Community Resources
Providing community resources is one of our core values. These services support the general wellbeing of our residents. In addition to our full-time resource team, we work with several organizations to host pop-ups to connect services and resources with community members at the Library.
Community Resource Coordinator
Our Community Resource Coordinator connects individuals and families with agencies and resources to meet their unique needs, including housing or shelter referrals, utility relief, navigating government benefits, and more.
This service is to connect you with resources, and may refer you to social service agencies, but does not provide counseling, therapy, or case management.
If you would like to meet our Community Resource Coordinator, feel free to join one of our Coffee and Conversations:
- 10-11:30 a.m. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Library! at Cole & Ustick
- 10-11:30 a.m. every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at the Downtown Library
Lawyers in the Library
The Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program (IVLP) provides a safety net for low-income individuals and families in Idaho who require civil legal services and cannot afford to pay for them. IVLP recruits attorneys from local communities who volunteer their time and expertise to assist those in need. IVLP's free legal clinics are an opportunity to receive advice and counsel on your civil legal matter.
This clinic is held at the Downtown Library every 1st Tuesday of the month, and you must be registered to attend. Register now.
Health Services
Terry Reilly Health Services is a community health center that provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services.
Terry Reilly participates in outreach events for those that are interested in services they have to offer. Patient navigators will be available to make future appointments, learn about their programs, provide education on insurance and social security benefits, and connect attendees with important resources. Any questions about their services or programs can be directed to (208) 318-1326.
- 1st Wednesday of the month at the Downtown Library from 9:30 - 11 a.m.
- 3rd Monday of the month at the Downtown Library from 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Outreach Resource Pop-up
Our Path Home Outreach provides services to those experiencing homelessness most Wednesdays at one of our library locations. Outreach specialists are available to assist with housing assessments, referrals to services and resources, brief case management and problem solving, and general Q&A.
- 1st Wednesday of the month at the Downtown Library from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- 3rd Monday of the month at the Downtown Library from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m
Depression Resources
Support
Call or text 9-8-8 for the
Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline.
Clarvida Behavioral Crisis Center
is a 24/7 community crisis center located at 7192 Potomac Drive. 833-527-4747
Terry Reilly Behavioral Health
Three locations in Boise. 208-466-7869
Primary Behavioral Health Services
8620 W. Emerald St. Ste. 150. 208-617-3265
A Body & Mind Health Services
148 S. Cole Rd. 208-683-8320
Children’s Home Counseling Services
1750 W. Front St. 208-343-7797
Book Recommendations
- Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig
- Rising Strong, Brene Brown
- Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things, Jenny Lawson
Parenting Resources
Support
Call 2-1-1 and ask for Navigation. Holistic service plan for families to promote the health, safety, and well-being of children.
Contact your child’s school social worker if your family is impacted by a loss in housing. Students and their families will be eligible for services
Book Recommendations
- The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did), Philippa Perry
- Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health, Kelly Fradin
- The Whole-Brain Child, Siegel & Bryson
Prenatal Care
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-852-6262
WIC - Women, Infants, & Children: Provides nutritious food for pregnant women and their children. 208-327-7400
St. Luke’s Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) works with first-time low-income mothers to improve pregnancy outcomes and family health from pregnancy through two years. Call 208-921-3879 to get connected with a free personal nurse.
Kids
Family Advocates offers a free Family Strengthening 10-week parenting course for children ages 5–12 and their caregivers. Contact 208-923-1565 to enroll.
Safe Families for Children: Unexpected crisis? Gap in childcare? Carefully screened volunteers offer childcare and family support. 208-509-2431
Idaho Parents Unlimited: Resource for caregivers of children with disabilities. Most activities and services are free. 208-342-5884
Teenagers
The Bridge: Connects youth and families to services and support in the community to help overcome barriers. 208-577-4820
FYIdaho Family Support Line: Serves parents and caregivers of youth with mental health challenges through direct support and education. 208-433-8845
Survival Class: Get guidance and support if your teen is using drugs or alcohol. Ask your teen’s school for a referral. The class can be for both the parent and teen.
Caregivers for Aging Adults Resources
Support
Family Caregiver Navigator: Connecting caregivers to the services that can reduce stress and increase quality of life. 208-426-5899
Aging Strong by Jannus: Volunteer opportunities for older adults, caregiver classes, caregiver support program, memory cafés, and more. 208-947-4282
Idaho Community Care Program: Free case management services to caregivers who are caring for an individual with memory concerns, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease. 208-898-9626
Idaho Legal Aid Services Caregiver Team: Guidance on how to become a Certified Family Home provider, which allows Medicaid to cover long-term care costs. 208-334-0711
Saint Alphonsus Memory Centers: Three locations in Boise. 208-302-5400
- Explore Ada Community Library’s Memory
Connections Resource collection for those with
Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias
and their Caregivers at the Victory Branch:
208-362-0181 - Ask Boise Public Library staff about our
programs like the Alzheimer’s Caregiver
Support Group and Memory Cafés.
Book Recommendations
- Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, The Caregiver, and the Human Brain, Dasha Kiper
- Eldercare 101: A Practical Guide to Later Life Planning, Care and Well-being, Mary Jo Saavedra
- Floating in the Deep End, Patti Davis
Medical Health Resources
Support
2-1-1 Idaho Careline: Ask to be connected to medical resources.
Terry Reilly Patient Navigators: Connect patients to healthcare and address social factors that may be a barrier to good health. 208-318-1326
Community Health Workers at Full Circle Health: Advocate for individuals who may have limited access to health resources and social services. 208-954-8727
Central District Health: Offers a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. 208-327-7400
Book Recommendations
- When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi
- And Finally: Matters of Life and Death, Henry Marsh
- Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy, Sharon Marsh
- Atomic Habits, James Clear
- The Well-lived Life: A 102-year-old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Any Age, Gladys McGarry M.D.
- Good Energy, Casey Means
Grief Resources
Support
St. Luke’s Health System offers a free 7-week grief support group for the community.
208-381-2721 for additional information.
The Dick Eardley Senior Center has a Widow/Widower support group. Please sign up in advance.
208-608-7580.
Treasure Wellness Counseling and Training Center offers a weekly group in Meridian.
208-515-7661 for additional information.
Local hospice agencies often have grief support groups available to the community.
Dial 9-8-8 for free and confidential support from trained crisis responders.
Children’s Home Counseling Services offers a free grief group for youth aged 12-18.
208-343-7797 for more information.
Book Recommendations
- When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalinithi
- The Grieving Brain, Mary-Frances O’Connor
- The Dog Who Followed the Moon, James Norbury
- The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion