Kinderhaven Foundation passes Festival of Trees torch

SANDPOINT — For the past 30 years, Christmas magic not only brightened the holiday season, it also helped fund Kinderhaven, a group foster home for children in crisis.

Now, the source of that magic — the annual Festival of Trees gala — will go to fund Community Resource EnVision Center's programs instead.

And Kinderhaven — which made the switch to a nonprofit foundation with the same aims in October — wouldn't have it any other way.

With the shift to the Kinderhaven Foundation, Kathy Chambers said foundation board members said they opted to pass the torch for the event to CREC.

Kinderhaven staff, volunteers and supporters loved hosting the Festival of Trees — something they did for almost 30 years with the event "bringing joy to so many," Chambers said. From beautifully decorated trees at the gala and festive luncheons to delicious holiday treats, and visits with Santa, the annual event was a community tradition treasured by many.

"Festival of Trees in December is the most anticipated event of the year, faithfully ringing in the magic of the holiday season, and has garnered long-time support from many local businesses, groups and fellow non-profits, Chambers said.

However, with the shift in direction to Kinderhaven Foundation, Kinderhaven Foundation officials said it made sense to pass the torch for the event to the Community Resource EnVision Center, which recently expressed interest in carrying on the event's legacy.

"We wish them every success as they move forward with this wonderful community fundraiser and event," Chambers said. "Kinderhaven Foundation recognizes that CREC aligns with our mission beautifully, having served our community for 13 years."

The foundation is confident, Chamber said, that CREC's staff, leadership, and volunteer base have the prowess and expertise to continue "the successful tradition of Festival of Trees."

This past year, the Kinderhaven Foundation gave $130,000 raised at the event to Bonner Homeless Transitions. Those funds are being used by BHT to operate "Bluehaven North" — Kinderhaven's old location — which BCHT is using as its new women and children's emergency shelter.

The Kinderhaven Foundation was created after Kinderhaven was forced to close down in May 2022 in the wake of the Family First Prevention Services Act, which placed the focus on keeping children with their families.

The act mandated that all group homes for foster youth become a qualified residential treatment program facility. QRTP group homes are required to have a trauma-informed treatment model with licensed clinical therapists onsite. The facilities in this classification are required to facilitate outreach and engagement of the child’s family in the child’s treatment plan. In addition, facilities provide discharge planning and family-based aftercare supports for at least six months.

As of June 2021, Children’s Village in Coeur d'Alene is one of only five Idaho federally accredited QRTP facilities. It also has the only crisis nursery available to shelter children starting on their day of birth.

Instead of shuttering completely, Kinderhaven transformed from a group home to a foundation dedicated to the same message — supporting children in crisis in Boundary and Bonner counties. The aim is to help the children thrive by providing the resources that they need for emotional, physical, and mental health.