The Jesse Tree of Idaho is a non-proift social service agency dedicated to spreading the message of God's mercy and love to those in need through prayer, word, and deed. Currently our major focus is Emergency Rental and Mercy Assistance(ERMA)

Description:
Our concern is preventing homelessness. Each month many low to moderate income rent burdened families face the threat of eviction due to temporary financial setbacks. A temporary setback may include a short term job loss, illness, high utility costs, unexpected car repairs etc. Providing one-time rental assistance allows most families to remain in current housing and get back on track and regain self-sufficiency within a few short months. The process is as follows: The applicant completes a phone screening according to established criteria, the applicant comes into the office to complete an application and to provide additional documentation, a social worker processes the application by contacting the property owner, interviewing the applicant and providing additional referrals as needed. The last step is a housing inspection to ensure qualified families are living in a safe environment. Rent payment is then mailed directly to the landlord. Three months after services have ended a follow-up call is made to the applicant to verify they are still housed and working toward financial stability.

History:
The Jesse Tree of Idaho began its journey in the Fall of 1999 after Father John Donoghue, the founder, visited The Jesse Tree of Galvaston, Texas. Father Donoghue recognized the enormous impact The Jesse Tree had on the community of Galvaston, he came back to Boise and set out to establish an agency patterned after the Galvaston agency. In the Spring of 2000, The Jesse Tree established a small office at 1025 S. Capitol Blvd and began work on a variety of small service projects in collaboration with other social service agencies. In December of the same year, a city official asked Jesse Tree to administer the Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program. After a protocol was established and a social worker and volunteers were trained we opened our doors in July 2001 and started accepting applications for the ERMA program.

Contact person: Crista Beck, BSW, Social Worker, (208) 841-1558, (email)
Office fax number: (208) 383-3730

Address:

1025 S. Capitol Blvd. Boise, ID 83706 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

We are located across the street from Boise State University. We are on the same side of the street as the CottonWood Grille on the corner of Ninth and River. Stay in the right hand lane after passing the. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Ninth Street, 1 minute walk