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Thank you for visiting "The Mayor's Page", a section of the City of Caldwell's website. I hope you find it helpful and full of fun, important information. Please view it regularly for updates on what's happening in Caldwell, including recent and upcoming events and issues from my office and city council. Feel free to contact me for more information at (208) 455-3011.
On August 13th, I had the pleasure of attending the official launch for C.A.T.C.H. (Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless) of Canyon County, a rapid re-housing program that provides long-term supportive housing for the homeless through business and church sponsorships. The City - in partnership with the City of Boise and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare– will manage the CATCH program that serves families children younger than 18. By rapidly re-housing families and offering rental assistance and intensive case management for up to six months, CATCH increases the likelihood of ultimate self sufficiency.
CATCH began in Boise in 2006 and has shown an 85% success rate in equipping families with the tools they need to become self-sufficient. Last November, Boise's CATCH program was nationally recognized by the National League of Cities and CH2MHill and honored with the prestigious Silver Award for Municipal Excellence at the 2008 Congress of Cities in Orlando, Florida.
Ironically, I wasn’t even aware of Boise’s success until I witnessed them receive this award. Upon returning from Orlando, Caldwell city officials, council members and community leaders met to learn how we could implement something similar out here. We are thankful to be able to continue and build upon the success of the City of Boise. The family is the backbone of this community and the City Caldwell is proud to be part of this much-needed program that will help support and improve the lives of so many who desperately need it.
We recently hired a case manager, Christy Thomas, who has already begun her work of receiving referrals from area shelters, including Hope’s Door, Lighthouse Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and Valley Crisis. WICAP will help refer those in need from the outlying counties. Ms. Thomas has begun screening families for eligibility, finding them a place to call home and working intensely with them to achieve self-sufficiency. In its first year, the CATCH program hopes serve 10 to 15 families at any given time.
This is truly a case where no one can do it all but we all can do something. Our impressive list of partners shows that people believe in this program and its goal and we at the City are so thankful to each and every one of them, including: Caldwell United Methodist, Church of the Nazarene, Deer Flat Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, Idaho Department of Labor, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Evergreen Mennonite Church, Mountain West Bank, Petra Construction, Save-Most Self Storage, Simplot, Sorrento Lactalis, Inc., Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority (SICHA), Tomlinson & Associates, United Way of the Treasure Valley, Wells Fargo and WICAP.
To learn more about how you can help the C.A.T.C.H. of Canyon County program, please contact Christy Thomas at 455-7138 or cthomas@ci.caldwell.id.us. Thank you and please feel free to contact my office at anytime with any questions about our great city.
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© Copyright 2009 City of Caldwell. All Rights Reserved.
