We are so excited at the opportunity to partner with St. Alphonsus' Center for Global Healing and Health (CGHH) to provide recently resettled refugees with the opportunity to receive acupuncture at BAC!
CGHH was created to meet the needs of families and individuals who have resettled within the community through the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement program. They provide a holistic model of care through trauma informed, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate services for diverse populations. They are committed to participating in Healing Encounters that focus on the restoration of dignity, choice, and trust for all patients who seek care.
In the Fall, CGHH applied for a federal grant to fund their current programs and include acupuncture at BAC as a part of their diverse treatment options. Their funding never did come through. And they are not alone. Over the past 30 years Boise has been a beacon welcoming community for refugees around the world, but under the current Administration, many programs serving refugees who rely on federal funding have been working hard to make up for that lost funding; one local organization had to close their doors. In addition to the lack of funding for these programs, there are record low numbers of refugees coming to Boise due to federally mandated caps on refugees who are able to resettle. The decline in refugee arrivals is causing South Idaho businesses to scramble to find workers.
BAC stands with our refugee neighbors and is working out details to enable us to provide CGHH's patients with free acupuncture. We know how much power our community has when it comes to banding together to help out those in need. BAC was built on the donations of our community - every piece of furniture in the clinic was donated to us. You all helped us raise money so Gretchen and Shanell could treat our fellow Puerto Ricans in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, you helped us raise hundreds of dollars to donate to The Community Center, and now we are asking for your help in funding our efforts to provide these treatments.
The Giving Tree Community-Driven Fundraiser is an opportunity for you to sponsor a treatment for a local refugee through CGHH. If you feel you are able, we will be happy to accept a sliding scale donation of $5-40 at your next visit. After donating we invite you to pin up a leaf on the tree cut-out in our waiting room. Together, as a community, we can create a lush and colorful Giving Tree, signaling our love and support for our local refugee community members.
South Idaho worker shortage:
Why one of Boise’s three refugee-resettlement agencies is closing:
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article133017639.html
The Agency for New Americans desperately needs your help to keep our doors open: