Keri Stark's heart for humanity

Editor’s note: Twice each week, The Press shines a light on the life of interesting locals active in the community. Up today: Keri Stark

Meet Keri Stark, community impact director for United Way of North Idaho. A (mostly) Idaho native, Keri grew up in the Kootenai Valley exploring the mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. For the past decade she’s worked and volunteered with nonprofits ranging from environmentalism to social welfare, agriculture to the arts. She collaborates with community partners to eliminate inequities in early childhood care and education for working families.

Generation: Pretty solidly a millennial.

Career and community involvement: I’ve been with United Way for just more than three years now, and prior to that the St. Vincent de Paul H.E.L.P. Center. Through the years I’ve been involved with the Region 1 Homeless Coalition, Leadership Coeur d’Alene, Vision 2030 and Emerge CDA. Co-founding the North Idaho chapter of the National Organization for Women is the current side project.

Parental status: Five-year old Leon, five chickens and a cat.

Why did you chose a career with United Way of North Idaho?

My true love is anthropology; from the first class in college I knew I’d found my field. I can apply the methods of understanding social behavior and trends to the systemic approach United Way takes. Our work is grounded in the approach that people thrive when they have good health, a quality education and financial stability. We try to understand a number of factors that create societal conditions — economics, politics, history, personal choices, private and public sector practices, system relationships. No one cause and no single solution of any given issue. It’s also really crucial to identify the locally perceived needs for change and work with local people to design culturally appropriate and socially sensitive solutions, and that’s what I see in United Way.

What sort of fulfillment comes with knowing you're helping people every day?

Of course I’d like to think the work I do is helping people every day, but sometimes the issues are so daunting, complex and slow to change that "fulfilled" would not be the word I’d use. My sense of purpose is creating the kind of community I want to live in, and working with the many intelligent and perseverant people in our area who share that vision. I feel fulfilled when we put collective efforts toward a common goal, to make some part of our social system work better for its citizens.

Why do you feel it's important that we help our fellow community members in need?

It’s our human responsibility. As adults in a community, and social animals who rely on each other, we all have a stake in building a healthy society because we all stand to benefit. Partly, it’s paying it forward. I’m where I am because adults in my home town, whether they knew me or not, decided that the kids in Bonners Ferry were important enough to give time and resources to create opportunities for us. Parents, librarians, teachers, coaches, 4-H leaders, employers. I had a relatively care-free childhood. I was encouraged and supported in my education and career, people taught me where and how to ask for help when I need it. We are not self-made.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m an introvert and solo time is really important to me, but another fun fact is I used to be a pretty good figure skater! I skated obsessively from ages 9 to 15 and fancied myself the next Tara Lipinski.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

There are so many places I want to explore! I’d say anywhere I could sit outside with my family, have a cold beer, and appreciate a great view.