Reaching Out to Help

For about five years, CBT Realtor® Ylonda Hays has been volunteering her time – and cooking skills – to feed the homeless community in Boise. She makes and serves chili in the colder months, collects clothing and supplies, shares the message of hope, and does whatever she can to help. We are proud to feature her as our October Doer of Good.

It's hard to pin down the exact number of homeless individuals and families in our valley. By some estimates, those experiencing homelessness have more than doubled in the last three years. Lost jobs, medical emergencies, landlords taking advantage of the increase in home prices and choosing to sell, or simply raising the rent, have all contributed to the challenges more and more families are dealing with across the country – and right here in the Treasure Valley.

Nonprofit organizations, city governments, area churches, and other organizations are doing what they can where they can. That's where Calvary Chapel Boise Homeless Outreach comes in. It all started because, according to Ylonda, "one guy had a heart for another's struggles and started showing up to feed homeless people and ministering to them through a meal and some clothing."

Now, volunteers serve food, send money to help, show up to pack bags of supplies, and visit with those who come to eat. "I'll take my kids," Ylonda explains, "and you will see many people cry because they are longing for their own kids and grandkids. We just try to show them love where we can."

Calvary's homeless outreach is funded by community donations. "We have to help each other," says Ylonda. "Times are hard, and anything we can do to help another human being is a good thing."

To help, visit Calvary Chapel Boise at www.ccboise.com or donate by clicking the GIVING tab on their website. Specify that your donation is for homeless outreach.

*****

Join us in celebrating our Doers of Good by getting involved in one of the programs we will spotlight over the next several months or tell us in the comments below about what lights your fire when it comes to making our communities better.