Filling needs, expanding our reach

Our mission is to respond to the needs of displaced people coming to southern Idaho for refuge from war or natural disaster.

Roadmap

Bridges Idaho


    1. Collect clothes and household items for apartments in Twin Falls when new arrivals are expected.

    2. Collect and donate clothes periodically to Clothes Helpers in Twin Falls.

    3. Facilitate personal and job-related education and supplies that newly arrived families need.   Examples are: English language skills, job-related certification like CDL, and cultural understanding.

    4. Assist newly arrived displaced people to get and upgrade jobs with technology, resources, and networking support.

    1. Collect clothes and household items for apartments in Pocatello when new arrivals are expected.

    2. Help meet immediate and longer-term needs for individuals and families resettling in Pocatello.

    1. Create and regularly update website and social media

    2. Communicate with interfaith groups, service clubs, advocacy groups, businesses and individuals in Pocatello and throughout southern Idaho.

    3. Connect with lawyers who can help with legal issues.

    1. Share stories of newly arrived people and their success in the media.

    2. Promote welcoming legislation locally and nationally

You can also help international people seeking a new life in Idaho

  • Apartments to represent housing for refugees supported by Bridges Idaho

    Rent for new arrivals

    The Refugee Act of 1980 established a federal program to support refugees for their first 6-8 months in America with housing subsidy, English lessons, and work training to give them a foundation for independence and self-sufficiency. In January 2025, all funding to refugee resettlement centers in the United States was cut, leaving newly arrived people without necessary resources to establish a new life here. You can help support a new family by donating to Bridges Idaho via PayPal or Venmo and specifying “rent assistance.”

  • Box of clothes folded and ready for donation to refugees in Twin Falls Idaho

    Donate clothing

    Clothes Helpers in Twin Falls, Idaho, sorts and organizes donated clothes for any person in need at the First United Methodist Church at 360 Shoshone Ave E in Twin Falls. The clothes are distributed two Sundays a month. For more information, contact Clothes Helpers by phone or email. Clothes Helpers especially appreciates donations of warm weather gear and necessities such as feminine products and laundry detergent. Almost all of the new people arrive in Twin Falls from warmer climates and are unprepared for winter weather.

Your donation helps provide housing, transportation, and other basic needs for newly arrived people from other countries who are building skills to become self-reliant.

Bridges Idaho is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to Bridges Idaho are tax deductible.

Bridges Idaho

Committees

Transportation

Develop volunteer drivers to help international people or students without cars to make appointments or shop.  Explore access to affordable cars. Coordinate driving instruction services.

Housing

Ask residents to host a student or new arrival temporarily in their homes. Find strategies for affordable rentals and homebuying.

Communication

Assist the Bridges website and social media team to keep our digital image up to date and functional. 

Mentor

General knowledge of business, government, and non-profit resources to connect with. This includes immediate and longer term needs.

Legal

Assist in finding experience and interest around USCIS interface, immigration and citizenship law, dispute resolution, contracts, etc.

Photography

Assist in recording video and pictures of to be used in communications and storytelling.  Settings at home, work, events.

Career Development

Learn the knowledge and skills of newly arrived people from other countries, then assist to achieve U.S. standards for jobs. Facilitate English language learning. Help link international credentials to U.S. requirements.

Fundraising

Assist with donor appeals to annual and specific needs funding.


Job Placement

Advocate with greater Pocatello employers to hire refugees, immigrants and students in starting jobs that can advance to self-sufficiency. 

Publicity

Research, gather authentic information and develop human interest and documentary stories for commercial media, blogs, websites, and social media.

Advocacy

Assist in appeals to Idaho and federal legislators and other government and business leaders to support international people, protect their rights, and seek fair and equitable justice.

Health Care

Help displaced people make connections with Pocatello Free Clinic, Health West, and medical-dental clinics. Help coordinate donations to pay for services.

Cultural Events

Be part of the team for World Refugee Day, Ukrainian Festival and other events and gatherings to expand cultural knowledge in our community.

Interfaith

Coordinate humanitarian work with churches. Help newly arrived people to find and connect with a spiritual or religious organization.

Leadership

Serve as official officers of Bridges, comply with state and federal reporting requirements.