The importance of having a shelter in place order to stay safe and healthy has been increasingly important as we follow health officials’ recommendations to “stay home” and limit in-person interactions in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. However, there are some in our community who do not have a place to call home, and others at risk of losing their housing.
“Over the past couple weeks many have had their world turned upside down,” said Andrea Anderson, 2020 President of the REALTORS® Community Foundation. “We reached out to our 2020 grant recipients to see what urgent needs they may have.”
“Two of our grantees, CATCH and Jesse Tree, directly help people with housing and expressed they had an immediate financial need. Hearing this, the REALTORS® Community Foundation Board voted unanimously to give $5,000 Community Impact Grants to each of these organizations to support the important work they are doing and help meet the immediate needs of those who are facing housing instability.”
CATCH works to end homelessness for families by inspiring stable housing, financial independence, and resilience. With this grant, CATCH will help families who are living in shelters or cars to move into housing so they have the best chance at staying safe.
Jesse Tree’s programs directly help people in our community avoid eviction and stay in their homes when they are unable to pay their rent. The $5,000 grant will allow Jesse Tree to provide an additional six families with rental assistance for the month of April, keeping them in their homes and safe and stable during this difficult time.
Earlier this year, the REALTORS® Community Foundation announced that through its fundraising and community service efforts, it would be supporting CATCH, the High School + Housing= Success (H+HS=S) program through the Education Foundation of West Ada School District, Jesse Tree, and Life’s Kitchen.
Here is how you can directly support these organizations during this time of need:
CATCH (catchprogram.org)
- Mailed or delivered donations of the following items are being accepted at 503 S. Americana Blvd. Boise, Idaho 83702:
- Toilet paper and cleaning supplies for the families they serve
- Hand sanitizer for those who are unsheltered and do not have access to soap and water
- Monetary donations would also be greatly welcomed as CATCH had five fundraisers cancelled due to the outbreak and expect they will need to serve more families than usual due to the pandemic. Donations can be made online at catchprogram.org/donate.php.
Jesse Tree (jessetreeidaho.org)
- Monetary donations are needed for additional funding for rental assistance, as Jesse Tree anticipates more tenants will be unable to pay their rent in the coming months. Donations can be made online at jessetreeidaho.org/donate.
- They are also looking for remote volunteers — follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Education Foundation of West Ada School District (westada.org/educationfoundation)
- The REALTORS® Outreach Committee (ROC) is currently collecting items for Graduation Baskets for 10 high school seniors who do not have permanent housing and are a part of the High School + Housing= Success (H+HS=S) program. Contact BRR Events Manager Marind Amano at marind@boirealtors.com if you’d like to help.
Life’s Kitchen (lifeskitchen.org)
- In order to continue supplying increased community meals in partnership with Corpus Christi and Interfaith Sanctuary, as well as breakfast burritos for children who depend on school breakfast and/or lunch, Life’s Kitchen is accepting:
- Monetary donations online at lifeskitchen.org.
- Food donations of sausage, eggs, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, etc., which can be coordinated with Diana by calling 208-331-0199 ext. 303 and dropped off at 1025 S. Capitol Blvd.
- Volunteers to help distribute burritos. Use the contact us link at lifeskitchen.org to connect with their staff.
Looking for more community resources and information for REALTORS® during the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak? Please visit our response page at boirealtors.com/coronavirus-response.
