Thanks to over 100 donors the International Rescue Committee in Boise was able to raise approximately $7,000 for the RISE Together swim program during Idaho Gives Day. Boise youth stepped forward to support the campaign, with matching funds provided by the Sixth Grade Year of Service at Anser Charter School and the Budding Philanthropists Fund at Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel.

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Photo: Madeline Scott/IRC

IRC Boise’s Facebook page shared stories throughout the day, like the young philanthropists who provided matching funds for the campaign, and refugee youth like Gakuru who have already benefitted from RISE swim lessons. The day culminated with the Boise Future Friends Block Party on LaPointe St.

Funds raised will be used to deliver summer swim instruction directly to refugee children where they live through a series of free 2-week, 8-session, swim classes delivered consecutively over the summer at apartment complexes with high refugee populations and in-house pools. Swim skills will be taught and progress measured by YMCA certified instructors. While summer lessons will target refugees they will be available at no cost to all children ages 4-14 at the apartment complexes, not just refugee youth.

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Gakuru talks about his experience as a participant with the RISE Together swim program.
Photo: Madeline Scott/IRC