Being part of an EnVision Center brings the great privilege of meeting wonderful individuals. from nonprofit entrepreneurs to those with incredible stories of perseverance to humble volunteers. Alisha Kowalski falls into the last category. Alisha, a personal banker at WaFd Bank recently spearheaded a volunteer program with her colleagues at the EnVision Center. However, upon speaking with her, it becomes clear that this initiative isn't merely a checkbox for her; giving is a genuine lifestyle choice.
If you ever visit the EnVision Center, you might encounter our new team of WaFd Bank volunteers. This group consists of three individuals who work at WaFd Bank and dedicate time during the week to assist clients at the EnVision Center. Alisha has been involved in the community long enough to remember the center before it became the EnVision Center. Her awareness was refreshed when she attended a workshop here and met our executive director, Katie Begalke. During their conversation, Katie mentioned a volunteer opportunity, and Alisha immediately saw potential for her WaFd crew to get involved.
It's not uncommon for banks and similar businesses to designate employees as liaisons to the community. What sets WaFd Bank apart is the unique opportunity for employees to volunteer with another organization during their regular work hours and still receive their regular pay. While many employees may have a desire to volunteer for nonprofits, the prospect of taking unpaid time off can be prohibitive. WaFd Bank understands this barrier and supports its employees in giving back to the community without financial sacrifice.
Alisha not only spearheaded her team’s volunteer efforts at the EnVision Center but also continues to give back in other meaningful ways. She currently serves as an ambassador for the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce as well as on the board of Bonner Homeless Transitions and will hopefully soon be joining the board of Love in Action after she recovers from back surgery. Alisha explains that she feels compelled to give back to a community that has given her so much.
“Doing something without expecting anything back. It’s such a glorious thing when you experience it for yourself,” Alisha reflects.
Alisha’s own life has been colorful, to say the least. She discovered she had cervical cancer while her husband, a navy veteran, was on his first tour with boots on the ground in Bagram, Afghanistan. She underwent treatment without telling him to avoid burdening him while he served, all while caring for two very young children born less than a year apart. She later received the devastating news that her neurodivergent son was deemed low functioning and would likely never achieve independence. Her son, now 17, has thrived as a shift manager at Taco Bell and is now working at Buck Knives in Post Falls, living with his long-term girlfriend. Meanwhile, her daughter, also on the spectrum, is preparing to start a law internship while working full-time at Walmart. Alisha credits the Bonner County community for their unwavering support and encouragement, which she believes has been instrumental in her children’s remarkable achievements.
“Without this community my kids would not be where they’re at,” Alisha said. “We literally came from nothing.”
Alisha’s family moved here in 2011, although her husband was born and raised in Sandpoint. Now she’s often mistaken for a local, a perception she happily fosters with her baking. Every morning before work, Alisha bakes cookies for her clients and passersby at the bank. She introduces a new ‘cookie of the week’ each week keeping the recipes a closely guarded secret.
Alisha Kowalski's influence at the EnVision Center exemplifies the profound impact of compassion. She leads by example, spearheading volunteer initiatives and serving on boards dedicated to assisting vulnerable populations. Alisha is committed to making a difference, one cookie at a time, and she eagerly anticipates launching her own nonprofit in the future to support the less fortunate in the community she holds dear to her heart.
If you would like to become a volunteer, we’d love to have you! Click the link below to see what volunteer duties entail or email us at CREC@CRECidaho.com
- https://www.wafdbank.com/locations/idaho/sandpoint
- https://bonnerhomelesstransitions.org/
- https://www.loveinactionidaho.com/
Alisha Kowalksi
Alisha puts her heart into everything she does. She is her most successful self when helping others.
