BOISE, Idaho — Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) and Idaho Youth Ranch announced a new alliance to help vulnerable families throughout Idaho break the cycle of domestic violence and heal from trauma.
WCA serves survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault while promoting empowerment, respect, and integrity through shelter, education, and prevention services. Their mission is funded by the generous support of our community, as well as many strategic partnerships.
One of those strategic partners is Idaho Youth Ranch. The mission statement for Idaho Youth Ranch is “We unite for Idaho's youth by providing accessible programs and services that nurture hope, healing, and resilience.”
One of the key benefits of the expanded collaboration will be skills-based job training for WCA clients. WCA clients recovering from domestic violence and abuse will have the opportunity to access Idaho Youth Ranch job training programs, focusing on roles within their network of thrift stores, the handling of merchandise in their distribution center, and administrative services in their central office. These skills are important for the journey toward independence. For WCA clients, this skills-based job training will also create ongoing employment opportunities in retail, distribution, and administrative services.
“We know how important it is for the clients that we serve to be able to develop the job skills necessary to become self-sufficient. This new skills-based job training based on the successful YOUTHWORKS! Program that Idaho Youth Ranch provides is an important step in helping our clients gain independence,” said Bea Black, CEO of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance.
Idaho Youth Ranch clients will also benefit from the expertise of the WCA team. The WCA Financial Empowerment Educator will make classes available to Idaho Youth Ranch clients. Idaho Youth Ranch youth and families may also receive classes on healthy relationships from the WCA Prevention Program Manager as part of this partnership.
Scott Curtis, CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch, said, “Our partnership with WCA is a great example of local nonprofits working together to leverage the strengths of each organization to produce better outcomes for the clients of both organizations.”
As part of this expanded partnership, WCA will be permanently closing The Shop, the thrift store operated by WCA that has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Items previously donated to the WCA thrift store will be sold at one of Idaho Youth Ranch’s 24 thrift stores across Idaho. Idaho Youth Ranch will offer interviews to any WCA thrift store employee interested in employment.
“Closing our store was not an easy decision, but the opportunity to work together with Idaho Youth Ranch to meet the shopping needs of our clients will allow us to focus on our core mission,” said Black.
To assist WCA clients, Idaho Youth Ranch will provide vouchers to WCA that will be distributed to their clients so they may purchase needed goods at any Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store. As part of this transition, WCA is asking their loyal, in-kind donors to now donate their items to the nearest Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store.
“We are excited to provide skills-based job training to WCA clients, creating employment opportunities for them with Idaho Youth Ranch and great companies throughout the Treasure Valley. We look forward to welcoming the WCA in-kind donors and shoppers to our stores,” said Curtis.
For victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, you can find help from WCA at www.wcaboise.org/get-help. If you or your family need help, Idaho Youth Ranch continues to take new clients. Families in need can call the help line at 208-947-0863 or request an appointment online.
