Twin Falls Optimist Youth House
Aging-out happens when a child in foster care turns 18. These kids are deemed adults and are no longer provided help under Child Protection Act. To date, 24 youth have aged-out of foster care in our area since January 1, 2015. Many have spent a significant amount of their childhood in a foster home or a group home. These young adults rarely have a driver’s license, employment experience, or simple skills such as doing laundry or cooking. Some of our aged-out youth are developmentally delayed and have limited life skills to survive within our community. The National Youth Transition Database surveyed youth in Idaho at the age of 19 and again at 21. It was reported that 47% of the 21 year-olds that had aged-out report they have been homeless over the last two years. Less than half of the youth finish high school and less than 2% obtained a college degree. This database reported 1 in 4 have been incarcerated within 2 years of aging out. Currently, the Magic Valley doesn’t have a place for these youth. These young adults need the support and guidance of our community to ensure they are successful and can thrive as active members of our society. The members of the Twin Falls Optimist Club have identified 239 3rd Avenue North in downtown Twin Falls as a suitable location for a home for these youth. The building is currently owned by Twin Falls County and the County Commissioners have been supportive of this project. We anticipate the remodeling costs for this property will be approximately $115,000. The Twin Falls Optimist Club has approved $20,000 for this project and other community leaders such as Plant Therapy, Brizee Heating, Rainguard Roofing, Lytle Signs, Snake River Plumbing, Magic Valley Home Builders Association, L & W Supply, Scholes Dermatology, South Central Community Action, Franklin Building Supply, Keller Williams and Mike Shetler Homes, to name a few, have agreed to help. We are in the process of developing a complete plan for the operation of this home. Please contact us if you’d like to help. We’d be delighted to take you on a tour of the house.
The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
CURRENT OFFICERS
Liz Haugee (President)
Liz began her career at Idaho Power Company in 1998 and has worked in a variety of fields including contracting, finance, design and claims. She has been a Community Education Representative since 2013 connecting Idaho Power with the communities in the Magic and Wood River Valleys. Liz is currently president of the IDACORP Southern Employee Community Funds Board, president of The Optimist Club of Twin Falls, Idaho, Inc., past-chair of the Junior Achievement of Idaho Magic Valley Board, serves on the board of directors for the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Twin Falls Optimist Foundation and is an ambassador for the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the New York Institute of Art and Design and owner of Z. Interior Design. When Liz is not at work, she is likely hanging out with her husband, Neil, skiing, golfing, fishing, or traveling.
Cyndie Woods (1st Vice President)
Cyndie recently retired from CSI Foundation, Inc. as the Assistant Director.
Eva Craner (2nd Vice President)
Kathy Hanson (Secretary/Treasurer)
Kathy retired from Idaho Power Company as a financial analyst. She is the mother of two grown children and one grandson. She spends many hours of her time volunteering at an Elementary School, the Magic Valley Arts Council, as the Farmer’s Market Manager, and serving on various non-profit boards.
Doug Roe (Past President)
Doug is an Idaho Native and has spent the majority of his life in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Idaho State University in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration and worked in the Health Care industry until 2003. In 2003, Doug transitioned out of Health Care and became a Licensed Real Estate Agent. He currently works for the Duran Group.
Anna Scholes (President-Elect)
Anna is a community pharmacist and a pharmacology instructor at the College of Southern Idaho. In addition to the Optimist Club, Anna is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Magic Valley, the Twin Falls Education Foundation, and the St. Luke’s East Region Quality, Safety and Service Excellence Committee. She is happily married to Dr. Chris Scholes and they have two children. Anna enjoys traveling, walking her dogs and watching her kids play sports.
Deanna Walker
Deanna grew up in Magna, Utah. She worked at Cactus Petes in Jackpot, NV as a poker dealer for 9 years and the manager in the poker room for 16 years. In 2013 she started working as a realtor with Canyon Trail Realty in Jerome, later with Keller Williams and currently with Silvercreek Realty Group. Deanna has one son, Dallas, a daughter-in-law, Dolly, and a 2 ½ year old grandson, Ethan. Deanna married her long-time friend, Brian McNary, on October 23, 2017 and they are living happily ever after.
Robin Stanhope
Robin was born in Jacksonville, NC and has been a member of the Twin Falls Community since the 4th Grade. She has been married to Wayne for 38 years and they have one daughter, Sara. Robin has been in the travel business since 1991 and has worked for Desert Sun Travel for the past seven years; two years as an Independent Contractor and five years as Inside Sales and Marketing. Robin has been involved with The Optimist Club of Twin Falls, Idaho, Inc. since 1992. She is a past president and past secretary and has held many board positions and chaired many committees, such as, Childhood Cancer, Membership, Wings & Things, ABC Program (Always Buckle Children in the Back Seat, distributing approximately 75,000 brochures in the community), and much more. Robin has also helped with the operation of the Club’s Facebook and Website. Robin is also a member with the Jerome Club and is involved with the PNWD Board of Directors on many levels; chaired District Essay, CCC, and many more. She is currently the PNWD membership chair for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Robin is a member of the Twin Falls Chamber Ambassadors, served as chair for the Ambassadors in 2016, and is on the Twin Falls Chamber Board of Directors.
Dennis Bowyer
Dennis graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1975, received an Associate of Arts degree from College of Southern Idaho in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Whitworth University in 1980. Dennis was the recreation supervisor with the City of Twin Falls from 1981 to 1996 and was promoted to director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Twin Falls in 1996 until his retirement in 2016. During his employment, Dennis oversaw the development and management of parks, recreation activities, canyon rim trails, municipal golf course, municipal swimming pool and all other activities and development pertaining to parks and recreation for the City of Twin Falls. Dennis has been a member of The Optimist Club of Twin Falls, Idaho, Inc. since 1982, was president in 1986-1987, and has held all other offices in the club. Dennis serves on the Twin Falls Community Board and Magic Valley Arts Council. He was a member of the Idaho Recreation and Park Association from 1983 to 2016, president of the association from 1999-2001 and held most all other offices in the association and a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley from 1993-2000 and was the first president of the board from 1993-1995.