Google "mental health crisis" and you'll find countless articles, papers, and opinions on the topic. A mental health crisis can encompass a range of issues, from teen suicide to depression rates to homelessness. While various organizations focus on specific aspects of mental health, the Ethan Murray Fund provides financial assistance for a range of tailored mental health services. Founded by Justine Murray, who understands the link between homelessness and mental health, the organization aims to support families dealing with mental illness.


Ethan Murray was a typical, healthy, and smart child until one day everything changed. Schizophrenia, a condition typically associated with adults, is exceedingly rare in children under the age of 13. It's not something one is born with; rather, it emerges seemingly out of nowhere, often with little warning. In males, it typically surfaces between the ages of 16 and 30, while in females, it tends to appear in the late 20s and early 30s. Although there may be hindsight signs, such as subtle behavioral shifts, many families are completely caught off guard when a loved one experiences their first mental break.

Unforeseen Challenges: Schizophrenia and Adult Status

Ethan experienced his first mental break around the age of 19. This resulted in Ethan becoming entangled in the court system while his mother, Justine, navigated the complexities of a condition she was unfamiliar with, all while balancing her own business and caring for another child. Ethan's condition fluctuated unpredictably, with periods of stability interspersed with episodes where he would vanish for weeks or even months. 


“People might see a homeless person and think, where is their family? Why don’t they have help? Well, a lot of the time, their family has no idea where they are. That was frequently my situation,” explained Justine.


Despite Ethan's evident mental health struggles, his legal status as an adult posed challenges for Justine and authorities in preventing self-harm or homelessness. State intervention often demands evidence of violence or drug involvement. Ethan was never violent, and although he did use drugs, it wasn’t always the case or easy to prove. Even in dire situations, like being without appropriate clothing in harsh North Idaho winters miles from home, Ethan's refusal to seek help limited intervention options. If he declined assistance, his autonomy remained largely unchallenged.


In an unexpected turn, Ethan's encounter with the law, triggered by a low-speed scooter chase, became a turning point. Arrested and facing felony charges, he received crucial medical care. After the charges were dropped, he completed a mandated treatment program at Northeast Florida State Hospital. About two years later he was released a few days before Thanksgiving. Due to his adult status, Justine wasn’t told when Ethan would be released. The short notice didn't stop his mom. Within two days of his release, Justine flew out to Florida with her mom and brother to bring Ethan home. In December 2018, Justine and Ethan were back home in Sandpoint.


Although Ethan would still have mental breaks, it seemed some level of predictability might finally be attainable. Things started to unravel again when Ethan went skiing on Schweitzer and traded his gear for meth.


“People are always shocked when I tell them kids can get meth on Schweitzer,” Justine said.


As Ethan's mental state worsened from medication irregularities, he ended up in Spokane under uncertain circumstances. Tragically, a police officer fatally shot him near a homeless encampment, despite his being unarmed. Justine learned of the incident two days later.


Ethan's death stemmed from a series of unfair circumstances. In part due to a shortage of state examiners, only they could designate individuals as mentally unfit after committing crimes. A police officer's attempt to assist Ethan off the streets was halted by a dropped warrant, leading to his release. Moreover, Ethan's adult status meant his family was not notified of changes in court dates or his discharge from institutions.

The city of Spokane ended up settling out of court over Ethan’s death. Justine never saw the officer in person or heard from him. He is back on duty. The city paid out $1 million to Ethan’s family, but after disbursing payments for fees and legal expenses, including a portion for Ethan's absent biological father—who, by law, was entitled to a share—only a small remainder was left for Justine and her daughter.


“People assume I got a million dollars, but I didn’t. Even if I did, it doesn’t heal the pain,” said Justine.


Meaningful Miles: Hiking for a Cause

Turning her pain into purpose, she established the Ethan Murray Fund, providing therapy to those facing healthcare barriers. Her vision extended to ensuring the fund's longevity, leading to the idea of fundraising through hiking.


Justine and her husband, Matt Connery, who battled depression and suicidal ideation himself, hiked 900 miles (including 46 miles without shade through the Owyhee Desert), raising $67 thousand for the fund. Similar to Cancer or AIDS walks, supporters pledged a certain amount per mile hiked.


"Hiking in harsh conditions is as close to experiencing what Ethan experienced as we can get," explained Justine. Matt added, "For those dealing with self-doubt or anxiety, a trek across miles of trails might change how you view the world or yourself... It makes you believe you can get through anything."


Their first fundraiser in 2021 led to a subsequent hike in 2023, covering the 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT). Completing the PNT is like climbing Mount Everest eight times. The Ethan Murray Fund now funds mental health care for those in need and offers local scholarships to students pursuing mental health careers or impacted by mental health issues.


Justine founded the Ethan Murray Fund to provide vital therapy to those facing mental health barriers. But she can't do it alone. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, join us in making mental health care accessible to all. Together, let's break the stigma, heal wounds, and ensure that no one walks their journey alone. Join us in honoring Ethan's legacy by advocating for a future where mental health is a fundamental right.

EMAIL THE AUTHOR

Resources:

  1. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/05/health/cnn-kff-mental-health-poll-wellness/index.html
  2. https://www.childpsych.theclinics.com/article/S1056-4993(24)00039-7/abstract

  3. https://ifstudies.org/blog/marriage-family-and-the-mental-health-crisis

  4. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/05/youth-suicide-rates-rose-62percent-from-2007-to-2021.html
  5. https://news.gallup.com/poll/505745/depression-rates-reach-new-highs.aspx

  6. https://www.ethanmurrayfund.org/
Giving Animals a Second Chance in Boundary County

Giving Animals a Second Chance

By Connie Kiehn • April 23, 2025
Founded in 1998 by a passionate group of women, Second Chance Animal Adoption has grown from backyard shelters to a vital community resource in Bonners Ferry. Focused on reuniting lost pets with their families and finding forever homes for abandoned animals, the shelter thrives on community support, thrift store proceeds, and a growing network of foster families. With about 22 animals in care at any given time, Second Chance is currently seeking more foster volunteers and encouraging adoptions—like that of Chance, their sweet and silly yellow Lab. Their upcoming microchip clinic on May 24 at Tractor Supply is another way they're making a difference, ensuring pets can be quickly reunited with their owners.

Love With Our Actions

By Linnis Jellinek • April 6, 2025
​Love in Action Idaho is revolutionizing community support by connecting donors directly with specific needs in Bonner County. Through their online registry, you can choose exactly where your contribution goes, ensuring 100% of your donation aids those facing challenges. Discover how you can make a tangible difference today at Love in Action Idaho's website.

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By Linnis Jellinek • March 27, 2025
When Kelli Bult couldn’t find a fitness space that welcomed her son Caleb—born 10 weeks premature with unique physical and cognitive needs—she created one. What began as a personal journey turned into a powerful nonprofit: The Unique Center for Athletes of All Needs (UCAN). UCAN is not your average gym. It’s a community-driven, adaptive fitness center that empowers individuals of all abilities to move, grow, and thrive together. From padded play structures and wheelchair-accessible equipment to inclusive classes and tiered pricing, UCAN is redefining what accessibility looks like in the fitness world—and beyond. 💪 Fitness meets inclusion 💡 Innovation meets compassion ❤️ A nonprofit model that lifts everyone Learn how this mom turned a challenge into a movement, and how your support can help UCAN grow even stronger.
7B Care Clinic - More Than Ultrasounds

More Than Ultrasounds

By Linnis Jellinek • March 11, 2025
When you think of pregnancy resource centers, you might picture a place for those in crisis—but 7B Care Clinic is so much more. From free ultrasounds and parenting education to mentoring programs for fathers and financial coaching, they provide long-term support for families in all situations.

A Firm Foundation

By Linnis Jellinek • March 4, 2025
Since 1974, Innovia has been a powerful force for philanthropy, helping communities thrive through strategic grants, donor support, and nonprofit sustainability initiatives. As a large community foundation, with $200 million in assets and $124 million in grants awarded, Innovia plays a critical role in supporting organizations across Bonner and Boundary counties. Through endowments, coaching, and fundraising initiatives, Innovia helps nonprofits become more sustainable and less reliant on unpredictable grant cycles. With programs like the Thriving Community Summit on March 17th and the Live Give 7B Campaign (April 14-18), Innovia continues to foster collaboration, financial stability, and community-driven philanthropy. Learn how Innovia is making an impact in North Idaho and how you can get involved! 📅 Thriving Community Summit – March 17th, Spokane 📅 Live Give 7B Campaign – April 14-18, ending with a celebration at Matchwood Brewing
Senior advocacy and the importance of community support for aging populations in Bonner County

Honoring Paul Graves and the Future of the Geezer Forum

February 19, 2025
Aging comes with unique challenges, but it also presents an opportunity to share wisdom and build stronger communities. In our latest blog, we sit down with Paul Graves, founder of the Geezer Forum and Elder Advocates, along with Lisa Bond from the Sandpoint Senior Center, to discuss the importance of community support for seniors. With 30% of Bonner County’s population over 65 and issues like healthcare, transportation, and financial security being top concerns, we explore how initiatives like the Geezer Forum Podcast will preserve stories, provide resources, and strengthen intergenerational connections. Read on to learn how we’re ensuring that aging in Bonner County means aging with dignity and support.
Chrystle Horvath, Executive Director of Bonner Community Housing Agency, discussing the urgent need

Helping Through Housing

By Linnis Jellinek • February 18, 2025
Affordable housing is a critical issue in Bonner County, and over 300 families are currently on the Bonner Community Housing Agency (BCHA) waiting list. In our latest blog, we sit down with Chrystle Horvath, Executive Director of BCHA, to discuss her journey into housing advocacy, the growing need for affordable homes, and how BCHA is working to provide secure housing for essential workers like nurses, teachers, and first responders. With an ambitious goal of 100 new affordable homes in the next five years, BCHA is making a lasting impact—but they need community support to make it happen. Read more to learn how you can help!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Digital Navigator

By Linnis Jellinek • February 8, 2025
Your Friendly Neighborhood Digital Navigator Quantifying what our Digital Navigator, Chris Watson, brings to the EnVision Center can be a little tricky. Not because it is especially complex but because there is such a wide variety of tasks and talents he employs here to help clients. We are very fortunate to have access to these skills through his placement with us via AmeriCorps . To understand Chris's role, it helps to first understand what AmeriCorps does. As Chris explains, the best way to think of AmeriCorps is as a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps—while the Peace Corps focuses on international aid, AmeriCorps addresses pressing issues within the U.S. like hunger, disaster relief, and illiteracy. Chris is part of the American Connection Corps (ACC), a program within AmeriCorps dedicated to closing the digital divide. ACC focuses on providing broadband access and promoting digital literacy, particularly in rural areas. By improving connectivity, the goal is to foster economic development in underserved communities. Chris’s term of service is one year, with the possibility of renewing it for up to four years. A key idea behind the ACC is that long-term success comes from training local community members, who already understand the culture and have built trust, rather than bringing in outsiders. Chris is a great fit for this model, as he split his childhood between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene, giving him deep roots in the area. Ironically, Chris didn’t even know what a Digital Navigator was when he first applied. “Construction is very physical, and my body was breaking down, so I was looking for a change. I saw the AmeriCorps ad on Indeed and applied on a whim,” Chris recalls. It turns out that Chris’s role as a Digital Navigator has become a dream job—one he doesn’t want to leave. Digital Navigators come from all walks of life, and the most important qualification isn’t a tech background, but the ability to connect with the community. In exchange for their service, navigators receive a stipend, service hours, and an education award or scholarship. Host sites like the EnVision Center provide mentorship, but other organizations, such as universities and libraries, can also serve as hosts. Chris has been with the EnVision Center for just over a quarter, and much of his client base comes from word of mouth. He offers both phone and in-person assistance and hosts educational sessions on a range of topics, from using Google Workspace to understanding cybersecurity. Chris also helps clients recognize and protect themselves from phishing scams and identity theft. While his typical clients tend to be older adults, he’s found that even younger people often need help navigating desktop computers and maximizing software capabilities, despite being proficient with phones or tablets. While assisting with technology, Chris also keeps an eye out for broader ways the EnVision Center can serve clients who come to him for help. “I try to make a personal connection with people because they’re people first,” says Chris. “I’m here to help, whether it’s with a technology issue or something deeper. It’s about serving the community and giving back. This is my job, and that’s what I do—serve clients.” At the EnVision center, Chris helped us set up our reader board and get our podcast on Spotify. He has also been instrumental in assisting with grant writing for the EnVision Center, and his contributions extend far beyond just digital support. We are incredibly grateful for Chris’s dedication, and with his continued support, we look forward to expanding our impact and serving even more members of our community. 

Shelter Meets Salvation at Bonner Gospel Mission

By Linnis Jellinek • January 28, 2025
Bonner Gospel Mission (BGM) has been a cornerstone of service in Bonner County for decades, operating out of Ponderay. While most locals are familiar with its location and purpose, there are still some misconceptions, and it's easy to overlook the profound impact BGM makes in the community. Bonner Gospel Mission is not simply a shelter for men, they are a ministry first that exists to see God move in the lives of the men that come through their doors. The organization's core belief is that once men hear the gospel their lives will begin to change and soon they won’t need the support BGM offers. While food, shelter, and support for next steps are important, they are secondary to the primary goal of sharing the gospel and helping men grow spiritually. “We really look at ourselves more as a Ministry than a homeless shelter,” explains Executive Director Lucas Sheetz. “We're completely independent, we're not tied directly to any other larger organization or any church, it's just our own independent Ministry that gets supported by businesses, individuals and churches in the area so we have a different vision statement than maybe some other homeless shelters people know about.” While the gospel is at the heart of their work, BGM also provides essential services, including shelter, clothing, showers, and companionship. The shelter typically hosts about ten men at a time, providing three meals a day and helping them acquire basic necessities. Residents are expected to contribute to the upkeep of the facility and adhere to a code of conduct, which includes rules like no alcohol or drugs, respectful language, and mandatory Bible study and church attendance. On average, men stay for about 30 days, though BGM tailors support to each individual’s needs. They work with residents on a case-by-case basis, offering flexibility for those saving up for rent or needing more time to transition. BGM also partners with the EnVision Center to connect clients with job opportunities and training. One of the key differences between BGM and typical shelters is their lack of a waitlist. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with immediate placements available after an interview with Lucas, if it’s a good fit. Lucas Sheetz, who became BGM’s Executive Director in May 2024, has an unconventional path to the role. Formerly an independent landscaping and construction contractor, Lucas felt a calling from God that shifted his direction dramatically. “God woke me up in the middle of the night and said there was more he had in store for me,” Lucas recalls. “I didn’t know what it was, but I said I’d go wherever he led me.” His story resonated with the board, and soon after, Lucas was in training for the role. Now, with just one other paid employee, BGM relies heavily on volunteers and donors. The mission depends on donations for everything, from food to clothing. Community members are encouraged to bring homemade meals to the shelter, and the mission can always use frozen meals like casseroles and pastas for later use. Volunteers also help lead Bible studies, worship music, and provide transportation to church. The mission’s occasional free community dinners require upwards of 40 volunteers to run. Bonner Gospel Mission is a beacon of transformation in Bonner County, offering more than just shelter, but a genuine ministry focused on changing lives through the gospel. By providing not only basic necessities but also spiritual guidance, BGM helps men find purpose and direction as they rebuild their lives. With the ongoing support from local donors and volunteers, Bonner Gospel Mission continues to fulfill its mission with unwavering dedication. Their work reminds us all that profound change comes through faith, community, and the willingness to help others walk the path toward a brighter future.

Women In Nonprofits

By Linnis Jellinek • January 20, 2025
At the Community Resource EnVision Center, we work with a lot of women. It feels like most of our volunteers are women, and for a long time, our board was predominantly made up of women. Men represent less than a third of the attendees at our executive director co-labs. So we got curious and decided to look into it: are women as overrepresented in nonprofit work as it feels like they are? Quantifying engagement in nonprofit work is tricky. Many nonprofits don’t track who volunteers or participates on a consistent basis throughout the year. It’s not like anyone is keeping detailed records on who is chaperoning field trips or volunteering for church events. If we had access to these numbers, they would likely tell an interesting story, but they’re nearly impossible to obtain. Instead, we took a look at female involvement through the lens of board membership and paid staff positions. In Bonner and Boundary counties, nonprofits with accessible leadership data report that 58% of workers or volunteers are women. When you dig further you discover women have long been at the heart of change in our communities. In 1985, it was three women who saved the Historic Panida Theater , a beloved landmark in Sandpoint. A woman behind the creation of Lost in the '50s , now a mainstay event in Sandpoint. Two women, who in 1979 formed the Community Assistance League simply because “the town had very little for women to do, and a lot of areas in need of improvement.” Women who changed the education landscape in this area and founded hospitals. And it was the untimely death of Sandpoint resident Kathy Pelland, known for the way she selflessly gave to so many around her that inspired the formation of Angels Over Sandpoint which since 1997 has raised over $1.5 million for locals in need. In more recent years, women have continued to lead transformative projects. Katie Cox led the charge to save Sled Hill as the Executive Director of Kaniksu Land Trust. Karin Wedemeyer founded the Sandpoint Music Conservatory , nurturing local talent and creativity. Lois Renk Wythe was the inspiration and the driving force behind the creation of the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society and North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum . And in 2016, 101 Women was formed, giving away two $10,000 gifts each year to support needy causes and organizations in the area. Northern Idaho stands out in its nonprofit landscape. A higher percentage of women hold leadership roles compared to general staff, suggesting that women are more likely than men to pursue or be nominated for leadership positions here. Women in Northern Idaho aren’t just leading—they’re transforming our community. From saving historic landmarks to nurturing our arts, culture, and environment, women are leaving their mark in every corner of our region. This is a testament to the unique local culture that makes our nonprofit sector thrive. Feeling inspired to make a change? Visit us at crecidaho.com/volunteer to learn how you can plug into our community. Or click on the logo below to get more information on these women led nonprofits!