Like many clubs across our district, Eagle/Garden City is struggling to find ways to serve others while remaining safe and connected to each other and the community. Being creative and flexible are key in these challenging times. Some of our projects require modifying or rescheduling; however, some just require us to roll up our sleeves, get outside and get dirty.
A few times a year, Eagle/Garden City Rotary members hit the highway and clean up trash. Our section of highway cleanup on Hwy 44 just west of Eagle Road has just had its first semiannual cleaning. In late June, a group of hardy EGC members swept both sides of the highway, cleaning up the usual items of debris. But this year,we noticed an excessive number of disposable face masks. Who would have thought that item would top the list over plastic water bottles? 
JEMfriends is a new organization to us, coming to our attention last year. The founder and director, Liberty Thompson, started it when she was 18 years old. It is a nonprofit that supports youth aging out of the foster care system. Currently, they have two transitional homes in the Boise area and provide guidance and support to young people who would otherwise have no place to go. JEMfriends is funded completely by grants, churches, businesses and community donations. Youth apply to the program and commit to completing scheduled life-skill classes while remaining employed, working toward their GED, or attending higher education or trade schools. Community volunteers serve as mentors or teach important life-skills classes, like finance and budgeting, resume writing and health and nutrition, to name a few. Other volunteers provide occasional meals on the days these young people attend their evening life-skill classes. And some volunteers do any necessary projects that involve the two homes where these youth reside. One recent Saturday, a few Eagle/Garden City members helped with spring yard-cleanup and planted a vegetable garden at one of the girl’s homes.
There are many ways anyone can help this worthy organization. If you shop at Fred Meyers, sign up for its community rewards program and link your reward card to JEMfriends (code 91501). Then every time you shop, you help a local foster family in Ada County while still earning your reward/fuel points and rebates. Likewise, sign up for Amazon Smile and put JEMfriends as your preferred charity. Then when you shop on Amazon, your charity benefits from your purchases. A percent of your purchase will go directly to JEMfriends!
Back in October of last year, Rachel Flachbart was a guest speaker at one of our meetings. She is the development manager for CATCH (Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless). This local organization works with property managers and landlords to secure permanent housing for homeless families. Case managers work with each family to help them achieve financial independence and long term stability. Once families receive the keys to their new homes, CATCH helps them furnish it with donated items that they house in their warehouse. Most household items are gladly accepted by CATCH. If you wish to donate, visit http://www.catchprogram.org/needs-list.php for a full list. Recently, a few Eagle/Garden City members visited their office and dropped off blankets and masks, handmade by EGC member, Linda Gerber. We were given a brief tour of their office and warehouse and learned about another need that the organization is always in search of – affordable housing.
Are you a Rotarian who owns some rental property or know people who do? Consider renting to a CATCH family. For more information, visit catchprogram.org/provide-housing.php.