FAST FIVE: Louisa Rogers will help you find your way

Meet Louisa Rogers, who runs the Center for New Directions at North Idaho College, a department that assists students and community members in overcoming barriers in their lives. 

Louisa and her husband moved to the area from Wyoming a few years ago to be closer to her parents and siblings. Professionally, she has a background in social services and loves working with people. During her time at NIC, she has witnessed firsthand the impact education has on individuals who are working to break the cycles of generational abuse or generational poverty. 

She believes education provides opportunity, builds self-esteem and creates a pathway forward. 

1) What attracted you to work at the Center for New Directions and what do you do there?

The Center for New Directions offers support to single parents, displaced homemakers and career pioneers who are ready to begin a new direction in life. When I first saw the job description for this position, it was very appealing to me. I’m a people person, and this job allows me to meet incredible people from all different walks of life.

 Often, those I work with have overcome and are continuing to overcome so much hardship — their resilience and grit is inspiring. I also love connecting with the amazing North Idaho nonprofits in the area, who offer such wonderful support to our neighbors in need.

The Center for New Directions offers so much. When we first meet with someone, we have them write down what they want their future to look like. When someone is really struggling, it is hard to imagine the future. They are just trying to get through the day. But we ask them to think about their future because we want to get them out of “survival mode.” 

For many families, their future dream is to own a house with a yard their children can safely play in and they want to be completely self-sufficient. After they write that down, we help them figure out the steps they need to take in order to get there. We assess all the different barriers they are currently facing, and then work to help them navigate those barriers. We partner with NIC Career Services to host workshops that allow them to consider different career options that align with their personalities. We help facilitate community between the families we serve by hosting Wellness Walks along the lake, support groups and family gatherings. 

This year, we are launching a mentorship program through the center to connect mentors to single parents. The mentor is someone who will truly invest in that single parent, in a very meaningful way. I’m really excited about this.

2) What resources and services do you want the community to know are offered through the center? Is it only open to students?

The center is open to students and community members in the five northern counties, as long as they are single parents, displaced homemakers or career pioneers. They don’t have to go to NIC in order to work with the center. But often, they are interested in going back to school because they want a career where they can make enough money to support themselves and their children. They want to be self-sufficient, and not have to rely on government assistance or child support to survive. 

We walk alongside them, and get to know them really well. I think the relationship aspect of the center is really important — we want to build relationships with those we serve. By building these relationships, we are able to better advocate for them when something happens that could derail their life. If their car breaks down, or they are late on rent, we try to help them figure it out. This usually involves us reaching out to another agency and asking if they can assist. 

When I first began my job at NIC, I was connected to Charity Reimagined, an incredible local nonprofit. They gave me access to Charity Tracker, an online database that over 70 local nonprofits are using, and it has allowed the center to perform excellent case management. Just today, a single mom needed a desk in order to do homework at her apartment. I posted this need in Charity Tracker, and within five minutes someone from the nonprofit Family Promise had responded saying they had a desk for her! 

This type of connection and collaboration happens on a daily basis. It is wonderful to see all the helping agencies working together alongside our neighbors in need.

3) How do you feel knowing you help people turn their lives around, from a widow struggling after her spouse’s death to a single mom escaping domestic violence?

I feel incredibly blessed to witness the transformation that takes place in someone’s life during their time at NIC. It is an honor to be part of their story and to help however I can. One of the first students I worked with was a single mom of five, in the diesel tech program at Parker Technical Center in Rathdrum. She had escaped a very abusive marriage and began school, looking to rebuild her life. As she was nearing graduation, I remember her telling me that her time at NIC was incredibly healing. As she learned to work on these huge diesel trucks, her self-confidence skyrocketed. She said the instructors and the staff at Parker Tech were always so kind and encouraging — it made a difference in her life. 

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

I used to be a juvenile probation officer! Whenever people hear this, they laugh and say I’m way too nice to be a probation officer. 

5) As we just began a new year, what are a few ways people can improve their lives, make more out of their time and feel good about what they contribute to their families, their communities and themselves?

• Go on walks! Walking has many physical and mental health benefits. The Center for New Directions has Wellness Walks twice a week. We walk along the lake to The Resort and back. It’s wonderful to get fresh air, and to connect with each other while walking!

• Put your phone down and be present with those you love. I’m not good at this, but I am trying to be better.

• Find community. Whether that is by attending church or volunteering at a local organization or joining a club, seek out community. Humans need other humans.

• If you are interested in changing your career or going back to school, this is your sign! Come to our beautiful campus at NIC and learn about all the different possibilities. The people I work with are amazing and go above and beyond for students. This college is truly wonderful.