Meet Christmas for All's Unsung Heroes
Christmas for All's referring partners are Kootenai County's unsung heroes.
They walk alongside clients in need and refer them to Charity Reimagined for specific assistance from Christmas for All, the Coeur d'Alene Press holiday charity campaign that, through the great generosity of our readers, helps recipients throughout the year.
It is an honor to work with these outstanding men, women and organizations, and we are excited to introduce them to you.
The Center for New Directions at North Idaho College assists single parents, displaced homemakers and career pioneers in the North Idaho region. The CND helps them find a new direction in life.
Usually, this begins with enrolling at North Idaho College to earn a degree or certificate that will allow them to support themselves and their children. But, attending school while balancing work and parenthood can be overwhelming. The CND supports these students by connecting them to a variety of resources and facilitating community between other students who are in or have gone through similar situations.
Louisa Rogers runs the center and has witnessed firsthand the impact education has on those she serves.
“The majority of people we serve are single mothers,” Rogers said. “These women are ready for a new life; a life that doesn’t involve government assistance. A life of self-sufficiency. And the CND helps them get there, by walking alongside them on their journey.”
Whether it is one-on-one case management meetings, attending the single mom support group, or playing games at family get-togethers, the CND staff gets to know their clientele in a more holistic way.
“The CND is a community. For new applicants, meeting other women in similar situations and hearing their stories and seeing how they are balancing school, work and parenthood — that is empowering,” Rogers said.
But these women will tell you that it isn’t possible without support.
“Christmas for All has made such an impact on those I serve. For many, the impact is life-changing,” Rogers said, explaining that the CFA fund allows families to continue on their journey toward self-sufficiency. “Whether that be new tires, so they can survive the North Idaho winter, or car repairs, so they can continue getting to and from work and school, or a new computer, in order to complete homework without having to be on campus at NIC, any of those things could completely derail someone from moving forward. CFA allows these families to continue moving forward.”
Rogers recalled one single mother who was interested in going to school to become a medical assistant: “She had so much on her plate, she couldn’t begin to imagine how school was even a possibility.”
One of the stressors in this woman’s life was her car tires. They were completely bald, and winter was approaching.
“We filled out a CFA application and when her application was approved, she was astonished. She couldn’t believe it was possible that complete strangers would invest in her life in such a way,” Rogers said.
This mom has now completed the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program through the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center and is working full-time, making a good income.
“Her life now looks completely different than it did a year ago,” Rogers said. “It is a great privilege to walk alongside these students and witness their resiliency and courage on a daily basis. With all the success stories I witness, I know this: the help provided through the Center for New Directions would not be possible without the incredible generosity of the North Idaho community.”
To donate to Press Christmas for All, visit cdapress.com and click on Christmas for All at the top of the page.