February has been a month of momentum. From hosting a Parent Night at our Northwest Pointe property in partnership with Pioneer Elementary, to launching our first financial literacy workshop in Caldwell with the Caldwell School District, to connecting with neighbors across the Treasure Valley, each moment reflects what is possible when community comes together and belonging takes root. We also launched Paint the Town registration this week and look forward to what next month brings. Because a home truly changes everything.

150 Students, One Message: Welcome

Approximately 150 Bishop Kelly High School students recently supported families living in NeighborWorks® Boise (NWB) multifamily communities while learning about the cultural diversity of our residents.

Students assembled hygiene kits with essential personal care items, added handwritten notes with inspirational quotes, and carefully wrote the word “welcome” in several different languages to honor the many backgrounds represented in our communities.

The students were part of Bishop Kelly’s house system, where students are divided into smaller “families” that foster leadership, connection, and service. This group represented the House of Gaudium — meaning “joy” — and their joyful energy was evident throughout the morning.

Students also learned about the housing stability services NWB provides and heard from Emebet, a refugee from Ethiopia, who shared her story alongside her young son. Her family has found stability through NWB housing, educational programming, and the food pantry — part of a welcoming environment that helps families build a new chapter.

With the support of our donors and community, a home changes everything — for families like Emebet’s and for the students learning what it means to create belonging.

In early February, the community room at Northwest Pointe Apartments — one of NeighborWorks® Boise’s multifamily affordable housing communities — became a place of connection, conversation, and shared purpose. Frontier Elementary families gathered on site for a Parent Night designed to strengthen communication, address student transportation concerns, and support student success.

Fifteen of the sixteen Frontier families who live at Northwest Pointe attended, underscoring the importance of meeting families where they are.

The primary focus of the evening was student transportation and safety. Although Northwest Pointe is within what the district may normally consider walking distance to Frontier Elementary, the route includes walking along a canal bank and other safety concerns. At the same time, some students had experienced challenges while riding the bus, prompting district conversations about transportation moving forward. Frontier school leaders chose to gather families together to listen, clarify expectations, and work collaboratively toward solutions that prioritize both safety and student success.

Beyond transportation, the meeting offered families valuable opportunities to connect with school staff and access additional resources. Frontier Principal Katie Rutan and district team members shared important updates and introduced the district’s new multilingual app, designed to translate school communications and help families better understand the information their children bring home. Staff also assisted with registering incoming kindergarten students, ensuring the youngest learners are ready for the year ahead.

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Michael at Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours & Trade Show.

Inga at Kuna Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon.

Angela at the Boise Bench Lions Club monthly lunch meeting.

New York Life Team Invests in Community Impact

Thank you to the local team from New York Life for their incredible support totaling $5,193 through company-sponsored volunteer hours, participation in Rake Up Boise, and their employee walk-a-thon with company match. New York Life’s commitment to community engagement — including paid volunteer time and an innovative walk-a-thon program that allows employees to track their participation and direct funds to a charity of their choice — reflects the generosity and heart of their team. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and for the meaningful impact they are helping create in our community.

Homebuyer Education Comes to Caldwell

NeighborWorks® Boise recently hosted our Homebuyer Education 101 workshop in Caldwell in partnership with Caldwell School District and Lewis & Clark Community School — a collaboration years in the making and a major win for our Education Team and Homeownership Center.

Eight community members attended the session, which focused on the top 10 things to know when buying a first home, including determining readiness, understanding a budget, and practical guidance for first-time buyers. Spanish interpretation was provided to ensure the workshop was accessible to families in the community.

Held at Lewis & Clark Elementary School, the workshop reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to financial education and homeownership resources in Canyon County. Each workshop stands on its own, making it easier for families to attend based on their needs and schedules.

We are grateful for the strong partnership with Caldwell School District and Lewis & Clark Community School, and for the team members who helped bring this long-envisioned opportunity to life. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your business or organization, please reach out to our Housing Education Manager.

Community Partner Spotlight: Katie Rutan, Principal, Frontier Elementary

Katie Rutan has served as principal of Frontier Elementary in the West Ada School District for eight years, leading a Title I school of nearly 300 students. The school serves a large multilingual learner population, and many students receive special education services. She describes Frontier as a passionate and diverse school community, supported by families who work hard and care deeply about their children’s success.

Katie first connected with NeighborWorks Boise through our work at Northwest Pointe Apartments. Together, we began exploring what collaboration between housing and school communities could look like.

For Katie, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to breaking down barriers for families.

“I loved the collaborative spirit and the genuine eagerness to provide a bridge for the school and the parent community,” she shared. “Their willingness to provide a location, facilitate communication, and create opportunities for connection showed their care for the community.”

We are grateful for leaders like Katie who recognize that housing stability and student success go hand in hand.

Healthy Blue Invests in Housing Stability

A big thank you to Healthy Blue for their generous $75,000 investment in support of our rental assistance and home repair programs. This meaningful funding helps ensure more Idaho families can remain safely housed — strengthening health, stability, and a sense of belonging across our communities. We are grateful for Healthy Blue’s partnership in expanding access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing, because a home changes everything.

Paint The Town™ registration and applications are open.

June 13, 2026

Join us and become a sponsor!

March 21: Homebuyer Education Class (Boise). Register here.

Idaho Gives: May 4-7, 2026

Paint the Town: June 13, 2026

Rake Up Boise: November 14, 2026

Support our Resident Services Program 

Our Mission: To lead in creating innovative housing solutions for underserved populations through strategic partnerships that contribute to building stronger communities.