Find a list of Idaho Seasonal Resources – food and clothing assistance, warming shelters, holiday gift assistance and events, and more
BoiseList.org – Online database of resources supporting low-income residents in the Boise area.
Hotlines:
2-1-1 Idaho CareLine is a free, statewide community information and referral service by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588 to connect. You can also text 898-211.
Idaho Housing & Finance Association - Housing Information Line: 855-505-4700 – Ext. 8602. Leave a voicemail, email questions to [email protected], or visit https://housingidaho.com/.
Idaho Crisis & Suicide Hotline: Call or text 988. You can call for yourself, or someone you care about. Crisis support is available 24/7 every day of the year.
Immediate Afghan Behavioral Health Support: 800-615-6514. The helpline in English, Dari, and Pashto is open 24/7 for Afghans and service providers to access counseling and critical support.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
USDA National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-348-6479 (English) or 1-877-842-6273 (Español)
Public Assistance:Visit idalink.idhao.gov for assistance through the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare.
Medicaid offers healthcare coverage for individuals that addresses a variety of health needs, including coverage for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Food Assistance: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families buy food for good health.
Cash Assistance: This program provides cash assistance for emergency situations, families with children, and the elderly, blind or disabled.
Childcare Assistance: This program helps parents and caretakers pay for a part of their child care costs while working, going to school, or participating in approved training activities.
Idaho Human Rights Commission: An independent state agency that investigates discrimination complaints. If you believe you have experienced discrimination, the first thing you should do is contact the Commission.Initial inquiries are treated confidentially.
Idaho’s FREE Head Start or Early Head Start child development programs: Head Start provides high quality early childhood services that will help you and your children thrive.
Community locations (Caldwell & Meridian): 208.562.2024
One Refugee: Champions students from refugee backgrounds in Idaho and Utah by helping them obtain post-secondary education and skills to prepare for their professional life.
Idaho Office Location: 3085 N. Cole Rd., Suite #201, Boise
English Language Center The English Language Center offers English classes for newly arrived refugees and immigrants. We use a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to ensure our students thrive in their new community.
Learning Lab Learning Lab is a literacy education center for adults and families with young children. Classes are based on students’ individual needs and offer reading, writing, math and English language learning curricula. Learning Lab also offers preparation for citizenship and GED exams.
Community locations (Caldwell & Meridian): 208.562.2024
Boise State University Whether your goals are academic, professional, or personal, Boise State University’s Intensive English Program provides many paths to your success.
Main Location: 317 W. Main St., Boise, Idaho 83735
The Department of Labor employment office at 317 W. Main St. in Boise uses LanguageLine to offer services in any language. Please fill out a Job Training Inquiry form to get started, visit the office, or call (208) 332-3570.
Unemployment Insurance benefits through the Department of Labor: Replaces part of the income you lose when you become unemployed for qualifying reasons.
The U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division in Idaho and Oregon provides resources and training for workers, regardless of their immigration status or language spoken, to help workers understand their rights and to let them know who can help them if their rights are being violated by their employer. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/workers
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers.
Double Up Food Bucks matches your SNAP EBT dollars so you get twice the fruits and veggies
The Mobile Market, a partnership between the Boise Farmers Market and City of Good, provides access to locally grown produce with regularly scheduled weekday routes throughout Boise. AcceptsSNAP/EBT, credit card, debit card, Produce Rx, Market/Sprout tokens, and cash. DOUBLE UP your SNAP produce purchases with a daily match up to $20! Find the schedule here: https://theboisefarmersmarket.com/mobile-market
Or text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site near you.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) is a federally funded nutrition program that provides food, education, and support for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to their 5th birthday.
Did you know that WIC can help answer your questions, offer education, and give advice to support your breastfeeding journey? Get started by visiting www.signupwic.com to find a clinic near you.
¿Sabía que el WIC puede ayudar a responder sus preguntas y ofrecer información educativa y consejos para apoyar su experiencia con la lactancia? Comience visitando https://signupwic.com/es/ para buscar una clínica cerca de usted.
Full Circle Health: Full-service medical, behavioral health, and outreach services for families, infants, children, adolescents, teenagers, adults and seniors.
Genesis Community Health: At Genesis, we provide high-quality healthcare through community volunteers and financial supporters. We serve without regard to age, race, sex, nationality, religious affiliation, disability, or other circumstances. Visit https://genesiscommunityhealth.com/.
Saint Alphonsus Center for Global Health & Healing Created to meet the needs of families and individuals who have initially resettled within the community through the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement program. Services:
CARE Maternal Health Clinic: Offers group prenatal and infant care to families who have arrived in the United States through the refugee resettlement program. 6533 W. Emerald St., Boise. 208-367-2126.
International Clinic: 6533 W. Emerald St., Boise. 208-302-5200
Program for Survivors of Torture: Offers trauma-sensitive and culturally responsive medical and mental services, case management, and more. Lead Service Coordinator: David Mfitundinda, 208-302-5202.
Health Advisors Program: Health Advisors are multicultural, multilingual individuals trained to assist families resettling in the U.S. to navigate the healthcare system. The program serves patients of all ages who are referred by their primary care provider.
Terry Reilly Health Services: Our medical, dental, and behavioral health professionals work together to ensure no person or health issue goes unnoticed so we can all benefit from a healthy, thriving community.
Contact: For Appointments: 208-466-7869. For Patient Navigators: 208-318-1326 or email [email protected].
Your Health Idaho, Idaho’s health insurance marketplace: https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/ Note: If you are sponsoring a refugee who receives Office of Refugee Resettlement benefits, please check with one of the following healthcare providers:
HouseYourNeighbor.org is an effort of Neighbors United taking action to address the housing crisis that many of our new refugee arrivals are facing in the Treasure Valley. Our mission is to develop long-term housing opportunities that support our community members from refugee backgrounds and those in need of low-cost housing in the Treasure Valley.
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence: Offers short-term housing and transitional housing funds to survivors fleeing a situation of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Contact: 855-505-4700 – Ext. 8602. Leave a voicemail or email questions to [email protected].
Financial help is available with homeownership, rental housing, project & business financing, and homelessness assistance. Visit https://housingidaho.com/ to learn more.
Interfaith Sanctuary: Offers emergency housing and wraparound services.
Shelter Address: 1620 W. River St, Boise, ID 83702
Administrative office: 208-345-5815. Shelter calls please dial 208-343-2630 after 6:00pm
Women’s and Children’s Alliance: Provides a comprehensive and secure emergency and transitional shelter program for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
24-hour Domestic Abuse Hotline: 208-343-7025
Office location: 720 W. Washington St., Boise
Office phone: 208-343-3688
Website: wcaboise.org
immigrant resources
Agency for New Americans, Boise refugee resettlement agency – Immigration Line: 208-338-0033 Catholic Charities of Idaho:
Idaho Hispanic Foundation Supports Idaho’s Hispanic/Latino community by connecting individuals to essential resources, developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and foster economic growth through empowering workforce programs.
Location: 315 Stampede Drive, Nampa (evening/weekend hours by appointment
Idaho Immigrant Resource Alliance Vision: For Latinx, Immigrant, and Indigenous communities to be treated with dignity, honor their human rights, help create equal access and seek social justice in the midst of a global crisis.
International Rescue Committee, Boise refugee resettlement agency: IRC Boise operates an immigration line (208-559-6825) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Immigration walk-in appointments are available Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the IRC office, 7291 W Franklin Road, Boise.
La Posada, Inc
Location: 355 4th Ave W, PO Box 1962, Twin Falls, ID 83301
The Department of Justice maintains rosters of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives who are certified to practice law in the U.S immigration system. Find Idaho’s list here: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/942306/dl#IDAHO
U.S. law requires government agencies or organizations that receive federal funds to provide interpretation services to people seeking services.
Visit LEP.gov for resources and information to help expand and improve language assistance services for individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with federal law.
Boise Interpreters - https://www.boiseinterpreters.com/ Boise Interpreters is a product of a community-based effort to increase access to language interpreter and translator services for providers serving limited English-speaking individuals within the community. Create a login to search through a database of local interpreters.
Boise Police Department maintains a list of interpreters they have trained to work with law enforcement. Contact: Travis Buffi, Refugee Liaison Officer, [email protected]
BTB Language Solutions, Inc.
Location:3540 E Longwing Ln, Suite 215, Meridian, ID 83642
City of Boise Language Access Resources page: Here you can request translation and interpretation services, find the city’s language access plan, and file a discrimination (Title VI) complaint.
Rela Language Professionals (formerly InterpreLink): With Rela, you’ll have access to a network of reliable interpreters and translators to help you break down language barriers in any industry.
A Collection Of Interpretation, Translation, And Integration Apps For Newcomers (Switchboard article)
refugee resettlement
Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho: A program of the Idaho Office for Refugees to connect Afghan communities in Idaho and share and celebrate cultural traditions.
Idaho Office for Refugees: Nonprofit that administers the refugee resettlement program in Idaho. Services for New Americans include career guidance, public speaking training, resources for farmers, and trainings for resettlement workers.
Glocal Community Partners: Baby showers for new refugee moms, clothing and furniture donations, English classes, women’s classes, volunteer orientation
Office of Refugee Resettlement: The U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement was established as a part of the Refugee Act of 1980, designated to support refugees, unaccompanied refugee minors, and Cuban and Haitian entrants. ORR benefits and services are available to eligible persons from the following groups:
Refugees
Asylees
Cuban/Haitian entrants
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
Amerasians
Victims of Trafficking
Refugee Housing Solutions
Welcome to the Housing Directory, a categorized database of essential location-specific housing support services and resources designed to connect newcomers and other resettlement stakeholders with the support they need.
Refugee & Migrant Technical Assistance Center Southwest Key Programs has launched the first-of-its kind Refugee & Migrant Technical Assistance Center, or RMTAC in the United States. Funded through a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant. Services include:
Technical assistance
Case consultation
Connect with national experts
Support for serving refugees & migrant communities
Switchboard: Switchboard is an online hub of resources from the International Rescue Committee, designed to support refugee service providers in the United States. Switchboard provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.
Ukrainian Welcome Center: Resettlement agency in Nampa serving Ukrainians since 2022. Connections to local Slavic community and churches. Russian/Ukrainian language skills.
Welcome Corps: The Welcome Corps is a national initiative making it possible for Americans to sponsor refugees from all around the world. Learn more at https://welcomecorps.org/.
$2- $6 per ride to the bus stop within 2 miles of the pick-up area
ACCESS Service
Available to people who are unable to utilize the fixed-route or on-demand bus systems because of a disability. Apply by calling 877-232-7433 or visiting ADAride.com.
Looking for an easier way to plan and pay for your bus ride? Check out the Umo Mobility app and City Go Card here. Looking for transportation benefits for your company? Learn more about our custom employer plans.
A VRT job-access service for low-income and former refugee residents in Ada County. Shuttles run seven days a week and are provided through employer or agency contracts. If you or your employer/agency are interested in starting a Village Van route please contact [email protected] or call our VRT helpline at 208-345-7433.
Lime Access provides a 70% discount on all rides to eligible residents. Lime Access members in Boise will receive a discounted rate of $0.50 to unlock plus $0.07 per minute for the rental of Lime e-bikes and e-scooters.
Boise Hive: We aim to empower musicians and artists of all ages through access to support and resources for mental and emotional well-being. We provide a welcoming, all-ages environment free from drugs and alcohol, dedicated to providing safe and affordable rehearsal space, educational programs, and events.
Global Lounge: Global Lounge is at the forefront of thoughtful cultural preservation, education, integration and the promotion of cultural awareness by harnessing the power and beauty of diversity for individual and community development.
Idaho Human Rights Commission: Investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, education and public accommodations.