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It IS pretty amazing that families can go from homeless and jobless to having a home and a job and be self sufficient in less than a year. CATCH is doing just that. CATCH is an innovative program that teams the government's resources with the generosity of businesses and congregations of faith. A congregation or business will sponsor a family by providing a place to live. The City matches family needs with government agency resources such as job training skills.
Placing the family in a stable living environment is critical to helping the family become self-sufficient. Now the job seeker has an address to put on a job application. There is a phone number where a prospective employer can call to schedule a job interview. The job seeker has the ability to shower and prepare for the interview and make a good impression.
For safety reasons, most shelters do not allow the children to stay with the parents. Husbands and wives often must live in separate shelters. So a home provides a safe and stable environment for the entire family, which fosters success.
Bottom line, the program works! An 85% success rate means that out of 39 families who entered the program 33 families to date have successfully graduated to self sufficiency. They are now able pay their own rents, utilities, and other family expenses.
The program is so successful it has received nation-wide attention and other communities are looking at duplicating the program in their cities. Think of the millions of taxpayer dollars saved as these families receives a hand up to self sufficiency in less than a year's time.
Thank you to the congregations and businesses who open their hearts to some of Boise's most vulnerable citizens. Your generosity is creating miracles in the lives of these families.
Gear up for more of the same
With the housing and economy tanking, and eco-nuts wanting to do away with any industry in Idaho, we are facing some really tough times.
How do you go from homeless and jobless to having a home and a
job and be self sufficient in 6 months in today's mess, reporter? Unless someone pays for your home and living expenses. That isn't self sufficiency!
What does the success rate of 85% really mean, reporter?
Benny, let me help you understand...
It IS pretty amazing that families can go from homeless and jobless to having a home and a job and be self sufficient in less than a year. CATCH is doing just that. CATCH is an innovative program that teams the government's resources with the generosity of businesses and congregations of faith. A congregation or business will sponsor a family by providing a place to live. The City matches family needs with government agency resources such as job training skills.
Placing the family in a stable living environment is critical to helping the family become self-sufficient. Now the job seeker has an address to put on a job application. There is a phone number where a prospective employer can call to schedule a job interview. The job seeker has the ability to shower and prepare for the interview and make a good impression.
For safety reasons, most shelters do not allow the children to stay with the parents. Husbands and wives often must live in separate shelters. So a home provides a safe and stable environment for the entire family, which fosters success.
Bottom line, the program works! An 85% success rate means that out of 39 families who entered the program 33 families to date have successfully graduated to self sufficiency. They are now able pay their own rents, utilities, and other family expenses.
The program is so successful it has received nation-wide attention and other communities are looking at duplicating the program in their cities. Think of the millions of taxpayer dollars saved as these families receives a hand up to self sufficiency in less than a year's time.
Thank you to the congregations and businesses who open their hearts to some of Boise's most vulnerable citizens. Your generosity is creating miracles in the lives of these families.
Jerry Todd, City of Boise