and lunch is included. Seating is limited to 100, and about 25 tickets are left. If you would like to join us for this workshop, use this link to register:
REGISTER NOW
|
|
|
“My biggest achievement is maintaining sobriety after being a hardcore alcoholic my entire life.”
This is quite the statement when you know how amazing Joshua’s "entire life" is. He is 71 years old, an Army veteran, a cancer survivor and a mentor to others living a similar journey. He attributes his turn-around to the assistance he received from many organizations after hitting rock bottom
and going to prison for multiple DUIs in 2017.
Judge Mitchell with Mental Health Court
saw potential in Joshua, not just his failures. And so began his uphill climb: taking accountability for his life and maintaining his sobriety.
After graduating Mental Health Court in 2018, Joshua turned to St. Vincent de Paul
for support with housing, budgeting and figuring out what was possible on his income.
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately, Joshua’s physical health is failing. His lungs, his eyes and his heart are all
making it difficult for him to be mobile. Although he is proud that he got his driver’s license back, he realizes that his ability to drive safely is coming to an end.
Joshua needs a power chair so he can continue to take care of himself, keep his many
appointments and continue to mentor other Mental Health Court participants. Because Joshua doesn’t like to ask for help or depend on other people, he went on his own to see if he could afford to buy his power chair. Working with his case manager, they both realized that wasn’t going to be possible on his current income.
Christmas for All Year
(CFA-Y) was excited to help Joshua get his power chair. He insisted on paying what he could and is making monthly, affordable payments to the supplier. CFA-Y happily picked up the balance.
Joshua has not had a drink or used drugs since 2016. With the help of many people who have helped him believe in himself, he says he has overcome that obsession. Joshua is now a man with a purpose, helping others to overcome the same hurdles.
So often, we get the honor of helping in a small but powerful way in a story that is far beyond our own assistance. Joshua is a perfect example of the interplay between personal investment in him from other people and multiple organizations, and his own gumption to take the next step at every turn along his journey.
|
|
|
DOING BENEVOLENCE BETTER
(with dignity)
Reimagining charity is about digging into how we help the needy:
Not just loving with our hearts and hands but loving with our minds, too.
|
|
|
As Joshua’s story illustrates, those we walk alongside are truly on a journey
to flourishing.
It is often a long, messy road that can leave us as helping organizations feeling burdened and weary. While we at Charity Reimagined clearly believe in the importance of effective practices, it's important we remember that we are first and foremost called to be faithful. We are called to labor well
(read: truly steward the lives we impact), but we cannot idolize perfection on this messy journey.
In this article
by True Charity
, they talk about the concept of faithfulness. In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable of servants being given talents to steward. The master commends the servants who used what they had been given wisely: “Well done, good and faithful
servant.”
He doesn’t say, “Well done, good and highly successful servant,” or “Well done, good and super connected and influential servant.” He highlights faithfulness. Webster’s definition of “faithful” describes someone who is “steadfast in affection or allegiance. First in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.”
The author shares:
" In my not-so-distant past, I struggled with the false belief that I needed to rescue those around me who were hurting—if I didn’t, who else would?
That feels silly to even type out and see in print, but it was a very real false belief I carried for years. I don’t think that’s too uncommon for those of us in compassion-related ministries. But there is no better way for the enemy to weigh us down and keep us from thriving than to fool us into picking up heavy burdens we weren’t designed to carry."
At times when we begin to grow weary, let’s consider what our real real goal is. If it’s anything other than the faithfulness of loving God and others, we are picking up burdens not created for us to carry. On the other hand, laying those aside and running the race with understanding will bring a lightness in our spirit and a joy in the journey.
As you labor to be faithful and strive to do benevolence better, we encourage you to take a moment out of your day to listen to True Charity's 6 minute podcast
on this topic!
|
|
|
REFERRING PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
|
|
|
Family Promise of North Idaho
|
|
|
Family Promise of North Idaho
(FPNI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families with children facing homelessness achieve sustainable independence. Through a network of local churches, volunteers, and community partners, FPNI provides temporary shelter, meals, case management, and support services. Their holistic approach not only meets immediate needs but also empowers families with the tools and resources needed to regain stability, secure housing, and rebuild their lives. FPNI is committed to fostering hope and transforming lives, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to thrive.
|
|
|
|
Referring Partners are the boots on the ground, our community's Unsung Heroes, serving the poor who refer their clients to Charity Reimagined for specific assistance tailored to our work.
|
|
|
BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
|
|
|
At Post Falls Family Dental
, you'll find a dedicated team committed to providing you with the highest quality dental care in a setting that feels like home. Nestled in the heart of Post Falls, ID, their clinic stands as a beacon of health and wellness, offering a comprehensive range of dental services designed to meet the needs of every family member, from the youngest to the oldest.
|
|
|
|
Business Partners offer their services at a discount in order to meet the needs of those rising out of hardship. They give clients the dignity of interacting in the business world for their needs, not just receiving handouts. The role played by these partners cannot be overstated!
|
|
|
Donor's Corner: Why We Give
"
I support Charity Reimagined because I believe in the basic premise that individuals and
families in need should be provided constructive help to assist them in meeting their needs and
goals. I am encouraged that Charity Reimagined gives assistance to those needing it in a way
that allows them to participate in improving their specific situations, in other words, a ‘hand up’
instead of a ‘hand out.’ The work that this organization has done by helping families toward a
more prosperous and productive future is to be commended. Please join me in supporting this
worthy cause ."
-Dianne Hunt
|
|
|
If you're new or would like to learn more, we'd love to grab coffee with you and get connected. Your partnership makes effective charity in Kootenai County possible.
|
|
|
OUR VISION
No matter how big or small, no single church, charity, or “helping” organization can meet all needs. But, by all of us working together through communication and collaboration to identify categories of care and responding appropriately, pride can replace shame, hope can replace despair, and lives can be changed.
|
|
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}*
|
|
|
|
