'A partnership made in heaven'

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai County has about 400 homeless persons as of the 2020 annual Point in Time Homeless Count, and as the demand for services grows, the 2nd Street Commons and DDARC are teaming up to provide more food, guidance, and clothing to those in need.

The 2nd Street Commons, started initially by Gar Mickelson and Kaleidoscope Community Services in January of 2014, has strived to make sure Coeur d'Alene's homeless population can escape the cold weather, get a hot lunch and a cup of coffee, and receive resource information. Today, the Commons is supported by volunteers and members of the 2nd Chance Discipleship Ministries.

"We're all about meeting needs," 2nd Chance Discipleship Ministries Pastor Dirk Scott said. "We offer breakfast, a sack lunch, and we do Bible study in between. Then we work one on one with people and develop relationships."

Enter the Diseases and Disabilities Advocates Riding Club, a nonprofit that provides free clothes to families in need through their DDARC Closet consignment store.

Jodie Reno, DDARC spokesperson, inspired DDARC’s co-founder Debby Carlson to get involved with the Commons three months ago because of her past experiences with homelessness and addiction.

"I was on the streets in Spokane, I was a drug addict, and I struggled. I struggled a lot," Reno said. "Being around the homeless and helping the homeless and those in need brings my heart so much joy. It really does make me feel like I'm giving back, paying back all the help I received."

When Reno opened up to the DDARC, Carlson said the nonprofit made "blessing bags" for the local homeless and were led to the 2nd Street Commons. By chance, or as Carlson said by blessing, a volunteer at the Commons opened the door and invited them to volunteer and pass out their donations.

"It was a silly question, but I asked 'where can I find homeless people in the area,' and she said come on in," Carlson said. "We've been here every Sunday since. It was a partnership made in heaven."

In the back of the Commons' 3,400-square-foot facility, patrons can find DDARC's new closet fit with options for men and women, from infancy to adults.

"This gives them the basic needs for every day. Food, comfort, feeling like someone cares about you, clothes, spiritual and medical support," said Sandra Hodges and Don Egosque, volunteers and former recipients of the 2nd Street Commons' services. "They give you strength, keep you warm, give you techniques to get back to work, which is a huge part of why I kept pushing."

Hodges has been coming to the Commons for about three years and has largely contributed to her eight months of sobriety and ability to support herself.

"I was one of the homeless. I had additions. I had nothing," Hodges said. "This place gave me food, and let me know it's not over, to keep fighting."

By 3 p.m. Monday, 11 people had stopped by the Commons, Carlson said, grabbing a warm cup of coffee, food, hand warmers, and socks. As one homeless man got up to leave, preparing to wait at St. Vincent's Father Bill's kitchen for dinner, he thanked Carlson for her kindness.

"I know I can't stay here for a long time," he said. "I got a whole bunch of the hand warmers. Thank you so much for looking out for me. I appreciate everything."

Scott, 2nd Chance Discipleship Ministries Outreach Director Dana Farnes, and Carlson hope that they can do more for Coeur d'Alene's homeless with the extra hands of the DDARC.

"What they do is they provide some more manpower for us. It gives us some means of extending what we do," Farnes said. "Plus, they bring some other skills to the table that we don't have."

The Commons offers breakfast at 405 N. 2nd Street every Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breakfast from 6:30 to 7 a.m. and lunch from 2 to 4 p.m. The DDARC is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and the DDARC will host a "Clean and Sober Night" Wednesdays starting at 6 p.m.

As the weather gets colder, the organizations are asking for sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks, hand warmers, socks, gloves, thermal underwear, and clothing donations for men and women.

Pastor Dirk Scott: (208) 449-3445