from client to champion
Angel Dwyer is the new Client Resource Specialist at the Community Resource EnVision Center (CREC), a role that’s a perfect fit for her. Despite facing challenges in her life, Angel embodies the values we cherish at CREC and is a true success story we’ll always celebrate. As a former CREC client herself, she’s uniquely equipped to connect with, serve, and support our current clients in a way few can.
Raised in an abusive and isolating environment, Angel endured unimaginable hardships from a young age. I once remarked—perhaps insensitively—that she didn’t seem old enough to have a grown child. With a good-natured chuckle, Angel shared that she wasn't; her first pregnancy resulted from growing up in a literal cult and being married off at only thirteen years old. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, Angel has chosen a path of healing and growth.
"I chose to be a survivor," Angel emphasizes. "It hasn’t been easy, but I was determined to reach a greater goal and purpose."
Despite a tumultuous childhood, Angel has persevered, pursuing her education while simultaneously raising five children as a single mother. In 2024, she graduated with dual Associate degrees in Communication and Social Work. Now, as CREC’s Client Resource Specialist, she’s able to use both her personal experience and her training to empower others.
"Being client-focused, being people-focused—that is, to me, the most important part," Angel shares. "All of the other stuff is just a means to an end, and the end is loving people."
Angel’s role goes beyond administrative tasks. Having faced difficult situations herself, she understands the nuances of crisis. Angel recognizes the power of empathy and compassion, offering a listening ear and a guiding hand to those in need. With firsthand experience, she’s familiar with many local resources, having relied on them during difficult times.
"I know what it's like to be running around, wondering how I'm going to make ends meet while also struggling with mental health, emotional health, and relational health. Sometimes you just need somebody to guide you through it," Angel explains.
Reflecting on her journey, Angel offers valuable advice for those facing adversity:
- Embrace Humility: "If you think that you can do it all on your own... you do a disservice to yourself and to others." Recognizing your own limitations and seeking support is crucial.
- Cultivate Self-Belief: "If you believe that you're a victim, you're going to be a victim. If you believe that you can survive this and you can succeed, you will." Shifting your mindset from victimhood to victory is paramount.
- Embrace Forgiveness: "Forgiving yourself is one of the first steps you need to take to be able to recognize that you do deserve love, to be healthy, and to be seen and heard and cared for." Letting go of past mistakes is essential for personal growth and healing.
Angel's story is a powerful reminder that adversity can be a catalyst for transformation. By embracing her past challenges and channeling her experiences into helping others, she has become a true champion of resilience and hope. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all who are facing difficult times, demonstrating that with courage, determination, and the support of a loving community, it is possible to overcome any obstacle and achieve a brighter future.
The Sandpoint Lions Club has been making a profound impact on the community for decades, hosting beloved events like the Fourth of July fireworks and the Easter egg hunt, while supporting programs such as Toys for Tots and eyeglass assistance. At the heart of it all is Janice Raider, a longtime volunteer whose personal journey from receiving help to leading the club shows the true spirit of service. As the Lions Club evolves to include new voices, fresh ideas, and a growing youth Leo Club, they continue to welcome volunteers who want to make a difference — one smile, one connection, and one act of kindness at a time.
Founded in 1998 by a passionate group of women, Second Chance Animal Adoption has grown from backyard shelters to a vital community resource in Bonners Ferry. Focused on reuniting lost pets with their families and finding forever homes for abandoned animals, the shelter thrives on community support, thrift store proceeds, and a growing network of foster families.
With about 22 animals in care at any given time, Second Chance is currently seeking more foster volunteers and encouraging adoptions—like that of Chance, their sweet and silly yellow Lab. Their upcoming microchip clinic on May 24 at Tractor Supply is another way they're making a difference, ensuring pets can be quickly reunited with their owners.
Love in Action Idaho is revolutionizing community support by connecting donors directly with specific needs in Bonner County. Through their online registry, you can choose exactly where your contribution goes, ensuring 100% of your donation aids those facing challenges. Discover how you can make a tangible difference today at Love in Action Idaho's website.
When Kelli Bult couldn’t find a fitness space that welcomed her son Caleb—born 10 weeks premature with unique physical and cognitive needs—she created one. What began as a personal journey turned into a powerful nonprofit: The Unique Center for Athletes of All Needs (UCAN).
UCAN is not your average gym. It’s a community-driven, adaptive fitness center that empowers individuals of all abilities to move, grow, and thrive together. From padded play structures and wheelchair-accessible equipment to inclusive classes and tiered pricing, UCAN is redefining what accessibility looks like in the fitness world—and beyond.
💪 Fitness meets inclusion
💡 Innovation meets compassion
❤️ A nonprofit model that lifts everyone
Learn how this mom turned a challenge into a movement, and how your support can help UCAN grow even stronger.
When you think of pregnancy resource centers, you might picture a place for those in crisis—but 7B Care Clinic is so much more. From free ultrasounds and parenting education to mentoring programs for fathers and financial coaching, they provide long-term support for families in all situations.
Since 1974, Innovia has been a powerful force for philanthropy, helping communities thrive through strategic grants, donor support, and nonprofit sustainability initiatives. As a large community foundation, with $200 million in assets and $124 million in grants awarded, Innovia plays a critical role in supporting organizations across Bonner and Boundary counties.
Through endowments, coaching, and fundraising initiatives, Innovia helps nonprofits become more sustainable and less reliant on unpredictable grant cycles. With programs like the Thriving Community Summit on March 17th and the Live Give 7B Campaign (April 14-18), Innovia continues to foster collaboration, financial stability, and community-driven philanthropy.
Learn how Innovia is making an impact in North Idaho and how you can get involved!
📅 Thriving Community Summit – March 17th, Spokane
📅 Live Give 7B Campaign – April 14-18, ending with a celebration at Matchwood Brewing
Aging comes with unique challenges, but it also presents an opportunity to share wisdom and build stronger communities. In our latest blog, we sit down with Paul Graves, founder of the Geezer Forum and Elder Advocates, along with Lisa Bond from the Sandpoint Senior Center, to discuss the importance of community support for seniors. With 30% of Bonner County’s population over 65 and issues like healthcare, transportation, and financial security being top concerns, we explore how initiatives like the Geezer Forum Podcast will preserve stories, provide resources, and strengthen intergenerational connections. Read on to learn how we’re ensuring that aging in Bonner County means aging with dignity and support.
Affordable housing is a critical issue in Bonner County, and over 300 families are currently on the Bonner Community Housing Agency (BCHA) waiting list. In our latest blog, we sit down with Chrystle Horvath, Executive Director of BCHA, to discuss her journey into housing advocacy, the growing need for affordable homes, and how BCHA is working to provide secure housing for essential workers like nurses, teachers, and first responders. With an ambitious goal of 100 new affordable homes in the next five years, BCHA is making a lasting impact—but they need community support to make it happen. Read more to learn how you can help!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Digital Navigator Quantifying what our Digital Navigator, Chris Watson, brings to the EnVision Center can be a little tricky. Not because it is especially complex but because there is such a wide variety of tasks and talents he employs here to help clients. We are very fortunate to have access to these skills through his placement with us via AmeriCorps . To understand Chris's role, it helps to first understand what AmeriCorps does. As Chris explains, the best way to think of AmeriCorps is as a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps—while the Peace Corps focuses on international aid, AmeriCorps addresses pressing issues within the U.S. like hunger, disaster relief, and illiteracy. Chris is part of the American Connection Corps (ACC), a program within AmeriCorps dedicated to closing the digital divide. ACC focuses on providing broadband access and promoting digital literacy, particularly in rural areas. By improving connectivity, the goal is to foster economic development in underserved communities. Chris’s term of service is one year, with the possibility of renewing it for up to four years. A key idea behind the ACC is that long-term success comes from training local community members, who already understand the culture and have built trust, rather than bringing in outsiders. Chris is a great fit for this model, as he split his childhood between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene, giving him deep roots in the area. Ironically, Chris didn’t even know what a Digital Navigator was when he first applied. “Construction is very physical, and my body was breaking down, so I was looking for a change. I saw the AmeriCorps ad on Indeed and applied on a whim,” Chris recalls. It turns out that Chris’s role as a Digital Navigator has become a dream job—one he doesn’t want to leave. Digital Navigators come from all walks of life, and the most important qualification isn’t a tech background, but the ability to connect with the community. In exchange for their service, navigators receive a stipend, service hours, and an education award or scholarship. Host sites like the EnVision Center provide mentorship, but other organizations, such as universities and libraries, can also serve as hosts. Chris has been with the EnVision Center for just over a quarter, and much of his client base comes from word of mouth. He offers both phone and in-person assistance and hosts educational sessions on a range of topics, from using Google Workspace to understanding cybersecurity. Chris also helps clients recognize and protect themselves from phishing scams and identity theft. While his typical clients tend to be older adults, he’s found that even younger people often need help navigating desktop computers and maximizing software capabilities, despite being proficient with phones or tablets. While assisting with technology, Chris also keeps an eye out for broader ways the EnVision Center can serve clients who come to him for help. “I try to make a personal connection with people because they’re people first,” says Chris. “I’m here to help, whether it’s with a technology issue or something deeper. It’s about serving the community and giving back. This is my job, and that’s what I do—serve clients.” At the EnVision center, Chris helped us set up our reader board and get our podcast on Spotify. He has also been instrumental in assisting with grant writing for the EnVision Center, and his contributions extend far beyond just digital support. We are incredibly grateful for Chris’s dedication, and with his continued support, we look forward to expanding our impact and serving even more members of our community.
Bonner Gospel Mission (BGM) has been a cornerstone of service in Bonner County for decades, operating out of Ponderay. While most locals are familiar with its location and purpose, there are still some misconceptions, and it's easy to overlook the profound impact BGM makes in the community. Bonner Gospel Mission is not simply a shelter for men, they are a ministry first that exists to see God move in the lives of the men that come through their doors. The organization's core belief is that once men hear the gospel their lives will begin to change and soon they won’t need the support BGM offers. While food, shelter, and support for next steps are important, they are secondary to the primary goal of sharing the gospel and helping men grow spiritually. “We really look at ourselves more as a Ministry than a homeless shelter,” explains Executive Director Lucas Sheetz. “We're completely independent, we're not tied directly to any other larger organization or any church, it's just our own independent Ministry that gets supported by businesses, individuals and churches in the area so we have a different vision statement than maybe some other homeless shelters people know about.” While the gospel is at the heart of their work, BGM also provides essential services, including shelter, clothing, showers, and companionship. The shelter typically hosts about ten men at a time, providing three meals a day and helping them acquire basic necessities. Residents are expected to contribute to the upkeep of the facility and adhere to a code of conduct, which includes rules like no alcohol or drugs, respectful language, and mandatory Bible study and church attendance. On average, men stay for about 30 days, though BGM tailors support to each individual’s needs. They work with residents on a case-by-case basis, offering flexibility for those saving up for rent or needing more time to transition. BGM also partners with the EnVision Center to connect clients with job opportunities and training. One of the key differences between BGM and typical shelters is their lack of a waitlist. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with immediate placements available after an interview with Lucas, if it’s a good fit. Lucas Sheetz, who became BGM’s Executive Director in May 2024, has an unconventional path to the role. Formerly an independent landscaping and construction contractor, Lucas felt a calling from God that shifted his direction dramatically. “God woke me up in the middle of the night and said there was more he had in store for me,” Lucas recalls. “I didn’t know what it was, but I said I’d go wherever he led me.” His story resonated with the board, and soon after, Lucas was in training for the role. Now, with just one other paid employee, BGM relies heavily on volunteers and donors. The mission depends on donations for everything, from food to clothing. Community members are encouraged to bring homemade meals to the shelter, and the mission can always use frozen meals like casseroles and pastas for later use. Volunteers also help lead Bible studies, worship music, and provide transportation to church. The mission’s occasional free community dinners require upwards of 40 volunteers to run. Bonner Gospel Mission is a beacon of transformation in Bonner County, offering more than just shelter, but a genuine ministry focused on changing lives through the gospel. By providing not only basic necessities but also spiritual guidance, BGM helps men find purpose and direction as they rebuild their lives. With the ongoing support from local donors and volunteers, Bonner Gospel Mission continues to fulfill its mission with unwavering dedication. Their work reminds us all that profound change comes through faith, community, and the willingness to help others walk the path toward a brighter future.