CATCH Idaho

"Everyone is Welcome Here" You've probably seen these words across your feed lately. As the conversation continues around inclusivity in our community, CATCH wants to add our voice. At CATCH, "Welcome All" isn't just a slogan—it's one of our core values. Every client, community member, and team member is welcome and valued. We create and extend a culture of safety, bravery, and gratitude within our offices and everywhere our work takes us. We create bridges, not barriers. We stand with those who advocate for inclusive environments, including the local teacher whose "Everyone is Welcome Here" sign sparked conversations locally and globally. At a time when legislation criminalizing homelessness is being considered at the Idaho State Legislature, we believe this message of welcome is more important than ever. Everyone deserves to feel welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued, and equal—especially those facing housing insecurity. #EveryoneIsWelcomeHere #WelcomeAll #HousingForAll

FACT: Criminalizing public “camping” doesn’t solve homelessness, housing does. Pastor Andrew Kukla, CATCH Board Chair and leader of First Presbyterian Church Boise, urges Idaho lawmakers and citizens to oppose Senate Bill 1141. SB 1141 will only push our most vulnerable neighbors into more dangerous situations while wasting taxpayer dollars on enforcement instead of solutions. This harmful bill would: Make the crisis WORSE, not better ?? Create more barriers to housing AND emloyment ??? Cost taxpayers MORE than proven housing solutions ?? ?? TAKE ACTION: Contact your legislators TODAY and urge them to vote NO on SB 1141: https://lnkd.in/eyhdZ_XG #StopSB1141 #IdahoPolitics #HousingNotHandcuffs #EndHomelessness

"Criminalizing homelessness has never, and will never, solve the problems associated with homelessness." https://lnkd.in/eeRRzpd3 This powerful truth is being ignored as Senate Bill 1141 advances to the full Senate. The bill would ban "unauthorized camping" and allow the Attorney General to sue cities like Boise that take a more compassionate, solution-oriented, and data-driven approach. What lawmakers aren't considering is that criminalizing homelessness isn't just ineffective—it's economically irresponsible and counterproductive. While housing-focused solutions in Ada County have saved taxpayers $8.8 million in just five years with 93% of people remaining stably housed, SB 1141 would do the opposite: increasing costs for law enforcement, courts, and jails while actually making it harder for people to overcome homelessness. The human cost is even greater. With over 500 families experiencing homelessness in the Treasure Valley—children sleeping in cars, mothers fleeing domestic violence, families who simply can't afford skyrocketing housing costs—we need solutions that work, not punishment that perpetuates the cycle. Here's what you can do to help: 1?? Call or email your legislators TODAY (find them at legislature.idaho.gov) 2?? Share this article & talk to friends about why this matters 3?? Stay connected for more ways to help We are better than this. Help our most vulnerable neighbors through collective action—make your voice heard today.

"All I know is you guys have saved me from continued homelessness. Without you, I wouldn't be here. Literally. This program is a huge blessing." - James, housed through CATCH After 7.5 years of homelessness, James finally has a place to call home! As a lifelong Idahoan, he experienced living on the streets, in an RV, and at the River of Life shelter. But thanks to community support for CATCH, James now has his own apartment and the stability he deserves. James' story shows how housing coupled with the right support can break the cycle of chronic homelessness and create new beginnings. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, partners, board, and everyone who makes ending homelessness for James and other people in our community possible. Together, we're making a difference one person and one family at a time! Read James' story and the story of a mother housed with CATCH in our 2024 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/d9uCeveW #EndHomelessness #HousingFirst #CATCH

?? URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Senate Bill 1141, the harmful camping prohibition bill, has a hearing TOMORROW (Monday) at 8AM in Senate State Affairs. "As the Idaho legislature debates a statewide camping prohibition - aimed at stopping any visible homelessness on public lands - we are here to remind you the best way to prevent homeless is to house people. Fully funding the housing system to end homelessness creates a healthier Idaho for all our neighbors." - Andrew Kukla, CATCH Board Chair & Pastor at First Presbyterian Boise This bill will: - Criminalize a dangerously broad definition of "camping" (including resting in parks or sleeping in cars) - Waste taxpayer dollars on enforcement instead of proven housing solutions - Worsen the homelessness crisis by creating more barriers to stability - Force cities and counties to enforce or face costly litigation Our Path Home's data proves housing works: 93% of people in supportive housing programs remain housed after 2 years, and housing interventions have SAVED Ada County $8.8 million in avoided costs. JOIN US: Attend the hearing tomorrow at 8AM or email the committee TODAY ([email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]) Together, we can stop this counterproductive legislation and advocate for real solutions to homelessness. #StopSB1141 #IdahoPolitics #EndHomelessness #Idahome

The Orange Door is open - join us in celebrating 15 years of ending local homelessness! ?? Come by Hap Hap Lounge in downtown Boise on April 10th! We're marking this milestone with stories, community, and yes... a RIDICULOUS amount of orange cake. (Seriously, our order has the bakery questioning our judgment.) Since our founding, we've ended homelessness for more than 700 local families—none of which would have been possible without our amazing partners, supporters, staff, and volunteers working together to make a difference! ?? FREE to attend, good vibes guaranteed, and plenty of inspiration to go around to keep at our life-changing mission. Who's coming with you? Tag your CATCH friends in the comments! Know someone passionate about housing justice? Share this post and bring them along! The more the merrier—and trust me, we need help eating all this cake. ?? RSVP TODAY and see you there! https://lnkd.in/ePj_dP-e

Our 2024 Annual Report is here—capturing another record-breaking year of ending local homelessness! ?? Together in 2024, we ended homelessness for 486 people through our evidence-based programs—including 114 local families and 223 children who now have a safe and stable place to call home. In the report, you'll find: Inspiring client stories of resilience and transformation ?? Reflections, lessons learned, and future vision from our Executive Director Stephanie Day ?? Impact numbers that demonstrate the real change we're creating together and more! ?? This work is made possible by our committed staff, thoughtful Board of Directors, generous donors, and engaged community partners. Together, we're co-authoring new beginnings—one person and one family at a time! ?? Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/d9uCeveW #EndingHomelessness #AnnualReport2024 #HousingFirst #CATCHIdaho

"Homelessness is a public health issue, not just a housing issue." https://lnkd.in/e8g8F263

"Sometimes just one bad thing happens after another and it's out of your control." Skyler, a resilient mother now housed through CATCH, recently shared her powerful journey with homelessness at a local congregation. Despite her strong work ethic and determination, a wrongful eviction on Skyler's rental record created an insurmountable barrier to housing as a young adult. After exhausting temporary solutions like couch-surfing, she found herself living in her car—only to discover she was pregnant with her son, Jaxtyn. Fast forward to today: Skyler has maintained stable housing and employment while pursuing her educational dreams. After earning her CPC certification in medical coding, she's now working toward a bachelor's degree in accounting. Most importantly, she can provide a stable, loving home for her son Jaxtyn, whom she describes as a "goofball" who loves spending time outdoors. Learn more about Skyler and other new beginnings CATCH has co-authored with the help of our supportive community: https://lnkd.in/eyJv_e77 Together, we can and we will continue to end local homelessness! ?? ??

This Valentine's Day, we're growing our CATCH 22 community with love that truly matters. Meet Bill and Sherri, dedicated CATCH 22 supporters: "Home is the foundation of wellbeing - a place of safety, security and comfort where you can truly be yourself. When our neighbors struggle, it's up to us as a community to help them recover." CHALLENGE: Will you be one of 14 people to join our CATCH 22 community this Valentine's Day? https://lnkd.in/eY2vfie7 You'll join an extraordinary group of 108 monthly supporters who make home possible for families experiencing homelessness. Together, CATCH 22 supporters allow us to cover the deposits on a place to call home for three families experiencing homelessness every single month. Your monthly gift, no matter the size, creates lasting change in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. Maybe forgo the flowers this year and help provide a safe place to live to a neighbor who needs it instead? https://lnkd.in/eY2vfie7