Member Spotlight: Advocates Against Family Violence

Where to start…… We are so blessed to have a wonderful community supporting our efforts of ending violence in the Treasure Valley, most specifically in Canyon County. It truly keeps our mission alive and moving forward. We started 2020 with great fervor and the momentum has not stopped. Here’s a few of our highlights:

• Hope Plaza, Phase II – 30-units of mixed-use housing has begun. Included will be 2 units supportive housing, 4 units transitional housing, 4 market units, with the remaining 20 units affordable-housing. We are anticipating occupancy permit in July.
• Court Coordinator – We closed out 2019 with 5,437 services provided through our Court Advocacy program. Our Court Coordinator completed her Victim Advocacy Certification through North Idaho College and is now enrolled in their paralegal program. We are currently working with District 3 court to bring back DV Court.
• Teen Outreach – 2019 kept us busy with 11,378 in attendance at our Teen Healthy Relationship classes. These are provided in 19 schools and counseling programs in the Treasure Valley. We celebrated Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month hosting a poetry/short story reading at the Caldwell Public Library. Twenty students submitted their entries and community members came out to listen to local youth share their experiences and their hopes for a future without violence. To wrap up the month we hosted “Chalk About Love”, creating art on the sidewalks around the Caldwell Public Library, spreading messages of love, positivity, and a vision for a world without violence.
• Counseling – It’s a great privilege to be able to provide free counseling to those who have or are currently experiencing domestic abuse and sexual assault. 835 free counseling sessions were provided in 2019. To better serve the needs of those seeking services, our Counselor completed her EMDR certification allowing for treatment of trauma, relieving psychological stress, and promoting healing for those served.
• Strategic Vision – We began 2020 with a new Strategic Vision. This will be a living document, similar to Theory of Change, allowing for a clear process and steps in the achievement of our mission. We are very excited for this process!
• Hope Plaza, Phase III – We don’t want to get bored, so we have begun preparations in coordinating the third phase of our campus! We are hoping this will be the final chapter which will bring new shelter space, administration building, expansion of our Hope Lane Learning Center, and additional housing units.

We are now gearing up for our Masquerade Ball, April 4, as well as preparing for Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April!!!

March 12th, 2020 from 5:00pm-7:30pm at Morley Nelson Elementary School 7701 W. Northview St., Boise, ID 83704 AND April 9th, 2020 5:00-7:30PM at Taft Elementary School, 3722 W. Anderson St., Boise, ID 83703

Comprehensive Screening Includes:

• Blood Pressure Check
• Oral/Dental Health Evaluation & Education
• Testing for Blood Sugar Levels, Cholesterol, HIV & Hepatitis C
• Hearing & Eye Screenings
• Nutrition Assessment & Education
• Traumatic Brain Injury Screening
• And more!

WHO? Adults (18 & up) without insurance or limited access to healthcare. No one will be turned away!

WHEN? Thursday, March 12th, 2020 5:00pm-7:30pm and April 9th, 2020. Participants may arrive anytime between 5:00pm and 7:30pm. Please plan 80-90 minutes to complete the screening process.

WHERE? On March 12: Morley Nelson Elementary School 7701 W Northview St. Boise, ID 83704
On April 9: Taft Elementary School, 3722 W Anderson St, Boise, ID 83703

BUS INFORMATION: Valley Ride bus stops nearby. Visit www.valleyride.org or call 208-345-7433 for more info.

The Idaho Food Bank will be providing FREE FOOD BOXES for participants while supplies last!

Questions? Call 208-373-1700 or email healthyU@isu.edu FB.com/ISUCommunityHealthScreening

Brought to you by The Healthy U, Idaho State University, Meridian Health Science Center