Community invited to hear Rachel Jeffs Blackmore

SANDPOINT — The community is invited to hear an upcoming presentation by Rachel Jeffs Blackmore.

Blackmore is slated to speak at a Wednesday, April 16, Community Assistance League presentation at the Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St., from 10 to 11 a.m.

An American author and writer based in North Idaho, Rachel Jeffs Blackmore escaped the polygamous cult led by her father, Warren Jeffs. After escaping the radical splinter sect of the Mormon Church in 2015, she has spent the last decade sharing her journey of resilience and freedom. Through public speaking, she raises awareness about child trafficking and human conditioning while inspiring others to find healing and contentment after adversity. 

“I’m thrilled that CAL is able to attract nationally recognized speakers, such as Jeffs, to Sandpoint,” said Lilly Matsui, CAL director of programming. "We welcome anyone who is interested to join us.”

Blackmore’s book brings honesty, intelligence, and humor to the story of her journey. Her father, Warren Jeffs, is currently serving a life sentence for child abuse. Blackmore escaped with her five children and has helped several siblings.

“Born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rachel Jeffs was raised in a strict patriarchal culture defined by subordinate sister wives and men they must obey. No one in this radical splinter sect of the Mormon Church was more powerful or terrifying than its leader Warren Jeffs — Rachel’s father,” according to an Amazon book review. 

This presentation is being hosted by the CAL, a 46-year-old organization committed to having fun while serving the community through education, service, and philanthropy. CAL’s primary fundraiser is the upscale resale shop, Bizarre Bazaar which returns the money to Bonner County in the form of grants and scholarships. The store is run by club volunteers and is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

CAL meets on the third Wednesday of every month, September through May, for a short business meeting at 9:30 a.m. followed by a speaker 10-11am. Last month, Karie Lee Knoke, the finalist for the show "Alone" and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School spoke at the meeting.