COEUR d’ALENE — For kids who feel lost, left behind and in need of positive influences, North Idaho Young Life can help light their way.

"When you have a plan for the future, there's hope," said North Idaho Young Life area director Carson Cramer. "Right now kids’ grades have been thrown off by uncertainty and what's going on with home life. This last year's been a dark time. It's been a dark season for many people."

North Idaho Young Life, a non-denominational, faith-based organization dedicated to helping youths build relationships and engage in their community, is celebrating 21 years of lifting up young people wherever they are in life's journey.

"We just want to love kids, wherever they’re at," Cramer said.

He explained that North Idaho Young Life is kind of like a youth group, but aimed more at the kids who don't actually come to church. It's filled with volunteers who are teachers, coaches and business professionals who invest their time into making a difference in young people's lives.

"The target audience is kids who are not involved in any kind of faith community and who would never want to be," Cramer said, adding that it's these kids who can benefit most from this kind of support.

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care," he said.

This Friday, North Idaho Young Life will host its outdoor benefit concert, Light up the Sky, at Settlers Creek in Coeur d'Alene.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with the event starting at 5:15. The evening will include hors d'oeuvres and beverages with a no-host bar, a silent auction, wine tree and games and activities.

An exquisite farm-to-table culinary experience will be served for dinner at 6:30. Guests will hear from teens who will share what North Idaho Young Life has meant in their lives.

A live concert featuring singer-songwriter Jonah Werner, a Young Life alum, will be at 7:30.

A dessert afterglow will take place at 8:30, when yard games will still be in play.

Light up the Sky will serve as a networking opportunity for parents and youths who might not live in the same school district or who are new to the area.

"There's a lot of people moving to Coeur d’Alene, a lot of people surrounding Young Life in the community that may not know each other," Cramer said.

Tickets for Light up the Sky are $75 each or $600 for a table of eight. All of the proceeds will support North Idaho Young Life and the young people it serves.

Info: https://northidaho.younglife.org