The Home Subsequent Door in Nampa helps single moms obtain academic targets | Native Information

NAMPA – In 2015, The House Next Door started as a place for single mothers to graduate from college while living rent-free with their children.

The Nampa-based nonprofit has cared for 16 women and 27 children to date, five of whom were born while living there, according to director and deacon Kathleen Tigerman.

Tigerman said the house, which stands next to Grace Episcopal Church on 10th Avenue South, hence the name, was created to meet a community-wide need after talking to several single mothers.

“The mothers were asked, ‘If you could do something, what would you do?’ And they said, “Oh, I would like to go back to school; I would like to finish my education; I’d like to finish my GED, “Tigerman recalled.” When the house came up for sale, the Church decided to reuse it for this idea of ​​single mothers living together so that they could have a community of support, but also a rent-free one Place to live, to really focus on education. “

Tigerman said church leaders would soon have a donor and several grants to buy the house, and launched the organization, which is now nearly its sixth year.

The house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, playroom and study. Laundry is available on site, as is a playground in the backyard.

Tigerman said four families can normally stay in the house. However, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, only three families have lived there to ensure each has its own floor to prevent possible spread Residents. Masks are worn in the common room, she added.

The mother has to complete an application and interview to be considered, said property manager Cristina Vieira, who runs a solid admission process with every candidate. The residents are then selected by the board members of The House Next Door.

Tigerman said they typically receive 4-8 applications per year and conduct an average of four interviews based on those submissions. She added that it generally depends on how many vacancies they have and so far this has resulted in around 2-3 new families a year.

Every woman is welcome to stay at home until she has completed her education, e.g. B. a GED, Bachelor or Master course. Tigerman said they even had mothers who graduated and then worked to graduate another while they stayed there. The average length of stay varies from family to family, with some women staying for one semester and others for several semesters.

Tigerman said the women, many of whom are fleeing domestic violence, are also given life skills instruction – how to budget, apply for financial assistance, secure child support, or enroll their child in a start-up program – so they can independently once they leave the house leave.

“We just believe that by helping the mother educate her, she will get the tools she needs to be self-sufficient and successful, as well as a step toward a higher paying job that also has community benefits “Said Tigerman.

“The low-wage employment that people without an education command cannot keep up with housing costs in this area, and so we can help them fill that gap by just treading water or not even treading water all the way to get ahead.” “Vieira added.” This is almost impossible if you don’t have some form of support. … We are in the business of changing lives, and we are not doing it on a large number of people, but on a profound impact on a small number of people. It is something really powerful to see this transformation. “

According to Tigerman, the organization participates in various fundraising drives to help families live rent-free, as well as groceries, toiletries, clothing and other needs. The largest source of donations is Avenues for Hope, which supports charitable organizations in Idaho. This campaign, which requires a minimum donation of $ 25, began on Friday and will run through December 31st.

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Tigerman said they hope to raise $ 40,000 and have at least 126 donors to top last year’s total. She added that if that happened they would also receive an award of $ 500 as a result.

The money raised will go straight to housing existing and future families at home. Tigerman said it will allow the nonprofits to keep the actual structure of the house as well, and some of this year’s funding will be used to offset the cost of a new roof.

Going forward, Vieira and Tigerman, both of whom work part-time for nonprofits, hope that they can eventually create more housing for more families, including a place for single fathers who, given their success, see an education for living with the mothers seen. They usually receive 2-3 inquiries per year from single fathers and wish that there was a similar place for their families.

“I think this place is really transformative. I see women come in and their bodies are in this state of struggle or flight right now,” said Vieira. “When you leave you can see it in your face, you exhaled; you figured out what to do or what to do to protect yourself.”

“And with that, you’re leaving this new sense of confidence and self-worth that you can develop in the world – and that you can do yourself,” added Tigerman. “That’s why we’re here.”

Those who would like to donate to the Avenues for Hope campaign can make a contribution at avenuesforhope.org/organizations/the-house-next-door. You can also find more information about The House Next Door, including the application link, at thehousenextdoornampa.org.