6 Non-Profits You Need To Know
While the Treasure Valley is known for its beautiful landscapes and accompanying outdoor recreation, an equally ubiquitous passion is our local nonprofit organizations. Boise is a community deeply involved in helping our neighbors, and uplifting those who need extra assistance. After all, we didn’t earn the term “Boise nice” without being able to live up to it!
Are you looking for ways to help serve your community? If so, we’ve Scouted 6 local nonprofits that help keep Boise thriving. From the arts to animals; professional development to parenting classes, these nonprofits offer a variety of ways to keep our beautiful city in the business of kindness and altruism.
Claire Meyer | Contributing Editor
Dress for Success has been on the fashionable side of nonprofit work since its Boise chapter first opened in 1998. Helping women in all walks of life to re-enter the workforce with refined job skills- and in style, we might add- by providing professional clothing and accessories to women seeking employment. To celebrate the 25th year of serving the Treasure Valley, Dress for Success Boise will host their Silver Gala on Saturday, September 14th at the Boise Centre in downtown Boise. Enjoy a fabulous dinner in an elegant setting with both silent and live auctions, and a full evening of entertainment.
Love live performances? And contributing to a flourishing arts scene in your community? Boise Contemporary Theater has you covered! The only nonprofit theater in southern Idaho, BCT has been producing unique plays and shows for over 25 years. Its work with students and younger actors in Boise has earned dozens of local and national accolades, and boasts a Summer Reading Series that engages show-goers, backdropped by the natural beauty up at Bogus Basin. Take in a show unlike any other in the black box space, or catch one of BCT’s performances at the annual Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
The mission of Family Advocates has always been family first: ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children, and providing resources for families in need. Family Advocates’ work is year-round, their efforts extending beyond just giving to families, but educating, as well. Classes and courses, as part of the Family Strengthening Program, are available in parenting, professional and skill development, finance, home ownership and more are available to the community. Volunteer your time or provide needed items for their various drives and collection events.
If watching videos of animals in need on Instagram makes your heart swell and your eyes well, then Horse and Halo will help fulfill those same feelings in real time and perhaps to a more productive end. Whether senior animals or those rescued from unhealthy environments, you can meaningfully contribute to the lives of horses whose owners can no longer care for them. Help in nursing horses back to health or provide companionship to these beautiful creatures. Bonus: lots of free pets.
Housed in an actual log cabin originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1940, THE CABIN aims to develop and showcase the talents of writers looking to exalt their craft. Programs, contests and courses held through the year work to refine writing techniques and inspire creativity in writers at all skill levels and genres. The Readings and Conversation series brings notable, bestselling authors to Boise to discuss their recent reads and riveting ideas currently affecting our world. Find your fellow writers in this community-driven space, and discover your next favorite story.
Remember how we said Idaho is known for its epic outdoor beauty and amazing recreation? Wild Hearts Idaho has built that exact passion into an outlet to help girls in our community find their sense of adventure and leadership skills in nature. Hiking, camping, rock-climbing, flyfishing and team-building exercises are just a few of the activities participants can expect to engage in- all while building self-esteem and growing a sense of self in our girls of southwestern Idaho.
