It's about the kids

COEUR d'ALENE - Don't forget the kids.

Tinka Schaffer doesn't. She can't. Not after 21 years of being with them.

"The village is such a wonderful thing, I want the public to keep it in the forefront," she said. "Children continue to need their help."

Schaffer was involved with Children's Village from 1990, almost from the day the nonprofit's doors opened in Coeur d'Alene, before retiring early this year.

"I loved every minute of it," she said. "I thoroughly enjoyed it."

She's still on the board, volunteers for fundraisers and offers support to Janie Givas, who replaced her as development director in March.

"It takes a long time to share 20 years of learning things by the seat of your pants," she said, laughing. "I wish someone would invent a flash drive I could put in my ear, download, it, and give it to her."

Schaffer stopped in Friday for a visit at the temporary home for kids in crisis or abusive situations.

While some children gathered around the TV, one crawled around "meowing" and pretending to be a cat. A few more laughed as they played Monopoly at a table.

It was a warm and cozy, with two staffers looking on, and Schaffer smiled.

"I have to have my kid fix every once in a while," she said.

Schaffer still thinks about the hundreds of children she came to know, and said one recent letter from a former client brought tears to her eyes.

"You may not remember me, but I surely have never forgotten you or the staff at Children's Village," it read. "I often think about the time I spent there, could it be almost 20 years ago already? I came to you as an absolute mess and fearing for my life. Being at the Village saved my life. You kept me safe, I was always clean, warm and fed. Most importantly though, I felt loved. That love gave me the strength to be brave and go out to conquer the world (in my own way)."

That letter, Schaffer said, makes it clear the impact Children's Village has on those who live there.

Givas agreed.

"What they do for these kids is very, very real," she said. "It's very hands on. It makes a dramatic difference to them.

"Sometimes, it's that one person that can change their path," Givas added.

There are currently 12 children at Children's Village, which houses kids ages infant to 18. Thousands have come and gone for various reasons - abused, neglected, homeless.

While it once had an annual budget of $1 million, next year's is expected to be about half, in the $500,000 range, to support a staff of 28, the Moyer Home, the Miller Home, and individualized treatments for children.

That has meant reductions in programs, such as children's mental health.

"We're still the only licensed crisis nursery in the state of Idaho, and there's no money coming in for that," Schaffer said.

Children's Village needs to raise about $28,000 a month.

Both women said the community is generous with donations, but worry that after the holiday season of abundant giving, contributions may slow down.

The bottom line at Children's Village is helping kids, Schaffer said.

"Don't forget the kids in January, February and March," she said.

Again, for anyone who isn't sure what difference the home makes, Schaeffer returns to that letter.

"I've gone on to have some wonderful experiences in my life, the most amazing of which was becoming a mother. Believe me when I tell you that my son will never have to experience the hardships that I did. That is possible only because of the nurturing environment that the Village provided."

It ends with this line:

"Thank you for giving me my life back. I would not be where I am today without you and the Village."