Wish List for Today - Dress for Success

Would you like to help a woman who needs a little helping hand in order to get back on her feet and support herself and her children?   You might want to check out Dress for Success' amazing program, then.

The organization, comprised of over 90 affiliates around the world, is there to help women break the cycle of poverty and government assistance in a very simple, and yet so effective, way - provide her with appropriate interview clothing and some basic training in interview etiquette.  Once the woman gets a job, she may come back and pick another work-appropriate outfit, letting her start her job feeling confident.

This is more than just "looking good" - this is about giving women who have often been abused, or just otherwise never given any kind of emotional support, the chance to see that someone does care about and believe in her. 

The volunteers (lead by an angel in disguise as an executive director, Debi Foster), do an incredible job in making each client of the organization feel appreciated and ensuring that she leaves their offices with her head held high. It is a great formula for success.

Maybe in your closet or drawers, you might have some of these items?  If you are trying to find a good home for them, call Dress for Success at (208) 288-4405.

Plus size (14 and above) suits and separates
Shoes, purses, unused nylons
Jewelry
Unopened makeup

Dress for Success – Teapot Luncheon

Imagine this– you are a woman who has just escaped an abusive situation and you need to support yourself and your children. The only problem is that the only clothes you have are the clothes on your back. 

Dress for Success (DFS) is here to help women who are trying to create that better life.  DFS treats them like royalty and provides them with an interview outfit.  Once the women have the job, they can come back and pick another work-appropriate outfit.  In addition, there are support groups to talk over work-related situations.

In 2008, DFS helped 401 women gain the confidence they needed to start on that better life.  In addition, their clients can also peruse the Kids Kloset to find new outfits for their children.  400 kids were helped just in this past year.

By attending this year’s Teapot Luncheon on Friday, March 6 from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., you can help these families chart a better path.  This is an amazingly fun event, with its auction items featuring a number of local celebrities including, admittedly, the significant other of one the Divas.  The local celebrities also include First Lady Lori Otter, Vin Gene Bleymeier, Vincent Kituku, and Irene Deely, among others.

Tickets for the luncheon are $40 and can be purchased by calling the organization at 853-4024.

Northwest Children’s Home - Snowball Gala

Caring for the next generation and making sure they thrive is one of the most basic responsibilities.  As families and communities we make sure they have an education and, hopefully, nurturing love so that they can grow into productive and healthy adults.

As we know too much, not every child is blessed with a loving home with a parent or parents who provide a safe, supportive and caring environment.  Sadly, research indicates that children raised in homes where they are abused or deprived of love often turn to drugs, alcohol, crime and other dangerous behaviors to fill the void.

The Northwest Children’s Home has been filling that void since 1935 by taking care of children that were abused, abandoned or orphaned, giving them the basics of life and the special love that each child should enjoy.  Started in northwest Idaho in 1987 it also established a solid presence in the Treasure Valley.

At Syringa House in Nampa, 24 girls receive comprehensive treatment, counseling and education in life management skills.  Many have had to leave abusive homes or have been turned out by their parents. 

Earlier this year, NCH opened Linden House in Boise, which provides a residence for young women as they transition from state foster care to living on their own.  Many of these women are struggling to find a sense of identity and place, in addition to gaining necessary life skills, and Syringa House is there to provide the support and love they need.

You can support NCH at the Snow Ball on Saturday, November 22 at 6 p.m. at the Linen Building in Boise.  Tickets are $100 each or $500 for a table of 6, and includes dinner, a live auction and dancing.

You can purchase tickets or get more information at 465-9936 or visit www.northwestchildrenshome.org.

Family Advocate Program – Gingerbread Holiday Village

Can you feel it coming?  The season of mulled cider, candy canes and zesty gingerbread is almost here.  Just conjuring the scent of these can transport you to happy childhood memories of home.

For almost twenty-five years, the Family Advocate Program has been working to provide happy memories to children and families.  Through its Families First program, it provides trained parent educators who will visit any home, no matter its income level, and create individualized plans to help the adults be even stronger parents.  These educators help make the adult feel more confident in his or her parenting and offer tools to help the children be more prepared for and successful in school.

When homes are already showing cracks, the FAP provides a voice for children in foster care.  It trains volunteers to be guardians who speak for the child and making recommendations in court hearings.  These guardians can become a lifeline for the children, and often are the only stable adult in their lives as they may transition in and out of several foster homes.  The visits with their guardians often help provide them strength to retain joy and happy memories.

You can support the Family Advocate Program’s efforts at one of the most fun events of the year at the Gingerbread Holiday Village Dinner Gala. On Friday, November 21, you can view and bid on outstanding gingerbread creations (and other silent and live auction items) such as Bronco Stadium, Boise Zoo and the most delicious houses ever.

Tickets are $100 each or $700 for a table of 8.  For information or to purchase tickets, contact Kara at 345-3344 x. 1003 or visit www.familyadvocate.org.

Idaho Women’s Network – Bread and Roses Dinner

Women playing a role in state politics is a factor most of us take for granted.  However, as recently as 20 years ago this was not the case in Idaho.  Recognizing that women needed to be full partners in our state’s democratic process, a group of women formed Idaho Women’s Network (IWN) in 1988.

Originally focused on domestic violence laws, IWN and its sister organization, the IWN Research & Education Fund, have now expanded to include issues such as reproductive rights, GLBT equality issues, quality education, quality healthcare.  They support ending gender-based violence and are advocates for economic justice.  They aim to play a vital role in shaping the public policies in Idaho that impact women, families and communities.  “We work through a human rights lens” says Executive Director, Donna Wade.

One of the key issues for IWN lately has been its work to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity.  Working in coalition with several other organizations, they are seeking to provide protection from discrimination in employment, education, housing and transportation.

Each year, IWN hosts its annual banquet called “Bread and Roses” in reference of the Bread and Roses strike of 1912 in Lawrence, MA led largely by women for fair wages and dignified conditions.

This year’s banquet, celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary, will be held on Friday, October 10th.  It is held in conjunction with IWN’s annual conference the following day.

Betsy Dunklin, former legislator and one of the organization’s “Founding Mothers” as well as its first Executive Director, will be the keynote speaker for the dinner.

The event starts at 6:30pm at the Ester Simplot Performing Arts Center.  Dinner will be catered by Goodwood BBQ.  Beer and wine will be available.

Tickets are $20 and can be obtained by calling 344-5738 or emailing dwade@idahowomensnetwork.org

Rebuilding Lives

The Women and Children’s Alliance (WCA) has two events coming up that help support its important work in rebuilding lives shattered by domestic and sexual violence.

Female artistic talent in the community will be showcased at the "We Art Women” event on February 28 from 5-9pm at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy. In its second year, this event is the next generation of the wildly successful “Celebration of Women in the Arts”. With a focus primarily on the visual arts, over sixty artists will be represented with a wide variety of media.The evening will include a catered dinner along with music by Gayle Chapman, Rebecca Scott, and the Frim Fram Four.

A live and silent auction of art pieces plus a Quick Draw event with artists creating artwork at the event will keep the energy high throughout the evening. Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information call 343-3688 ext 22.

After the show, some of the art pieces will be moved to Satchel’s Grill and to Art Source Gallery for display and sale through the month of March. Proceeds from those sales will go to the WCA.

The WCA is also looking for people to serve as Table Captains for their Healing Begins with Hope Breakfast to be held on May 13^th at the Center on the Grove. Table Captains commit to fill a table of 10 people for this annual breakfast event which includes information about the WCA Services as well as testimonials from survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

Information on serving as a table captain is available by contacting Susan Kelley at 343-3688 ext 39 or skelley@wcaboise.org

Our Guest: Downtown Boise Association

Kâren Sander, Executive Director of the Downtown Boise Association, joined the Divas on November 24, 2007 to talk about the Giving Tree and Christmas in the City.

About DBA:
DBA was designed to be the steward for the promotion and operation of downtown Boise as an attractive, safe and vibrant place to work, shop, live and play. It was created in 1987 to oversee the City of Boise's Business Improvement District for Downtown Boise Association. This includes providing street level cleaning services, beautification projects, marketing, advocacy and business attraction for downtown Boise.  Their events include: Alive After Five Summer Concert Series, First Thursday, Jazz on the Grove, Fall for Boise, Tree Lighting Celebration, Christmas in the City, Twilight Criterium and a new event for 2008 the Downtown Urban Living Tour.

Upcoming Events:
Downtown Boise Tree Lighting Celebration Presented by Zions Bank was held on Friday, November 23, 2007.  The tree is also the "Giving Tree" providing an opporutnity to benefit the Women and Children's Alliance (WCA).  Community members are encouraged to take a Tag from the Holiday Giving Tree to grant holiday wishes for women and children rebuilding their lives through the WCA.  The WCA provides safety, shelter and support to women and their children escaping the trauma of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse. Your donation will provide hope –the most precious gift of all!   Return gifts with the tags or financial contributions to the WCA at 720 W. Washington Street or any Zions Bank Branch by December 14, 2007. 

The 52ft evergreen tree donated by John & Cami Conners and decked with lights sponsored by JR & Esther Simplot will be displayed through January 1st, 2008 in the Grove Plaza.  According to Mayor Dave Bieter, "Boise's tree has become the centerpiece of our downtown holiday festivities. Each year it is more beautiful than the last. For many families and individuals the tree lighting event has become an annual tradition. We are fortunate to have such a special celebration each year."

As part of the celebration, attendees were treated to live holiday music provided by the Encore Theatre Carolers, The Celebration Band, and God’s Kids led by Gail Bonine. The crowd was encouraged to sing along during the celebration.  Food and beverages were available from the Brick Oven Bistro, the Nut Hut, Murphy’s Mini Donuts and Yerby’s Gator Grill.  The Holiday Tree lighting kicked off by lighting 3000 audience candle cups. Mayor Bieter and emcee’s Maggie O’Mara of KTVB Idaho’s NewsChannel 7 and Ken Bass of 94.9 The River then started the countdown to illuminate the tree, officially kicking off the holiday season.

Attendees were also encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots Program to the event to help bring Holiday cheer to needy children and families throughout the Treasure Valley. 

During the ceremony, Mayor Dave Bieter opened a time capsule buried in The Grove Plaza 20 years ago. The time capsule contained essays written by 40 Boise schoolchildren in which they offer their predictions of what Boise will be like in the year 2006. The time capsule was buried by the schoolchildren on November 16, 1987, underneath the bricks in front of the statue “Keepsies.”  The Grove Plaza was built by Capital City Development Corporation in 1986 to serve as the centerpiece of the redeveloping downtown. Then known as the Boise Redevelopment Agency, CCDC continues to maintain The Grove as the city’s heart, and to promote redevelopment around it. During the ceremony burying the time capsule, then-B.R.A. Chairman Ron Twilegar said, “The Grove is a place for people and celebration, and these young writers certainly are a part of the new life of Boise’s downtown.” At the tree-lighting ceremony, Mayor Bieter will address the essays in the time capsule and reflect on how far the city has come in meeting the young essayists’ dreams.

Other Holiday events provided by the DBA include Christmas in the City which is held from Nov 24-Dec 24, 2007 and an outdoor gallery walk on 1st Thursday.

A Conversation with Kâren:
What is a success that the DBA has experienced?
Our success is a story of downtown revitalization.

What is your proudest achievement with DBA?
The Downtown Gift Card that is now accepted at over 250 downtown stores.

What inspires you?
Strong honest people that go the extra mile to do good in our community.

Our thanks go out to DBA for the difference that they make in downtown Boise such a unique and vibrant community, including for the WCA with the Giving Tree!

Not Your Mother's Gingerbread House

All I can say about the gingerbread houses that were submitted as part of the Gingerbread Holiday Village Benefit and Gala for the Family Advocate Program is "holy cow!"  So many of these entries completely blew away any traditional notion of what a gingerbread house is.  The event took place on November 16 at the Boise Centre on the Grove, and seriously - if you did not go down to see these houses, you missed an amazing display of skill and creativity.

There was a fabulous hair salon made of gingerbread, that even had little people inside it sitting at the styling stations, and the sweetest barn you've ever seen that was lit up and just looked so peaceful, you wanted to sit around and just wait for the farmer to show up. Major kudos must be given to the Centennial High Art Club in Meridian who submitted two incredible "houses" - one a replica of Bronco Stadium and the other a replica of Zoo Boise.

The event raised a record-breaking amount to help out the Family Advocate Program, and they wanted to pass along their thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it such a success.

Our Guest: Family Advocate Program

Nicole Sirak, Executive Director of Family Advocate Program joined the Divas on our debut radio show on November 10, 2007 to talk about the organization and their upcoming Gingerbread Gala.

About Family Advocate Program:
For almost 30 years, Family Advocate Program has had two important programs designed to keep kids safe and families strong

1.  Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program pairs volunteer advocates with children in foster care who investigate their case and make recommendations to the court.   Last year, CASA protected 720 children in foster care; almost half of these children were under the age of six.

2.  Their Families First Parent Education Program helps parents develop the skills to give their children the best possible start through in life.  Last year, Families First mentored 258 parents creating stronger families by serving more than 250 children. Of the parents served by the Families First program, 96% of them feel more confident about their parenting skills and 75% now regularly read to their children.  Early education programs like Families First provide a great return on investment as research shows that every $1 spent on saves $7 in reduced special education, crime and welfare assistance by the time participants reach their twenties.

Upcoming Event:
The Gingerbread Gala is being held on Friday, November 16th at 6pm at the Boise Centre on the Grove. Tickets are $100/person or a table of 8 for $700.

The theme of this year's Gingerbread Holiday Village event is 'Treasures of the Treasure Valley' as, according to Nicole, "we feel this event is a gem in the community's calender."

"It's become a holiday tradition over the last 8 years and has something for everyone. For example, we have kids who make gingerbread houses as a class project that are fun to auction off and business people who bid on the private suite for a Steelheads game.  All of this raises essential revenue for our programs" says Nicole.

Volunteers:
They are seeking volunteers for their event and throughout the year.  Event-related tasks include helping decorate the venue, helping process transactions or delivering Gingerbread houses the next day. They also continually recruit volunteers Guardians as part of their Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

If you have just one hour a month to give, according to Nicole, "most likely we have a job that will interest you!"

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Melanie Nelson at 345-3700 ext 1001.

History:
In 1978, Family Advocate Program was developed by two foster families, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hogin and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Murphy. Both families had provided shelter home and long-term foster care for over twenty-five children. As foster parents, they provided unique foster care services in that they encouraged natural parent contact for the benefit of the child and advocated for supportive services for the parents. With help from the Junior League of Boise, a parent education program called Families First was developed to serve struggling families in their own homes with supportive, voluntary home visitor services.

In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court which became the start of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) movement. In 1980, with the help of the Boise Junior League and the Boise Bar Association, Family Advocate Program launched the CASA program in Ada County.

A Thought from Nicole:
Asked from where she draws her strength: "There is a wide variety of people I draw strength from and it rolls into a force that continually motivates.  This includes my Dad who has devoted his life to community service, my Mom who is a quiet hero that helps people without them knowing or some of my colleagues overseas that risked their lives to build peace in the Balkans."

Thank you Nicole Sirak of Family Advocate Program for being a Diva who is making a difference!

Stopping Domestic Violence at Grapes Against Wrath

It was a fabulous way to spend a Thursday evening on October 18, 2007 at the 6th Annual Grapes Against Wrath fundraiser!  Smooth jazz, wines to delight the palate, and absolutely scrumptious food was served up, along with a silent auction with about 40 terrific items to bid on.

All of the proceeds went to benefit four different organizations that are working to stop domestic violence, and help victims of abuse: Family Advocate Center & Education Services (FACES), Idaho Legal Aid Services, Idaho Volunteer Lawyer Program, and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence.  These organizations help hundreds just in southwest Idaho each year to escape the cycle of violence and to receive services to overcome the trauma that can be inflicted upon them.

The committee that put on Grapes Against Wrath did a super job. The Boise Depot was a perfect location, offering a view of the city and great acoustics for the jazz band that provided tunes throughout the evening to get everyone in a festive and giving mood.  This fundraiser is highlighted by a fun wine tasting, and the wine choices were great, running from bubbly champagnes to hearty cabernets. Many thanks to the Boise Co-op for donating the proceeds from the sale of wine at the event to these organizations!

By 6:15, the place was filling up with supporters there engaged and ready to help support the Idaho Partners Against Domestic Violence (the coalition of the above-mentioned organizations), starting bidding wars on items such as a fantastic dinner at Mortimer's along with a cooking lesson from Jon Mortimer himself, spa packages to relax and soothe you, and tickets to local sporting events.

There was something for everyone at this event!  Make sure you keep a look out for next year's Grapes Against Wrath!  This is a fun way to help tackle a serious problem in our community.