Serving those who serve
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 9 months AGO
Mulligan’s server Abbi Hathaway brings her guests a delicious meal, pre-coronavirus outbreak. Volunteers have stepped up to field calls for CDAIDE, a nonprofit that helps hospitality and service workers like Hathaway, as many are struggling to find funding and resources in the wake of COVID-19 closures and layoffs. “CDAIDE is awesome!” Hathaway said. (Courtesy photo)
CDAIDE volunteer Steve Moss takes a call on Wednesday to help a struggling service industry worker. Through referrals from employers and co-workers, CDAIDE works to connect hospitality and restaurant employees with funding and resources to help them through tough times. Weekly referrals have increased 2,500 percent since the outbreak. (Courtesy photo)
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | April 9, 2020 3:35 PM
CDAIDE helps service industry workers during crisis
Countless hospitality and service staffs have been cut in the wake of COVID-19 bar and restaurant closures and stay-home orders. CDAIDE, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping those who work in food service and hospitality, immediately began fielding an influx of referrals and requests for help once the pandemic hit. Its weekly referrals have increased by 2,500 percent since COVID-19 began impacting North Idaho.
Individuals outside of the normal volunteer base have stepped up to serve as “case managers” to help CDAIDE in its mission to serve those who serve. They’ve been on the phone day and night, listening to heartbreaking stories and networking to rescue their fellow North Idahoans struggling with funding and resource needs.
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