FAST FIVE: Greg Lee: An adventurous spirit, a heart for kids

Meet Greg Lee, who has lived in Coeur d'Alene for the last 23 years and loves his community.

Being able to drive to several different lakes in minutes, hike all around the Northwest and motorcycle up Canfield Mountain is what keeps him busy. Greg is married to his beautiful wife, Kelsey, and is a "girl dad" of Amari, 4, and Vienna, 1 and a half. Greg is a licensed clinical professional counselor who gets to work at Children’s Village. Children’s Village is a trauma responsive safe haven, restoring trust and hope for children and families who experience abuse, neglect or are in crisis.

1) How long have you been at Children's Village, and what do you do there?

I have worked at Children’s Village for a year, after being recruited by Rosa Mettler, chief operations officer. I am the residential therapist for those who reside on campus, both for the residential therapeutic program and emergency community response private practice while managing the Kootenai County Family Support Court, which allows families and teens to access mental health care with collaboration of the court and probation system.

2) What motivates you to do your job, even when it breaks your heart?

What motivates me is the ability to join children on their journey as they address their trauma. These kids are amazing in their resiliency and strength, the ability to overcome life events and work toward a healthier future.

3) What do you want people to know about the Children's Village and the role it plays in our community?

Children’s Village strives to support the needs of our Coeur d’Alene kids and teens who have experienced abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, mental health crisis and homelessness. The Village has three different programs: therapeutic residential, emergency respite and private placement. The residential program supports local children in the foster care system who benefit from an increase in mental health support to process their trauma and regain a sense of safety. Emergency respite (72 hours) and private placement is where families can call and have the support of the Village staff care for their children during these extreme circumstances. Homelessness, domestic violence and addressing sobriety are real challenges in our community. Having a safe place for kids to rest their heads enables the parents to bring stability back to their family’s life as they address these vulnerabilities.

4) What's something people would be surprised to know about you?

Before starting a family, my close friends and I took an epic motorcycle trip starting in Coeur d'Alene and journeyed to the treacherous “Dalton Highway” ("Ice Road Truckers") on a trek to the Artic Circle. The trip ended with my motorcycle breaking down on the way home — in “grizzly country” in the middle of the Yukon. I got back home through the generosity of strangers, which was pretty profound.

5) How can we make the world a better place for the children who depend on us?

As a therapist who gets to sit across from kids ranging from 5-17, I would encourage everyone to be aware of what we say and how we say it. Words are powerful. They can build a child up and also have the power to tear them down. Children deserve our support, protection and love. Children’s Village operates through the kindness of our community. It takes a village. We accept donations in all forms. Check us out: www.childrensvillage.org