Boise Rescue Mission and Boise Sunrise Rotary serving youth in the Treasure Valley

Thanks to the past support of the Rotary Club of Boise Sunrise, Boise Rescue Mission’s Children’s Program maintained ceaseless operations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boise Rescue Mission Ministries (BRMM) provided an on-site school house for homeless children and teens that provided safe distance learning options for the 2020 school year. BRMM is grateful for the partnership and support of the Sunrise Rotary that allowed an average of 30 children to participate in the Children’s Program every month.

 

The Children’s Program is designed specifically for low-income and homeless children from birth to age 17 staying at City Light (Boise) and Valley Shelter (Nampa) with their mothers. The program seeks to break the family cycle of poverty and homelessness by not only addressing each child’s physical and developmental needs, but also their need for quality education and cultural experiences. The Children’s Program conducts an after-school program with individual academic assessments and education plans that are designed to address any areas in which the children may be behind a grade level. Through case management, access to medical and mental healthcare, the after-school program, holiday and summer programs, and other services as required by their individual needs, the Children’s Program is equipping and empowering homeless children to hope and strive for a brighter future. The Children’s Program serves approximately 30 children each month (and approximately 60 during the summer). A special Teen Program provides youth with age-appropriate activities and the opportunity to work in various capacities at the Mission (i.e., kitchen, special events), giving them employability skills and personal spending money.

 

Youth also have the opportunity to attend a week-long, staff-led tour of colleges in Idaho and the surrounding states to encourage them to consider furthering their education.

Support from the Rotary Club of Boise Sunrise changes lives. Homeless children and teens staying at BRMM shelters would not be able to break the generational cycle of homelessness and have the same enriching opportunities as many of their peers without valuable community partners like the Sunrise Rotary.