Assistance League of Boise Idaho, Inc.
Transforming Lives * Strengthening Communites
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The problem ALB Boise aids to address is that many families in Ada County do not have resources to adequately cloth or provide essential items for their children.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Operation School Bell®
The signature philanthropy of Assistance League was established in Boise in 1989. School officials refer children in need to ALB for new clothing, personal care kits, and prepaid shoe cards. Last year more than 3,704 elementary school students were provided assistance is selecting clothing by our member volunteers.
Teen Retail assists middle school students as they shop at a local retail store. ALB volunteers assist the student shoppers. Students are referred by school district staff. 776 middle school students were serviced January/February 2018.
Operation School Supplies
Program provides required school supply items to 94 public elementary and charter schools in Ada County to include the Boise, Kuna, and West Ada School districts. School personnel identify the 12,538 student recipients in need of supplies.
Project Hearing
Provides audiology screening and assistance with hearing devices. Funds professional/technical and academic scholarships for hearing impaired students from Ada County. 80 hearing aids were provided in 2017 - 2018 and $20,000 in scholarships were given.
Baby Bundles
Program provides newborn layettes including receiving blankets, diapers, onesies, hygiene products, digital thermometer, a helpful handbook for new parents, to Ada County hospital maternity facilities for distribution to new mothers in need. In 2017 - 2018, 325 baby bundles were provided to the three hospitals in Ada County.
Cinderella's Closet
Lends formal wear (gowns, tuxedos and accessories) to high school students for prom and homecoming so they can fully participate in school social activities. In 2017 - 2018, 120 gowns and 105 tuxes were rented.
Empowering Youth
We provide a traveling roller bag of basic housekeeping items/supplies for youth transitioning from foster care to independent living. Also included is a handmade quilt lovingly crafted by our members. In 2017/2018, 18 young adults received these items.
History in the Bown House
Assistance League docents make Idaho history come alive to 4th grade students in a restored pioneer home. The students are able to participate in hands-on-experience of life as it existed in the 1800's. The home is also open to the public once a month. In 2017/2018, 2,701 fourth grade students toured the Bown House.
Teen Retail
Provide voucher to junior high students identified by staff at the local Middle Schools to shop for clothing at a local department store.
Hy Hope
Assists homeless unaccompanied youth with necessities for independent living.
Where we work
Awards
Student Services Advocate Award 2015
Boise School District
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of children who receive new clothing
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Operation School Bell®
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric includes the number of K-6 grade students who receive new cloths and shoes from Operation School Bell and the number of middle school students (981) served through our Teen Retail program
Number of children who received school supplies
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Operation School Supplies
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Eighty of our Ada County public schools received items they requested to benefit over 13,000 student.
Number of baby bags given to new mOthers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers
Related Program
Baby Bundles
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Items necessary for new babies were provided to 186 families in need of these supplies in 2019. We work with local hospitals to distribute items. One parent noted, "these were a lifesaver for me."
Number of people provided assistive technology
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with hearing impairments
Related Program
Project Hearing
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Our volunteers screened and referred 64 applicants to certified audiologist, then fund hearing tests and hearing aids in 2019. We also provided $12,000 in scholarships to hearing impaired students.
Number of students educated through field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
History in the Bown House
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
As a part of the 4th grade curriculum on Idaho history, volunteers provide an interactive tour of the Bown House an historic farm home in Boise. In 2020 COVID prevented us from having school tours.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Assistance League volunteers are working to transform the lives of adults and children through community programs. Our vision is to see that essential needs are met in our community and families flourish.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategic goals are:
> Recruit, retain and support our volunteers
> Increase community recognition
> Ensure a viable future
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
With approximately 350 members and 21 members in our new Canyon County, we are able to meet our commitments to our Philanthropies and man our Thrift Shop. Members requested more flexibility in volunteering their time to the organization. We are trying various changes in requirements. We have started allowing volunteers to join our organization anytime versus only twice a year and have had a steady increase in membership. We started a weekly email to all members to inform them of openings for help in Thrift Shop and philanthropies coming up in the next week or two.
We have hired a consulting company to help with marketing.
The Thrift Shop has held more promotional events to increase exposure and revenue.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We updated our Thrift Shop with improved lighting, wiring, paint, new windows, signage, and display cabinets. For an older building, it was a visible improvement that our customers applauded. Since the remodel we have seen a steady increased in our revenue sales.
Our philanthropies continue to grow at a controlled pace to match the needs of our community. Operation School Bell served 3,704 grade school children and Teen Retail served 776 middle school teens in 2017-2018. Operation School Supplies provided supplies to 94 Ada County public schools with 2,777 boxes of requested.
Donations also continue to grow with great community support monetarily and to our Thrift Shop.
Fortunately, people in our community value the philanthropic work we do to support and strengthen Ada County families in need.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Assistance League of Boise Idaho, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 07/12/2023
Wendy Hartman
Assistance League of Boise
Term: 2023 - 2024
Mrs. Terry Loofbourrow
Assistance League of Boise
Term: 2023 - 2024
Terry Loofburrow
ALB Boise
Leslie Anderson
ALB Boise
Robin Holmes
ALB Boise
Carolyn Rapp
ALB Boise
Marilyn Fowler
ALB Boise
Dyan Goulet
ALB BoiseN/A
Jen Edwards
ALB Boise
Nancy Perry-Dale
ALB Boise
Elaine Daley
ALB Boise
Sabrina Schulz
ALB Boise
Beverly Mitchell
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes