Answer for troubled teens: Say 'Cheese'
BRIAN WALKER/Press Chaplain Jeff Cheeseborough, left, who has assisting youth in Kootenai County's juvenile justice system for 20 years, was honored by Juvenile Probation Director Debbie Nadeau, Juvenile Detention Director J.T. Taylor and others on Tuesday.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
COEUR d'ALENE — Jeff Cheeseborough quickly deflected praise about how he has made a difference in the lives of youngsters in Kootenai County's juvenile justice system for the past 20 years.
"It's about our community, not about me," said Cheeseborough, the mentor, chaplain and counselor told about 40 people who honored him during a ceremony at the county's Administration Building last week.
Cheeseborough overcame colon cancer, but now faces a liver disease. He said he will continue his juvenile outreach program until he physically can't.
"It's daunting and slows you down," he said. "But I still have damage to do, er, I mean, lessons to give. This is not a job. It's a calling God had for me."
"Cheese" has conducted or coordinated nearly 3,000 youth group and individual counseling sessions.
Funded through a partnership between the county and the community's Juvenile Justice Outreach program, more than 23,000 hours of service have been provided to youth offenders. The fundraising effort in the community has provided more than $635,000 for the continuation of the program.
"I don't know if we can ever measure up how important he has been to our community in the past 20 years," said Debbie Nadeau, director of Juvenile Probation. "We're lucky to have him."
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said Cheese has helped reduce the number of inmates in the adult jail.
"He's helped redirect a lot of people and influenced kids and their families," Wolfinger said.
Cheese has been serving others through his outreach ministry a total of 35 years.
Juvenile Detention Director J.T. Taylor said such a role model is missing in many lives.
"He provides his level of real life empathy that cannot be achieved through books or studies," Taylor wrote in a letter of recognition. "His message resonates with youth and staff alike. He does this in a manner that is acceptable to all regardless of beliefs."
A fundraiser dinner will be held in February at The Coeur d'Alene Resort to support the program.
"Jeff has served thousands of our young people who desperately need a sense of belonging," said Paul Van Noy, pastor of Candlelight, a Coeur d'Alene church that organizes the event. "He tirelessly serves. He's easy to love."