On October 21 & 22, 2023, an interfaith group of churches in the Wood River Valley had a work bee at the Lincoln County Youth Center in Richfield, ID. Some of the other church groups have been our partners with our spiritual film screenings, clothing drives for the homeless, and food preparation for the homeless. 

The Youth Center project comes out of the Shoshone Project which has been addressing unmet needs in Lincoln County, our neighboring county to the south. Many of our workers in Blaine County live in Lincoln County. There are no day care or childcare resources in Richfield, so the Youth Center is the only place for kids to go after school or when there is no school and the adults in their household are away at work. The Center provides 50-80 kids a day two meals and a snack, as well as learning support and a safe place to play, study, or relax with friends.  Here's what the staff at the Lincoln County Youth Center had to say were their take-aways from the weekend:

What a GREAT weekend of connecting and volunteer service! Over 25 volunteers showed up at the Lincoln County Youth Center (LCYC) in Richfield this weekend!

Everyone felt like they made a difference! We painted the kitchen, two bathrooms, the music room, and two big walls. We put up new coat hooks for the kids and helped move a LOT of food from the food pantry from one storage area to another.

 

LouAnn, the coach for Kindergarten through fifth graders was thrilled and commented: 

"The Kitchen looks so clean and bright!"

 

We got to hear from some of the LCYC staff and learn more about the amazing work they are doing. Visiting the Youth Center really creates a feeling of connection! AND We got to meet some new folks, represented from several different faith-based groups in the Valley.

 

So THANK YOU for your time and caring!  Here are some more shout-outs:

 

Thanks to Ryan Gates at the Shoshone Project for spearheading this weekend of service!

 

Thanks to everyone at the Interfaith Council for supporting this project!