The Avista Foundation supports Sand Creek Connections, North Idaho's first Clubhouse International affiliate, in providing a safe recovery space for individuals facing mental health challenges.
Dr. Dawn Mehra always wanted the best for her son Dustin. But at 18, Dustin had a serious mental health crisis.
With few local mental health recovery resources in Sandpoint, Idaho, he had another breakdown the next year.
“I thought, I’m not going to let someone else’s kid suffer. There are options that can make a difference—we just need to bring those resources to our North Idaho community,” Dawn said.
Already active with the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) Far North affiliate, Dawn worked with others to research and establish Idaho’s first Clubhouse International affiliate, Sand Creek Connections.
Opened in 2024, the nonprofit day facility in Sandpoint is a safe place for people with mental health challenges to heal and recover, finding community, safety, and purpose. Their programs focus on community, peer support, shared responsibilities, and meaningful engagement.
Research shows that Clubhouse members worldwide have lower hospitalization rates and better mental health outcomes, according to Sand Creek Connections Clubhouse Program Director Gabriel Custodio.
“We mimic a typical workday where everyone volunteers for tasks that are needed for a clubhouse to function,” said Gabriel. “What's special is that there's no stigma about mental health. People can join social activities and improve their work skills in a supportive place.”
Members work side-by-side with staff to manage daily operations, fostering community and allowing individuals to develop valuable skills while contributing to the clubhouse. From cooking meals to making improvements around the home, members connect, learn, and heal together.
Sand Creek Connections Clubhouse welcomes members from Bonner and Boundary counties primarily but is open to everyone. Being a member is completely free.
Gabriel mentions that this solution is also more cost-effective than traditional treatment options and helps members reintegrate into the community, thereby supporting the local economy.
“Seeing the impact of the Clubhouse makes me want to cry,” said Dawn. “I’m so happy that we can be making a difference, even in a couple of lives as we get started. And I’m hopeful for our future.”
It’s a future that depends on community support, including grants and private donations. The Avista Foundation provided grants in 2024 and 2025 to help establish the Clubhouse and support ongoing programs like job training, staff training, and daily meals.
“Grant support from the Avista Foundation and other generous partners helps bridge the gap and meet a critical need in our community,” Dawn said. “We wouldn’t exist without that support. And we could use even more of it.”
In rural Idaho, residents face significant challenges meeting mental health needs, according to Dawn. A report by NAMI found that over 1.2 million people in Idaho live in areas without enough mental health professionals.
Dawn has experienced firsthand the importance of mental health recovery resources through her son's journey, and she understands the serious implications of that statistic.
“Our son is doing okay now with medication. But we don’t know what could have happened if he’d gotten treatment earlier. He might have done a little bit better and been able to navigate on his own, independently,” Dawn said.
This reality underscores the critical need for resources like the Sand Creek Connections Clubhouse. By providing a supportive environment and essential services, programs like these can make a life-changing difference for people with mental health challenges and their families.
“This is a safe place for anyone experiencing mental health challenges, no matter how manageable or severe. If you are struggling, we’re here,” said Gabriel.
The Avista Foundation does not receive funding from utility customers through rates. It's a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corporation.