Community Stories - Innovia Foundation

Touchet Valley Arts Council facilitates theatre program for children

Columbia County schools have significantly cut back arts courses in recent years, but based on the outstanding attendance at the Touchet Valley Arts Council’s events, it is clear that the arts are still important to the community. A grant from the Columbia County Children’s Fund at Innovia Foundation helped fund the Council’s 2017 Children’s Summer […]

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“Family stabilization, reunification and the safety each youth are the primary goals of Y.E.S.”

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The only program of its kind in Pend Oreille County, Youth Emergency Services (Y.E.S.) supports youth from ages 12 to 18 in finding safe living conditions. Y.E.S. believes that all youth deserve love, respect and a living environment free of violence, drugs and exploitation. Y.E.S. serves youth afflicted by poverty and homelessness, offering emergency or

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Spokane Indians Baseball Club establishes fund to benefit Spokane River

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The Spokane Indians Baseball Club established the Redband Rally Fund as part of a promotional campaign to connect citizens to the Spokane River. Dubbed the Redband Rally after the native redband trout, the campaign is raising funds to support local organizations devoted to river protection and educating citizens about work to clean up the river.

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Kalispel Tribe gives unemployed community members vocational training

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The unemployment rate for Native Americans in Pend Oreille County – which includes the Kalispel Reservation – is almost five times the state rate. Older workers are retiring fast, and young adults often lack the skills necessary to replace them. In addition, the housing shortage on the Kalispel Reservation is responsible for major overcrowding, with

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Terrain vitalizes Spokane’s creative economy

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In 2008, the founders of Spokane nonprofit Terrain noticed a saddening trend: young, talented artists fleeing Spokane for cities that seemingly offered more vibrant creative communities and greater chances for success. Spokane provided little interchange between emerging artists and industry veterans. Terrain is a response to that artistic stagnation. The organization began in 2008 as

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“Assisting clients in developing meal preparation skills to live more independently changes not only their lives but affects the community in which they choose to live.”

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Tesh, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of offering opportunities to people with disabilities who are seeking greater self-sufficiency and community participation. Tesh’s most requested class is food preparation, as the ability to make nutritious and affordable meals at home is crucial to developing independence. However, Tesh’s kitchen space is currently too limited

“Assisting clients in developing meal preparation skills to live more independently changes not only their lives but affects the community in which they choose to live.” Read More »

“Camp made me the resilient, compassionate and optimistic leader that I never expected to develop into.”

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Camp Fire is a national organization devoted to helping youth develop responsibility, realize individual potential and identity, and “find their spark.” Camp Fire Inland Northwest runs 20 year-round clubs and two summer camps, giving youth between ages 3 and 18 the opportunity for fellowship and personal growth. A $10,000 Community Strategies grant from Innovia Foundation

“Camp made me the resilient, compassionate and optimistic leader that I never expected to develop into.” Read More »

Backyard Harvest delivers fresh produce to food-insecure community members

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Backyard Harvest’s four-county service region – Asotin, Whitman, Latah and Nez Perce – contains over 25,000 food-insecure people, including 10,000 people who rely on food access programs. And yet, the food donated to these programs is not always healthy; the obesity rate in the counties is over 28%. Fortunately, the region also contains farmers and

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Chief Joseph Foundation helps Nez Perce youth grow and connect to their heritage

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On the Nez Perce Reservation and in surrounding areas, young people often lack a safe, drug-free place to spend time during after-school hours. Many also lack mentorship from elder community members, creating a disconnect between newer generations and their heritage. The Chief Joseph Foundation (CJF)’s Mounted Scholars Program gives Nez Perce youth a positive after-school

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Nonprofit vitalizes rural communities in the Palouse with leadership training courses

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Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting rural communities in today’s challenging economy. One of RDI’s primary methods of vitalizing rural communities is its Rural Community Leadership Program, a highly interactive course that is designed for a varied set of community members. Innovia Foundation, Avista and Empire Health Foundation are the

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