Katherine Jones: Heart of the Treasure Valley

Reyada Atanasio lived in three countries and five houses by the time she was 5. A refugee from Sudan, Reyada writes in a college essay, "Some might view (this) as bizarre, but to me, it was an endless adventure of being exposed to different languages, people and cultures." As Reyada graduates from high school, she is looking forward to that adventure coming full circle: "(My parents) decided there were better opportunities for education (in America) - and with education comes the opportunity to help people back in South Sudan."

Heart of Treasure Valley: Refugee hopes through education to help Sudan

Her parents fled violence in Sudan for their children's education. As Reyada Atanasio graduates from high school, she hopes her education will take her back to Sudan to help.

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Archive by category ''Katherine Jones: Heart of the Treasure Valley

KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: Softball Coach Shawna Juarez

Coach Shawna Juarez believes in the power of words, positive words, to motivate her softball players - in both games and in life as well. "Everybody, as a part of the team, has significant value. If you keep reminding kids of their value, they're going to believe it. If they have value, they're ...
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: A passion for running helps Katie O'Shea recover from brain tumor surgery

There is a moment in her life in which she can define "before" and "after." It's the time between learning she had a tumor in her brain and life after the surgery. It's marked by the difference between being a top women's finisher in races - and by having to teach her brain how to run again.
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: Henry Krewer offers compassion and respect to homeless people - his friends

Henry Krewer is the daily volunteer and constant calm at Corpus Christi House, a hospitality house for homeless people during the day. It's a role he fills with an unflappable presence, deep respect for everyone, a gentle sense of humor, and it comes from a deep, lifelong faith, one based on action...
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: Recovering addict rebuilds life

From the outside looking in, James McNorton had it made. James came to Boise in 1982 to play basketball (and a year of football) at Boise State and stayed. Always an athlete, he enjoyed the kind of notoriety that sports brings; his gregarious, easy-going nature made him a natural leader.
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of Treasure Valley: Little monastery prays for entire world

"I made my choice a long time ago to do whatever I could to make a different in the world…" says Mother Shayshoshewa Dawe. Three years ago, she founded a monastic order and has taken vows dedicating her life to service and compassion.
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: 2 women share their transgender journey

After living most of their lives frustrated, angry and depressed because of the disconnect between being born men and the gender they felt inside, Liz Kandziolka and Erika Falls are finally content being women.
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of Treasure Valley: Boise man walked 500 miles on an ancient pilgrimage road in Spain

Three months ago, Kurt Koontz, 49, returned from walking 500 miles along the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route in northern Spain. He had no particular expectations about the trip before he left, but trip astounded him and left him deeply moved.
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of Treasure Valley: A mother and daughter transform grief into memory bears

In gratitude for her own experience with hospice, Aloise Phillips and her daughter, Lori Deschand, make memory teddy bears for bereaved families from Journeys Hospice — more than 600, plus another 300 bears for family and friends. “…It gives you something to hug, to love, and when...
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of Treasure Valley: Family pools resources to spread love around world

In Beth Duffel’s family — hers, plus her parents and grandparents and 15 siblings — there will be fewer presents under the Christmas tree than there used to be. Instead of exchanging gifts, the family is pooling their gift money toward a charitable organization. This year, it’...
KATHERINE JONES: HEART OF THE TREASURE VALLEY

Heart of the Treasure Valley: After stroke, ardent conservationist tries to regain what was lost

A dozen years ago, Mike Medberry had a stroke while hiking at Craters of the Moon. In an instant, his life changed and it would take years — even now — to regain his memory, words, thoughts and his past in order to create a future.