The voices of many leaders and movements across the nation seem to grow louder as if strength rises from noise, but speaking with Treva Rawlings prove true strength and change come from a calm and tenacious resolve.

Rawlings, a transplant from Great Falls, Montana, is deliberate about her involvement and passionate about her two-fold message “buried wounds don’t decompose” and “we’re stronger together”. What’s remarkable is that Rawlings devotes her time to further impact, assist, nurture and restore broken lives and unite the local community.

Originally employed as a physical education teacher for boarding schools in Boundary County and the surrounding area Rawlings encountered students with shattered hearts. Rawlings could relate to their stories and wanted more than a temporary bandage for her students. She learned to connect with students and used the relationships she built to help students break the cycles that entrapped them.

A vision for healing traumatic wounds spurred her to pursue graduate school. While pursuing her graduate degree Rawlings continued to work at local boarding schools and saw the deep need for someone skilled at helping those with addictions. Coincidently, while pursuing her advanced degree Rawlings met Chris Rawlings, also pursuing a graduate degree in the same field at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington.

Rawlings knew the Bonners Ferry needed someone to serve the mental health needs of people of all ages, not merely adults. With degrees completed in 2011 they opened Rawlings Community Counseling where she currently presides as the Executive Director. Though their practice is split between adults and adolescents. Rawlings explained school schedules make it difficult for adolescent students to find time to receive counseling. Together the Rawlings serve Boundary County but that’s just the beginning of Rawling’s advocacy within Boundary County.

Passion for tangible and sustainable change led Rawlings to pursue the Chair position for Boundary County Coalition of the Families. The coalition’s primary purpose is to “ensure long-term support of nonprofit organizations and their work in poverty reduction and community building efforts”. According to Rawlings BCCF secured three grants to help with food, crisis housing and gas vouches.

Efforts of BCCF help keep people in their current housing when a crisis occurs. When the Chair position for BCCF opened Rawlings successfully sought the position. Formerly the Vice Chair, she wanted to maintain the vision and momentum to help homeless, something that could wane or change with new leadership.

Rawlings invests her time in her “we’re stronger together” belief and so can you! Serving a community is more than working in a soup kitchen. If you’re looking for practical ways to invest in our community Rawlings suggests attending a Boundary County Coalition of the Family meeting held the first Thursday of every month from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the Chicken Chop or contributing financially to the local Ministerial Association. For those in need of help, she recommends contacting the Community Action Partnership unless it’s life threatening in which case she suggests contacting Boundary County Victims Services.

Boundary County is stronger with dedicated servant-citizens like Treva Rawlings. Thank you Treva Rawlings for your dedication to our community.

Who interests or inspires you?

Boundary County is an oasis of incredible creators, thinkers and doers elbow deep in projects. Brushing shoulders with such people leaves one inspired and curious which is why I need your help! Shoot me an email nominating an interesting or inspiring Boundary County resident!

Please remember to include your contact information and what makes your nominee standout! Julie@julieholly.com