A Day of Hope in North Idaho

Nearly 1,500 North Idaho residents gathered at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 18, for the largest Day of Hope in the event's history. More than 25 organizations and hundreds of volunteers came together for a day centered on connection, service, love and hope. 

Founded by Jordan and Amy Redman, 208 Ministries has grown Day of Hope alongside its community partners in North Idaho, bringing together churches, nonprofits, healthcare providers, workforce training partners, businesses, schools, neighbors and volunteers. 

That may be what makes Day of Hope so unique. It is not one organization trying to be the answer. It is an entire community showing up together. 

Volunteers from the Kroc Center welcomed children with a giant parachute game. Joy 620 broadcast live throughout the day as families enjoyed a community barbecue, bounce houses, face painting, clothing, haircuts, groceries and children's activities. 

Each attendee also received a passport encouraging them to visit every participating organization. 

It was a simple idea with a meaningful purpose. 

Instead of walking past tables and collecting brochures, residents engaged in conversations. They met the people behind the organizations, learned about opportunities they may not have known existed, and discovered how many people are working every day to strengthen North Idaho. 

North Idaho College shared pathways into education and the workforce. Heritage Health welcomed residents through its mobile clinic. Faith-based groups, veterans' organizations, housing partners, nonprofits, local businesses and workforce training organizations each brought a different part of the community into the same conversation. 

CareSource was among the community partners participating in the event. 

Kyle Lowe and the CareSource community team spent the day speaking with residents and fellow partners about the organization's work across Idaho. 

Although CareSource is widely known for its work in healthcare, its community partnerships also extend into schools, workforce development, learning and efforts that help local organizations improve health and opportunity throughout the state. 

"At CareSource, we believe healthier communities begin by investing in people," Lowe said. "Supporting students and families today will help strengthen our communities for tomorrow. We're honored to partner with 208 Ministries and the many organizations that make Day of Hope possible." 

His comments reflected a theme seen throughout the fairgrounds. 

No single organization was trying to solve every challenge. Each partner brought its own strengths, creating something together that none could accomplish alone. 

One of the day's most memorable moments happened at a folding table covered with donated tools. Local resident Ken Zaken spends many of his weekends visiting garage sales and collecting tools so they can find a second life helping someone else. As attendees made their way through the event, a young woman stopped at Ken's table and picked up a wrench. 

Ken thanked her for taking one. 

She explained that her toilet had been giving her trouble at home and that the wrench was exactly what she needed to fix it. 

"This captures exactly why I do this," Zaken said. "It makes my heart happy." 

The interaction lasted less than a minute, but it captured the spirit of the day. 

A tool that had once been sitting unused in someone's garage had become exactly what a neighbor needed. 

No complicated process. No barrier between the person with something to share and the person who needs it. Just one neighbor helping another. 

Day of Hope created a place where they could find each other. 

That is what 208 Ministries has cultivated over the years. 

More than an annual event, it has become a gathering that rallies organizations across North Idaho around a shared mission to serve the community. It is a place where partnerships are strengthened, new relationships are formed, and residents see firsthand the remarkable network of people already investing in this region. 

As Day of Hope continues to grow, so does the number of organizations that choose collaboration over working alone. 

That may be the event's greatest success. 

Day of Hope is not about one organization serving a community. It is about a community discovering what is possible when it comes together to build more love and hope to share.