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May 2025 Newsbriefs

Benefit surpasses its goal, Directory appeals for funds

With pledges and donations from the Spring Benefit still coming in at press time, The Fig Tree had surpassed its goal to raise $50,000—with $50,075 in and more donations expected.

"That's a boost to supporting our work as some other areas of support are slightly declining," said editor Mary Stamp. "We are hoping to build more individual donations to support publishing the Resource Directory, as uncertainty about tariffs and the market lead some to hold back.

"We rejoice, however, that so many directory supporters are continuing to fund it. We held our ad rates at the same level as last year to encourage them to underwrite the costs of producing the directories," she added. "With the changing landscape of federal funds, there are many changes in organizations providing services, so this year's directory is a particularly crucial source to know where to find needed services."

The Fig Tree has in place the long-term institutional knowledge to keep up the research to update the directory.

"Our directory editor, Malcolm Haworth, has the seasoned connections needed to keep current with what is happening," Mary added. "He has also been traveling to rural, tribal and outlying communities to connect personally with people and agencies in order to keep up with changes, needs and new content.

"Going on the ground, I have learned about many emerging and struggling organizations and resources," he said.

Other directories and resource apps may rely on short-term grants, but The Fig Tree has the infrastructure and trusted relationships necessary to report the information that is rapidly changing in these fluid times. It relies on support of general advertisers, community partners and individual donors for funds to publish.

To advertise, partner and donate, call 535-1813 or email mary@thefigtree.org.

Film made by the son of a local pastor

Spokane Riverkeeper presents its 11th Annual Wild & Film Festival starting at 5:30 p.m. with films at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 16. at the Garland Theater.

This year's theme "Wild at Heart," celebrates the power of wild places to inspire compassion, understanding and connection to the world.

"It will be an evening of thought-provoking, visually stunning films, highlighting the courage and enthusiasm needed to protect the environment," said Katie Thompson of Riverkeeper.

Agencies will share resources at the event.

Mikah Meyer, filmmaker of "Canyon Chorus," one of the films being shown, said, "Canyon Chorus has many religious themes, which is appropriate because I am a pastor's kid. My dad, Larry Meyer, served in campus ministry for the ELCA Lutheran Church in Spokane from 1979 to 1982 and is also featured in the film. In the film, I talk openly about that and the way it inspired the film. So, there's a fun local tie-in for the Spokane faith community."

For information, visit, spokaneriverkeeper.org/calendar or tickets are at the door.

Unanswered prayers focus of June retreat

Immaculate Heart Retreat Center (IHRC) will hold a Silent Day of Prayer: "When Your Prayers Go Unanswered" with Deacon John Ruscheinsky from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, June 12, at 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd.

He will lead a reflection on how sometimes prayers seem to go unanswered.

"We pray daily but haven't received the answer we seek. It seems the pleas have been swallowed by silence. We ask: 'Does God care?' Yes! God is always ready to answer. God also knows what's best for us," said John, who retired in October 2022 after 25 years as director of IHRC for the Diocese of Spokane.

This Day of Prayer centers on the Rev. Keith McClellan's "Care Notes" on unanswered prayers, with an invitation for people to learn to open themselves to receive and accept God's answer.

To register in advance, call 448-1224, email ihrc@ihrc.net or visit ihrc.net

Brunch supports Jewish Family Services

The annual Julie Morris Memorial Benefit Brunch to support Spokane Area Jewish Family Services (SAJFS) for individuals and families in need will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 18, at the Hemmingson Ballroom at Gonzaga University.

The program will present Marti Martin and Faith Hayflich with the Julie Morris Outstanding Service Award.

Proceeds will support programs of SAJFS for senior socialization at monthly luncheons, transportation to medical appointments, rent and utility assistance and a peer-led caregivers support group, said Neal Schindler, director.

SAJFS helps people of diverse backgrounds based on Jewish values of the inherent worth of every person, the practice of treating others with kindness and the importance of connection to community, he added.

For information, call 413-8254 or email director@sajfs.org.

Unity holds 'Pilgrims Peace Walk' May 3

"Pilgrim's Peace Walk: A Spiritual Journey at the Labyrinth, an Interfaith Gathering for Connection, Reflection and Unity" will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at Unity Center of Spiritual Growth, 4465 N. 15th St. in Coeur d'Alene.

More than a walk, this event offers a sacred space to honor differences, celebrate common ground and find peace together.

"The single, spiraling path represents life's journey—with all its twists, turns and returns—drawing us toward a shared center of wholeness and divine connection. The winding path becomes a poetic symbol, a mirror for reflection and insight, a quiet place to feel the rhythm of breath, release and renewal," said Kim Morgan, organizer.

Walkers move in silence, prayer or thoughtful reflection to explore life's transitions, seek inner clarity or find a moment of peace and presence.

Participants may bring a writer's journal and an outdoor camping chair.

For information, email kimemorganworkshops@gmail.com

Christ Kitchen's benefit is on May 19

One Life at a Time Luncheon, a benefit event for Christ Kitchen, will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, May 19, at True Hope Church, 1316 N. Lincoln St. in Spokane.

The featured speaker is author Megan Marshmann, who is finishing a doctorate of ministry studies, while serving as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and as the director of women's ministries at Hume Lake Christian Camps. She also shepherds women at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach, Calif.

Megan is committed to using her life to spread hope, share truth and celebrate others.

In her presentation, she will address the theme, "Hope That Abounds When We Truly Invest in One Another."

For information, call, 325-4343, to register, christkitchen.org/one-life-at-a-time

A Woman's Worth Gala set for May 2

A Woman's Worth 3rd Annual Gala from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, May 2, at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Spokane features a program with Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, motivational speaker Stephy Nobles-Beans, singers Ja'Nese Howard and Alethea Dumas and praise dancer Terezeta Graham.

The event includes an auction and testimonies from two recipients of recognition by A Woman's Worth.

A Woman's Worth provides tools, support and guidance to empower women to take control of their lives, rediscover their passions and unlock their full potential, said Gaye Hallman, founder and executive director.

"We foster self-worth and inspire women from all walks of life to embrace their talents, pursue their dreams and approach their future with vision, confidence and purpose. We seek to help women awaken passions, explore dreams and redirect goals to achieve their full potential," she added.

Honorees this year are Sarah Hill, Maria Muro-Perez, Gloria Mathyer, Karen Lofgren, Jadah Parham, Melissa Muden, Skyler Morford, Crystal Lockhart and Veronica Marry. They completed AWW's six-to-12-month program.

For information, call 385-7074 or email ghallman@aww.community

Habitat's Hope Builders Luncheon is May 8

Habitat for Humanity Spokane is planning its Annual Hope Builders Benefit Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 8, at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

This event is the largest annual fundraiser to sustain affordable homeownership opportunities in partnership with modest-income individuals and families in need of a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.

Community support builds homes, strengthens families and transforms communities. Since 1987, Habitat-Spokane has been a leader in affordable homeownership programs and construction in Spokane County, providing vulnerable families flexible financing.

For information, call 534-2552 or register at habitat-spokane.org

Catholic Charities' Gala is set for May 9

Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington will present an evening for celebrating the legacy, history, individuals, partners and services it offers. The Catholic Charities Gala will be held beginning with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 9, at the Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The dinner and program begin at 7 p.m.

For information, call 358-4266, email annmarie.byrd@cceasternwa.org or visit cceasternwa.org/gala

Riverkeeper plans Waste to Energy tour

Spokane Riverkeeper has organized a 90-minute tour of Spokane's Waste to Energy (WTE) Facility from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 22, for people to learn now the city's trash is turned into energy. The tour includes an orientation, a question-answer time and a walking tour of the facility at 2900 S. Geiger Blvd.

Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes. The tour guide will provide hard hats, eye and ear protection. Since 1991, the facility is part of the community's comprehensive solid waste system, encouraging recycling, waste reduction and energy recovery. It handles 800 tons of solid waste each day and generates about 22 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 13,000 homes—earning up to $5 million in power sales each year. It replaced leaking landfills to handle the community's solid waste.

For information, call 464-7614, email hello@spokaneriverkeeper.org or visit spokaneriverkeeper.org/calendar/2025/5/22/waste-to-energy-plant-tour

Gonzaga hosts the Academy of Religion

Gonzaga University will host the Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter of the American Academy of Religion (PNWAAR) from Friday to Saturday, May 23 to 24. Sessions start at noon in Jepson Center at Gonzaga.

Founded in 1971, the PNWAAR is part of the world's largest academic society studying religion and supporting scholarship across many disciplines.

Its members are in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon.

The disciplines include the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and the World of Early Christianity, History of Christianity and North American Religions, Theology and Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Society, Religion and the Social Sciences, Asian and Comparative Studies, Mormon Studies, Arts and Religion, Women and Religion, and Experimental Exegesis and Teaching Religion.

There will be a reception at 5 p.m. Friday at Wolff Auditorium hosted by the Religious Studies Department and the Office of Inclusionary Excellence.

At 6:15 p.m., there will be a keynote conversation with Raymond Reyes, retired vice president and chief diversity officer from Gonzaga, and Itohan Idumwonyi, assistant professor of religious studies.

At 6 p.m., Saturday, May 24, in the Skyline Room at the Centennial Hotel, 303 W. North River Dr., there will be a banquet dinner followed by the Presidential Address at 7 p.m. on "Religious Studies within the Whirlwind" by Scott Starbuck, senior lecturer in religious studies at Gonzaga University.

He will share how institutional volatility, environmental upending and political discord challenge religious scholarship. He will also discuss how scholars, community leaders and the Pacific Northwest American Academy of Religion might work within the current whirlwind.

For information, visit pnwaar.com/annual-meeting-2025

Nonprofit event is virtual and in person

The Nonprofit Association of Washington is holding part of its annual conference in Spokane from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, May 16.

The state gathering of nonprofits brings people together to learn and network on resource development, human resources and operations practices.

Statewide, the Virtual Conference will be online from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14, with speakers, workshops and networking on two tracks, "A Force for Growth, A Force for Good" and "Managinig for Meaningful Service."

Presentations include "Mapping Our Social Change Ecosystem Roles" and "Ready to Thrive: Future-proofing Your Nonprofit."

There will be workshops on navigating through uncertainty, building a leadership framework, youth engagement, nonprofit endowments, network building, building a culture of giving in small communities, data analysis for teams, strategies for leadership succession and more.

Spokane's keynote panel will address "What Are We Willing to Fight For?: Prioritizing Advocacy in Times of Uncertainty." Panelists are Nichole June Maher, president and CEO of Inatai Foundation; Lili Navarrete, Spokane City Council member; Sam Smith, director of immigrant legal services at Manzanita House, and Zeke Smith, president of Empire Health Foundation.

For information, visit: nonprofitwa.org/washington-state-nonprofit-conference/pricing-registration

Spokane Valley Connect offers aid

The 2025 Spokane Valley Connect will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 22, at Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Rd.

The one-day event gathers nonprofits, community agencies and businesses to offer essential services in one place for families and individuals struggling with housing and homelessness.

Last year, 60 vendors served 450 guests, providing free hot meals, haircuts, medical appointments, vaccines, warrant quashing, clothing and services of Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  The Warrant Fest includes Spokane County District, Superior and Municipal Courts.

The planning committees of Spokane Valley and Spokane Homeless Connect merged and formed a new nonprofit, Spokane Connect, which will host the annual Homeless Connect and Spokane Valley Connect.

Vendors may register by May 10 by emailing homelessconnectvendors@gmail.com. For information, visit spokaneconnect.org

Nonprofit lifts people into 'next chapter'

Next Chapter, a new nonprofit, has launched its two-program approach to lift up people who have experienced homelessness and underrepresented community members to opportunities to thrive in the next chapter of their lives.

In April, it opened a showroom for its program, Home, at the former Sunrise Church, 4718 N. Ash St. Working with partner nonprofits—Compassionate Addiction Treatment, Jewels Helping Hands, Spokane Aids Network, Health and Justice Recovery Alliance and CHAS Homeless Outreach team—Home provides home goods and furnishings to people exiting homelessness.

"Next Chapter reaches out to organizations serving under-represented communities and helping with shopping appointments," said Lerria Schuh, Next Chapter Home and Leadership Development co-founder.

They accept donations of gently used home goods, kitchen wares, home décor, plants, linens, bathroom essentials, pet supplies, sporting equipment and furnishings by appointment and will soon have times to drop off household cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper.

The second program, Leadership Development, starts in the fall to provide a free six-month board development and leadership class for BIPOC persons, people who experienced homelessness and under-represented folks. The course teaches organizational practices, financial oversight, human resources, best practices and board strategy with hands-on experience at a nonprofit, said Lerria.

On completing the course, students will serve on nonprofit boards and have skills to enhance the next chapter of their career.

For information and appointments visit nextchapterhome.org

CdA home opens a multifaith retreat center called Bliss You

Bliss You, a new multi-faith retreat home in Coeur d'Alene, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, for weekly retreats starting May 10.

Donna Mills, a minister of the spiritual sciences who has Unitarian Universalist and Unity lay pastoral training, is opening her home for indoor and outdoor quiet spaces for healing, reflection, recreation and ministry, plus lunchtime learnings.

There are rooms for reading, lounging, art and movement.

Donna offers herb walks in her quarter-acre garden.

For information email howtohumanwell@outlook.com

Groups plan various events for Asian American Heritage Month

The opening reception for Spokane's Asian American Heritage Month, "Echoes: Letters for New Tomorrows," is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. 1st Ave., with performances hosted by Melody Chang, a local opera singer, actress and activist. Activities include a picnic, resources, food, storytellers, museum objects, Campbell House archives and Boba buddies.

Asians for Collective Liberation (ACL) Spokane plans a literary event at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8, at the Central Library with Viet Thanh Nguyen, New York Times bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize winner and professor of English, American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California, discussing his memoir, "To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other." Stories on identity, memory and belonging offer insights into the Vietnamese diaspora and broader Asian American experience.

"In a world where immigrants, refugees, Black, Brown, Indigenous, queer and working-class people are under attack and dehumanized, Viet tells what it means to be an outsider and highlights the role of arts and culture in today's political discourse," said Frances Grace Mortel, cultural program manager at ACL Spokane. Details are at bit.ly/VTN-Spokane.

Boba Breaks at the 509 Spring Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, at the Eastern Washington University PUB includes mental health resources, youth programs and environmental advocacy.

Seattle author Putsata Reang speaks on "Resisting Erasure through Storytelling" at 4 p.m., Friday, May 16, at the Shadle Park Library. She will also lead a writing workshop, "Stories Hold the Cure," from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 17, at The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague, for Asian immigrants/refugees and Asian Americans. Details are at bit.ly/stories-cure.

"Ten Thousand Things: Artifacts of Asian American Life" is a Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau event with Shin Yu Pai, podcast creator, poet and author, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 22, at  Liberty Park Library. She shares how collections and artifacts reveal personal and cultural values, stories of diaspora and tales of trauma that illuminate Asian American experiences.

She will also present "No Neutral," a poetry night hosted by ACL Spokane's Chai Cultural Club at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, Auntie's Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. exploring place, histories, identity in shifting spaces, poems on social unrest, conflict, friendships, being a woman, mother, artist and daughter. Details are at bityly/SYP-poetrynight.

The closing reception at the "New Wave" Film Screening, from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, at The Garland Theater, honors the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees in the U.S.

Chinese Vietnamese filmmaker, storyteller and author Elizabeth Ai excavates the untold story of rebellious punks in the 1980s Vietnamese New Wave. Details are at bit.ly/newwavespokane.

The Asian American Heritage Month events are sponsored by ACL Spokane, Spokane Public Library and Humanities Washington. For information, visit aclspokane.org/heritagemonth and humanities.org.

Groups suggest resources for nonprofits

Nonprofits across the Inland Northwest are feeling the impact of possible new policies and executive orders. Agencies need to know where they can go to get current information.

The following are some resources.

The National Council of Nonprofits, Public Citizen, State Democracy Defenders Fund, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans Against Government Censorship are circulating a sign-on letter at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffoPRt1UEhkvJrnGXWiNeXbiPlGGt8xjaOcWkLJ9ZtNfDzlA/viewform.

Many sources suggest keeping in contact with representatives in the House of Representatives at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and senators at https://www.senate.gov/states/WA/intro.htm or https://www.senate.gov/states/ID/intro.htm to voice your concerns and ask for their commitment to protect the nonprofit sector.

The National Council of Nonprofits is working to protect nonprofits in the courts: councilofnonprofits.org/impacts-recent-executive-orders-nonprofits.

Other sources of information for nonprofits and sharing information include the Nonprofit Association of Washington Community Slack channel https://nonprofitwa.org/collaborate/community-slack, as well as attending the Washington State Nonprofit Conference https://nonprofitwa.org/washington-state-nonprofit-conference.

The Idaho Nonprofit Center also has helpful resources available at https://www.idahononprofits.org/legislative-watch.html.

 

 
Copyright@ The Fig Tree, May2025
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