Educated Giving in Our Community

The IWCF Education Committee strives to increase awareness and understanding of the community’s needs and assets and to increase our member commitment to informed philanthropy through programs presented for our members and guests.

Current Chair:  Jena Vasconcellos

2023-2024 IWCF Education Presentations

September 25, 2023 – Teen and Young Adult Mental Health

Panelists emphasized the importance of connection to good mental health for teens and adults. Dr. Gretchen Gudmundsen, St. Luke’s Child Clinical Psychologist, shared many concerning statistics, including that 20% of children and adolescents suffer from a disabling mental illness. Andrea Geraghty, LCSW, works with social workers and school counselors in the Boise School District, focusing on partnerships with other agencies, support groups, and prevention. She indicated there are many levels of help for students and for parents, from support groups to crisis intervention. Dr. Megan Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and Director of Communities for Youth, is working with data to better define the problem. Young people are vulnerable to mental health challenges because of where they are developmentally. Young girls ages 10 to 14 have the fastest growing suicide rate. Smith posited that stress and isolation, important causes of depression, can be changed through human connection. Moderating the Q&A session was Ruth York, Executive Director of Families and Youth of Idaho, a statewide organization committed to improving the mental health of youth and their families. She emphasized the importance of involvement, service, and purpose in young people’s lives.

November 8, 2023 – Meeting the Affordable Housing Needs of Seniors

Andy Erstad, of erstad Architects, and Casey Mattoon, director of Our Path Home, a public-private partnership with a goal of ending homelessness in Ada County, described the complex nature of providing affordable housing for a growing demographic of seniors in Idaho, who, for many reasons, find themselves needing assistance with a place to call home.

Casey described the current and future need as a “crisis,” with the increase in older adults becoming vulnerable due to living on fixed incomes, rental and housing prices going up, as well as other factors. From 2010 to 2020 there was an 86% increase in seniors over the age of 65 in our community. Our Path Home works with Boise City, other government agencies, nonprofits, and private entities to find housing as well as the support services required to live healthy and comfortable lives.

Andy prefers using the term “income limited” for people requiring affordable housing. His definition of affordability is the balance between market forces and individual income, and thus is not a set figure. He and his firm have spent more than 20 years designing housing that are “dignified, safe, secure and contemporary.” Both speakers identified funding as a challenge. There are so many partners and the cost per square foot does not differ much from high-rent apartments. Sustainability and maintenance costs must also be taken into account.

January 18, 2024 – Financial and Estate Planning Issues for Women

Shaila Buckley, the founder of Shaila Buckley Law and law partner, Rachel Murphy, shared essential information about estate planning in a clear and easily understood presentation. Whether members were very knowledgeable about financial and estate planning or knew very little about the subject, they all gained very useful and important information. “Estate planning  is something everyone should do.” “Estate planning provides peace of mind for you and people you care about by protecting your loved ones, your values and your assets.” Important steps to consider include naming guardians for minor children, set up inheritance trusts for your beneficiaries, and consider arranging distributions sent directly to charities.