Meet Everybody

Retirement, for me, means a chance to give back and my passion is helping people living in poverty break out of the cycle of dependency.  Charity Reimagined defines everything I believe to be true – most people are doing the best they can with what they have but their potential is much greater.  Once their crisis needs are addressed, some help developing their talents and skills will give them the chance to move onward and upward.

I believe everyone has God-given gifts and talents and capable of finding lifelong success.  Yet, after decades of spending trillions of dollars to eliminate poverty, a staggering 83% of people born into generational poverty remain trapped in the crisis of poverty their entire lives.  Clearly the “War on Poverty” has failed.  And while we cannot change government programs targeted to “help the poor,” at a local level we can focus our charitable help on providing genuine opportunities for our neighbors-in-need to succeed. This is the mission of Charity Reimagined.

I am passionate about serving my community and empowering individuals to see their worth and God- given talents.  Charity Reimagined is an organization that helps people see past their current circumstances and take a step toward a future beyond what they dreamed possible – it gives hope to hopelessness.

Amberly loves Charity Reimagined because it is at the heart of a movement here in Kootenai County to align charity help in ways that will provide opportunities for people living in generational poverty to find their God-given potential and thrive, not just survive.

I chose to get involved with Charity Reimagined because I believe Kootenai County is ready to reimagine the way we give. I truly believe that short term giving can do some good things but it ultimately keeps people from recognizing the system of help we have created that keeps them from becoming the hero in their own story. It keeps them from needing to address the underlying issues that continue the cycle of need and keeps them stuck. When I realized personally as a giver that I was part of the problem and not the solution, I changed.

Debra is excited to be a part of this movement to help people see positive potential in their individual God given gifts and talents.  This is not to ignore critical needs such as food and clothing, but to put the spotlight on utilizing this potential and building better lives. How impactful to coordinate with existing community referral partners and local business partners, truly using the strengths of our community, to help those in need build their self-worth and equip their own participation in improving their lives.

Amy Voeller is the Director of Development at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. She holds an M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Services from University of Idaho. She is a member of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber Education Committee and A+ Award Subcommittee, graduate of Leadership Coeur d’Alene, and member of the Citizens for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, She is the former chair of the Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership. Amy enjoys water skiing, wake surfing, snow skiing, camping, hiking, backpacking, and kayaking in the “North Idaho Playground” with her husband, Jeff, and their two sons, Jaron and Jace. Amy is honored to join the Charity Reimagined Board of Directors who is a generous, gifted and visionary group radically loving others with dignity. It is a blessing to walk alongside and empower individuals to change the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their families.

Louisa works at North Idaho College in the Center for New Directions, a department that assists students and community members overcome barriers in their life. She has witnessed firsthand the impact Charity Reimagined has in Kootenai County. The individuals and families she serves are working hard to create a better life for themselves. Often, they have overcome tremendous hardship. Charity Reimagined does charity the right way, helping individuals rise above their circumstances and break the chains of generational poverty and trauma. She is truly honored to be part of this organization.

From the moment I heard about CR’s philosophy I was excited to learn about this “new” way of doing charity. I loved the simplicity of how to move past toxic charity and I wanted to be part of an organization where helping others wasn’t a hand-out but a hand-up that really acknowledged where people came from, where they were, and what their future had in store for them. I’ve seen firsthand how a small change in the approach to giving can create lifelong changes in the community it serves.