ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Founded in 2015, Powdered Soul is a Montana based, registered 501(c)(3).
Our program is not based on need or merit but rather the amount of work and service the participant is willing to provide for their community.
We want to empower youth in our community to not only follow their passion, but ensure they may chase their dreams, while learning solid life skills to help them succeed later in life.
We are community members who have a passion for helping youth in the Flathead Valley chase their passions, while preparing them for their future. All services and program positions are 100% volunteer. Meaning that ALL of the donations we receive go directly to Flathead Valley youth.
During Summer of 2019, 19 Powdered Soul Participants completed over 500 community service hours in the Flathead Valley. They worked with organizations such as North Valley Food Bank, Foys to Blacktail Trails, Nourish the Flathead, Glacier Symphony, Stumptown Art Studio, The Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, The Humane Society, Purple Frog Gardens, and Whitefish Parks and Recreation. During our Summer 2021 term, 14 participants from Nordic, Freestyle, and Ski racing volunteered again with the same organizations completing 305 hours of community service. This summer we look forward to volunteering with the same organizations and giving back to our community.
In addition to providing service to the community, many participants joined our entrepreneurial program through which they created products to sell at the local Whitefish Farmers Market. Collectively they raised over $2,000 and learned the valuable business, marketing, and communication skills to carry them through into high school and college. This year, many participants focused their products on sustainability and reusable or upcycled items. Some of these products included beeswax wraps to reduce single-use plastic, upcycled dog toys made from worn-out shirts, and pouches and scrunchies made from scrap fabric that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
Our organization relies on donations from people like you to supplement our scholarship fund, and create unique opportunities for youth to thrive. No matter the amount you can give, it would be a huge help. If you cannot donate money, donate time. Take a youth member out into mountains and show them the wonder and adventure that awaits. Then, share your experience with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! You may even be featured on our page!
OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
Born and raised in Western Montana, Madeline learned to ski from her dad at Big Mountain where she ski raced for 8 years. She has coached for Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation since 2014 where she passes on her passion for the sport of skiing to younger generations. She is currently the Program Director for the Development Team at FVSEF. She has been a board member since 2015 and has been active in growing Powdered Soul in the Flathead Valley as well as volunteering.
Madeline received her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Montana with a focus in Cultural and Ethnic Diversity. When she isn’t skiing, Madeline likes to travel. She loves exploring her home state of Montana, Europe, and South America. You can often find Madeline on the Whitefish Trails with her dog Duke.
Contact info: madeline.williams58@gmail.com
Justin Breck currently serves as Columbia Falls City Attorney. Justin was born in Missoula and grew up in Kalispell, where his family has lived since 1901. He attended Pepperdine University, after graduating from Flathead High School in 1990, earning a B.S. in Business Administration in 1995. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law in 1999. Justin worked for eight years in a variety of capacities in city government, private sector information technology, financial planning, and court administration.
After spending seventeen years away from the Flathead Valley in locations including Portland, Oregon, southern California, England, and South Korea Justin moved back to his native home of Kalispell in June of 2005 with his wife, Stephanie Breck. Justin and Stephanie now have a son, Wyatt, and live in Columbia Falls. He and his wife are both members of the State Bar of Montana and own and operate Breck Law Office, PC in Columbia Falls. Justin and Stephanie focus most of their practice as Flathead Valley attorneys in the areas of Business Law (formation, litigation, and consulting), Probate and Estate Planning (wills, trusts, probates), Employment Law (human resources, employer consultation and document preparation, employer and employee litigation), and Real Estate Transactions and Litigation.
Anna grew up ski racing at Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT from age 6-17 when she decided to attend Rowmark Ski academy in Salt Lake City, UT. After four years at Rowmark, ski racing became increasingly more expensive. Traveling both inside the country and out was no longer an option. Although she could no longer afford to race, Anna started Powdered Soul in hopes that other athletes could continue to chase their dreams in spite of financial hardships.
Anna is now a coach for Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation and received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Westminster College. She is now studying to be a nurse through Montana State University in Great Falls.
Board member
Board member
Board member
Board member
Cassie Heitz is a Mom of two, Financial Advisor Representative at Noble Wealth Management in Whitefish, and a Ski Race Coach for FVSEF. Cassie’s family moved to Whitefish from Crested Butte, Colorado in 1988, Cassie was three years old. She studied and ski raced at the College of Idaho, earning her B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing. She earned the award of 1st Team All-American in 2004 in Slalom. After graduation, Cassie could not wait to get back to her roots in the Flathead Valley. When Cassie is not shuttling her kids to extra-curricular activities, working on retirement plans for clients or passing on her passion of skiing to the younger generations, you will find her hiking, fly fishing, painting or exploring new places with her children, Brady and Evelyn.
Erika has has spent the last 2 years coaching for Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation while attending MSU as a part of the MSU-Kalispell Branch Nursing Program. She graduates in May of 2021 and plans to stay in the Flathead Valley working as a Nurse. Erika began ski racing at Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire at the age of 5 and attended Proctor Academy (NH) where she competed at both USSA and FIS levels all over the US and Europe. Moving out West to attend MSU allowed her to take a step back from the competing world and share her experience with young athletes! When Erika isn’t working, she enjoys backcountry skiing, rock climbing, biking, and spends her summers Captaining for Sail Caribbean, an experiential education program for teenagers. Her favorite motto is “Learn to live, live to learn,” and is keen on continuing that mentality with her athletes. Erika is very excited to offer support to young athletes in the Valley through Powdered Soul!
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
OUR LOGO
OUR LOGO
Since our nonprofit began as scholarship program for young skiers, our logo represents how we imagine the eye of a lover of the mountains would appear. With this graphic depiction, we have created a geometric eye with the pupil representing a mountain. The eyes are the windows to the soul where we can share experiences, make connections, and help others learn and grow. We now serve youth members of the community involved in all kinds of extracurricular activities allowing us to spread a passion for service and life to more young people in the valley. We encourage participants to let their passion shine through their soul while serving their community and making a difference.