April 2025
Celebrating Our Volunteers This April – Thank You for Making a Difference
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at Far + Wise, we’re proud to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who bring their commitment, warmth, and talent into our classrooms each week. These dedicated volunteers cultivate curiosity, confidence and a love of learning in our students—and they do it with heart.
Our volunteers are more than classroom helpers. They are mentors, tutors, role models, and trusted friends. With compassion and consistency, they help our young people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Across our North and South Valley classrooms, 20 incredible volunteers spend countless hours working one-on-one or in small groups with students. Their steady presence builds trust and belonging—two essential ingredients for academic and personal growth. Whether supporting literacy and math, listening to students read, facilitating art projects, or leading hands-on outdoor learning, our volunteers make education meaningful, memorable and fun.
The impact is powerful. Students who connect with our volunteer mentors experience greater academic success, stronger communication skills, increased confidence and accountability, and deeper emotional intelligence.
We invite you to keep reading to meet the individuals behind these stories—their areas of focus, and snapshots of their time in action.
And if you’ve ever thought about volunteering, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a few hours a week or a special skill to share, there’s a place for you at Far + Wise. Reach out to us at info@farandwise.org — let’s find the right fit together.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Laura
Laura Rose-Lewis
Executive Director
Elementary Program Updates
Meet the Far + Wise Volunteers!
This month, we’re proud to spotlight our volunteers. They are an integral part of our team and impact our students’ lives.
Thank you…
Lisa Adams: Literacy – Reading 📖✨
Charlotte Alexander: Outdoor Adventures 🏕️🌲
Elli Bernachi: Art Projects 🎨🖌️
Joyce Friedman: Art & Special Projects 🖍️🌟
Carolyn Gruver: Reading One-on-One 📖 👥
Diana Horner: Math & Literacy ➕➖✖️➗ 📖✨
Chuck Jones: Math & Special Interest Activities ➕➖✖️➗ 🎲
Catherine Kennett: Math Support ➗📘
Jim Karkut: Field Trips – Ski Day ⛷️🚌
Teresa Lara: Outdoor Play & Classroom Play 🌤️🤹
Constance McGowan: Literacy - Writing ✍️📚
Holbrook Newman: Literacy – Reading 📖✨
Barry O'Kane: Reading & Play 📚🤸
Kim Pertel: Outdoor Adventures & Indoor Games 🏕️🌲
Margaret Pleyn: Math Support ➗📘
Julie Sargent: Math Tutoring & Games 🧮 🎲
Brennen Strine: Math Intervention 📐🧠
Janet Van Tassel: Storytelling & Play 📖 🎭
Michele Vignarols: Art & Special Projects 🖍️🌟
Tricia Wood: Literacy – Writing ✍️📚
🌲🔨✨ Special Projects with Susan Desko, Architect
Our students have embarked on their second creative journey with architect and longtime volunteer Susan Desko. This time, they’re diving into the wonders of forests and trees—transforming what they learn into beautiful works of art that will help bring our Soaring to Success benefit and celebration to life on August 15. Susan brings creativity to the classroom through hands-on art and building projects that spark imagination and support learning. This latest forest-themed endeavor even aligned perfectly with Earth Day 2025. We can’t wait to see the final installation—a testament to Susan’s incredible dedication and the students’ inspired work.
📚🦄✨ Special Visitor, Nick Harman
Our kindergarten students recently had the unforgettable experience of meeting Nick Harman, the creator and author of Randimals. Nick shared the magic behind his writing process and brought his whimsical animal hybrids to life—while delivering a powerful message about celebrating our differences. His visit sparked imagination, conversation, and a sense of belonging that lingered long after story-time ended.
To all our volunteers: thank you. You strengthen our program and leave an indelible mark on the lives of the students we serve.
Center for Career Exploration | Spring Updates
Winter + Spring Program Successes + Summer Launch
As the season of growth unfolds, the Center for Career Exploration (CCE) is excited to share recent program highlights—and a sneak peek at the summer adventures ahead! Thanks to our incredible partners and community support, students across Blaine County are getting education, training and real-world experiences that are igniting passion, informing futures and strengthening our local workforce.
Here’s a glimpse of what your support has helped make possible:
🔧 Automotive Career Camp 1: Full Throttle Success!
Ten enthusiastic students dove into the world of automotive technology, guided by expert volunteer instructor Josh Perron of Durg’s Automotive in Bellevue. The camp was a hit—and students were unanimous in their praise of Josh’s teaching and mentorship. Ideas and interest in the field of automotive careers were ignited, skills were developed and students are ready for next steps in automotive opportunities.
🚗 Automotive Career Camp 2: Another Session Filled to Capacity!
Following the high demand for Auto 1, a second session launched this spring with ten more students eager to learn. The response has confirmed what we’ve seen time and again: students are ready and excited to engage in career-focused training, and employers are eager to meet with students who complete our camps and moving to the next level.
🏔 Mountain Operations Boot Camp: Peak Performance
In partnership with Sun Valley Company and Sun Valley Economic Development,nine students explored careers in mountain operations and resort industries.From mountain maintenance, lift operations, snowmaking and snowcats, theexperience gave students a foundational understanding of the systems andpossible careers that fuel our local economy. Courses will continue this summerwith Sun Valley Company and will progress into internships and pre-apprenticeships. Our employers are training to hire...!
💙 Senior Care Careers: Compassion in Action
Nine students took part in this camp, gaining insights into the senior care sector through visits with professionals at The Senior Connection, St. Luke’s, The Cove of Cascadia, CSI, and more. The result? Seven students were inspired and will continue with summer internships at The Senior Connection, and successful participants will be awarded scholarships to pursue Certified Nursing Certification. We are excited to see these future nursing assistants support our seniors and the Senior Connection!
A Few of the Camps Coming This Summer: Sparking Passions + Building Skills
We’re gearing up for an exciting lineup of career camps this summer! Below are just a few of the hands-on experiences offered through our CCE program that will introduce students to careers and connect them with local businesses:
🍳 Culinary Camp for Aspiring Chefs – Beginning Skills
🏗️Trades Exploration Youth Career Academy at CSI
🪚 Skilled Trades and Carpentry
👶 Essentials in Childcare and Pediatric CPR
🚨 Public Service and Safety
🍽️Culinary Camp for Aspiring Chefs – Advanced Skills (Prerequisite required)
Thank you to camp partners (above) including Sun Valley Culinary Institute, Ketchum Police Department and Wood River Early Learning Collaborative.
Students will also have internships with the following local businesses in the coming months: Sun Valley Company, Durg's Automotive, Lee Gilman Builders, Conrad Brothers Construction, Elias Construction, Mascheroni Design/Build, College of Southern Idaho, The Senior Connection, St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center and The Cove of Cascadia.
For a full list of partners, camps and classes, course descriptions, age requirements and for registration, please visit ccefarandwise.org.
Building Bridges to Real-World Opportunities
Career camps are just the beginning. Thanks to strong community partnerships,we’re also placing students in internship roles across key industries:
Senior Care – Providing meaningful, hands-on experience in a growing field
Automotive – Connecting students with local shops and expert mechanics
Mountain Operations – Offering insight into year-round resort careers
Water Management – Partnering with the Idaho Rural Water Association to place students in vital, high-demand jobs
Are you a local employer interested in mentoring the next generation? We’d love to connect! Reach out to Jennifer Gennuso at jennifer@farandwise.org.
Together, we’re building bridges from education to opportunity—and shaping a stronger, more connected future for all.
The Giving Corner
This month, we are excited to share several significant developments that are helping to shape the future of Far + Wise—and expand opportunities for students across Blaine County:
💼 Far + Wise Awarded $250,000 Workforce Development Grant
Far + Wise is thrilled to announce that we have received a $250,000 Innovation Grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council (WDC) to grow our Center for Career Exploration (CCE). This transformative funding will support our mission to connect local students with meaningful, hands-on career training and employment opportunities right here in Blaine County.
This effort was supported by our strong partnership with Sun Valley Economic Development (SVED), who worked alongside us to pursue this highly competitive grant. Together, we’re celebrating a shared commitment to strengthening our local workforce and supporting both students and businesses in our community.
As a matching and reimbursement grant, this investment requires continued collaboration with the WDC—and work on our part—to unlock its full potential. Over the next two years, the grant will fuel:
Expansion of Trade & Professional Camps
Launch of new Pre-Apprenticeship programs in high-demand sectors likeConstruction, Senior Care, and Mountain Operations.
Paid internships for high school students and recent graduates
This funding reflects growing recognition of the need for locally relevant, hands-on career training that prepares young people to thrive and build futures in Blaine County. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to scale this impactful, community-driven initiative.
🌱 Spur Community Foundation Grant Application Support
We are also honored to have been selected for the Spur Grant Application Assistance Program (GAAP). Through this two-phase initiative, Spur connects local nonprofits with professional grant writers to identify aligned funding opportunities and, in some cases, underwrites the cost of preparing full grant applications. Far + Wise is currently participating in Phase 1, during which we’re receiving customized grant prospect research tailored to our programs and goals. This support is helping us build a strategic roadmap for future funding and ensuring that we’re well-positioned to secure long-term investments in our work. We’re grateful to Spur for supporting sustainability and capacity-building in the Wood River Valley nonprofit community.
💛 Give the Gift of Time
In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re not asking for donations—we’re inviting you to volunteer. Whether you read with students, lend a hand at a career camp, or serve as a mentor, your time has a transformative impact. Volunteering with Far + Wise is meaningful, flexible, and fun—and we’d love to help you find the right fit.
Want to get involved?
Let us know your interests, and we’ll match you with an opportunity that fits your schedule and passions. Contact info@farandwise.org for more information.