Kara Cheney

Together, we create opportunities that changes lives and strengthen communities. Since 1939, we've been serving the Inland Northwest by helping people become independent and self-sufficient through our social service programs. We help people who have barriers to employment through training, work assessment, and job development. We help people who are homeless, or about to become homeless, get into stable housing. And we help people who are on a fixed income manage their finances so that they have stable housing and necessities. Every year, we serve thousands of people in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Our programs are funded primarily through the sale of donated items in our retail and online stores. Out of every dollar earned from the sale of donated goods in retail and online stores, 85 cents funds our social service programs. Each year, we keep more than 20 million pounds of textiles, books, shoes, dishes, sporting goods, furniture, computers, lamps, electronics and more out of our Inland Northwest landfills. We use the items people don't want anymore to fund life-changing programs. We maximize the power of donated goods through sales in our retail and online stores, then in our Outlet Store, and finally through Salvage and recycling. We look to protect the triple bottom -- our people, our planet, and the profit that funds our programs -- through strategic planning and best practices. We believe in the value of each and every individual. We treat all people with dignity and respect. We put people first, and believe in the potential of individuals to make positive changes in their lives. We pursue and celebrate diversity. We believe in giving a hand up, not a hand out. We embrace innovation, continuous improvement, creativity, collaboration, and change. We honor our heritage by being socially, professionally, financially, and environmentally responsible.